General Malaise "vs." reading comprehension ; also some talk of skyim and the elder scrolls (3 Viewers)

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

One more. I was supposed to bring the guide to work to read some more today and I left it and my controller sitting on the bedAnyway, How do you switch spells without going into the favorites menu. Im pretty sure it can be done bc I watched a video where someone switched between a shield and magic without ever bringing up favoritesETA: I have PS3

I believe by clicking right and left on the d pad on xbox

 

[dharmapunk]

One more. I was supposed to bring the guide to work to read some more today and I left it and my controller sitting on the bedAnyway, How do you switch spells without going into the favorites menu. Im pretty sure it can be done bc I watched a video where someone switched between a shield and magic without ever bringing up favoritesETA: I have PS3

I didn't know you could do this.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Dharma -- I found Azura's Shrine. talk to me here, use spoilers.

Yep, I've just been there as well

Nice. Spoiler tags below not because I'm giving away much of the story, but because I describe some stuff and I don't want to ruin the quest if you guys like to play 100% in the dark. IMO what I say won't ruin the experience, but it is minor spoilers.

Spoiler

If you do the quest, it's long but rewarding (especially if you're a mage, I imagine). A couple of things -

1. That's where I met that badass Ascendant Necromancer. Link goes to my post describing his fighting style.

2. After you're done, you will be presented with a choice. I'm curious what you two chose and the outcome. I'll tell you what I did after you finish.

3. This is a perfect example of how incredible Skyrim is compared to Oblivion. In Oblivion you did a minor quest to get Asura's Star. It involved something really stupid like collecting 5 bear pelts or assassinating someone. In Skyrim, you have to work through a 2 hour dungeon, and then some. This game is amazing.

Spoiler

Crap, I think I missed the dungeon. Was it right by the Dark Elf chick praying? I looked around because I figured there was something more but I didn't find it. I kind of approached it by climbing the mountainside and then realized I didn't have to do that when I got to the top and saw the stairs. Anywho, that chick just told me to go to Winterhold and look for an elven dude. So I'm there now in this magic college doing that crap even though I hadn't really intended to in the first place.

 

[The Hank]

I picked this up yesterday afternoon.

Was going to sink some time into it but just as I powered up the ole' 360, the baby started crying for food so I couldnt play it.

So excited to play it possibly tonight or this week(end)

 

[GAlmgren]

Has anyone joined the war (on either side) yet?I've avoided it because I'm afraid it'll radically change the playing world - i.e. half the game will become hostile.

I did last night. All i will say is that it was fairly major.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

So far I am very impressed. The most important thing for me is that unlike oblivion, the world doesn't feel empty or I should say hollow. Graphics are simply insane. The duel wielding works incredibly well.

I am only level 6 but owning with a bow. If anybody gets close I quickly change to my sword in my right hand and fire spell in my left and it's curtains for them.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Just a quick piece of info for any noobs, you start with a few spells right off the bat. For example im a Kajit(sp?) Ranger type but I started with a fore spell and a heal spell.

 

[dharmapunk]

Dharma -- I found Azura's Shrine. talk to me here, use spoilers.

Yep, I've just been there as well

Nice. Spoiler tags below not because I'm giving away much of the story, but because I describe some stuff and I don't want to ruin the quest if you guys like to play 100% in the dark. IMO what I say won't ruin the experience, but it is minor spoilers.

Spoiler

If you do the quest, it's long but rewarding (especially if you're a mage, I imagine). A couple of things -

1. That's where I met that badass Ascendant Necromancer. Link goes to my post describing his fighting style.

2. After you're done, you will be presented with a choice. I'm curious what you two chose and the outcome. I'll tell you what I did after you finish.

3. This is a perfect example of how incredible Skyrim is compared to Oblivion. In Oblivion you did a minor quest to get Asura's Star. It involved something really stupid like collecting 5 bear pelts or assassinating someone. In Skyrim, you have to work through a 2 hour dungeon, and then some. This game is amazing.

