Scarcity SE - Less Loot Mod
⚪ Last updated 2021⚠️ Install Order · 5 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
Preview

🔍 Analysis
- 👍 1.4% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
- 🏆 #53 of 99 Gameplay mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
D ESCRIPTION:
This is Scarcity - Less Loot Mod by Syclonix ported and fixed for Skyrim Special Edition.
If you use weapons/armor/creature mods you will need Scarcity because the more weapons/armor/creature mods you use the more unbalanced Skyrim's economy becomes.
Scarcity fixes Skyrim’s broken economy and makes finding rare items rewarding again; it reduces ALL types of loot, even mod-added loot, so that there are less weapons and armor lying around, potions and gems are scarcer, and finding enchanted items is a genuine treasure--as it should be.
Moreover, it reduces loot so you don't have to keep making trips to the same cleared dungeon again and again just to haul everything back.
Scarcity is adjustable to make loot 2x to 10x less likely to find inside containers, dead creatures, and dead NPCs, and affects everything from arrows to lockpicks to scrolls to gold (gold from quest rewards are not affected).
It will not touch quest-related items or items equipped by NPCs (as opposed to unequipped loot) so that fights will still be tough.
With less loot in the world, Scarcity also optionally affects what merchants have for sale.
Tired of every Blacksmith in Skyrim having multiple enchanted weapons and armor for sale? Scarcity can fix that, just choose one of the 2x to 10x Merchant Item Rarity modules to activate.
Best of all Scarcity is fully compatible and will integrate well with all other mods, even those altering leveled lists themselves (see the "Compatibility" section).
** Note that Scarcity's changes will immediately affect new containers, NPCs, and merchants you come across, but you must wait the cell reset time (usually 10 game days) in order to see changes affect containers, NPCs, and merchants in areas you have already visited.
C OMPATIBILITY:
Scarcity is fully compatible with all other mods that add items and vendors to the game or alter existing leveled lists.
All you need to do is include it in your Smashed Patch/Bashed Patch (see "Installation").
Scarcity will apply to all mod-added items that utilize Skyrim's vanilla leveled loot lists.
Scarcity will not touch items added dynamically to loot lists via scripts .
Scarcity will not touch mod-added items that are outside of loot lists; for example Scarcity will not affect NPCs equipped weapons and armor, only the additional weapons and armor they might drop upon death. This ensures Scarcity does not change gameplay balance/difficulty.
I NSTALLATION:
[]Download using Nexus Mod Manager or download manually and run the FOMOD installer.
Scarcity SE - Less Loot Mod is a port of the original Scarcity mod for Skyrim Special Edition, aiming to reduce the amount of loot found in the game. It has been fixed and improved for SE, with 4,405 endorsements and 325,153 downloads, indicating strong community support. This mod is for players who want a more challenging and rewarding loot experience.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Huge community trust with 4,405 endorsements and over 325k downloads
- Direct port of a popular mod, so you know what you're getting
- Improves on the original, so likely better performance or fixes
⚠️ Cons
- Last updated in April 2021 — may not be compatible with the latest Skyrim SE patches
- Requires you to know how to install mods manually or via a mod manager
For Skyrim SE players who find the default loot too plentiful and want a grittier, more survival-like experience. If you're a completionist who likes finding every item, this mod might frustrate you. Skip if you want more loot or don't care about loot balance.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Make sure to place this mod in your load order after other loot-changing mods to avoid conflicts.
- Use a mod manager like Vortex or Mod Organizer 2 to easily install and manage this mod.
- If you're on Skyrim SE, ensure you have the latest version of the game and SKSE64 if required (though not stated).
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Skyrim Mods
- Author
- Syclonix
- Version
- 1.24
- Downloads
- 325,153
- Endorsements
- 4,405
- Category
- Gameplay
- Created
- 3/2/2017
- Updated
- 4/26/2021
🔧 How to Install Skyrim Mods
Download from Nexus.
📖 Full step-by-step install guide for Skyrim →
Visit the official mod page for specific installation instructions for this mod.
🎮 Need cheat codes or console commands? Check ur gaming wiki for Skyrim commands, item IDs, and more.
Keep browsing — more Skyrim mods await