Topic: WRUP - What are you playing?

[Achim]

Yeah, I figured it would be oe time use. I guess it would be safest to use it for the first shot after sneaking close to the enemy, I tend to miss occasionally when enemies charge towards me. So it's applied to the bow, not the arrow, good to know.

I saw a pick axe in the dungeon, may have to go back to pick it up (I may have forgotten to take it, even though I specifically thought of it ). Then I'll see where tht takes me. I also found dragon stone that weighs 25units. Apparently it's related to a later mission, so I cannot store it in a box somewhere. Puts quite a dent in what I can carry around at the moment

I am not sure if I have the word already or just the ability to learn them. I know I clicked on something and it said I need to get a soul before being allowed to use the item I have. Not at home today, maybe I will remember to check tomorrow.

[Najemikon]

You bastards. This is your fault. I hope you're proud of yourselves! 

[RossRoy]

Boo yah!  

Mission Accomplished!  

But just look at that screenshot? See those dragons out there? Yes, you can walk over there and kill them, how cool is that?

I just had a "wow" moment.. I was looking at the quests I had to do, and trying to visualize how much of the world I had explored so far.. When I looked at the map and zoomed out I thought I was doing good with a good chunk explored ... then I panned the map .. 

[Achim]

You bastards. This is your fault. I hope you're proud of yourselves!  

Just wait until you thank us instead of calling us names

On the official site that image is available as a desktop wallpaper, in case anybody is curious...

It seems you have the PC version? In which case, mods will enhance your experience...

I just had a "wow" moment.. I was looking at the quests I had to do, and trying to visualize how much of the world I had explored so far.. When I looked at the map and zoomed out I thought I was doing good with a good chunk explored ... then I panned the map ..  

I had that experience as well. First I zoomed all the way out, thinking "this is a great sized map". ....and then I realized I could still pan

With this size of the map and those "infinitely" spawning quests this may be "the last game we ever need"

[RossRoy]

Aw man! Just had a fight against an Ice Dragon .. me and my follower managed to almist kill it, but then I missed with the arrow that should've ended the fight .. and hit my downed follower. Follower dead. Dragon dead.

Debating whether to reload or just go with it ...

[Achim]

Debating whether to reload or just go with it ...

I would just reload myself probably, but I know you take these things more seriously... Although, for the reload I usually also take into account just how much gameplay is lost, vs. tzhe value of that follower of course.


Ice Dragon...? That must be tough. I fought a Drgun (sp?) yesterday who was using an ice spell against me. I died faster than I could realize what was going on They are tough to fight as it is, but the frosty spell had me on the floor frozen stiff in no time.


How bout alchemy? Do I really have to try out what matches each other or will I find recipes later on? I tried one last night, but the potion miserably failed.

[RossRoy]

How bout alchemy? Do I really have to try out what matches each other or will I find recipes later on? I tried one last night, but the potion miserably failed.

Imagine you are a caveman, exploring your surrounding. You need to find a new food source .. what do you do?

(click to show/hide)

Taste it

I know, tasting a Giant's toe is kinda gross. So is tasting Vampire Dust .. you'll get used to it. And if your spend perks into Alchemy, you'll eventually taste more than 1 effect. The only other ways to find effects is to experiment .. or use a guide

[RossRoy]

I'm not sure I like my archer build at this point. I've been spending each level up into Health and distributing my perks between archery, sneak, alchemy and smithing .. but i now regularly get my ass kicked before you can say "wha..... [is going on]"!

Is it my fighting style? If so, I really don't see what else I could do ..

So now, not only have I assassinated my follower (see above post) .. I now can't even kill a bandit properly anymore (if there's more than 2 or 3) .. where did I go wrong in my build?

So now, I'm not sure what to do. I mean, I can down a Dragon pretty easily, but pit me against a mage and I'm toast. And I don't even want to speak about my first Troll encounter .. oh my ..

[Achim]

Hmmm, from what I have seen I understand how a "pure" archer build can go wrong. I regularly use sword and shield and and appropriate even a two handed sword, just so that those skills level up. Mage's are difficult, because during the frost-spell encounter I described above my shield seemed fairly useless Like I said above, I also dies fairly quick. But I guess, if you want to start over, then better sooner than later.

What you mean by fighting style? The way you use your sword? If so, make sure to use a shield as well! You probably know this anyway, but hold up your shield and after the enemy hit your shield try to get one or two hits on the enemy yourself, then raise the shield again. Rinse and repeat. With more than two you need to take them down one by one, if they rush you togther you will fail.

I like the system how skill improve through use (eventually you could get all of them to high values), but if you neglect some and then suddenly need them for high-level enemies you are screwed with your e.g low-level sword wielding skill; which appears seems to be what you are experiencing now.

