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

[flysack]

Someone on reddit found an obscure reference to punter Chris Kluwe (an avid gamer) in one of Skyrim's books. When he posted about it on reddit, Kluwe himself showed up to comment, saying that he'd found it awhile back while reading lore in the Mage's library. Kluwe had no idea he'd be in the game.

https://np.reddit.com/r/skyrim/comments/4x5nve/cool_reference_i_noticed_in_skyrim/

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

Someone on reddit found an obscure reference to punter Chris Kluwe (an avid gamer) in one of Skyrim's books. When he posted about it on reddit, Kluwe himself showed up to comment, saying that he'd found it awhile back while reading lore in the Mage's library. Kluwe had no idea he'd be in the game.

https://np.reddit.com/r/skyrim/comments/4x5nve/cool_reference_i_noticed_in_skyrim/

fn punters and their fn awesome lives

 

[GregR]

Level 42.   I kind of forgot now nasty weapon damage can get once you get the top weapons and perks. Think my bow is doing 370 base when I have my +archery gear on.  Though not counting drinking a +110% damage Marksman potion (which takes it over 700!) and can use a 100+ damage potion.  And then triple it all for sneak attacks. Even have been one-shotting dragons if I can hit them before they see me.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Good grief, what bow do you have that carries that type of damage?  I am right around that level (in the 40s somewhere), and think maybe the best one I have is an ebony bow that starts around 110 or so.  Been mostly using my conjuring skills/bound bow, and can 2 shot a dragon, and get everything else in one if I am sneaking so maybe that is about the same level?

 

[Homer J Simpson]

I miss Skyrim more than I miss booze.

 

[TheAristocrat]

Good grief, what bow do you have that carries that type of damage?  I am right around that level (in the 40s somewhere), and think maybe the best one I have is an ebony bow that starts around 110 or so.  Been mostly using my conjuring skills/bound bow, and can 2 shot a dragon, and get everything else in one if I am sneaking so maybe that is about the same level?

Dragonbone bows are kick### fun especially when you can enchant them (or two enchantments - even better and more fun).

 

[GregR]

Good grief, what bow do you have that carries that type of damage?  I am right around that level (in the 40s somewhere), and think maybe the best one I have is an ebony bow that starts around 110 or so.  Been mostly using my conjuring skills/bound bow, and can 2 shot a dragon, and get everything else in one if I am sneaking so maybe that is about the same level?

Dragonbone, which you have to smith from dragon bones, and is only available if you have one of the DLCs. Dawnguard I think?  But really it's having potions and fortify bonuses to Archery and Smithing, as Dragonbone is only a little better than Ebony.

Max your Alchemy and perks. Max out Enchanting and perks. 

Make (or buy) potions to Fortify Enchanting. Drink them and make ring/necklace/helm/bracer to Fortify Alchemy.  Wear the new gear and make even better potions of Fortify Enchantment... drink and enchant even better Alchemy gear.  Rinse, repeat.  There is a max it will stop at after just a few iterations.

Once your potions and enchantments are as good as you can get, make Fortify Smithing ring/necklace/bracer/clothes, and make Fortify Smithing potions. My Fortify Smithing potions are +110% but yours will be higher as I made a mod that nerfs my enchantments to about 80% of normal. Then put on all your new smithing gear and drink the potion when you go improve the bow.

Then make yourself ring/necklace/helm/bracers with Fortify Archery.  Mine are +36% per item (and there's 4 items you can put it on) but like I said, mine is nerfed so you can go higher.  And also make Fortify Marksman potions, mine are 110%.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Didn't want to bore everybody with my daily, way too late to the game addiction, but I think I will have to declare this game officially better than Fallout.  More to do, bigger, and a lot better to look at as far a scenery, etc..   I have been playing every day since I first posted, and don't feel like I am even close to getting everywhere and doing everything.  I think I posted before, but I had to start over, and went with the necromancer/archer/assassin.  I am at level 42 or 43, and am at 85+ in sneaking, archery, and enchanting.  I am getting there with Conjuration too.  I did notice a nice bump in opponents about level 35 or so, and would get killed a bit if I got surrounded (never put anything in health, had hardly any armor on). Since then I have put a little into light armor and crafted myself some lovely glass armor. 

