The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

[DanGarion]

I think I'm still only playing the original content. I'm only at level 22.

[JonInMiddleGA]

anyone get Dragonborn yet? Hoping to see some first impressions before taking the plunge.

Playing it now (well, until I got sidetracked on NBA2k). One of the more enjoyable -- if fairly straightforward -- DLC's in the series I think. Fairly compact location, both my son & I had the same impression of it: felt like playing the Point Lookout DLC from Fallout.

The main DLC storyline seems like it would be fairly short, gotta be a fan of the sidequests/missions in order to get the most out of it IMO.

[Shepp]

Having now (finally) completed the Dawnguard DLC, I'll give them credit for doing several things right in it while still absolutely positively hating the way they handled attacks on NPC's

There is actually a mod on the Nexus that eliminates the city attacks. Its probably on Steam too. It won't help if you're on console, but why would you want to play on a console anyway?:D

[JonInMiddleGA]

It won't help if you're on console, but why would you want to play on a console anyway?:D

Because I'm not into investing major cash on a regular basis to upgrade a computer every 15 minutes when a new game comes out.

[dubb93]

Because I'm not into investing major cash on a regular basis to upgrade a computer every 15 minutes when a new game comes out.

This has long since been proved a myth. I mean, you want to run the game in 3D @ max settings(I mean, you will probably still be cheaper if you factor in monitor vs. tv, but still), then yea you will be talking a regular upgrade in the several hundred dollar to thousands range.

But really, my computer from three computers ago will still run games every bit as well as the PS3 will. I still have that computer too. In the time since I bought it I have purchased the Xbox 360 multiple times.

[DanGarion]

There is actually a mod on the Nexus that eliminates the city attacks. Its probably on Steam too. It won't help if you're on console, but why would you want to play on a console anyway?:D

Because I enjoy playing on my 55 inch TV or while laying in bed, instead of having to go into my office and sit at a computer? :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

This has long since been proved a myth. I mean, you want to run the game in 3D @ max settings(I mean, you will probably still be cheaper if you factor in monitor vs. tv, but still), then yea you will be talking a regular upgrade in the several hundred dollar to thousands range.

But really, my computer from three computers ago will still run games every bit as well as the PS3 will. I still have that computer too. In the time since I bought it I have purchased the Xbox 360 multiple times.

Not even my son's two year old laptop will run SR (will barely run FO:NV without crashing), Lord only knows he's tried.

Perhaps the distinction is what specs you bought/buy in computers in the first place {shrug} I dunno. All I know is that I haven't owned a computer that would run any relatively current game in years, not even brand new out of the box.

[RainMaker]

Because I enjoy playing on my 55 inch TV or while laying in bed, instead of having to go into my office and sit at a computer? :)

That's it for me too. I can lay back on the couch with a beer and play on my 52 inch.

[dubb93]

That's it for me too. I can lay back on the couch with a beer and play on my 52 inch.

Steam does this now too with Big Picture. You can use your Xbox controller too.

[dubb93]

Not even my son's two year old laptop will run SR (will barely run FO:NV without crashing), Lord only knows he's tried.

Perhaps the distinction is what specs you bought/buy in computers in the first place {shrug} I dunno. All I know is that I haven't owned a computer that would run any relatively current game in years, not even brand new out of the box.

IDK? I own three computers that I have bought years apart and they will all run current games at min settings @ atleast 30 FPS. That is comparable to what the consoles will do.

EDIT: My six year old PC will actually go far beyond that, but it was upgraded to a newer GPU.

[dubb93]

For the record I'm not a PC homer. I own the 360, PS3, and Wii too.

[Buccaneer]

Well, I did it, completed all of the major quests lines. I had to finish up the Companions quest, then I did all of the Dark Brotherhood as a Mage Assassin (one-shot, quiet casting fireballs, invisibility and muffle). What an amazing quest that was. Then I took a nostalgic journey back to where it all began at Helgen and went through the long cave and walked the trail to Riverwood. That seemed a lifetime ago when I first did all of that.

[Shepp]

Because I'm not into investing major cash on a regular basis to upgrade a computer every 15 minutes when a new game comes out.

Because I enjoy playing on my 55 inch TV or while laying in bed, instead of having to go into my office and sit at a computer? :)

I was only joking about the "why would anyone play on a console" thing. I prefer the PC but everyone has their own taste.

[DanGarion]

I was only joking about the "why would anyone play on a console" thing. I prefer the PC but everyone has their own taste.