I am still hesitant about those perks. There is just so many to choose from I upgraded sneak a little and something else, but not sure how I want to continue. I believe there is 50 levels, so I get up to 50 perks, I think...?



So, about food. Single items I try to eat to see what they do and then combine those of similar effects to make them stronger (the latter was the one hint I saw when approaching the alchemy lab for the first time, "combine stuff of similar effects").

[RossRoy]

sorry, didn't plan on this post becoming so long ...

[...] Mage's are difficult, because during the frost-spell encounter I described above my shield seemed fairly useless [...]

Well if you are dieing so quickly from frost spells, I guess you are not a Nord (they have 50% resistance to cold)? If you can make yourself some Frost Resist potion, that could help. But you'd need a decent alchemy level to get a worthwhile effect, especially since I don't think they stack.

As far as I understand it, you shield is pretty much useless against magic until you get a certain perk

(click to show/hide)

Block: [Elemental Protection]

What you mean by fighting style?

Well, I basically mean how I go about the approaching, and then how I move about, picking off targets. Because what I found is unless you've got an insanely high level for smithing, your bow is still pretty basic. So unless you get the sneak bonus, it gets kinda hard to put in decent damage, especially with everyone running around all the time. I guess I should just admit it .. I suck at aiming! I have a hit rate around 60-70%, which means a lot of wasted arrow. But even then, I achieve that 60% by carefully placing arrows, it would be much lower if I actually rained them down.

Also, you can't block with a bow.

I like the system how skill improve through use [...] I am still hesitant about those perks [...]

Well it does make sense that your skills would go up with use, instead of by some arbitrary point distribution. And since they fixed that whole "major/minor" skills from Oblivion, I think it fixes the difficulty in leveling up. (FYI in Oblivion, you chose 10 skills to be major (there were 30 skills in all in Oblivion) and whenever these major skills would be raised by a global number of 10 points, you would level up. The difficulty in Oblivion stemmed from the use of the Strength, Dexterity, Constitution stats. When you leveled, you could raise 3 of those. But if you had raised corresponding skills by the amount of 10, they would raise by +5, instead of +1. Basically, you had to constantly watch what you were doing, because "wasting" skills could make you way underpowered. Relevent)

So, about food. Single items I try to eat to see what they do and then combine those of similar effects to make them stronger (the latter was the one hint I saw when approaching the alchemy lab for the first time, "combine stuff of similar effects").

Well not food. Foods have their effects all listed and known beforehand. You can combine them into recipes using a cooking pot (but I don't think you can experiment with those, you have a set list of recipes and if you have the food items needed, you can make it).

What I meant was Ingredients for alchemy. You have to "taste" them to find their effects. Then, when you get to an alchemy table, you can combine ingredient of similar effect, and you'll sometimes have a pop-up indicating you've discovered a new effect for said ingredient. What I try to do is whenever I can, I combine three ingredients that have a common effect, and sometimes, two of those ingredients will pop-up with a new effect.

---

As a side note, I did decide to restart. I'll be playing a more "traditional" warrior. I was very tempted to go "Arcane Warrior" (mage with heavy armor and sword) but I don't think I could pull it off, maybe another time. The bow is definitely out, at least as a main weapon. i'll still need it for hunting game, and maybe for some long range sneak attack bonuses, but otherwise, my main weapon will be my sword.

What I'm planning on is focusing more on Block, One-Handed, Smithing, Heavy Armor, Restoration, Light Armor and Sneak, and concentrate on the related perks.

Basically, what I want to do, is wear light armor and sneak around, trying to get a sneak attack bonus in in the early fight, then switch to heavy armor and pound my foes into submission. What do you think? I think it should make for a decent warrior. Of course, I won't be able to carry as much swag (since I'll have to keep on hand 2 full sets of armor, sword, bow, shield, potions, etc.), but I found early on that money isn't really an issue (do some smithing, enchant, then sell) and my follower can take care of carrying the things I want to bring home.

I'll admit, the switching of armor isn't really fair game from a "role playing" POV, but I'm not really looking for role playing, more efficiency during combat.

---

Did you get a paper map with your game Achim? (I know Jon didn't.. he probably bought the game on Steam) I did, and I hate it! Not because of the map itself, it's pretty cool but.. I can never fold it right to put it back in the case!! I think I'll go to the local craft shop and have it framed! Just so I never have to fold that thing ever again!! 

(and of course, just as a I complain about being unable to fold the map correctly, I finally get it right without even looking ...  )

[Najemikon]

I bought mine retail because it was cheaper than Steam. I have my fancy map! Pretty nice quality on canvas paper and all that. No problems with the folding thus far, but I have yet to play the game for any real length of time...

[Achim]

Well if you are dieing so quickly from frost spells, I guess you are not a Nord (they have 50% resistance to cold)? If you can make yourself some Frost Resist potion, that could help. But you'd need a decent alchemy level to get a worthwhile effect, especially since I don't think they stack.