Don't remember all the missions/side stuff I have done, but I am the leader of the Dark Brotherhood and the head of the College.  Working on Guild quests as well now.  Haven't joined the Rebellion or Imperials, haven't gotten training in shouts, and didn't do anything with the Companions.  Still a lot of areas to explore and locations to get back to and clear.  About my only gripe is that I am tired of hearing the same dialogue when I go into shops.  So much so, that I usually end turning off the sound before I go into some places. 

I do have a little bit of an itch to start another game as an Orc brute, just because I never play games like that.  All swords and maces, no sneak or magic, and heavy armor would be fun. 

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

haven't gotten training in shouts

IIRC you can't progress on the main quest without doing these quests.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Dragonbone, which you have to smith from dragon bones, and is only available if you have one of the DLCs. Dawnguard I think?  But really it's having potions and fortify bonuses to Archery and Smithing, as Dragonbone is only a little better than Ebony.

Max your Alchemy and perks. Max out Enchanting and perks. 

Make (or buy) potions to Fortify Enchanting. Drink them and make ring/necklace/helm/bracer to Fortify Alchemy.  Wear the new gear and make even better potions of Fortify Enchantment... drink and enchant even better Alchemy gear.  Rinse, repeat.  There is a max it will stop at after just a few iterations.

Once your potions and enchantments are as good as you can get, make Fortify Smithing ring/necklace/bracer/clothes, and make Fortify Smithing potions. My Fortify Smithing potions are +110% but yours will be higher as I made a mod that nerfs my enchantments to about 80% of normal. Then put on all your new smithing gear and drink the potion when you go improve the bow.

Then make yourself ring/necklace/helm/bracers with Fortify Archery.  Mine are +36% per item (and there's 4 items you can put it on) but like I said, mine is nerfed so you can go higher.  And also make Fortify Marksman potions, mine are 110%.

I thought I could make dragon stuff when I got to level 100 smithing in the regular game, or is that just dragon armor?

Don't think I have ever made or seen a fortify enchanting potion.  I do have a couple items for smithing, archery, prices, and potions though. 

I assume the game keeps getting harder and harder as I level up? (or you are playing at a higher difficulty).   I can't remember the last time I used a weapon besides a dagger.  I just have been using the bound bow.  I guess there will come a time that will not be enough for some of the big bads? 

 

[Scoresman]

I'm pretty sure the higher level you get, the more godlike you become making the content trivial.  That's always been a problem with Elder Scroll games.  Unless you're using some sort of gameplay overhaul mod.  

 

[GregR]

I thought I could make dragon stuff when I got to level 100 smithing in the regular game, or is that just dragon armor?

Don't think I have ever made or seen a fortify enchanting potion.  I do have a couple items for smithing, archery, prices, and potions though. 

I assume the game keeps getting harder and harder as I level up? (or you are playing at a higher difficulty).   I can't remember the last time I used a weapon besides a dagger.  I just have been using the bound bow.  I guess there will come a time that will not be enough for some of the big bads? 

I bumped up the difficulty recently one notch and will probably take it further soon, but I think that just gives NPCs better stats.

Fortify Enchanting potions you generally have to make yourself, or else buy from one of the alchemy stores. Until you get max Alchemy you'll be able to buy much better than you can make. Until I bother maxing Alchemy, I hit the potion vendor in any town I visit checking for Fortify Enchanting potions.  I'm also looking for Fortify Smithing potions from them early on too.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I bumped up the difficulty recently one notch and will probably take it further soon, but I think that just gives NPCs better stats.

Fortify Enchanting potions you generally have to make yourself, or else buy from one of the alchemy stores. Until you get max Alchemy you'll be able to buy much better than you can make. Until I bother maxing Alchemy, I hit the potion vendor in any town I visit checking for Fortify Enchanting potions.  I'm also looking for Fortify Smithing potions from them early on too.

I will have to keep an eye out then.  Mostly my alchemy is just the 4-5 main potions I made to sell for coin (I have not used a perk to improve it)  I honestly never think to use the potions or poisons myself.  Besides the occasional health one when I get trapped, I can't think of one that I have used. 