Spoiler

Crap, I think I missed the dungeon. Was it right by the Dark Elf chick praying? I looked around because I figured there was something more but I didn't find it. I kind of approached it by climbing the mountainside and then realized I didn't have to do that when I got to the top and saw the stairs. Anywho, that chick just told me to go to Winterhold and look for an elven dude. So I'm there now in this magic college doing that crap even though I hadn't really intended to in the first place.

Spoiler

He isn't in the college. Look around town.

 

[dharmapunk]

"Muffle" works very well. I was sneaking up and slicing the undead all morning.

Illusion magic is definitely key for assassin/thief types.

 

[AcerFC]

Forgot to mention I bought a stupid shield for 330 gold because I hit the wrong stupid button

Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

 

[AcerFC]

Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

Reminds me of this which I saw on another site.

Yup

 

[dharmapunk]

Forgot to mention I bought a stupid shield for 330 gold because I hit the wrong stupid button Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

I have the opposite problem. I keep spending gold to equip my guy and can't seem to save for a house (which I need desperately).

 

[thecatch]

Forgot to mention I bought a stupid shield for 330 gold because I hit the wrong stupid button Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

I have the opposite problem. I keep spending gold to equip my guy and can't seem to save for a house (which I need desperately).

Same, but I've been spending mine on training instead because I'm impatient with skill development. Speaking of which, I'm reading online that black smithing is super easy to level - just acquire a bunch of ore/ingots and make a ton of daggers. Apparently you level the same amount for a dagger or necklace as you do a set of steel armor. I've been very inefficient in forging the most expensive stuff I could make so far.

 

[jwb]

Forgot to mention I bought a stupid shield for 330 gold because I hit the wrong stupid button Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

I have the opposite problem. I keep spending gold to equip my guy and can't seem to save for a house (which I need desperately).

I typically spend on training and spells, but yea, I had to stop and save the scratch for a house. That first one is pretty cheap at 5k... not a great house, but a nice place to store things. I'll buy a better one later.You can save up for it pretty quick by just doing "kill the bandit leader" sidequests you get from bartenders and the jarl's sidekick. The bounty is paltry (100gp), but each one gives you a load of stuff you can sell.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Forgot to mention I bought a stupid shield for 330 gold because I hit the wrong stupid button Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

I have the opposite problem. I keep spending gold to equip my guy and can't seem to save for a house (which I need desperately).

Same, but I've been spending mine on training instead because I'm impatient with skill development. Speaking of which, I'm reading online that black smithing is super easy to level - just acquire a bunch of ore/ingots and make a ton of daggers. Apparently you level the same amount for a dagger or necklace as you do a set of steel armor. I've been very inefficient in forging the most expensive stuff I could make so far.

I bought this transmutation spell that turns my ore into silver and then silver into gold. Going to make BOATLOADS of gold stuff.

 

[dnurk]

Haven't done an RPG since LOTRO first came out. Had a child and that was the end of my game time. I have really enjoyed reading this thread and think it is time for me to jump in.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Forgot to mention I bought a stupid shield for 330 gold because I hit the wrong stupid button Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

I have the opposite problem. I keep spending gold to equip my guy and can't seem to save for a house (which I need desperately).

Same, but I've been spending mine on training instead because I'm impatient with skill development. Speaking of which, I'm reading online that black smithing is super easy to level - just acquire a bunch of ore/ingots and make a ton of daggers. Apparently you level the same amount for a dagger or necklace as you do a set of steel armor. I've been very inefficient in forging the most expensive stuff I could make so far.

I bought this transmutation spell that turns my ore into silver and then silver into gold. Going to make BOATLOADS of gold stuff.

where'd you get that?

 

[Drifter]

Didn't leave my house from Friday night to this morning. Had to kind of work all weekend and take care of kids a bit but got in around 25-30 hours of Skyrim and I haven't even really started the main storyline! Love these games.

