The *playing* Skyrim Thread.

[JackAxe]

I can understand turning to guides and online help when you get stuck and it would be frustrating otherwise, but some aspects of the game should be left alone.

I think Bethesda have done a good job with actually making alchemy interesting as there is a sense of mystery and learning as you progress with this skill. An attempt has been made to simulate some kind of realism (as far as that's possible in a computer game). New potions can be acquired by experimentation and by buying or finding recipes.

I think people really should be careful not to take the fun out the game by using exploits too much. I've heard people mention bows that kill dragons with one shot. Where's the fun in that? Everything you meet is easily dispatched and treasure holds no value.

I agree with what you say about guides and gameplay, but on the flip side I have some rambles.

One of the main the reason I buy guides, is to get something more tangible than what's included in these sparse retail boxes now days; and ONLY for the games I really enjoy, so Skyrim was a no brainer; I also bought the 4 disc Soundtrack.

I look at the guide as great tangible reference book to just have around, especially for a title that I know I'm going to replay more than once, or if and when I'm trying to recall something.

I always go as far as I can on my own before referencing my guides -- given I've even bought one. With Dragon Age: Origins as example, I played it on nightmare-difficulty up until I knew that the Arch dragon was my next main plot-point ( so a game ender ), then at that time I dove into my guide to cross reference what I have and have not completed.

I've completely way more games than I've bought guides, but for a game like Skyrim, I view it as plus.

And to put the kill a dragon with one shot into "context"; early on, that would be massive cheese, but I wouldn't mind a weapon like that if I earned it through countless hours of play and only through great difficulty, so that it's a reward. But I wouldn't want an item like that to be effective on an end boss. I'd only want it to be effective on a certain level at beast -- so lower level dragons if they exist in Skyrim? I'm not far enough to know if there are different levels of dragons outside of fire and ice as an example.

Anyways, way more to the above. But even with all my rambling, I do agree with your points. I never had guides or the option uber-death weapons on the games I played back when I was younger, but on the other hand I had way more time to play games and figure them all out on my own.

 

[antonis]

Yes, as you progress to the game there are various types of dragons. There are some that called just "dragons", these are the lower/easier ones. Then, there are the frost/blood/fire (?) dragons, then there are the ones called "ancient dragons" (more deadly that the previous kinds) and finally, the named dragons (they actually have a unique name).

As a melee character, having finished the game and acquiring Daedric armor/weapons with enchants (no guides or any kind of boosts whatsoever) game is already a walk in the park.

 

[Huntn]

Nice!!!

I grabbed them and will put them on one of my tablets.

I haven't done much alchemy, but it's one of the areas I'm going to focus on after enchantment.

Ideally, I'd like the game to be balanced to a point, that I'll need to rely on potions just as much as magic and so on. I haven't had to use potions much, so I'm hopping the difficulty mods will change that aspect.

I can't put my finger on it, but I remember making faster progress with alchemy in Oblivion. The other thing is I actually had a map showing where I marked the stuff I found. I've not done that in Skyrim so far, so if I need something in particular it's a lot tougher.

I've always fantasized about a much more dynamic game like this with multiple possible endings, not just a few scripted choices, with free wheeling conversations like flirting, seducing a barmaid or deciding to get drunk and cause a rukus in town, being hauled in front of the archmage, or more importantly have dragons who can actually destroy towns and wipe out entire quest chains if you ignore them! That was the biggest issue in Oblivion as it is in Skyrim. Most of the infrastructure of the game is static. There could be Oblivion gates popping up all around and if you ignored them, there were no dire consequences.

As far as the present game setting, I keep mulling over whether I should throw in with the Stormcloaks or stick with the Imperials who tried to execute me... Logic would say that after this experience, a natural choice would be to join the rebels. But it's the Thalmor that worry me. The question is for my character, there's been nothing in the game that really describes this aspect is there? All of what I know of the Thalmor comes from external sources that my character would not be privy too. Within the game, all I know there is this Thalmor "advisor" sticking his nose into everything at the college. It's interesting that my character is also an Elf, but I get no affinity vibes from him or him using it as a lever for cooperation, like asking me where I'm from and how do I like Skyrim, etc (another limitation of a game like this).

 

[whooleytoo]

Nice!!!

I grabbed them and will put them on one of my tablets.

I haven't done much alchemy, but it's one of the areas I'm going to focus on after enchantment.

