General Malaise "vs." reading comprehension ; also some talk of skyim and the elder scrolls (5 Viewers)

[MasterofOrion]

I have played 3 different players.

1. Mage: Summoning/Destruction/Restoration/Enchanting- Very good at first. Had the toughest time with the Dragon boss.

2. Conjuration Thief: Speech/ conjuration/ bow/sneak/smithing/enchanting. I only used conjured weapons and had something summoned all the time. As a result I had a lots of sole stones all the time. But I had to spread my skill points too thin and had some trouble early. But when I reached conjuration 100 and could summon 2 Dremora Lords the player became crazy tough. At the last quest I ran into a space with 8-9 tough undead with the wicked shouts. With 2 Dremora Lords, which are great against magic users, it was easy- too easy.

3. One handed/shield/alchemy/smithing/alchemy. He was OK. Better than the mage but nothing like the conjuration thief.

 

[Ignoramus]

Jordis the Sword-Maiden >>>>>>>>>>> lydia

And it's not even close. She's actually happy to carry your burden.

 

[GregR]

What's the point of marrying? I mean, in the game...

A place to put your stuff

100 good per day allowance

Home cooked meals

Ability to sell items to spouse like they were a general merchant.Well rested bonus increases from 10% to 15% if you sleep near your spouse.

Say what???Neither of these is the least bit realistic.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Marriage

Benefits

A player's spouse will prepare one homecooked meal a day, which will boost health, stamina, and magicka regeneration for x amount of time.

Note that though there is a unique dialogue option for each spouse character when asked to prepare this meal, the item received will always be the same.

Spouses that are also followers can still follow you, and you can still exchange equipment and items with them.

Your spouse will occasionally surprise you with a gift.

Your spouse will set up a store "somewhere" and earn a cumulative 100 gold or more a day for you.

If your spouse moves in with you, they will purchase and sell general goods with you.

If your spouse is naturally a merchant, they will buy and sell the same goods they would normally. If not, they will sell miscellaneous goods and seemingly items you leave in their inventory.

This inventory is randomized and seems to reset once a day (along with the amount of gold your spouse has to offer).

Your spouse will not give you additional discounts for being a spouse, prices are still defined by speechcraft and perks.

Sleeping near to your spouse will give you the resting bonus "Lover's Comfort" for eight hours.

Does not stack with the same effect from the Lover's Stone.

This effect does stack with the Mage, Warrior and Thief stones though.

Does not work if you're a werewolf.

Your spouse will be semi-essential; the player's spouse may only be killed by the player.

Oh I'm not questioning the fact that the game treats a spouse this way. As a married man, I'm saying that it's unrealistic that a spouse would be a financial gain and that you sleep better when she's nearby. It was sort of a joke.

Sorry, still down with the flu. My humor detector seems to have malfunctioned there.

 

[shadyridr]

been so obsessed with destruction i havent even tried conjuration until tonight when i awoke a mage and he helped kick another mages ### for me.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Thanks, how do you get the banish enchantment?

When you get to somewhat higher levels -- I'm guessing in the mid-20s or so, maybe early 30s -- you'll eventually start encountering weapons that banish daedra back to oblivion. If you find one as loot, do not sell it. Disenchant it instead, and you'll learn the banish enchantment. If you find a merchant who sells something with banish, buy it. It doesn't matter how much it costs. The 2500 septims or so that it will set you back can be made up in a couple of minutes once you start enchanting daggers or other cheap weapons with banish. Seriously, an iron dagger enchanted with banish using a petty soul gem is going to net you close to 1000 septims. As your enchanting skill goes up, that value goes down for some reason, but even at very high levels you're still getting 600-700 for every single crap weapon that happens to carry this enchantment, and if you put it on a good weapon -- like elven or ebony -- it will sell for about as much gold as any regular merchant has. It's like being able to print money.

 

[NCCommish]

Yeah the second dragon I killed it cut to a slow mo 3rd person view of me on it's neck driving my sword through it's skull for the kill shot.

There's already been a half dozen times in this game I wish I could back up ten seconds and record. Gonna be a long time before I get bored with the finishing moves. Reason enough to master different weapons I wouldn't normally be interest in.

I would love to replay some of these. I am always surprised when it happens and then I want another look.

