The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has a robust modding community, with a large section of which is dedicated to animation mods. Changing everything from the idle animation to how your character sheaths their sword is the main focus of these mods. XP32 Maximum Skeleton Special Extended was created as a free support system for Skyrim mods.

The function of XP32 Maximum Skeleton Special Extended is to provide the game with a skeleton, the framework of your in-game character, that is better suited for animation mods. It functions as a foundation to layer as many weird and cool animation mods as you want. Mods that use this include FNIS, Pretty Sit Idles, Pretty Combat Animations SSE, and Animated Eating Redux.

What It Does

As stated above, XP32 Maximum Skeleton Special Extended is a base mod. A mod that other mods use to function. There are so many different kinds of modifications that use this mod that it would be difficult to list them all. 

There are Skyrim mods that change the idle stances of your characters, mods that change how your character functions from eating, swimming, to how they sneak around, and even mods that change the way you fight are all supported by XP32 Maximum Skeleton SE. Some players even swear that it is absolutely necessary to use this mod.

XP32 Maximum Skeleton Special Extended does not add any animation mods on its own. It is purely a framework for other mods. However, this is not to be viewed as a negative aspect.

Shortcomings

Ironically enough, one of the mod’s shortcomings is its dependency on other mods to function well. If you only use one animation mod, everything should be fine, but if you’re entrenched in the modding community, you will most likely use multiple mods. XP32 Maximum Skeleton Special Extended can handle multiple mods but only with organization, which unfortunately is a feature that it doesn't provide.

Much Needed Base Mod

While XP32 Maximum Skeleton Special Extended can feel a little bare-bones due to its lack of self-management, it does its job of providing a good framework. So great that many animation mods require it to function at all. 

As more mods roll out that change how your character walks, sits, eats, and fights, having this mod work as the base for all of them becomes more of a requirement vs a want. Installation is relatively simple, and with a mod manager on hand, using multiple animation mods is easy.