I spent the first 15 years of gaming on my computer, I'm past that stage in life... :)

[Kodos]

So the 360 version of this is superior to the PS3 version if I recall correctly. Right?

[mckerney]

So the 360 version of this is superior to the PS3 version if I recall correctly. Right?

That was certainly the case at one point, Bethesda was running into memory problems once saves got large and they weren't able to get the DLC working. I think they've managed to fix that now and all of the DLC is available for PS3.

[Kodos]

Got it for the 360, and finally got to play a couple hours last night. Nice, immersive world. I've never really played an RPG before, aside from a very short attempt with Baldur's Gate that I quickly lost interest in. I think I'm level three right now. Not terribly familiar with the leveling up process. Hopefully I'll have some time to invest in the game, as it seems interesting.

[cartman]

The Skyrim: Legendary Edition strategy guide has more pages than the three Lord of the Rings books put together.

The Escapist : News : Skyrim: Legendary Edition Strategy Guide Might Break Your Bookshelf (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124527-Skyrim-Legendary-Edition-Strategy-Guide-Might-Break-Your-Bookshelf)

[Marmel]

I'm pretty late to the Skyrim party having just picked it up this past weekend. Quick question: Lydia died at the frost troll climbing up those 7,000 steps. It took me so many tries to get past that troll that I didn't care she died and continued on....but now I am having doubts about moving on without her. Should I go back and reload? Is it essential to have her, or can I pick up a new follower soon?

[bhlloy]

There are a lot of new followers you can pick up at any point in the story IIRC. Becoming a Thain of one of the major cities (do a main quest and then at least a certain number of other radiant quests) gets you a free follower, otherwise you can find them around and usually do one big quest for them to unlock.

[mckerney]

They're not really necessary. I don't think I ever used followers except ones that were required for certain missions.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Is it essential to have her, or can I pick up a new follower soon?

Honestly, the major benefit of followers is their pack mule capabilities. While I'd mourn Lydia's death (at least a little bit), she's quite replaceable with many opportunities throughout the game.

[Izulde]

Honestly, the major benefit of followers is their pack mule capabilities. While I'd mourn Lydia's death (at least a little bit), she's quite replaceable with many opportunities throughout the game.

This.

[DougW]

Yeah, if she didn't die there, she would've died somewhere else. Followers aren't that important, and like JIMG said - their biggest contribution is another 300 lbs or so of loot to carry.

Followers are all over the place, and there are 2 right there in Whiterun waiting for you. (There is a Dark Elf archer chick - Janessa - in the drunken huntsman you can hire for 500g, and a Nord 2H chick - Uthgerd - in the Inn - the Bannered Mare - that will follow you .... if you can beat her up in a brawl).

[Shkspr]

And your callous failure to save Lydia is reason enough to repost this link: The Life and Death of Skyrim's Lydia (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/11/21/skyrim-lydia-death/)

[Marmel]

OK, thanks. I didn't really feel like reloading anyway.

As for Lydia, I am proud to say after I realized she was dead, I took all her stuff and left her fresh corpse, naked, on one of the 7,000 steps! :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

As for Lydia, I am proud to say after I realized she was dead, I took all her stuff and left her fresh corpse, naked, on one of the 7,000 steps! :)

Sounds reasonable to me :)

[korme]

I found Illia in a dungeon and she was awesome. She used magic, and I used a bow. We were quite the tandem.

Here's a breakdown of followers, and specific follower traits including the level of which they can ascend to.
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Followers

[frnk55]

For a follower I use the mod Vilja. Excellent work went into it. Try it out.

[DougW]

If you're playing on PC - there are a LOT of mods for it. Since we're on the topic of followers, Vilja is the most popular and nice, and Cerwiden is a really nice healer companion. There are also mods that allow you to make everyone in Skyrim available as a follower, as well as mods that allow you to have 2,3,4 .. 25 followers at once (and also increase commands you may give them)

There really are a ton of mods, just about anything you think would be a nice change to the game - you can find. (My favorites are the "realistic" ones, such as a mod I have that makes you eat, drink, and sleep at realistic intervals - or lose stats).

Skyrim Nexus - Skyrim mods and community (http://skyrim.nexusmods.com//?)

Feel free to ask if you find the site difficult to navigate, or there is something specific you think you may like.

[Izulde]

I need to crack into the Morrowind and Oblivion mods. Skyrim I'm waiting on until it gets a bit more cheap.

[ColtCrazy]

It was a bit too much work, but I managed to get a couple of the mods onto my Xbox. They are supply mods. One was way too powerful so I didn't like it. The other started you off with the Deadric bow and arrow, but no skills or anything. I just upped the difficulty level so if I'm not careful I can lose half my health to even wolves.