 

[NCCommish]

Jordis the Sword-Maiden >>>>>>>>>>> lydia

And it's not even close. She's actually happy to carry your burden.

I haven't met Jordis but I enjoy Lydia's snark.

 

[NCCommish]

Thanks, how do you get the banish enchantment?

When you get to somewhat higher levels -- I'm guessing in the mid-20s or so, maybe early 30s -- you'll eventually start encountering weapons that banish daedra back to oblivion. If you find one as loot, do not sell it. Disenchant it instead, and you'll learn the banish enchantment. If you find a merchant who sells something with banish, buy it. It doesn't matter how much it costs. The 2500 septims or so that it will set you back can be made up in a couple of minutes once you start enchanting daggers or other cheap weapons with banish. Seriously, an iron dagger enchanted with banish using a petty soul gem is going to net you close to 1000 septims. As your enchanting skill goes up, that value goes down for some reason, but even at very high levels you're still getting 600-700 for every single crap weapon that happens to carry this enchantment, and if you put it on a good weapon -- like elven or ebony -- it will sell for about as much gold as any regular merchant has. It's like being able to print money.

I hadn't realized. Thanks for the tip.

 

[hotdogcollars]

UPS delivered this last night...my life, as i knew it before, is officially over. Spent who knows how many hours last night playing and am definitely paying the price today 1 day in and i'm already hooked

Are there any key tips to keep in mind for a brand new player? I've been just meandering about, picking up various tasks, quests, and items. but i'm wondering if there any critical skills or techniques i should be picking up sooner than later?

 

[Joseph]

UPS delivered this last night...my life, as i knew it before, is officially over. Spent who knows how many hours last night playing and am definitely paying the price today 1 day in and i'm already hooked Are there any key tips to keep in mind for a brand new player? I've been just meandering about, picking up various tasks, quests, and items. but i'm wondering if there any critical skills or techniques i should be picking up sooner than later?

I played Morrowind previously, and in that game I sort of focused on getting the "best" skills and items and turning my character into a world beater. This time around I'm letting it flow more naturally. What do you like to do in the game? How do you best enjoy taking out your enemies? You can build your guy the "best" way, or you can build him in the way that will be the most fun for you. If this plays as Morrowind did, the skills you pick up will make some encounters easier and some harder, but you'll be able to complete the quests no matter how you go about it. My thieving archer wood elf is all about avoiding confrontation so she hides and shoots at stuff from far away. Eventually, I'll expect she'll get bolder and start pickpocketing people. Do what you like and enjoy the game.

 

[shadyridr]

so you destroy an item to learn its enchantment. then you can apply that enchantment on any other item? is that how it works?

 

[hooter311]

so you destroy an item to learn its enchantment. then you can apply that enchantment on any other item? is that how it works?

Yep. Certain enchantments are only available on certain items though.

 

[hooter311]

As you progress to higher levels make sure to check the sales inventory of the shopkeepers instead of just blindly selling. I purchased the sword I disenchanted Banish from.

 

[shadyridr]

yeah i acidentally destroyed my heavy armer with destruction bonus. pretty pissed.

 

[hooter311]

yeah i acidentally destroyed my heavy armer with destruction bonus. pretty pissed.

Just buy, find a new one and enchant that. While you are at it enchant your helmet, bracers, and boots with the destruction bonus as well.Win/WinI kept around an amulet that added +10 or +15 to my heavy armor for way too long. When I finally did destroy it I was able to make something twice as good and apply it to anything. Once you get to 100 and can double enchant, enchanting is awesome.I use a Forsworn Antler helmet for alchemy and smithing that has +25% and +26% modifiers on each. My Chef's attire has a +27% smithing and +2?% Magica regeneration so I can run around transmuting iron ore like a boss getting hollered at by the guards for using my Magic in town.

 

[The Gator]

yeah i acidentally destroyed my heavy armer with destruction bonus. pretty pissed.

At least you "learned" something form it. Wait until you accidentally sell your Fine absorbs heath bow for 200 gold then have to buy it back for 2500

 

[culdeus]

I'll be starting this tonight. Pray for me.

 

[hooter311]

Yeah the second dragon I killed it cut to a slow mo 3rd person view of me on it's neck driving my sword through it's skull for the kill shot.