Ideally, I'd like the game to be balanced to a point, that I'll need to rely on potions just as much as magic and so on. I haven't had to use potions much, so I'm hopping the difficulty mods will change that aspect.

Odd, I have to rely on potions quite a lot. If I'm in a battle and my health gets very low (can happen quite quickly with the more difficult dragons or some Mages) I need to use Restore Health potions as my best Restoration spells either restore too slowly or take too long to perform. Similarly, I often have to boost my Magicka in combat as I can't afford to wait for it to recharge - even with enchanted items which boost Magicka recharging. Sometimes Stamina too, though that seems to recharge quite quickly.

Maybe it's my fuzzy memory, but I thought I learned more magic spells more quickly in Oblivion - I have no Cure Poison, Cure Disease or Invisibility spells - so I have to rely on potions for those.

 

[deadwulfe]

all of what i know of the thalmor comes from external sources that my character would not be privy too. Within the game, all i know there is this thalmor "advisor" sticking his nose into everything at the college.

Without giving anything away. Your character will be privy to more information while doing the Diplomatic Immunity quest in the main quest line.

 

[SkippyScud]

Are you running Windows or emulation? If Windows, yes, something is wrong. What's going on in Windows? How much space have you allowed it? You might want to try something like Tuneup Utlities which can be used to turn off background programs.

So I *think* it ended up being the drivers. I had updated them a while back but had not played any games with them. In the end, I needed more HDD space for my bootcamp partition so I blew it away and re-installed. The updated bootcamp drivers must have helped too. Playing with Ultra settings and it runs like butter on a hot summer day

 

[Nightarchaon]

Skyrim truly feels like an entirely different game than Oblivion. Leveling is different along with character development. When it comes to the NPC's, they are more "alive", they note your presence and have routines that are random instead of just standing there to meet you.

Really, give Skyrim a shot. Not only is it beautiful to look at, the entire world feels "alive", from hunting game for leathercraft to even playing tag with the children.

I'll agree with that , oblivion I loved, played it to death, skyrim, I just can't get into, I find it dull and directionless compared to oblivion, sure the addition of dragons are cool, but I just can't quite find myself caring about the plot at all.

I wish that I could play oblivion, overhauled to skyrims visual standards, or better yet, morrowind.

 

[Alaerian]

See, I thought the exact opposite. I HATED Oblivion and Morrowind. Skyrim has me firm in its grasp.

... when I'm not playing SWTOR.

 

[Huntn]

So I *think* it ended up being the drivers. I had updated them a while back but had not played any games with them. In the end, I needed more HDD space for my bootcamp partition so I blew it away and re-installed. The updated bootcamp drivers must have helped too. Playing with Ultra settings and it runs like butter on a hot summer day

Just to let you know, since I've gotten the MBP in my signature, I feel no need to mess with drivers and my performance is fine. I just use the ones Apple supplies through bootcamp. Now if your hardware is older, maybe going for the latest drivers could make a difference, but in this case did they made things worse?

I'll agree with that , oblivion I loved, played it to death, skyrim, I just can't get into, I find it dull and directionless compared to oblivion, sure the addition of dragons are cool, but I just can't quite find myself caring about the plot at all.

I wish that I could play oblivion, overhauled to skyrims visual standards, or better yet, morrowind.

And here for a while I thought the main quest was dealing with this orb found in a ruin by the College, lol. I admit it can be hard to identify but it's something like this: small spoiler for anyone not playing>>escape execution, discover you are dragonborn, get some voice training <<spoiler and from there I refuse to check any further in my Official Guide.

 

[SkippyScud]

Just to let you know, since I've gotten the MBP in my signature, I feel no need to mess with drivers and my performance is fine. I just use the ones Apple supplies through bootcamp. Now if your hardware is older, maybe going for the latest drivers could make a difference, but in this case did they made things worse?

Yeah, I have a mid-2011 iMac, going with the bootcamp drivers resolved all issues with my games. BF3 gives me a "Update your drivers" warning ... but I'm not falling for that again!

 

[Huntn]

Spoiler Werewolf Talk-

I've decided that you can't do a game like this without enjoying most of the content. I decided to become a werewolf, but I had some puzzling experiences.
I went through the ritual, became a wolf, came-to out in the woods in my undies with Angie (whatever her name is) telling me we should go kill some Silver hands. By game time, I'm having trouble telling how many hours have passed. Ok so I'm in the woods all most naked and by this I assume I am supposed to go kill Silverhands as a werewolf, except I can't transform (which I assume is due to the 24 hr cooldown). So what now?