I tend to go without followed, though I do like Lydia's ability to mix it up while I do ranged attacks. But she also gets in the way a lot in close quarters, so once I get up to the mid-teens in range, I ditch followers altogether.

[Peregrine]

I used Cerwiden for a while but to be honest I felt she was way too powerful - I went back to sticking with my in-game NPCs as I feel they don't overwhelm me with powers, etc and I can make the game a bit harder which for me is always a good thing.

[Buccaneer]

Two comments. It always saddens me when I hear people using mods to cheat (including Civ as well) in trying to get something more than what the game provides. Peregrine said it best, it's good to be challenged.

All year long, my son was very eager to play Skyrim for the first time this summer. He piled most of the perks into One-Hander and Heavy Armor and I watched him plow through stuff in a couple of swipes of both swords (usually a mace and swords like the dawnbreaker). No enchantments; no crafting; very little need to pick up anything and ended up going through the motions. He liked some of the twists but he thought the game was boring since it did not follow a story - unlike Gothic which he ended up watching LPs on youtube most of the summer instead.

[Peregrine]

Skyrim can definitely become too easy - my original characters in the game - two handed warrior, mage were both way powerful, so when I started playing it again after a long break, I made characters that were more limited - like a one handed mage who didn't use destruction, and a weapon/shield tank who focuses on defense - I've had a lot more fun with them so far - and cranking up the difficulty level never hurts.

[frnk55]

I know what ya mean when Skyrim gets easy. Typical ES games. But what I did was install EROS which slows leveling, makes enemies more difficult, training is a lot more, etc...

Also I set the difficulty to expert and now the game is more fun so far. :)

[DougW]

Deadly Dragons is a solid mod for upping difficulty. It has 4 basic tools.
1: set a timer for additional dragon spawns.
2 : Increases the health, damage, magic, stamina, armor for Dragons.
3 : Increases the health, damage, magic, stamina, armor for "Humanoids"
4 : Increases the health, damage, magic, stamina, armor for "Creatures"

they all can be set to your liking. So pumping the game to Master,and increasing 4 quite a bit can get you 1 shot by skeevers.. even with uber armor.

[Buccaneer]

Good to know, thanks.

[JonInMiddleGA]

very little need to pick up anything

Bite your tongue ;)

That's probably my single biggest enjoyment of games in the genre, I'm all about the scavving.

[ColtCrazy]

Skyrim can definitely become too easy - my original characters in the game - two handed warrior, mage were both way powerful, so when I started playing it again after a long break, I made characters that were more limited - like a one handed mage who didn't use destruction, and a weapon/shield tank who focuses on defense - I've had a lot more fun with them so far - and cranking up the difficulty level never hurts.

I agree. I gave up destruction too. I stick to conjuration. It's fun, but not overly powerful at the higher levels. I conjure then use the bow. I suck at close combat so if I can't kill whatever it is before it gets to me, I'm gone. Personally, I love just wondering around, scavenging, and creating stuff.

[Drake]

I'm like the Scrooge McDuck of Skyrim. Even if I'm sitting on 100k+ gold pieces, I'm out there going "Ooh, gold coin. Pick it up. Oh, look! An iron dagger! Pick it up!" I can't pass a dead body without looting the shit out of it. Why? I have no fucking idea.

[GrantDawg]

I'm just getting back in. I keep restarting and recreating characters. I'm just now reloading completely with all the expansions, then reloading mods. Anyone have favorite mods that they suggest?

[frnk55]

I'm just getting back in. I keep restarting and recreating characters. I'm just now reloading completely with all the expansions, then reloading mods. Anyone have favorite mods that they suggest?
Unofficial patch, high quality roads and Vilja a companion mod which is amazing. Just amazing the amount of work that went into it.

I also like Skyrim redone. Now I got the urge to play it. :)

[ColtCrazy]

Itching to get back in myself. Xbox mods are usually over the top but i might see what's out there as far as just cool game enhancements. Wonder if that unofficial patch ever came to Xbox

[DougW]

I'm just getting back in. I keep restarting and recreating characters. I'm just now reloading completely with all the expansions, then reloading mods. Anyone have favorite mods that they suggest?

Indeed. I love me some Skyrim Mods :). I run (ran) with over 70, and loved most - but I'll just list my very favorites.