There's already been a half dozen times in this game I wish I could back up ten seconds and record. Gonna be a long time before I get bored with the finishing moves. Reason enough to master different weapons I wouldn't normally be interest in.

I was fighting a lesser dragon the other night and knew my kill arrow hit him as he was flying away. I couldn't figure out where he was circling to or how he was still flying until he turned and B-lined straight at me. He impacted about 50 yards in front of me and was going fast enough for me to have to side step for him to slide right past. I then used firebolt a few times to blast his mangy carcass another half mile or so across the clearing.

 

[Copeman]

How do you pick things up? Playing on an xbox.

 

[fasteddie_21]

How do you pick things up? Playing on an xbox.

If you mean pick up, as in pick up bodies to shove them off a cliff? Hold "A" (the bottom button) for a couple of beats. Then hit the same button again to drop said body off of said cliff.

 

[Copeman]

How do you pick things up? Playing on an xbox.

If you mean pick up, as in pick up bodies to shove them off a cliff? Hold "A" (the bottom button) for a couple of beats. Then hit the same button again to drop said body off of said cliff.

Thank you.

 

[culdeus]

If I want to be a guy intent on doing evil, stealing things, and killing mainly with bow and not magic what do i start with?

 

[NCCommish]

If I want to be a guy intent on doing evil, stealing things, and killing mainly with bow and not magic what do i start with?

As far as race I'd think Khajiit. They are extra sneaky and bow oriented from the beginning.

 

[thecatch]

My resolution with my second character is not to do any fast traveling. Ive already seen a bunch of stuff on the roads that I missed the first time around. Pretty amazing how deep this game is.

 

[hotdogcollars]

UPS delivered this last night...my life, as i knew it before, is officially over. Spent who knows how many hours last night playing and am definitely paying the price today 1 day in and i'm already hooked Are there any key tips to keep in mind for a brand new player? I've been just meandering about, picking up various tasks, quests, and items. but i'm wondering if there any critical skills or techniques i should be picking up sooner than later?

I played Morrowind previously, and in that game I sort of focused on getting the "best" skills and items and turning my character into a world beater. This time around I'm letting it flow more naturally. What do you like to do in the game? How do you best enjoy taking out your enemies? You can build your guy the "best" way, or you can build him in the way that will be the most fun for you. If this plays as Morrowind did, the skills you pick up will make some encounters easier and some harder, but you'll be able to complete the quests no matter how you go about it. My thieving archer wood elf is all about avoiding confrontation so she hides and shoots at stuff from far away. Eventually, I'll expect she'll get bolder and start pickpocketing people. Do what you like and enjoy the game.

Thx!I started with a Wood Elf for those exact reasons. I like the idea of being a stealthy bow and arrow sniper. Also was intrigued by the ability to command animals though i havent figured how to do that yetAlso havent really figured out all the enchanting, magic, etc stuff. This game is so much deeper and more complex that RPGs were last time i played

 

[Clifford]

What's the point of marrying? I mean, in the game...

A place to put your stuff

100 good per day allowance

Home cooked meals

Ability to sell items to spouse like they were a general merchant.Well rested bonus increases from 10% to 15% if you sleep near your spouse.

Say what???Neither of these is the least bit realistic.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Marriage

Benefits

A player's spouse will prepare one homecooked meal a day, which will boost health, stamina, and magicka regeneration for x amount of time.

Note that though there is a unique dialogue option for each spouse character when asked to prepare this meal, the item received will always be the same. -- This sounds about right

Spouses that are also followers can still follow you, and you can still exchange equipment and items with them.

Your spouse will occasionally surprise you with a gift.

Your spouse will set up a store "somewhere" and earn a cumulative 100 gold or more a day for you.

If your spouse moves in with you, they will purchase and sell general goods with you.

If your spouse is naturally a merchant, they will buy and sell the same goods they would normally. If not, they will sell miscellaneous goods and seemingly items you leave in their inventory.

This inventory is randomized and seems to reset once a day (along with the amount of gold your spouse has to offer).

Your spouse will not give you additional discounts for being a spouse, prices are still defined by speechcraft and perks.

Sleeping near to your spouse will give you the resting bonus "Lover's Comfort" for eight hours.

