Games load mods sequentially. If two mods attempt to change the same thing—for example, two different mods modifying the same texture—the one loaded wins. This "rule of the last" is the foundation of modding:
When testing new orders, try to use a "clean save" (a save file that has never had that mod installed) to prevent residual data from causing issues. Order Mods
If your game starts crashing or showing "potato-colored faces," it’s likely an order issue. Games load mods sequentially
Many "Master Files" (like ESMs) must load first because other mods rely on them to function. Best Practices for Organizing Your Load Order If your game starts crashing or showing "potato-colored
If your load order is wrong, a small bug fix might be accidentally overwritten by a massive overhaul, causing glitches or broken quests.
You don't have to do it all manually. Tools like LOOT (Load Order Optimisation Tool) can automatically sort your mods based on a massive community database of known conflicts.