ESWiki says there is no need to be a werewolf to kill Silverhands so where is all my stuff??? I've tried to change into a werewolf but that is not working. So if I can't be furry I need some armor and weapons. Fist fighting in my undies playing a sexy elf has some distraction advantages, but overall is not working out too well.

Note: After reading online, I just realized I was calling up Beast Form under Powers and selected that as a favorite thinking that was it. My understanding is there is a Spell too. I'll go back and check.

Where can I find my gear? I wants it!!

Update: Gear is in my inventory. I must be in a werewolf cool down period.

 

[deadwulfe]

Yeah, looks like you've learned all there is to it on your own! Although, I will add that even though you have 100% reduction in getting a disease, you can still catch diseases for some reason I'm not really sure of.

It's a Power, no Spell that I know of, but I did read there's a ring that eliminates the cooldown period.

All gear gets un-equiped, so afterwards, you'll have to re-equip everything.

 

[Huntn]

Yeah, looks like you've learned all there is to it on your own! Although, I will add that even though you have 100% reduction in getting a disease, you can still catch diseases for some reason I'm not really sure of.

It's a Power, no Spell that I know of, but I did read there's a ring that eliminates the cooldown period.

All gear gets un-equiped, so afterwards, you'll have to re-equip everything.

Because of the limitations, I don't think I'll resort to getting furry unless it's a last resort, plus I wanted to enjoy the Companion quest chain.

Another issue: I been unable to sell many of my items to vendors and I just noticed yesterday that the items in question are labeled "stolen". How could that be? I've been taking all this gear off dead people that I killed in combat. Any clues about why?

Being a pragmatist I'm also looking into a way to sell this stuff to a shady character in Solitude but he wants me to knock out a light house and cause a shipwreck! I suppose I'd have to do that before I can get him to buy my stuff labeled stolen? (But as I explained, it's not stolen). Anyone know about fences? Thanks!

 

[MRU]

Being a pragmatist I'm also looking into a way to sell this stuff to a shady character in Solitude but he wants me to knock out a light house and cause a shipwreck! I suppose I'd have to do that before I can get him to buy my stuff labeled stolen? (But as I explained, it's not stolen). Anyone know about fences? Thanks!

I did that, and then killed him........ After finishing main quest being good, I just carried on progressively getting more evil, signing up to every evil deity who wants me to carry out their wicked plans.....

Then I realised, it really makes no difference being good or evil as the game just continues on, and there's very little incentive one way or the other....

Which has made me stop playing now, but this was after about 60-70 hours of playing through it, more than any game I have probably played in the last 5 years though..

 

[Huntn]

I did that, and then killed him........ After finishing main quest being good, I just carried on progressively getting more evil, signing up to every evil deity who wants me to carry out their wicked plans.....

Then I realised, it really makes no difference being good or evil as the game just continues on, and there's very little incentive one way or the other....

Which has made me stop playing now, but this was after about 60-70 hours of playing through it, more than any game I have probably played in the last 5 years though..

I don't know how many hours I put in but played Oblivion and all it's expansions for about 18 months. I burned out on the Shivering Isles expansion. The insanity was a bit too oppressive for me.

Back to Skyrim. I'm holding off on causing a shipwreck. I'll check out the Thieves Guild initiaion quest at the other location you mentioned, and consider it if it's not too bad. I have a moral standard and don't blow with the wind. Of course I could just give up and dump my loot labeled stolen...

Here is my situation, I'm in the Companions Guild, their circle, am a new Werewolf. I've applied to join the Legion and am wondering how this will effect my ability to come and go in Whiterun? I believe this decision will bring me into direct conflict with Stormcloak leadership. Anyone know? What I don't want is to have to fight my way into Whiterun everytime I want to visit the Guild, and will they even talk to me??

 

[Ov3rlord Falc0r]

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For those of you looking for Fences, play through the Thieves Guild. You unlock a couple of them as you play thru.

 

[The.Walrus]

What a game! I just started playing, only put in a few hours so far... level 12. Totally ignored the main quest so far, getting the hang of some side quests and combat.

My only regret is that I think about playing it when doing, oh, just about everything else.

 

[Maverick513]

What I don't want is to have to fight my way into Whiterun everytime I want to visit the Guild, and will they even talk to me??

Whiterun is neutral. People will still talk to you.

 

[Huntn]

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For those of you looking for Fences, play through the Thieves Guild. You unlock a couple of them as you play thru.