Does not stack with the same effect from the Lover's Stone.

This effect does stack with the Mage, Warrior and Thief stones though.

Does not work if you're a werewolf.

Your spouse will be semi-essential; the player's spouse may only be killed by the player.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

If I want to be a guy intent on doing evil, stealing things, and killing mainly with bow and not magic what do i start with?

Like Matthias said, any race is fine for this. My character is what you're describing and I'm a dark elf. One piece of advice: when you're travelling between towns, always sneak. Not only does this help you avoid getting ripped up by saber cats and cave bears constantly, but it also levels up your sneak really fast. And you'll need that skill for this character type.

 

[Joseph]

If I want to be a guy intent on doing evil, stealing things, and killing mainly with bow and not magic what do i start with?

Like Matthias said, any race is fine for this. My character is what you're describing and I'm a dark elf. One piece of advice: when you're travelling between towns, always sneak. Not only does this help you avoid getting ripped up by saber cats and cave bears constantly, but it also levels up your sneak really fast. And you'll need that skill for this character type.

Is there a downside to sneaking in towns? As in, if some citizen sees me sneaking around a corner will they assume I'm up to no good and react as such?

 

[Bogeys]

If I want to be a guy intent on doing evil, stealing things, and killing mainly with bow and not magic what do i start with?

Like Matthias said, any race is fine for this. My character is what you're describing and I'm a dark elf. One piece of advice: when you're travelling between towns, always sneak. Not only does this help you avoid getting ripped up by saber cats and cave bears constantly, but it also levels up your sneak really fast. And you'll need that skill for this character type.

But wouldn't that be the same as all the jumping in Oblivion? I have tried to avoid doing this type of thing (or the power smithing, etc.) in Skyrim because I don't want my character getting too powerful too fast. First time through I played a tank and I literally fought 2 dragons at a time once and didn't stop for a potion and had no problems at all taking them both out.Just pointing out that newbies might want to be careful leveling things too quickly if you want the game to be more challenging....if not, go for it. That is one of the great things about Skyrim, you can play it however you want and it is still fun.

 

[Mile High]

If I want to be a guy intent on doing evil, stealing things, and killing mainly with bow and not magic what do i start with?

Marriage?All the races work. They all have different starting bonuses to skills but those wash out pretty quickly. The only things that really matter are the racial bonuses such as Altmer +50 magicka (nice) and Breton +25% magic resistance and Orc frenzy ability. But even those aren't that significant in the scheme of things. I'd just go with a toon that you want to look at for the next 150 hours.

If you're playing the PC game you can change your race and look at any time. Just hit the ~ button and type in SHOWRACEMENU. That will bring up the menu you used to make your toon. Save before you do this as there have been reports that sometimes your stats might change even though if hasn't happen to me yet.

 

[thecatch]

If I want to be a guy intent on doing evil, stealing things, and killing mainly with bow and not magic what do i start with?

Like Matthias said, any race is fine for this. My character is what you're describing and I'm a dark elf. One piece of advice: when you're travelling between towns, always sneak. Not only does this help you avoid getting ripped up by saber cats and cave bears constantly, but it also levels up your sneak really fast. And you'll need that skill for this character type.

But wouldn't that be the same as all the jumping in Oblivion? I have tried to avoid doing this type of thing (or the power smithing, etc.) in Skyrim because I don't want my character getting too powerful too fast. First time through I played a tank and I literally fought 2 dragons at a time once and didn't stop for a potion and had no problems at all taking them both out.Just pointing out that newbies might want to be careful leveling things too quickly if you want the game to be more challenging....if not, go for it. That is one of the great things about Skyrim, you can play it however you want and it is still fun.

Fyi, I leveled sneak to 100 before I even left the first cave on my second play through, and I think it has made it harder, not easier. I am facing level 18 enemies while I have the combat skills of a brand new character.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

If I want to be a guy intent on doing evil, stealing things, and killing mainly with bow and not magic what do i start with?

Like Matthias said, any race is fine for this. My character is what you're describing and I'm a dark elf. One piece of advice: when you're travelling between towns, always sneak. Not only does this help you avoid getting ripped up by saber cats and cave bears constantly, but it also levels up your sneak really fast. And you'll need that skill for this character type.

