General Malaise "vs." reading comprehension ; also some talk of skyim and the elder scrolls (2 Viewers)

[TxBuckeye]

This Illusion thing is harder then I expected. I can't figure out a combo of when to use the Fury/ Calm spells on enemies. Every time I hit them with Fury they just chase me!

Am I the only one still playing?

Probably until the DLC comes out for the PS3. Personally, I played the crap out of it with one character and did everything, so there wasn't much replayability there for me. I traded it in after that one run. I imagine quite a few of us did the same thing. But I'm sure some folks are still dabbling and it will pick up, as I said, once the PS3 DLC hits. I guess it also could be partially due to the Borderlands 2 release along with some other games.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

This Illusion thing is harder then I expected. I can't figure out a combo of when to use the Fury/ Calm spells on enemies. Every time I hit them with Fury they just chase me!

Am I the only one still playing?

Probably until the DLC comes out for the PS3. Personally, I played the crap out of it with one character and did everything, so there wasn't much replayability there for me. I traded it in after that one run. I imagine quite a few of us did the same thing. But I'm sure some folks are still dabbling and it will pick up, as I said, once the PS3 DLC hits. I guess it also could be partially due to the Borderlands 2 release along with some other games.

Do we know if a DLC is coming out for the PS3?

 

[JNox3]

This Illusion thing is harder then I expected. I can't figure out a combo of when to use the Fury/ Calm spells on enemies. Every time I hit them with Fury they just chase me!

Am I the only one still playing?

I'm just waiting for my xbox to get back from the shop and then I'll be playing again.

 

[Chaka]

This Illusion thing is harder then I expected. I can't figure out a combo of when to use the Fury/ Calm spells on enemies. Every time I hit them with Fury they just chase me!

Am I the only one still playing?

No. No you are not.I do different questlines with each character. I did the Stormcloak rebellion with a dual wielding Nord, the Mage's Guild with an elf and am currently doing Thieves Guild & Dark Brotherhood with a Khajiit. Planning on a Big Gay Orc (either two handed or hand to hand combat style) for the Fighter's Guild.Not sure but I imagine I will have at least one character after the BGO to do the main story line and possibly one other to pick up the Daedric and misc quests.

 

[inca911]

Dual Cast w/ Impact and Firebolt is awesome. Especially if you have an area that can funnel guys. I can juggle three attacker or so dual firebolting one at a time, in turn, and defeat them.I put almost all my level up stuff into Magicka, btw. Maybe 1/5 go into Health. And as a Mage, I don't give a #### about Stamina.

The lightning spells are much faster than the fire spells, and easier to use at long distances. Impact perk is almost too much of an advantage. About 1/5 in health is about right, at least until you are higher level and your magicka is nearly limitless. Then some health helps reduce getting killed a bit too quickly (i.e., two hit kills).

 

[joker]

I just started playing again after getting a new Xbox. Taking a break did wonders for me as I still have sooo much to do and finally got a bug fix that took care of a lot of annoyances. I'll keep plugging along and try to put off Borderlands 2 for a bit. I'm still geeked to play this and will probably get both DLC's just to have them.

 

[Jobber]

I'm playing on the PS3. My current guy is a mage-thief. Not much to say other than I've previously completed pretty much all of the quests I've run into with this guy. So this is probably the last time I'll play Skyrim. Any idea if they're coming out with another Elder Scrolls any time?

 

[Bigboy10182000]

I'm playing on the PS3. My current guy is a mage-thief. Not much to say other than I've previously completed pretty much all of the quests I've run into with this guy. So this is probably the last time I'll play Skyrim. Any idea if they're coming out with another Elder Scrolls any time?

Am I the only one who DIDN'T do this? I pretty much try to keep my guy in charector as much as possible. My first guy had Heavy Armor so I didnt do the Theives Guild....

 

[Instinctive]

I'm playing on the PS3. My current guy is a mage-thief. Not much to say other than I've previously completed pretty much all of the quests I've run into with this guy. So this is probably the last time I'll play Skyrim. Any idea if they're coming out with another Elder Scrolls any time?

Am I the only one who DIDN'T do this? I pretty much try to keep my guy in charector as much as possible. My first guy had Heavy Armor so I didnt do the Theives Guild....

I'm running in character. I'm a mage thief and I'm in the Thieves Guild, I'll probably avoid Civil War and Companions.I think I want to do an assassin type, with Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood, but here's my issue: Magic. I always end up being a magic user. Always. Know why? I can go learn how to use a sword. I can wear armor. But I simply cannot learn to cast lightning bolts and fireballs at people, so I always end up being a magic user. Always.