"Can't play withouts" :

SKSE Hotkeys : Lets you set up your hotkeys however you want on your keyboard. Cuts down on the pausing to get a potion or switch spells, and makes the game flow more smoothly. Can utilize all keys, and modifiers (T, Shift-T, Alt-T, Cntrl-T can have different things assigned to them.). Especially useful to mages, who would like to use more than the default 1-10 keys for spells, potions, scrolls, armor, whatever.

SkyUI : Other mods use it. Also makes the UI MUCH MUCH MUCH better, and easier to navigate.

UFO (Ultimate Follower Overhaul) : Lets you have multiple companions if you want, and more control over them. Also, lets you control yours (and theirs) horses. I particularly use the "rest" command often. (I'll have a follower, that I want to keep around, but don't want on a particular mission. Rest tells him to chill where he is until I unrest him. Very helpful in dungeons, when you need to do something alone - IE sneaky).

Glowing Ore Veins 300 : Makes the ore (that you can mine) in the game a little more noticeable .. Not to much .. Just right.

My favorites are the ones that bring some extra "realism".
Deadly Dragons : They're dragons, I don't think I should have less trouble with them than a Giant.

Auto Unequip Arrows. : This takes the quiver off your back when you unequip your bow

Realistic Needs and Diseases : Forces penalties for not eating, drinking, or sleeping. Also slight buffs for being well rested, fed, , etc. (at a very realistic rate - IE, you'll need to have 2-3 meals an in game day, 6-8 hours of sleep, and hydrate .. You can change these settings to your liking). Also diseases for sleeping in dirty beds, or eating stale food. What's the point of all that cool food, wine, beds if the Dragonborn never has to eat drink or sleep ?

Frostfall : Jump in a river to get to the other side, then roam around in the snow ? Well, you're gonna be cold. You'll lose stamina, some skills (like pickpocketing). Get too cold, you'll start to move slower and have blurred vision. Get indoors, or build a campfire to warm up. All pretty realistic, and completely customizable settings.

Realistic Running Speed : Changes your run/walk/jog/horse riding speeds to give it a more realistic feel.

Skyrim Perk Enhancements : Some serious changes to the perk system. I get sick of spending my hard earned points on stupid skills (20/40/60/80/100% increase in 1H costs 5 points) .. that aggrevates me. This mod auto levels the "stupid skills", and lets you concentrate on the fun skills. Makes every point matter a little more. (It decreases the rate you get points, so it doesn't get overpowering). Also, changes the trees a little (All good changes IMO).

[Edward64]

My son still goes back to it. He's played through the main quests a couple times now and bought the DLCs. I'm ready for the next Elder Scroll game.

[Buccaneer]

Wouldn't having multiple companions feel like cheating or being overpowering?

[DougW]

Wouldn't having multiple companions feel like cheating or being overpowering?

It could, but mostly they're just mules and "company". I very rarely traveled with more than 1. That's mostly because they die. I had my difficulty tweaked with a different mod, and they had trouble keeping up. Which actually added some fun strategy .. how to stay alive, AND keep Lydia/whoever alive.

But, mostly, I found it convenient to put them on rest where ever I wanted (usually my house in White Run, or the White Run hotel bar. Just made it easier to go grab so-and-so because I wanted to hang an archer or w/e for some mission. Putting them on rest just keeps them in your "group" .. but chilling where ever - eating, drinking, reading, dancing, w/e they feel like.

Honestly, the best feature to me is the rest, because it's a shout. I just shout it like a power to rest, and they stay relaxed. Saves time from actually opening up the dialog and telling them to wait, then opening it back up and telling them to follow. Awesome in dungeons .. I often would relax them, then go through some puzzle of traps (that they would die on) - deactivate the traps, then shout them out of relax.

It does much more than increase follower limit. More control over what they wear, lets them level up with you (instead of staying at the level you meet them at), follower/horse control .. actually - THIS (http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/14037//?) explains it much better than I can.

[Buccaneer]

Thanks Doug.

[Blackadar]

Steam total in Skyrim: 368 hours.

[ColtCrazy]

Makes me wish I had a PC. Love the concept of Frostfall. I've dove into a river more than once to take a short cut and would love to have a penalty for that.

[Buccaneer]

Steam total in Skyrim: 368 hours.

Mine shows about 3 even though I played it for about 90 hours earlier this year. ;) Have not ever seen the need to keep Steam online, which in the case of Civ5, can be a bad thing.

Will be looking to play Skyrim again this winter. I guess to make it feel a little different, I will probably have to force myself to play less optimally (i.e., not being a mage). But then again, I should be looking at the many PC mods to see what would make it play differently.

