The *playing* Skyrim Thread.

[Huntn]

My understanding is that the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary is the location of one of the words of power, Marked for Death. I'd like to get this. I killed the Orphanage Supervisor and have been kidnapped by the Dark Brotherhood. My understanding is that if I join, them they can't be killed. However if I kill Astride in the abandoned shack, this starts a quest Destroy the Dark Brotherhood. I'd rather be good in this game (if I can help it) and am wondering if I can access the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary while pursuing that quest? Thanks!

 

[Talon Six]

Astrid is too hot for me to kill...for now anyway

 

[TallManNY]

I'm playing Skyrim on Bootcamp Windows, instead of on 360 like I played Oblivion. So far I like the game but two things are incredibly frustrating. First, the interface makes combat much harder than I would think it should be. Combat can be fast and furious and my light armor spell sword character can't take too much damage. So I ended up dying in battles that I think if I could just juggle between my healing spell and combat, the battle wouldn't be so hard. But the interface is so bad. For example, how about having some on a little more informative on screen to let me know what spell I've got selected? Yes, my hands glow a slightly different color. That really isn't enough in the heat of battle as I'm trying to switch between conjuring up an Antioch, hitting the enemy with a sword, and then busting back to heal spell, and finally cycling back to some destruction magic once I'm healed up.

I've inserted a UI mod, which is helping quite a bit with inventory. But I haven't seen anything that helps the fighting be a little more user-friendly.

 

[MRU]

I'm playing Skyrim on Bootcamp Windows, instead of on 360 like I played Oblivion. So far I like the game but two things are incredibly frustrating. First, the interface makes combat much harder than I would think it should be. Combat can be fast and furious and my light armor spell sword character can't take too much damage. So I ended up dying in battles that I think if I could just juggle between my healing spell and combat, the battle wouldn't be so hard. But the interface is so bad. For example, how about having some on a little more informative on screen to let me know what spell I've got selected? Yes, my hands glow a slightly different color. That really isn't enough in the heat of battle as I'm trying to switch between conjuring up an Antioch, hitting the enemy with a sword, and then busting back to heal spell, and finally cycling back to some destruction magic once I'm healed up.

I've inserted a UI mod, which is helping quite a bit with inventory. But I haven't seen anything that helps the fighting be a little more user-friendly.

Adjust the difficulty to compensate. Find a level that offers a challenge, but doesn't leave you frustrated.

That's what I did. I assume your playing with te 360 controller ?

Even the shortcuts for spell favourites can get rather messy by the end because you have so many different spells and shouts.

 

[Huntn]

I'm playing Skyrim on Bootcamp Windows, instead of on 360 like I played Oblivion. So far I like the game but two things are incredibly frustrating. First, the interface makes combat much harder than I would think it should be. Combat can be fast and furious and my light armor spell sword character can't take too much damage. So I ended up dying in battles that I think if I could just juggle between my healing spell and combat, the battle wouldn't be so hard. But the interface is so bad. For example, how about having some on a little more informative on screen to let me know what spell I've got selected? Yes, my hands glow a slightly different color. That really isn't enough in the heat of battle as I'm trying to switch between conjuring up an Antioch, hitting the enemy with a sword, and then busting back to heal spell, and finally cycling back to some destruction magic once I'm healed up.

I've inserted a UI mod, which is helping quite a bit with inventory. But I haven't seen anything that helps the fighting be a little more user-friendly.

As compared to Oblivion, combat in Skyrim SUCKS. I'm talking about being able to pick and choose spells/potions on the fly without having to stop the action. Did I say it SUCKS??? YES It DOES.

 

[Maverick513]

If you max alchemy as well, with the crafted potions, you can further increase the enchanting and smiting effects. Then create ridiculously godlike weapons and armors.

If you play on PC, you can assign and use the shortcuts (0~9) to cast spells, use potions, switch weapons etc on the fly.

 

[Huntn]

If you max alchemy as well, with the crafted potions, you can further increase the enchanting and smiting effects. Then create ridiculously godlike weapons and armors.

If you play on PC, you can assign and use the shortcuts (0~9) to cast spells, use potions, switch weapons etc on the fly.

I appreciate the help and know this, but I've developed quite a large repertoire of attacks and I'm limited to just a portion of them without stopping the action and re-assigning a number to a spell I want to use in the middle of a fight because as far as I've discovered, you can only assign number 0-9. And for some reason 7 and 9 don't work for me... And the only way I've discovered I can change my active Shout is to open the interface and manually select it. Assigning one of the limited numbers I have to use with 5 or 6 shouts, a slew of spells, and several weapons, means I run out of numbers quickly.