 

[GregR]

I'm pretty sure the higher level you get, the more godlike you become making the content trivial.  That's always been a problem with Elder Scroll games.  Unless you're using some sort of gameplay overhaul mod.  

That's very much the case. And it's why I made my mod. I put level requirements on Smithing and Enchanting perks... and nerf the power on enchantments somewhat so the very best quest items and random magic items are slightly better.  Also I slowed down the level rate on those. And I increased the rate you find magic items in chests and on NPCs, and drastically decreased how many show up in shops so you have to adventure, not buy. 

Though, once you can put two enchantments on something then equipment you make is still better than anything you can find.

I was actually just thinking about that and that if I get ambitious, I might make a new mod to introduce a lot of 2 or even 3-enchantment magic items into the random lists so you can find them. As long as there is a chance of improving my equipment through adventuring and doing quests the game keeps my interest.

 

[GregR]

I will have to keep an eye out then.  Mostly my alchemy is just the 4-5 main potions I made to sell for coin.  I honestly never think to use the potions or poisons myself.  Besides the occasional health one when I get trapped, I can't think of one that I have used. 

If you do sneak attacks, the poison damage gets the multiplier too.  Even the bought/found Damage Health potions can do 50-65 points base, then multiplied for sneaking.  And paralysis is always nice.  Slow can be nice too if you're going archer and backing away as you're shooting.  Also I like making potions that turn off Magicka Regeneration 100% and do Magicka Damage to boot.  I carry 2 or 3 for use on tough mages. Though undead are usually immune to poison I think.

Spoiler has information on a couple of specific potion ingredients that give huge bonuses to Damage Health or Restore Health compared to normal ingredients.

Spoiler

Using River Betty in a Damage Health potion gives a huge bonus to the magnitude.  I'll go on River Betty gathering trips, starting with the fish barrels on the docks outside of Riften then swimming to grab all the little fish in the lake and river.  Deathbells also give a bonus on Damage Health IIRC, but it's not nearly as big of one.

And if you haven't noticed, check out how powerful a Restore Health is when you throw in Giant's Toe. It gives a bonus there and also shoots the price way up.  Giant's Toe - Hanging Moss - and... either Glow Dust or Glowing Mushroom, make the most expensive potions in the game, great for making money.

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

 Even have been one-shotting dragons if I can hit them before they see me.

 This is my new goal. I'm already past you on levels (47 I think) but not on archery skill or bonuses. 

 

[GregR]

Tip on the Aura Whisper shout. To me, the most useful Shout in the game by a huge margin. I have it selected continually and use it continually in dungeons and while traveling.

However, once I locate enemies I normally want it to end right away. At distance can't easily see what something is. Close range it makes it tough to tell companions from enemies.

If you agree with that... if you just unlock the first level of the Shout, but do not spend dragon souls to unlock higher levels, then it will end quicker and will also recharge quicker. Every time I've forgotten this and unlocked higher levels I've ended up hating the higher levels of it.

 

[Hawks64]

Good grief, what bow do you have that carries that type of damage?  I am right around that level (in the 40s somewhere), and think maybe the best one I have is an ebony bow that starts around 110 or so.  Been mostly using my conjuring skills/bound bow, and can 2 shot a dragon, and get everything else in one if I am sneaking so maybe that is about the same level?

Dragon bone most likely and used some gear and potions that enhanced blacksmith. Mine is close to that, can't remember since it's been forever since I fired it up but I think I had a flawless dragon bone bow, use dragon bone arrows and there are few things I can't one shot.

 

[flysack]

I almost want to start playing again.

I stopped with a level 82 character killing almost anything with one shot from [insert Elven god's name] bow.

I think I left Big Gay Orc around level 42 too. He was also pwning most everything with [Insert Orc god's name] warhammer.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

I almost want to start playing again.

I stopped with a level 82 character killing almost anything with one shot from [insert Elven god's name] bow.

I think I left Big Gay Orc around level 42 too. He was also pwning most everything with [Insert Orc god's name] warhammer.

 

[Sand]

Looks like the next two Bethesda games will not be named Elder Scrolls.  Harumph.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Wtf is up with the gay Orc thing? 

 

[NorvilleBarnes]

Wtf is up with the gay Orc thing? 