But wouldn't that be the same as all the jumping in Oblivion?

Not really. The first time I encountered a saber cat (on my way up to see the Greybeards), I got my ### handed to me about half a dozen times before I made it past. Unless you want to get constantly attacked by stuff, I'd recommend sneaking even if didn't level at all. Hell, I maxed out sneak 25 levels ago and I still sneak almost everywhere when I'm outside a town.

 

[shadyridr]

how do u know the level your enemies are at?

 

[shadyridr]

If I want to be a guy intent on doing evil, stealing things, and killing mainly with bow and not magic what do i start with?

Like Matthias said, any race is fine for this. My character is what you're describing and I'm a dark elf. One piece of advice: when you're travelling between towns, always sneak. Not only does this help you avoid getting ripped up by saber cats and cave bears constantly, but it also levels up your sneak really fast. And you'll need that skill for this character type.

But wouldn't that be the same as all the jumping in Oblivion?

Not really. The first time I encountered a saber cat (on my way up to see the Greybeards), I got my ### handed to me about half a dozen times before I made it past. Unless you want to get constantly attacked by stuff, I'd recommend sneaking even if didn't level at all. Hell, I maxed out sneak 25 levels ago and I still sneak almost everywhere when I'm outside a town.

i cant imagine sneaking everywhere. doesnt that take looooooooooong.i barely sneak at all.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

how do u know the level your enemies are at?

Some of them will have different names. For example, a "Draugr" is a low-level zombie-like thing. A "Restless Draugr" is a little tougher. As you might expect, a "Draugr Deathlord" is substantially tougher.

 

[Joseph]

If I want to be a guy intent on doing evil, stealing things, and killing mainly with bow and not magic what do i start with?

Like Matthias said, any race is fine for this. My character is what you're describing and I'm a dark elf. One piece of advice: when you're travelling between towns, always sneak. Not only does this help you avoid getting ripped up by saber cats and cave bears constantly, but it also levels up your sneak really fast. And you'll need that skill for this character type.

Is there a downside to sneaking in towns? As in, if some citizen sees me sneaking around a corner will they assume I'm up to no good and react as such?

No downside so long as you don't forget that you're sneaking and click on someone to talk to them and accidentally pickpocket them

I tend to accidentally do things like that... I think I accidentally stole something in a shop last night. I meant to talk to the shopkeeper and all of a sudden he yelled "STOP THIEF!" and started to walk around the table towards me. I just stood there and waited for him since I didn't really know what happened and he eventually just walked back behind his table and I was able to interact with him as normal. Either I accidentally stole something, someone behind me accidentally stole something, or he's just paranoid about people stealing things and yells that randomly.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

I sneak everywhere. It seems to work much better on people than wild game though. I really enjoy hunting partially because it is a little difficult. I don't really need the leather or gold, but it's fun successfully sneaking up on a deer with a bow. I have to sneak in 3rd person to have a chance though. In 1st person sneak, by the time I spot the game he's fleeing.

 

[GregR]

UPS delivered this last night...my life, as i knew it before, is officially over. Spent who knows how many hours last night playing and am definitely paying the price today 1 day in and i'm already hooked Are there any key tips to keep in mind for a brand new player? I've been just meandering about, picking up various tasks, quests, and items. but i'm wondering if there any critical skills or techniques i should be picking up sooner than later?

Couple of general suggestions.1) Be careful about going wild on leveling up skills wildly just because you can easily, like Sneak, Smithing, Pickpocket and Enchanting. It's very easy to pick up 10 or 15 levels and then the next fight you're in you get owned because your combat abilities are now vastly inferior since they didn't keep up with your leveling.2) Some people like to delay the main quest a long time. I'd suggest you at least progress the main quest to the point you face your first dragon. You'll unlock two things that most people appreciate getting access to early, including ability to buy a house to store your stuff in.3) Whatever method of combat you wish to use, consider putting some perks into it early, and especially working up to whatever the really good perk is for it. Destruction has a Stagger perk that increases mage survivability many fold and that if I'm making a mage, is the first thing I want to focus on getting to. Archery has a zoom perk, a slow time perk, and also a stagger perk, that I imagine are key for archer. Not sure if one-handed and two-handed have anything in the same fashion, maybe someone else can answer that.4) If you want to steal things and get money for them, you need to get into the Thieves Guild line to unlock fences. Otherwise you either need to just drop stolen things you don't use, or you'll end up filling your inventory with them. If you do plan to steal things, may want to get into the TG early. If you do, it is located in the city of