If you played Oblivion, you'll remember the spell wheel, that was handy. But back then I was using a Nostromo N52 that allowed easy access that wheel. But no wheel in Skyrim at all and the N52 does not have reliable drivers for W7. I've thought about ordering Razer Nostromo, but again no wheel. Mostly I'm aggravated that the UI that Bethesda created does not allow you to assign whatever button you want to use for any of the attacks/shouts/potions. This really takes away immersion in a fight imo.

 

[Maverick513]

I agree with you. The UI is not quite friendly in this game. And the control will be hard for a mage character. I am just a two hander. It is much easier to control and I do not pause the battle, even though I died sometimes because of this. I have only assigned 1~4. 1 is for healing potions. 2 is for silver greatsword. 3 is for the helmet. 4 is for stamina potions. Pressing 2 will equip/unequip the sword. When the hands are empty, I can dual cast the healing spell. That is the only spell I use. Switching the weapon and the healing spell is very simple for me. Just press 2. No need to pause the game. And I normally do not wear the helmet, unless fighting against very tough creatures.
The most effective shout is marked for death. And it is overpowered. I just use one shout, whirlwind sprint, to escape from dragon breath or to approach mages before they could nuke me.

 

[Ov3rlord Falc0r]

I appreciate the help and know this, but I've developed quite a large repertoire of attacks and I'm limited to just a portion of them without stopping the action and re-assigning a number to a spell I want to use in the middle of a fight because as far as I've discovered, you can only assign number 0-9. And for some reason 7 and 9 don't work for me... And the only way I've discovered I can change my active Shout is to open the interface and manually select it. Assigning one of the limited numbers I have to use with 5 or 6 shouts, a slew of spells, and several weapons, means I run out of numbers quickly.

If you played Oblivion, you'll remember the spell wheel, that was handy. But back then I was using a Nostromo N52 that allowed easy access that wheel. But no wheel in Skyrim at all and the N52 does not have reliable drivers for W7. I've thought about ordering Razer Nostromo, but again no wheel. Mostly I'm aggravated that the UI that Bethesda created does not allow you to assign whatever button you want to use for any of the attacks/shouts/potions. This really takes away immersion in a fight imo.

While I agree that the UI isn't the best, have you "favorites" your favorite items/spells to pull them up rather quickly? Sure it may not be as quick as the wheel but it allows for more slots than the wheel and it beats having to go thru 3-4 menus to get to the stuff you want.

 

[Huntn]

While I agree that the UI isn't the best, have you "favorites" your favorite items/spells to pull them up rather quickly? Sure it may not be as quick as the wheel but it allows for more slots than the wheel and it beats having to go thru 3-4 menus to get to the stuff you want.

I do, but if I have to pause a fight to reassign a favorite, the damage has been done. Don't misunderstand me. This is not killing the game for me. It's just a annoyance and the end result is that I don't have easy access to all my abilities as I'd like.

It makes me wonder if the PC version was developed independently or this is a result of a console port?

 

[TallManNY]

Adjust the difficulty to compensate. Find a level that offers a challenge, but doesn't leave you frustrated.

That's what I did. I assume your playing with te 360 controller ?

Even the shortcuts for spell favourites can get rather messy by the end because you have so many different spells and shouts.

I don't play with the 360 controller. That would seem to be a step back from a normal PC setup. In my case, I have a Razr Naga mouse and have just set up a G13 Logitech controller. I used to play WOW and I used the Naga mouse (it has about 20 buttons) and a Nostrum n52 keypad (that also gave me about 20 buttons). The n52 wasn't supported by Lion, so I stopped playing WOW. I just recently got a G13, but haven't gotten into WOW again. Then I bootcamped, set up Skyrim, played for a bit but didn't set up the G13 as I was just using my keyboard and mouse.

But there is too much movement required in the game versus WOW to be using the buttons on the mouse. I will set up the favorites to be accessed somehow by the G13. But really it looks like you can only have 9 hot keys. As a spellsword, I really want to be switching between a lot of different spells. I need healing, conjuring something to fight (which I might have to do three or four times in a tough fight), attacking with my sword, attacking with a soul trapping weapons sometimes, attacking with a damage dealing spell or two, and finally using potions as necessary. Also, I often want to start a fight with my bow as I don't currently have any long range attack spells. Considering in WOW I was used to shuffling between 30+ hot keys for various spells and actions, while keeping myself positioned as a main tank, this is all stuff I think I should be able to do real time without pausing the game. That is how I want to be able to play, but I can't really do it yet. Maybe it will be easier once my G13 is set up.

But really the UI is terrible.

Also, the autosave doesn't save enough in my opinion and I find myself dying because of the control issues and having to redo a lot of stuff. I'm learning to save in the right space now, but I'm so used to autosave in games (or in the case of WOW, not being able to save at all), this habit isn't coming easy.

 

[Maverick513]

It makes me wonder if the PC version was developed independently or this is a result of a console port?