Some highlights:

Caught a case of Vampire in the first random dungeon I jumped into and went with it so I'm a Dark Elf, assasin/illusionist/pyromancer with a dose of Vampire. In other words, one scary ### individual. I sneak up, cast frenzy on someone and while everybody jumps on him, I pick off a few with some well placed arrows and then finish them off with dual flame jets if they get close.

Levelling is good as is balance. I got my ### kicked in seconds by a frost troll early on and right now am exploring my first Dweomer ruin at about level 15 and it's challenging. If I let those sightless govling things get close to me, they usually beat me senseless.

Skill increases are still annoying. You just don't use conjuring or enchantment enough naturally to drive them up without practicing them or paying someone for training.

I usually fall back on single hand weaopns dual wielded but I went the archer route this time. I'm enjoying it.

 

[joker]

I couldn't wait any longer and just picked up the 360 version over lunch. Any tips/etc. for playing on the 360? I'm so psyched to get home and pop this in after the wee ones are in bed.

 

[Chaka]

Any modders create a Bag of Holding, yet?

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Difficulty.....

I'm wondering if I should turn it up. I have only died once. Anybody playing on hard?

 

[Drifter]

Difficulty..... I'm wondering if I should turn it up. I have only died once. Anybody playing on hard?

Are you playing as a tank? In the past, these games are usually very easy if you go tank.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Forgot to mention I bought a stupid shield for 330 gold because I hit the wrong stupid button Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

I have the opposite problem. I keep spending gold to equip my guy and can't seem to save for a house (which I need desperately).

Same, but I've been spending mine on training instead because I'm impatient with skill development. Speaking of which, I'm reading online that black smithing is super easy to level - just acquire a bunch of ore/ingots and make a ton of daggers. Apparently you level the same amount for a dagger or necklace as you do a set of steel armor. I've been very inefficient in forging the most expensive stuff I could make so far.

I bought this transmutation spell that turns my ore into silver and then silver into gold. Going to make BOATLOADS of gold stuff.

where'd you get that?

Uh, Winterhold maybe? Think it's 200 gp.

 

[encaitar]

Forgot to mention I bought a stupid shield for 330 gold because I hit the wrong stupid button Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

I have the opposite problem. I keep spending gold to equip my guy and can't seem to save for a house (which I need desperately).

I had the same problem. I finally decided to just work at getting the house. Went to Riverwood and cut firewood for 45 minutes. The guy there buys it for 5 gold per log, so I had more than enough for a house after that.

 

[AcerFC]

Forgot to mention I bought a stupid shield for 330 gold because I hit the wrong stupid button Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

I have the opposite problem. I keep spending gold to equip my guy and can't seem to save for a house (which I need desperately).

I had the same problem. I finally decided to just work at getting the house. Went to Riverwood and cut firewood for 45 minutes. The guy there buys it for 5 gold per log, so I had more than enough for a house after that.

How much did you have before you started cutting. Who do you talk to. Figure I can do this, buy a house and then start my college tasks

 

[Chaka]

Forgot to mention I bought a stupid shield for 330 gold because I hit the wrong stupid button Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

I have the opposite problem. I keep spending gold to equip my guy and can't seem to save for a house (which I need desperately).

I had the same problem. I finally decided to just work at getting the house. Went to Riverwood and cut firewood for 45 minutes. The guy there buys it for 5 gold per log, so I had more than enough for a house after that.

I admire your work ethic but I hope you're remembering to put something away for your retirement.

 

[encaitar]

Forgot to mention I bought a stupid shield for 330 gold because I hit the wrong stupid button Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

I have the opposite problem. I keep spending gold to equip my guy and can't seem to save for a house (which I need desperately).

I had the same problem. I finally decided to just work at getting the house. Went to Riverwood and cut firewood for 45 minutes. The guy there buys it for 5 gold per log, so I had more than enough for a house after that.