You mean you haven't read this thread?

 

[KarmaPolice]

You mean you haven't read this thread?

Nope, figured there were too many hints and cheats.

 

[GregR]

Two related things -1. My orc has made himself available for awhile now, but the only person to express interest is ...a big gay blacksmith. I'm beginning to think this is all he has in the cards. At least he'll get cheap big gay weapons, right? Big Gay Sword. Big Gay Hammer. When I'm feeling sweet and subtle, the Big Gay Dagger...2. An assassin from the Dark Brotherhood just tried to take me out. I found a letter that says someone performed the Black Sacrament and payed the gold to have me whacked. I have to assume they'll keep sending people after me.I know where their lair is. Is it a good or bad idea to clean the place out like a hornet's nest?

On the one hand the Nords are generally a racist reprehensible people.

On the other hand, their Temple of Mara will marry an interracial gay couple.

My orc married the Big Gay Smith. I suppose it's nice having a house attached to a full smithy and mine. I store all my ingots, ore, and dragon parts there. Plus Big Gay Smith makes a mean homemade pie.

What did everyone name their character?I named mine "Drago".

Big Gay Orc is named "Grok Al-Loc," though Big Gay Orc is way better.Also, I finally got Lydia killed last night in Meridia's Beacon. It was a good run. The boss at the end is a necromaster surrounded by 8 wraith-like creatures. My strategy was to rush right in, Ice Form the necromaster, then wail on his head until he dies, hopefully taking the spirits with him. Well, I killed him. Then I sat back and cracked a beer before turning around to see....the 8 spirits still alive, surrounding Lydia. It was a brave fight. She was decked out in a full set of ebony armor with a daedric shield and a special ebony sword I made with lightening damage. She managed to drop 5 of the bastards before she fell. I was too loaded down to salvage her armor and weapons. So I went home to drop off some stuff, then came back. When I did, the door to that particular chamber WAS LOCKED. I was mighty tempted to reload and refight the necromaster. But no. Playing out unfortunate events is what makes this game great. So Lydia got herself a fine entombment in a Daedric temple, adorned in ebony armor with her sword at her side.I now have some lout running around with me that I hired from an inn in Windhelm. It just isn't the same. :(

If your SO "accidentally" dies, are you free to get married again?

I think Big Gay Orc was just going through a phase.

 

[GregR]

It just kind of kept going from there...

 

[flysack]

Thanks for the recap, GregR. Good times.

 

[KarmaPolice]

That is some funny stuff.  It's like Skyrim has their version of FFA Friday threads built into the game. 

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

I wish I could wipe my brain clean of Skyrim and do it all over again.

Definitely firing it up in October. Really tempted to start it now.

 

[Thorn]

I miss Skyrim more than I miss booze.

If I had to give up booze or video games, I wouldn't like it, but it wouldn't be that hard of a call.

 

[Scoresman]

There's a muscular naked orc mod you can get that really enhances the big gay orc experience.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

There's a muscular naked orc mod you can get that really enhances the big gay orc experience.

"One Great Sentence" thread is over there.

 

[TheAristocrat]

There's a muscular naked orc mod you can get that really enhances the big gay orc experience.

 JFC.

 

[GregR]

First time making a house with the DLC. Made the one up north east of Solitude. A bit underwhelmed in that... ok yes it looks like a nice structure and all, but there's no merchants nearby to make it easy to unload stuff.

That's one thing I love about Vlindrel Hall in Markarth which is my favorite home. Once I get through the Thief's Guild and get Endor unlocked as a fence, I can fast travel home (mod to fast travel spot right to the door) and just jump off the terrace and he's normally wandering there waiting to buy stuff. Usually he can afford to take most things off my hands with his 4k gold, and buys any type of items including stolen.

 

[KarmaPolice]

First time making a house with the DLC. Made the one up north east of Solitude. A bit underwhelmed in that... ok yes it looks like a nice structure and all, but there's no merchants nearby to make it easy to unload stuff.

That's one thing I love about Vlindrel Hall in Markarth which is my favorite home. Once I get through the Thief's Guild and get Endor unlocked as a fence, I can fast travel home (mod to fast travel spot right to the door) and just jump off the terrace and he's normally wandering there waiting to buy stuff. Usually he can afford to take most things off my hands with his 4k gold, and buys any type of items including stolen.