I forgot what I chose. But I would assume that every region is vulnerable to something. So, while the Nord maybe good against cold, they maybe quite affected by spark or fire or whatnot. I will jet have to work round those cold enemies...

As far as I understand it, you shield is pretty much useless against magic until you get a certain perk

(click to show/hide)

Block: [Elemental Protection]

That makes sense and I will look out for this perk.

Well, I basically mean how I go about the approaching, and then how I move about, picking off targets. Because what I found is unless you've got an insanely high level for smithing, your bow is still pretty basic. So unless you get the sneak bonus, it gets kinda hard to put in decent damage, especially with everyone running around all the time. I guess I should just admit it .. I suck at aiming! I have a hit rate around 60-70%, which means a lot of wasted arrow. But even then, I achieve that 60% by carefully placing arrows, it would be much lower if I actually rained them down.

I think 60% isn't all that bad Of course, with bow and arrow it's much slower than a gun (in other games), so it feel a bit more painful as you see an arrow fly by an enemy as you will need a little time to line up the next one. What you are saying is why I usually prefer games with guns

Also, you can't block with a bow.

Well, it's a two-handed weapon after all...

What I meant was Ingredients for alchemy. You have to "taste" them to find their effects. Then, when you get to an alchemy table, you can combine ingredient of similar effect, and you'll sometimes have a pop-up indicating you've discovered a new effect for said ingredient. What I try to do is whenever I can, I combine three ingredients that have a common effect, and sometimes, two of those ingredients will pop-up with a new effect.

Yeah, I noticed this in my play through last note. Each ingredient has four "abilities" listed below it, but they are currently not shown, except for two items that I learned red to mix already (from the barkeep in Riverside). I got another recipe from Farangor(?) in Whiterun, but I have never seen those ingredients this far (Pearl and something else). I'll take something I have a lot of and just stick it in my mouth later

As a side note, I did decide to restart. I'll be playing a more "traditional" warrior. I was very tempted to go "Arcane Warrior" (mage with heavy armor and sword) but I don't think I could pull it off, maybe another time. The bow is definitely out, at least as a main weapon. i'll still need it for hunting game, and maybe for some long range sneak attack bonuses, but otherwise, my main weapon will be my sword.

In this game the sword is quite a good idea for many enemies, especially bipedal ones.

Killed my first dragon yesterday (so no I can shout two, haven't tried it in battle yet), the one that comes with the story line shortly after you arrive in Whiterun. Used spells only myself (although there is some help from the locals) and it seemed deceivingly easy (albeit only on the third try ). Magic is definitely something I want to explore more...

What I'm planning on is focusing more on Block, One-Handed, Smithing, Heavy Armor, Restoration, Light Armor and Sneak, and concentrate on the related perks.

I am not really planning it out myself; maybe I should. While skills can be upgraded through use, I suppose I should have some kind of game plan for the perks, otherwise it'll just be a half-cooked character? That part was easier in Fallout 3, as that didn't have "perk trees"...

Basically, what I want to do, is wear light armor and sneak around, trying to get a sneak attack bonus in in the early fight, then switch to heavy armor and pound my foes into submission. What do you think? I think it should make for a decent warrior. Of course, I won't be able to carry as much swag (since I'll have to keep on hand 2 full sets of armor, sword, bow, shield, potions, etc.), but I found early on that money isn't really an issue (do some smithing, enchant, then sell) and my follower can take care of carrying the things I want to bring home.

I have a follower now as well, I almost forgot I can make them carry stuff

Learn to use the shield in combination with your regular sword (alternating the two triggers) and you'll hardly need to switch armor. After all, it's regenerating else overall, so taking some damage is not a big deal. At least for the beginning, I found one armor type (forgot the name) that is very light and still has 25 or more for "armor". Of course, I understand that using heavy armor will result in certain advantages as well (there was a popup message about that yesterday).

There is a sneak bonus? So I can approach the enemy from behind and attack while still crouched to get it? I was wondering about that, but didn't find an enemy yet where I could try my theory.

I just learned about enchanting yesterday. Will need to destroy some items now to learn them , then will use that, if you say that is a better way to make money (selling loads of found stuff seems a bit tedious). I need 5000 for my house in Whiterun...

I'll admit, the switching of armor isn't really fair game from a "role playing" POV, but I'm not really looking for role playing, more efficiency during combat.

It's still a game... Carrying two sets of armor in the first place, plus ten weapons, tons of food and ingredients isn't that realistic either, or that regenerating health...

Did you get a paper map with your game Achim? (I know Jon didn't.. he probably bought the game on Steam) I did, and I hate it! Not because of the map itself, it's pretty cool but.. I can never fold it right to put it back in the case!! I think I'll go to the local craft shop and have it framed! Just so I never have to fold that thing ever again!!  