How much did you have before you started cutting. Who do you talk to. Figure I can do this, buy a house and then start my college tasks

There's a guy usually loading huge logs into that crude lumber mill that is just north of all the houses in town. I don't remember his name though. Don't remember how much I had before I started.

 

[encaitar]

Forgot to mention I bought a stupid shield for 330 gold because I hit the wrong stupid button

Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

I have the opposite problem. I keep spending gold to equip my guy and can't seem to save for a house (which I need desperately).

I had the same problem. I finally decided to just work at getting the house. Went to Riverwood and cut firewood for 45 minutes. The guy there buys it for 5 gold per log, so I had more than enough for a house after that.

I admire your work ethic but I hope you're remembering to put something away for your retirement.

Yeah, yeah. I just wouldn't have ever saved any money for a house if I didn't force myself to. And that seemed the quickest way about making it.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Confession

I am a hoarder of Human & Troll Skulls. My house has dozens of them laying all over.

 

[orcinus]

Desperately need a house to rid myself of the library I can't help but slug around and constantly add to.

Without I doubt, the one book I drop will be the one item later on that I'll need to complete a quest.

So ... I hoard.

What do you guys do with the damn books?

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Confession

I am a hoarder of Human & Troll Skulls. My house has dozens of them laying all over.

AWESOME

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Desperately need a house to rid myself of the library I can't help but slug around and constantly add to.

Without I doubt, the one book I drop will be the one item later on that I'll need to complete a quest.

So ... I hoard.

What do you guys do with the damn books?

I usually read them and leave them unless they're worth 30+ gold.

 

[AhrnCityPahnder]

Been working with the assumption that no book worth under 30 or 40 gold is going to teach me any skill, so I havent been reading them all. I'm good there, right?

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Desperately need a house to rid myself of the library I can't help but slug around and constantly add to.

Without I doubt, the one book I drop will be the one item later on that I'll need to complete a quest.

So ... I hoard.

What do you guys do with the damn books?

You wont be able to get rid of these so no worries. I had 200 lbs of books on my char at one point before I had a house. I just dumped them out side of a cave and went back to get them after i bought my house.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Been working with the assumption that no book worth under 30 or 40 gold is going to teach me any skill, so I havent been reading them all. I'm good there, right?

I've been reading (opening) most of them. Sometimes you get map locations and iirc quest info.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Difficulty..... I'm wondering if I should turn it up. I have only died once. Anybody playing on hard?

Are you playing as a tank? In the past, these games are usually very easy if you go tank.

Nope. I never go as a tank anymore. I'm a Stealth Bow and then switch it to sword and fire guy. It usually takes no more then 2 hits to fell an opponent.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Difficulty..... I'm wondering if I should turn it up. I have only died once. Anybody playing on hard?

Are you playing as a tank? In the past, these games are usually very easy if you go tank.

Nope. I never go as a tank anymore. I'm a Stealth Bow and then switch it to sword and fire guy. It usually takes no more then 2 hits to fell an opponent.

I've died a handful of times, mainly when something a little stronger than usual manages to close in on me. I usually write that off to bad tactics on my part. But this isn't like Dark Souls where you're going to die a dozen times before you clear the first level. These games (Skyrim, Oblivion, Fallout) aren't really supposed to be "hard" in that sense, or at least I don't see them that way.

 

[dharmapunk]

Confession

I am a hoarder of Human & Troll Skulls. My house has dozens of them laying all over.

 

[thecatch]

Desperately need a house to rid myself of the library I can't help but slug around and constantly add to.Without I doubt, the one book I drop will be the one item later on that I'll need to complete a quest.So ... I hoard.What do you guys do with the damn books?

I only pick up the ones with decent value, which I turn around and sell after reading.

 

[dharmapunk]

Been working with the assumption that no book worth under 30 or 40 gold is going to teach me any skill, so I havent been reading them all. I'm good there, right?