I can't use magic in real life. Ever. It's so awesome. So whatever path I take, I end up with a lot of destruction levels. My current guy has a TON of illusion and a decent portion of alteration and conjuration as well.

 

[EYLive]

My dark elf mage finished the College of Winterhold quests and got all the cool loot and perks of being the new leader. It's soooo much nicer to have the arch-mage quarters than the crappy Breezehome.

He's wearing the archmage robes and the molokai mask, so he looks like a shaman Dr. Doom.

 

[EYLive]

The mage in Meridia's temple is kicking my ###. I use up all my mana killing the shades, I have no mana/health left for the boss.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I'm playing on the PS3. My current guy is a mage-thief. Not much to say other than I've previously completed pretty much all of the quests I've run into with this guy. So this is probably the last time I'll play Skyrim. Any idea if they're coming out with another Elder Scrolls any time?

Am I the only one who DIDN'T do this? I pretty much try to keep my guy in charector as much as possible. My first guy had Heavy Armor so I didnt do the Theives Guild....

I considered this, but I didn't want to have start a new character just to do some of the various guilds, so I did them all with my stealth-archer guy. Not the best for role-playing, but no reason to deprive myself of content.

 

[joker]

I'm playing on the PS3. My current guy is a mage-thief. Not much to say other than I've previously completed pretty much all of the quests I've run into with this guy. So this is probably the last time I'll play Skyrim. Any idea if they're coming out with another Elder Scrolls any time?

Am I the only one who DIDN'T do this? I pretty much try to keep my guy in charector as much as possible. My first guy had Heavy Armor so I didnt do the Theives Guild....

I considered this, but I didn't want to have start a new character just to do some of the various guilds, so I did them all with my stealth-archer guy. Not the best for role-playing, but no reason to deprive myself of content.

Yeah, me too. Since I'm in it for the long haul whenever my sneak archer comes upon much lower baddies he switches to either magic or one-handed to up his skills. Reading all those secret books and doing certain quests has also given me points as well.

 

[Chaka]

I'm playing on the PS3. My current guy is a mage-thief. Not much to say other than I've previously completed pretty much all of the quests I've run into with this guy. So this is probably the last time I'll play Skyrim. Any idea if they're coming out with another Elder Scrolls any time?

Am I the only one who DIDN'T do this? I pretty much try to keep my guy in charector as much as possible. My first guy had Heavy Armor so I didnt do the Theives Guild....

I considered this, but I didn't want to have start a new character just to do some of the various guilds, so I did them all with my stealth-archer guy. Not the best for role-playing, but no reason to deprive myself of content.

Yeah, me too. Since I'm in it for the long haul whenever my sneak archer comes upon much lower baddies he switches to either magic or one-handed to up his skills. Reading all those secret books and doing certain quests has also given me points as well.

IMO the game loses much of its appeal when your character gets around 30th level because you can pretty much kill everything with ease (on any difficulty level).

 

[Instinctive]

I'm playing on the PS3. My current guy is a mage-thief. Not much to say other than I've previously completed pretty much all of the quests I've run into with this guy. So this is probably the last time I'll play Skyrim. Any idea if they're coming out with another Elder Scrolls any time?

Am I the only one who DIDN'T do this? I pretty much try to keep my guy in charector as much as possible. My first guy had Heavy Armor so I didnt do the Theives Guild....

I considered this, but I didn't want to have start a new character just to do some of the various guilds, so I did them all with my stealth-archer guy. Not the best for role-playing, but no reason to deprive myself of content.

Yeah, me too. Since I'm in it for the long haul whenever my sneak archer comes upon much lower baddies he switches to either magic or one-handed to up his skills. Reading all those secret books and doing certain quests has also given me points as well.

IMO the game loses much of its appeal when your character gets around 30th level because you can pretty much kill everything with ease (on any difficulty level).

Really? I must just suck at combat, because I have to hide and quaff health pots constantly. And I run out of magicka. Perhaps I need to level smith and enchant to make some Glass armor with solid enchants or something?

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

IMO the game loses much of its appeal when your character gets around 30th level because you can pretty much kill everything with ease (on any difficulty level).

This is what happened for me. I'm not anywhere near maxed out on smithing or enchanting and don't really have great equipment, but the battles still got too easy. Almost never used potions in battle. I just lost interest.I did pick it up recently to try and complete the main story line though, and the first battle with Alduin is turning out to be a bit of a roadblock.

 

[TxBuckeye]

IMO the game loses much of its appeal when your character gets around 30th level because you can pretty much kill everything with ease (on any difficulty level).