Spoiler

Riften

.5) There are wagons outside each major city that can take you to new cities, even ones you haven't been to. While that is quick and easy, it's a lot of fun to walk and find them yourself. You'll find lots of good encounters along thew ay.6) Carry 1 Honningbrew mead with you. There's a random encounter between cities that you need to be generous and give one away to get a nice item from.

 

[GregR]

I've been meaning to post this for weeks but keep forgetting. I don't know if people take time to read all the books they find (I don't, I just skim enough to see if it is one of those few books you have to read to get clues to a quest), but there is one about the war between the Empire and the Thalmor that is a good read for explaining the political landscape that Skyrim takes place in. I think there is a copy of it in Dragonreach in Whiterun, just up the stairs behind the Jarl.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I've been meaning to post this for weeks but keep forgetting. I don't know if people take time to read all the books they find (I don't, I just skim enough to see if it is one of those few books you have to read to get clues to a quest), but there is one about the war between the Empire and the Thalmor that is a good read for explaining the political landscape that Skyrim takes place in. I think there is a copy of it in Dragonreach in Whiterun, just up the stairs behind the Jarl.

How many of us read The Lusty Argonian Maid?

 

[GregR]

I've been meaning to post this for weeks but keep forgetting. I don't know if people take time to read all the books they find (I don't, I just skim enough to see if it is one of those few books you have to read to get clues to a quest), but there is one about the war between the Empire and the Thalmor that is a good read for explaining the political landscape that Skyrim takes place in. I think there is a copy of it in Dragonreach in Whiterun, just up the stairs behind the Jarl.

How many of us read The Lusty Argonian Maid?

 

[GregR]

I think the book I'm talking about is called The Great War.

 

[Hawks64]

I am doing so much wandering and hitting every dungeon I find, wound up stumbling into the Silenced Tongues quest. At level 14 with only a 32 damage +10 Frost bow, it was extremely difficult.

Spoiler

I had to resort to sneak attacking with one shot, running back to the door and waiting for him to return to the throne, then sneaking another one shot. Rinse and repeat for about 30 minutes.

 

[NCCommish]

I've been meaning to post this for weeks but keep forgetting. I don't know if people take time to read all the books they find (I don't, I just skim enough to see if it is one of those few books you have to read to get clues to a quest), but there is one about the war between the Empire and the Thalmor that is a good read for explaining the political landscape that Skyrim takes place in. I think there is a copy of it in Dragonreach in Whiterun, just up the stairs behind the Jarl.

How many of us read The Lusty Argonian Maid?

I read most of the stories.I really like Immortal Blood.

I love reading the books. I am also reluctant to part with any. I had a big library in Morrowind and I intend to duplicate that here. Lydia is a little miffed about carrying all the books but she is sworn to carry my burdens after all.

 

[fasteddie_21]

My resolution with my second character is not to do any fast traveling. Ive already seen a bunch of stuff on the roads that I missed the first time around. Pretty amazing how deep this game is.

I only fast travel to sell items when I'm full to the gills w/ loot. Otherwise, I hoof it everywhere

 

[Copeman]

If you level up stamina does that mean you can carry more?

 

[Clifford]

For those playing on Xbox, I have only played Skyrim and have not activated XBox live or downloaded any patches. I'm noticing slightly more lag, but now my character has two ice spikes stuck in him that won't go away.

Is there a patch I need?

 

[NCCommish]

For those playing on Xbox, I have only played Skyrim and have not activated XBox live or downloaded any patches. I'm noticing slightly more lag, but now my character has two ice spikes stuck in him that won't go away.Is there a patch I need?

There is a patch available on Xbox live you'll want to download.

 

[Clifford]

No ill effects? I've read quite a lot of patch-regret on here.

 

[Hawks64]

If you level up stamina does that mean you can carry more?

Yep. I still take too much crap, but now that I have a house I fast travel back and forth to store all my crap.