1st World Skyrim problems?

 

[KarmaPolice]

So.... I couldn't resist the temptation, and a couple nights ago started a different character.  Went with a warrior Orc - no sneaking BS, no Archery, no Magic spells, heavy armor, no stealing or cold blooded murder.  Good gawd is this fun.  Why didn't I try this before?? (is Fallout this fun with melee characters?).   It is a blast just walking in a cave and knowing you are the big swinging **** and hacking up some mo-fos.  Also, me jumping up on the dragon at West Watchtower and hacking at him with my war axes might just vault up the list of favorite video game moments all time for me.  I had not idea that was going to happen.  Still just circling around Whiterun and discovering a bunch of stuff that I didn't see before.  Haven't tried to take on a Mammoth or Giant yet, and did get caught by a different dragon had to duck in a cave (it didn't have a spot to land, so I was just getting blasted from above).  I did take a carriage to Riften just to start on the path of courtship and marriage- I can only hope it is as fun as GregR's experiences. 

 

[TheAristocrat]

First time making a house with the DLC. Made the one up north east of Solitude. A bit underwhelmed in that... ok yes it looks like a nice structure and all, but there's no merchants nearby to make it easy to unload stuff.

That's one thing I love about Vlindrel Hall in Markarth which is my favorite home. Once I get through the Thief's Guild and get Endor unlocked as a fence, I can fast travel home (mod to fast travel spot right to the door) and just jump off the terrace and he's normally wandering there waiting to buy stuff. Usually he can afford to take most things off my hands with his 4k gold, and buys any type of items including stolen.

The best house is in Riften.  Assuming that you don't mind shoving 94 dragon bones into the dresser next to your bed.

 

[GregR]

First time making a house with the DLC. Made the one up north east of Solitude. A bit underwhelmed in that... ok yes it looks like a nice structure and all, but there's no merchants nearby to make it easy to unload stuff.

That's one thing I love about Vlindrel Hall in Markarth which is my favorite home. Once I get through the Thief's Guild and get Endor unlocked as a fence, I can fast travel home (mod to fast travel spot right to the door) and just jump off the terrace and he's normally wandering there waiting to buy stuff. Usually he can afford to take most things off my hands with his 4k gold, and buys any type of items including stolen.

The best house is in Riften.  Assuming that you don't mind shoving 94 dragon bones into the dresser next to your bed.

I like Markath more for the Fence right by the door, and for the big open spaces inside where I can leave many companions waiting without them getting in my way. Riften has the most merchants/most money, though the Fence is a longer walk requiring 2 extra loading screens to get to. I'd rather speed that part up.

I did a few edits to Markarth myself to take advantage of the extra space. Lit some of the darker spots so brighter. Added a chest next right next to the enchanting table. Put an Altar of Zenithar (+10% barter) and an Altar of Arkay (+25 health) in there so I can grab one on the way out the door. Also planning on putting in an anvil, sharpening wheel and crafting table so I don't have to walk to one, though I haven't gotten around to those yet.

 

[TheAristocrat]

Thanks to all this Skyrim chat, I'm about to jump back in for the first time in about a year or so.  New character, not sure how I'm going to play it yet.

Hope all of my mods still work.

 

[Mile High]

So.... I couldn't resist the temptation, and a couple nights ago started a different character.  Went with a warrior Orc - no sneaking BS, no Archery, no Magic spells, heavy armor, no stealing or cold blooded murder.  Good gawd is this fun.  Why didn't I try this before?? (is Fallout this fun with melee characters?).   It is a blast just walking in a cave and knowing you are the big swinging **** and hacking up some mo-fos.  Also, me jumping up on the dragon at West Watchtower and hacking at him with my war axes might just vault up the list of favorite video game moments all time for me.  I had not idea that was going to happen.  Still just circling around Whiterun and discovering a bunch of stuff that I didn't see before.  Haven't tried to take on a Mammoth or Giant yet, and did get caught by a different dragon had to duck in a cave (it didn't have a spot to land, so I was just getting blasted from above).  I did take a carriage to Riften just to start on the path of courtship and marriage- I can only hope it is as fun as GregR's experiences. 