This is what happened for me. I'm not anywhere near maxed out on smithing or enchanting and don't really have great equipment, but the battles still got too easy. Almost never used potions in battle. I just lost interest.I did pick it up recently to try and complete the main story line though, and the first battle with Alduin is turning out to be a bit of a roadblock.

Unfortunately I was in the same boat. I should have learned from the last version of Elder Scrolls when my character became totally overpowered by doing side missions. The final battle in Skyrim was laughably easy. That should never happen. Even if enemies don't level, the final boss should. Was a total letdown. But it was of my own doing.

 

[Chaka]

IMO the game loses much of its appeal when your character gets around 30th level because you can pretty much kill everything with ease (on any difficulty level).

This is what happened for me. I'm not anywhere near maxed out on smithing or enchanting and don't really have great equipment, but the battles still got too easy. Almost never used potions in battle. I just lost interest.I did pick it up recently to try and complete the main story line though, and the first battle with Alduin is turning out to be a bit of a roadblock.

Unfortunately I was in the same boat. I should have learned from the last version of Elder Scrolls when my character became totally overpowered by doing side missions. The final battle in Skyrim was laughably easy. That should never happen. Even if enemies don't level, the final boss should. Was a total letdown. But it was of my own doing.

This is why I like role playing lots of different characters instead of sticking with one guy. I don't see why my thief/assassin would care one bit about the Civil War or the return of the dragons (Companions, Mage's College etc) so he just ignores those. Maxing out the AI also keeps it interesting for longer.

 

[EYLive]

IMO the game loses much of its appeal when your character gets around 30th level because you can pretty much kill everything with ease (on any difficulty level).

This is what happened for me. I'm not anywhere near maxed out on smithing or enchanting and don't really have great equipment, but the battles still got too easy. Almost never used potions in battle. I just lost interest.I did pick it up recently to try and complete the main story line though, and the first battle with Alduin is turning out to be a bit of a roadblock.

Unfortunately I was in the same boat. I should have learned from the last version of Elder Scrolls when my character became totally overpowered by doing side missions. The final battle in Skyrim was laughably easy. That should never happen. Even if enemies don't level, the final boss should. Was a total letdown. But it was of my own doing.

This is my concern too. I'm LVL 16 on my first playthrough and have spent 70% of the time doing mage college quests. If I join another guild, I'll probably be OP by the time I get back to the main quest.

 

[EYLive]

IMO the game loses much of its appeal when your character gets around 30th level because you can pretty much kill everything with ease (on any difficulty level).

This is what happened for me. I'm not anywhere near maxed out on smithing or enchanting and don't really have great equipment, but the battles still got too easy. Almost never used potions in battle. I just lost interest.I did pick it up recently to try and complete the main story line though, and the first battle with Alduin is turning out to be a bit of a roadblock.

Unfortunately I was in the same boat. I should have learned from the last version of Elder Scrolls when my character became totally overpowered by doing side missions. The final battle in Skyrim was laughably easy. That should never happen. Even if enemies don't level, the final boss should. Was a total letdown. But it was of my own doing.

This is why I like role playing lots of different characters instead of sticking with one guy. I don't see why my thief/assassin would care one bit about the Civil War or the return of the dragons (Companions, Mage's College etc) so he just ignores those. Maxing out the AI also keeps it interesting for longer.

You mean turning up the difficulty?

 

[Chaka]

IMO the game loses much of its appeal when your character gets around 30th level because you can pretty much kill everything with ease (on any difficulty level).

This is what happened for me. I'm not anywhere near maxed out on smithing or enchanting and don't really have great equipment, but the battles still got too easy. Almost never used potions in battle. I just lost interest.I did pick it up recently to try and complete the main story line though, and the first battle with Alduin is turning out to be a bit of a roadblock.

Unfortunately I was in the same boat. I should have learned from the last version of Elder Scrolls when my character became totally overpowered by doing side missions. The final battle in Skyrim was laughably easy. That should never happen. Even if enemies don't level, the final boss should. Was a total letdown. But it was of my own doing.

This is why I like role playing lots of different characters instead of sticking with one guy. I don't see why my thief/assassin would care one bit about the Civil War or the return of the dragons (Companions, Mage's College etc) so he just ignores those. Maxing out the AI also keeps it interesting for longer.

You mean turning up the difficulty?

Yes

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Dual casting Invisibilty....is it double the length?

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Or just dual casting Illusion or conjuration in general

 

[Skylord]

The muffle spell is good for low level chars. Once you get far enough into the thieves guild, there are a pair of muffle boots at one of the vendors in the Ragged Flaggon. They weren't for sale so I had to steal them.