Thanks. In Solitude I picked up a quest, I believe a Thieves Guild quest although I've not officially joined the TG to cause a shipwreck. Can you find other "intro" TG quests at other cities?

What a game! I just started playing, only put in a few hours so far... level 12. Totally ignored the main quest so far, getting the hang of some side quests and combat.

My only regret is that I think about playing it when doing, oh, just about everything else.

Lol, it can happen. The big advantage of Skyrim as a single player game is that you won't be left behind (as compared to a MMO).

Whiterun is neutral. People will still talk to you.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Ov3rlord Falc0r]

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Huntn. That lighthouse quest is not a Thieves Guild guest. You can only start the TG in Riften. From there if you follow the questline it'll take you lots of places some of which will have Fences afterwards.

 

[Huntn]

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Huntn. That lighthouse quest is not a Thieves Guild guest. You can only start the TG in Riften. From there if you follow the questline it'll take you lots of places some of which will have Fences afterwards.

Thanks for that clarification! The guy was shady and offered to fence stuff if I did him a little favor... naturally I assumed. With my present demeanor, I can't do this quest.

This is what I recently put into the Q&D Guide regarding werewolves and selecting them as a favorite/quick select:

This seems unnecessarily confusing. Look under Magic Tab, Powers and select Beast Form as a favorite (highlight and click puts "favorite" mark by it). Then in the Quick List (Q), highlight it and click it with your left mouse. Now when you hit the same button as you do for Dragon Shouts (Z), you'll turn into a Beast.

Assigning a number to quick select this power does not work for me. This was my experience, does it sound right to you all who have werewolf xp?

 

[ctbear]

Assigning a number to quick select this power does not work for me. This was my experience, does it sound right to you all who have werewolf xp?

It works just the same as assignment hotkeys with other skills/items. The werewolf form has a cooldown (of one day I believe), are you hitting that cooldown?

 

[Huntn]

It works just the same as assignment hotkeys with other skills/items. The werewolf form has a cooldown (of one day I believe), are you hitting that cooldown?

No. But, let me play with it some more to be sure I know what I'm saying. I tried it last night and an assigned number did not work, possibly operator error?

 

[Huntn]

So far I've used the console to find my lost follower and to replace a pick axe I accidentally dropped and could not find. I'm doing pretty good avoiding hard core cheats, because otherwise, what would be the point exactly?

Have you noticed that when your follower is overwhelmed in combat, they fall to the ground, "yeild", and survive? I've confirmed that if you accidentally hit your follower with a harmful spell or shout, they will die. Maybe not at your hand, but after they are hit and then overwhelmed by a mob. I've got the lowest level of Marked For Death, a Dragon Shout. My shout hit both the target and my follower, Lydia who was closely engaged. After the fight, I found her dead.

This was a bug on a previous engagement I found Lydia's dead body following me around, lol. She could talk, but for whatever reason she was inanimate sliding along the ground behind me. That spooked me. I fixed it by fast traveling somewhere, anywhere!

Following the Main Quest where I had to prove to Delphine, the Blade, that I was truly Dragonborn, we went to kill a Dragon, and witnessed one being raised by a master Dragon. Well, the master Dragon left in a hurry. I'm disappointly noticing that every dragon I've encountered so far dies easily. Not much of a challenge.

Right after that there was a another dragon circling a hot springs area East of High Hothgar. Went over there and ended up with a very cinematic dragon fight, involving me, Lydia, 3 wolves, a giant, and his mastodon. During the fight I was focused on the dragon and that bastard giant snuck up behind me and one hit killed me! Lesson: never trust a giant!! Lol!

 

[whooleytoo]

Right after that there was a another dragon circling a hot springs area East of High Hothgar. Went over there and ended up with a very cinematic dragon fight, involving me, Lydia, 3 wolves, a giant, and his mastodon. During the fight I was focused on the dragon and that bastard giant snuck up behind me and one hit killed me! Lesson: never trust a giant!! Lol!

I love things like this in Skyrim; these random, unscripted battles!

Last night I had a mini-quest which involved killing a (blood) dragon, and as the fight started I saw frost attacks flying up from a nearby hill. Went over to join the fun, and pretty soon there were 2 vampires, a Blood dragon, an Elder dragon, myself - oh, and my horse, all involved.

(The sad news was my horse was killed, just as I was completely overburdened with dragon bones/scales. Too stubborn to leave any behind, I walked - overburdened - from Dragontooth Crater all the way to Markath. Damn you, ex-horsey!)