The UI is designed for console, not exclusively for mouse and keyboard. If you also play console games, you will be familiar with that UI style and the way of selecting items.

 

[Huntn]

In the PC version they should have taken a little extra time to allow the assignment of any key to any attack. Instead they put a noose around the player. It's that simple.

 

[The.Walrus]

In the PC version they should have taken a little extra time to allow the assignment of any key to any attack. Instead they put a noose around the player. It's that simple.

Totally agree. It's simply not thinking about the platform. The menu system and general UI design are effectively console ports. I understand they may have their reasons for this (uniformity across platforms, etc.), but it really hurts the PC user.

 

[whooleytoo]

Totally agree. It's simply not thinking about the platform. The menu system and general UI design are effectively console ports. I understand they may have their reasons for this (uniformity across platforms, etc.), but it really hurts the PC user.

IMO, it's worse than that. The console version of Skyrim is even worse than the console version of Oblivion in this regard. With Oblivion, you could shortcut 8 items (spells/weapons/potions etc) which you could equip/use with one keypress; so there's minimal interruption of the combat.

With Skyrim, even the 'quick' Favourites menu 1 to 20/30/40+ button presses to select (depending on how many items you add) and pauses combat.

Considering how few buttons the console controllers have, it's silly to not even use them all when there's so many shortcuts needed.

 

[rockyroad55]

Do you guys play Skyrim via Bootcamp or Mac via Steam? I am thinking about going the Mac route on Steam and was wondering if this is a good idea.

 

[Huntn]

Do you guys play Skyrim via Bootcamp or Mac via Steam? I am thinking about going the Mac route on Steam and was wondering if this is a good idea.

I installed the game off a DVD. It authenticated through Steam so it's via Bootcamp/Windows7 via Steam. According to this article the game can be run Mac native with an "unofficial" port with this caveat:

(frankly the game is going to run a lot better natively in Windows through Boot Camp anyway), leaving this in the realm of determined die-hards.

 

[rockyroad55]

I installed the game off a DVD. It authenticated through Steam so it's via Bootcamp/Windows7 via Steam. According to this article the game can be run Mac native with an "unofficial" port with this caveat:

Yeah but that article refers to the unofficial windows port. I'm referring the the official version from Steam for Mac

 

[Bacong]

There is no official Steam version of Skyrim for Mac.

 

[rockyroad55]

There is no official Steam version of Skyrim for Mac.

Oh crap I just realized this. Oh ok. Boot camp I go!

 

[cluthz]

Btw, Elder Scrolls sale on steam today. Morrowind and Oblivion for 50% off and Skyrim 33% off.

 

[TallManNY]

IMO, it's worse than that. The console version of Skyrim is even worse than the console version of Oblivion in this regard. With Oblivion, you could shortcut 8 items (spells/weapons/potions etc) which you could equip/use with one keypress; so there's minimal interruption of the combat.

With Skyrim, even the 'quick' Favourites menu 1 to 20/30/40+ button presses to select (depending on how many items you add) and pauses combat.

Considering how few buttons the console controllers have, it's silly to not even use them all when there's so many shortcuts needed.

Well you can hot key your favorites to the number pad 1 through 8 with Skyrim. (At least I think you can, I've got SKY UI Mod installed, but I don't think this feature is part of that mod.) I don't know why it doesn't seem to allow any other numbers. Maybe because on the console it is an 8 way button that you use for favorites. So you can do something that is seamless for a few items and spells. But on a regular keyboard, even taking your hand off of the movement keys to get to press, for example, 5, is a pain. And for me at the level I am at combat is fast and furious. This may be because I'm kind of a messed up hyrbid spell sword wearing leather armor. But I can't really take too many hits, especially not a slower hit. So I have to dodge in and out during combat and it is a very active event.

I'm setting up my G13 and should be able to have all of 1 through 8 within easy reach once I'm done binding the keys.

 

[OC110]

Hey,

I just managed to get Skyrim to play on my Mac.

Although I have a couple of problems, it will only work on 1024x768 not anything above which is frustrating having a 2560x1440 screen.

In addition, I really want to be able to use my PS3 controller to play it - I just cannot get on with mouse and keyboard controls. So any help on how to connect it up to use would be great.

(I have my controller connected and can use it for games I have purchased through the app store and even with my pcsx2 emulator)

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Maverick513]

Do you play it via boot camp? And what is pcsx2 emulator? I believe 360 controller can work very well.

 

[OC110]

No not by bootcamp. An emulator is something you use to play games from a console on your mac or pc. PCSX2 is so you can play PS2 games but you can get them for all sorts of things, even Gameboys.

I downloaded GamePad Companion from the AppStore and although it isn't easy I am managing to get some controls to work although getting the analog sticks work is tricky.

It would be good if someone who had already managed it would explain how they did it!