You can then rip them and make your own armor with muffle built into it. You never have to cast muffle again.

 

[Chaka]

Or just dual casting Illusion or conjuration in general

Dual casting an Illusion spell overcharges the effects into an even more powerful version. This slightly more than doubles the maximum level of any level-based Illusion spell. Level adjustments from Animage or Kindred Mage or Hypnotic Gaze or Aspect of Terror or Rage are applied before the doubling effect (2.2 times the spell power for 2.8 times the magicka cost).

This is your best source for Elder Scrolls info.

 

[EYLive]

Conjuration looks fun. Can you summon one of each thrall and have 4 body guards following you everywhere?

 

[Skylord]

Conjuration looks fun. Can you summon one of each thrall and have 4 body guards following you everywhere?

You start off with only one conjuration. You can unlock up to two total. You can never go above two total.Two Dremoras can do a lot of damage...

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

I'm playing a mage this time and pretty much getting my a## handed to me everywhere. I can only survive by drinking gallons of healing potion during battles. Have started to focus on frost spells and the ice destruction path since tanks are my worst enemies.

Any mage tips?

Also what's the difference between Illusions oakflesh and Conjurs wards?

TIA

 

[EYLive]

Conjuration looks fun. Can you summon one of each thrall and have 4 body guards following you everywhere?

You start off with only one conjuration. You can unlock up to two total. You can never go above two total.Two Dremoras can do a lot of damage...

That's too bad. But I guess it makes sense cuz otherwise the player would be untouchable. Similarly, I learned the hard way that I couldn't booby trap an entire cave with runes. I thought I was slick and dropped a fire rune every few feet (never bothering to look behind me to see if the previous ones were still there). Then I picked a fight with a bunch of necromancers and got majorly owned when only one rune exploded and I got raped by a bunch of zombies.

 

[EYLive]

I'm playing a mage this time and pretty much getting my a## handed to me everywhere. I can only survive by drinking gallons of healing potion during battles. Have started to focus on frost spells and the ice destruction path since tanks are my worst enemies.Any mage tips?Also what's the difference between Illusions oakflesh and Conjurs wards?TIA

I'm doing this now. I wear mage gear which have no armor rating and it's tough staying alive in close quarters. I use my shout to knock melee attackers away.Oakflesh gives you temporary armor, wards are sheilds against magic.

 

[Skylord]

I'm playing a mage this time and pretty much getting my a## handed to me everywhere. I can only survive by drinking gallons of healing potion during battles. Have started to focus on frost spells and the ice destruction path since tanks are my worst enemies.Any mage tips?Also what's the difference between Illusions oakflesh and Conjurs wards?TIA

I believe oakflesh is better suited against physical attacks. Wards are better against magical. Ice is good against tanks because it lowers stamina. Ice Spike is great and only takes level 25 destruction.

 

[Skylord]

I'm playing a mage this time and pretty much getting my a## handed to me everywhere. I can only survive by drinking gallons of healing potion during battles. Have started to focus on frost spells and the ice destruction path since tanks are my worst enemies.Any mage tips?Also what's the difference between Illusions oakflesh and Conjurs wards?TIA

You should probably travel with an NPC as well.

 

[Skylord]

One more thing...it doesn't matter what your discipline is. Go find the Lovers stone and switch to it.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

I'm playing a mage this time and pretty much getting my a## handed to me everywhere. I can only survive by drinking gallons of healing potion during battles. Have started to focus on frost spells and the ice destruction path since tanks are my worst enemies.Any mage tips?Also what's the difference between Illusions oakflesh and Conjurs wards?TIA

This is the first time I used a mage type and I mainly use Illusion and you're right, it's ROUGH! I'm glad I have to use and buy more potions but I get into some pretty intense battles!The most helpful advise I can say is go right to the College of Winterhold ASAP. A lot of missions and a lot of books and spells to help you along.Like another poster said, get the Lover stone.

 

[EYLive]

It's a tough balance as a mage. Putting points into magic every level so I can spam destruction spells and neglecting health and stamina has it's consequences.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

It's a tough balance as a mage. Putting points into magic every level so I can spam destruction spells and neglecting health and stamina has it's consequences.

FWIW, I used a 3-2-1 (magika, health & stamina) ratio for my current Illusion Mage and its worked out well so far. Since I'm a Dark Elf I'm only going to use Elven armor.

 

[flysack]

I pwned with my mage.

Go all-in on Destruction and Conjuration. Always conjure up a target to take away the heat of a direct rush. Your third concentration should be Alteration for armor.