Yes, I have the map as well. I only opened it once though, to have a quick look. The in-game map is sufficient for the most part. Of course, two button presses gets a bit annoying after a while, so having the paper one on the table might be more convenient. It looks nice too, so getting it framed might be a good idea anyway.

(and of course, just as a I complain about being unable to fold the map correctly, I finally get it right without even looking ...  )

Isn't that typical...? In Germany we call this the "presentation effect" (not sure what the english term is). When you want to "present" your problem to someone else, it will suddenly work again...

[RossRoy]

Killed my first dragon yesterday (so no I can shout two, haven't tried it in battle yet), the one that comes with the story line shortly after you arrive in Whiterun. Used spells only myself (although there is some help from the locals) and it seemed deceivingly easy (albeit only on the third try ). Magic is definitely something I want to explore more...

Thu'ums are really fun! Especially the fire based ones .. against Trolls mwahahaha! The Relentless Force (or whatever the name is of the one that activates automatically after killing your first Dragon is) can be useful too. Just make sure to not use it inside a town is there's someone in the way

I am not really planning it out myself; maybe I should. While skills can be upgraded through use, I suppose I should have some kind of game plan for the perks, otherwise it'll just be a half-cooked character? That part was easier in Fallout 3, as that didn't have "perk trees"...

Well, I say focus, but I mean "not waste". After all, you only have around 70 perks you can choose, out of the 250-ish total. So focusing on just a few trees makes sense. And now that I think of it, I might be better off focusing on light armor and leave off heavy completely.. but then those higher tier dragon bone armor look really bad ass!

Learn to use the shield in combination with your regular sword

Yeah, I think I'm getting pretty decent at blocking then attacking a staggered foe. Well, the game seems to think so anyway, it keep showing me slomo kills

There is a sneak bonus?

Yep! 3x damage (6x with related perk) for melee, 2x (4x with related perk) for ranged. Of course, it's much easier to get the sneak bonus with a bow, but if you can get in close for sneak melee, you will destroy the opponent. You need to be pretty skilled at sneak though to pull of a melee sneak attack.. and NOT wear heavy armor (too noisy) .. might want to go commando for those sneak-ins

I just learned about enchanting yesterday. Will need to destroy some items now to learn them , then will use that, if you say that is a better way to make money (selling loads of found stuff seems a bit tedious). I need 5000 for my house in Whiterun...

Both my previous characters, when I got to Whiterun, I had more than enough for the house + decoration (about 2000 more). Best way to make money? Smith - Enchant - Sell. Also contributes in raising all three skills too! (be careful - gaining too many levels from non combat abilities may make the game a bit harder).

[RossRoy]

Really Skyrim?? Pfft..

Just as I got out of Bleak Falls Barrow, I was wandering around the exit and stumbled upon a little shack. There was an old lady who promptly told me she was nobody interesting. So, thinking she might actually be dangerous, I set upon investigating her house a bit. Lo and behold, what do I find? A locked cellar door! So I pick the lock, go down.. oh my! Arcane Enchanter.. Alchemy table.. countless odd ingredients, skulls.. real creepy. Without taking anything, I go outside to confront the lady .. too late! She turns all Voldemort on me and attacks. As the superior being (I am Dragonborne after all! Even though my character doesn't know it yet hehe) I promptly vanquish her. So I thought she's dead, what harm is there in looting her house? So I proceed to do so.

A few days later, after a much needed rest before setting out on my trek to Whiterun, I step outside Faendel's house (my current trusty follower). As my eyes still adjust to the blaring sun, I barely make out three thugs. They promptly accuse me of taking something that didn't belong to me and proceed with the planned execution. Still a bit groggy from slumber, I manage to take out my trusty shield and sword, both forged just the day before, barely in time to block the first attack. But what do I notice? I am on fire! Those bastards are using enchanted weapons against me!

Ensues an endless battle, where I mostly run around like a coward, consuming my whole supply of health potions, even going so far as stopping by the inn to craft a few more potions! The battle goes on and on, as I mostly run circles backwards, swinging my sword whenever one of them gets too close, while Faendel takes potshots at the thugs. Of course, bastard guards aren't doing anything!

Finally, we emerge triumphant, all three thugs laying lifeless in the middle of Riverwood. I proceed to loot their bodies, and what do I find? Not only have the attacked a low level hero (I was only level 5 when the battle started!), armed with only a steel sword and iron shield & armor, but they were fully decked out with full steel armor set and fire enchanted weapons!

Question is, who called out the thugs? I killed the owner of the house, and that's the only place I stole anything from. I read the letter, someone named "Moira" sent them after me. Guess she was related to that old lady somehow. But why send such powerful thugs? She really didn't want me looting that lady's house ..

---

On a side note - I love that game!

[Dragonfire]

Did you get some good loot from the house?