Work on using shouts. Be a true Dragon Born character.

 

[Mile High]

Thanks to all this Skyrim chat, I'm about to jump back in for the first time in about a year or so.  New character, not sure how I'm going to play it yet.

Hope all of my mods still work.

If it's been a year then some probably won't work. Do you use Nexis mod manger?

 

[Mile High]

Tip on the Aura Whisper shout. To me, the most useful Shout in the game by a huge margin. I have it selected continually and use it continually in dungeons and while traveling.

However, once I locate enemies I normally want it to end right away. At distance can't easily see what something is. Close range it makes it tough to tell companions from enemies.

If you agree with that... if you just unlock the first level of the Shout, but do not spend dragon souls to unlock higher levels, then it will end quicker and will also recharge quicker. Every time I've forgotten this and unlocked higher levels I've ended up hating the higher levels of it.

I like Aura Whisper. Soul Tear is useful and of course Become Ethereal if for no other reason then to jump off mountains. 

 

[TheAristocrat]

If it's been a year then some probably won't work. Do you use Nexis mod manger?

I don't right now but I remember ordering the mods a long time ago based on some site I found.  Most of my mods are visual enhancements and most all of them are still working.

However, I had to disable the Helgen mod because I got the carriage bug at the beginning that had me outside the carriage and the horses walking into it without any movement.  Now that I'm outside of Helgen, I re-enabled it and am diving back in.

We'll see what happens but I may install the mod manager if I see gaming issues.

Khaleesi the Wood Elf is about to save Skyrim.

 

[flysack]

So.... I couldn't resist the temptation, and a couple nights ago started a different character.  Went with a warrior Orc - no sneaking BS, no Archery, no Magic spells, heavy armor, no stealing or cold blooded murder.  Good gawd is this fun.  Why didn't I try this before?? (is Fallout this fun with melee characters?).   It is a blast just walking in a cave and knowing you are the big swinging **** and hacking up some mo-fos.  Also, me jumping up on the dragon at West Watchtower and hacking at him with my war axes might just vault up the list of favorite video game moments all time for me.  I had not idea that was going to happen.  Still just circling around Whiterun and discovering a bunch of stuff that I didn't see before.  Haven't tried to take on a Mammoth or Giant yet, and did get caught by a different dragon had to duck in a cave (it didn't have a spot to land, so I was just getting blasted from above).  I did take a carriage to Riften just to start on the path of courtship and marriage- I can only hope it is as fun as GregR's experiences. 

Head to the little village just north of Riften. Wear your amulet of Mara. Talk to the smith there. He's real friendly.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Head to the little village just north of Riften. Wear your amulet of Mara. Talk to the smith there. He's real friendly.

I take it that is where Greg's Orc found his love? 

 

[flysack]

I take it that is where Greg's Orc found his love? 

My orc, and yep.

 

[GregR]

I switched from Nexus Mod Manager to Mod Organizer this install.

I would probably stick with Mod Organizer if installing fresh. Though the difference isn't huge in my opinion. Could play different characters with different sets of mods, but I probably won't do that. Maybe a little quicker to use to find mod conflicts if it's a huge mod since it won't have to go replace files every time you disable/enable.

 

[GregR]

Head to the little village just north of Riften. Wear your amulet of Mara. Talk to the smith there. He's real friendly.

I take it that is where Greg's Orc found his love? 

Yeah, flysack's character. Though I grab my spouse from the same town, Shor's Stone, but I grab the female miner named Silja. Though I made sure when I went to pick her up, I stayed away from the blacksmith. Last thing I need is some Big Gay Orc showing up at my door pissed at me for poaching.

 

[KarmaPolice]

My orc, and yep.

My mistake.  I didn't pick up on the fact it was Greg quoting somebody else's gay Orc exploits. 

 

[KarmaPolice]

Yeah, flysack's character. Though I grab my spouse from the same town, Shor's Stone, but I grab the female miner named Silja. Though I made sure when I went to pick her up, I stayed away from the blacksmith. Last thing I need is some Big Gay Orc showing up at my door pissed at me for poaching.

Maybe there's a vibrant gay swinging scene in Skyrim.  Sword fight!!!