You can get quite powerful, very quick.

BTW - the best weapons/spell in the game is the final Destruction spell: Lightening Storm. I've taken down Elder Dragons in seconds with that.

 

[Instinctive]

One more thing...it doesn't matter what your discipline is. Go find the Lovers stone and switch to it.

Why?On another note - I never have stamina. Is there any reason as a mage?

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

On another note - I never have stamina. Is there any reason as a mage?

Helpful to keep a few potions around when you want to sprint, but other than that...

 

[flysack]

One more tip: make sure you get the "Stagger" skill on the Destruction tree ASAP. It made all the difference for me playing as a mage.

 

[Chaka]

Just started my fourth build. An Argonian

(who the #### wants to be a walrus?) on Master difficulty level. The hand-to-hand finishing moves are awesome, best in the game so far.

 

[Skylord]

One more thing...it doesn't matter what your discipline is. Go find the Lovers stone and switch to it.

Why?On another note - I never have stamina. Is there any reason as a mage?

It raises all your skills 15% faster

 

[EYLive]

One more thing...it doesn't matter what your discipline is. Go find the Lovers stone and switch to it.

Why?On another note - I never have stamina. Is there any reason as a mage?

I don't think so, other than shleping loot around.I just need good potion recipes for health, mana and stamina. I can do without all the poisons and other enhancement drinks.

 

[Instinctive]

One more thing...it doesn't matter what your discipline is. Go find the Lovers stone and switch to it.

Why?On another note - I never have stamina. Is there any reason as a mage?

I don't think so, other than shleping loot around.I just need good potion recipes for health, mana and stamina. I can do without all the poisons and other enhancement drinks.

http://www.alchemyplanner.com/Use this for a while, and then you can start just buying out all the ingredients of alchemy shops. Eventually, you figure out a lot of the effects of items, and you can just combine "Restore Health" ingredients every time before using the planner for the rest.

 

[EYLive]

One more thing...it doesn't matter what your discipline is. Go find the Lovers stone and switch to it.

Why?On another note - I never have stamina. Is there any reason as a mage?

I don't think so, other than shleping loot around.I just need good potion recipes for health, mana and stamina. I can do without all the poisons and other enhancement drinks.

http://www.alchemyplanner.com/Use this for a while, and then you can start just buying out all the ingredients of alchemy shops. Eventually, you figure out a lot of the effects of items, and you can just combine "Restore Health" ingredients every time before using the planner for the rest.

It kinda sucks eating a bunch of poisonous ingredients. I suppose I just need to get my alchemy skill up so I create more potent potions instead of the lesser level junk that's not really worth it's .5 lb weight.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

One more thing...it doesn't matter what your discipline is. Go find the Lovers stone and switch to it.

Why?On another note - I never have stamina. Is there any reason as a mage?

I don't think so, other than shleping loot around.I just need good potion recipes for health, mana and stamina. I can do without all the poisons and other enhancement drinks.

http://www.alchemyplanner.com/Use this for a while, and then you can start just buying out all the ingredients of alchemy shops. Eventually, you figure out a lot of the effects of items, and you can just combine "Restore Health" ingredients every time before using the planner for the rest.

I used this with my first guy after collecting ingredients and storing them until level 40. Your alchemy and loot will skyrocket! I want to do some alchemy but I don't want my guy to level too fast.

 

[joker]

I started moving all of my ingredients from my various houses to the one in Hjerim and spent an hour making potions. I gained well over 15 Alchemy levels in one sitting and now have a ton of valuable potions left over after tapping Riften, Whiterun, and Windhelm vendors of all of their money, including my fences for the Thieves' Guild. I don't really need the money at this point but was interested in getting my Alchemy up and didn't want to just chuck the potions. It's pretty crazy what some of the combinations can create - the effects details barely fit on my screen with some of the potions

PS - Just started the Dark Brotherhood quest line. Seems like it should be fun for my silent assassin

 

[EYLive]

Can you be invited to the dark brotherhood if someone put a hit out on you?

 

[QuizGuy66]

Can you be invited to the dark brotherhood if someone put a hit out on you?

Yeah.-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

"Slow" poisons seem to be the cheapest ones to make that you can get max $ from the stores for FWIW.

I haven't exactly done the balanced play with my battle mage - I mainly kick ### with weaponry anyway.

Part of the fun of this game is realizing the different styles of play. I watched my nephew (who's really into archery in the game and IRL) and he basically was taking everyone out with bows, even at close range, and just ignoring ingredients all the way. I suck at archery and almost never use my bow.

-QG