I've been reading (opening) most of them. Sometimes you get map locations and iirc quest info.

This. I try to read them. They're 8 pages long at most and sometimes offer good info on hidden stuff in the world.

 

[Drifter]

I barely have the patience to listent to dialogue let alone read those poorly written books.

 

[thecatch]

Forgot to mention I bought a stupid shield for 330 gold because I hit the wrong stupid button Also, I seem to have a problem parting with my gold. I never want to buy anything even though it would probably help me

I have the opposite problem. I keep spending gold to equip my guy and can't seem to save for a house (which I need desperately).

Same, but I've been spending mine on training instead because I'm impatient with skill development. Speaking of which, I'm reading online that black smithing is super easy to level - just acquire a bunch of ore/ingots and make a ton of daggers. Apparently you level the same amount for a dagger or necklace as you do a set of steel armor. I've been very inefficient in forging the most expensive stuff I could make so far.

I bought this transmutation spell that turns my ore into silver and then silver into gold. Going to make BOATLOADS of gold stuff.

where'd you get that?

Uh, Winterhold maybe? Think it's 200 gp.

One popped up for me during one of the companion quests. Not sure if that was part of some randomly generated end of quest loot or not.

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

I barely have the patience to listent to dialogue let alone read those poorly written books.

I don't actually read them like Dharma does. I just open them and close them fast. Occasionally I get a "map marker added" or other update in the upper left corner.

 

[The Flying Elvis]

Have a nice little wood elf character going focusing heavily on stealth, bow and daggers. Just joined Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild but haven't really done any main quests yet, might start doing that soon. At level 10 I think I have around 50 sneak and 32 ish archery and nothing else is that high yet.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I barely have the patience to listent to dialogue let alone read those poorly written books.

I don't actually read them like Dharma does. I just open them and close them fast. Occasionally I get a "map marker added" or other update in the upper left corner.

Yep. As soon as it opens it either gives your that little "Level Up" sound similar to Fallout or nothing.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

everybody seems to building a similar guy.

What is the advantage of daggers over swords? Can you not backstab/critical hit with a sword?

 

[jwb]

Difficulty..... I'm wondering if I should turn it up. I have only died once. Anybody playing on hard?

Are you playing as a tank? In the past, these games are usually very easy if you go tank.

Nope. I never go as a tank anymore. I'm a Stealth Bow and then switch it to sword and fire guy. It usually takes no more then 2 hits to fell an opponent.

This is prettymuch my guy, too. Started as sword and board, but that sword/spell combo is too cool to ignore - I dumped the shield. Add in sniping, and you have the best, most fun character I've ever played in a game. Not so good in a mob yet, though, which is what makes it interesting.

 

[Drifter]

everybody seems to building a similar guy.What is the advantage of daggers over swords? Can you not backstab/critical hit with a sword?

At Stealth 50 a backstab with a dagger does 15x damage.It's also always silent where a large weapon makes noise. If you get a kill, the next guy won't know about it.

 

[Drifter]

Difficulty..... I'm wondering if I should turn it up. I have only died once. Anybody playing on hard?

Are you playing as a tank? In the past, these games are usually very easy if you go tank.

Nope. I never go as a tank anymore. I'm a Stealth Bow and then switch it to sword and fire guy. It usually takes no more then 2 hits to fell an opponent.

This is prettymuch my guy, too. Started as sword and board, but that sword/spell combo is too cool to ignore - I dumped the shield. Add in sniping, and you have the best, most fun character I've ever played in a game. Not so good in a mob yet, though, which is what makes it interesting.

Fury and a bit of conjuration can help with the mobs.

 

[Chaka]

everybody seems to building a similar guy.What is the advantage of daggers over swords? Can you not backstab/critical hit with a sword?

I notice the same thing. Seems like we have a lot of creepy backstabbing thieves running around in here.