[Peregrine]

I found Realistic Needs and Diseases to transform my Skyrim experience - just having to keep stocked up on food and water, and have diseases actually be a real problem, was a lot more immersive. Plus, anything you don't like, you can easily modify (for example I didn't like how quickly you got drunk from alcohol, so I changed it to fit my RP alcoholic character.)

For new characters, I highly recommend this page - so many great ideas for out of the box style builds. This link is for the ones that are highest number of likes, but there are other pages with tons of great builds as well.

http://theskyrimblog.ning.com/group/character-building/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=Rank%3ALegendary

[Peregrine]

An example build for my above post - I have been playing this guy for a while - totally different playstyle and a lot of fun so far.

http://theskyrimblog.ning.com/forum/topics/character-build-the-salamander?groupUrl=character-building&xg_source=activity&groupId=6452022%3AGroup%3A48137&id=6452022%3ATopic%3A298722&page=2#comments

[SackAttack]

Doesn't include the DLC, but for Xbox 360 owners who're interested in playing Skyrim: Skyrim Download Card for Xbox 360 Deal of the Day | Groupon (http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim-full-game-download-card)

$13.99

[Buccaneer]

Rank:Legendary - Discussion Forum - The Skyrim Blog (http://theskyrimblog.ning.com/group/character-building/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=Rank%3ALegendary)

Perfect. Thanks.

[Coffee Warlord]

My new beast of a box arrives Thursday. Finally, FINALLY gonna have to pick this up.

And then immediately download 50,000 mods. :)

[Buccaneer]

I'm starting to think about playing again. I don't roleplay at all so none of those character builds would suit me but I will have to play differently. I think if I just stay away from Destruction, that'll do it. Thinking fighting more with Archery except that plays just like a mage (distance, targeting). Maybe I'll do a lot more with Shouts and Alteration/Restoration.

Anyway, besides that attributes and skills, how would you go about playing the missions differently? I have done all of the quest lines plus daedric, so I don't know how to do that differently. I'll stay away from the main quest this time but if you are starting out, what would you do and where would you go?

[Buccaneer]

It seems that the start would typically be:
Helgen
Riverwood
WhiteRun
BleakFallsBarrow
WhiteRun
WatchTowerDragon

and you have just done 4 of the 17 main quests. So after you choose the stone, where would you go that would be really different?

[korme]

Playing as strictly an archer was a ton of fun and quite a challenge

[Buccaneer]

Going through the mods now - so far I've added water, terrain, weather plus SkyUI. Does anyone have any experience with Falskaar - a new land 1/3 the size of Skyrim with lots of new quests?

[Peregrine]

Buccaneer - when I started again I was like you, I stayed mostly away from the massively powerful (and boring after a while) destruction on my mage. When I did use it, I tried to only use certain spells, and used some new spell mods that gave me access to some different stuff. I tried to use a lot of Illusion which I hadn't before, and limited Destruction to runes, etc.

As far as a new start to the game, I highly recommend the mod Live Another Life, which lets you choose to start the game in a variety of different ways - it's great for roleplayers but even if you don't do that it gives you some more options.

Alternate Start - Live Another Life at Skyrim Nexus - mods and community (http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/9557/?)

Also for archery I'd definitely recommend the Hunter's Guild - it gives you a series of quests to hunt down various beasts throughout Skyrim - really nice.

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/18866/?

[Buccaneer]

Thank you, Peregrine.

[ColtCrazy]

Playing as strictly an archer was a ton of fun and quite a challenge


That's my preference too. I love archery in this game. I will mix in some conjuration if needed, but I tend to roam without a companion.

[Peregrine]

Bucc, I don't know if you installed Realistic Needs and Diseases which I mentioned before (or are interested in it.) Some other ones I really liked are Get Snowy, which lets snow accumulate on characters clothes and armor (nice effect,) Skyrim Sewers which adds new content in the form of sewer/dungeons to each town, Wearable Lanterns (one of my favorites) which lets you buy or find lanterns which your character can wear on different parts on their body, or even let companions carry for them. I also like Crossbows: Basic Collection which expands the number of crossbows available (introduced in Dawnguard DLC.)

I like using the Nexus Mod Manager to keep track of all of these - you can get it on Skyrim Nexus if you want.

[DougW]

I'm starting to think about playing again. I don't roleplay at all so none of those character builds would suit me but I will have to play differently. I think if I just stay away from Destruction, that'll do it. Thinking fighting more with Archery except that plays just like a mage (distance, targeting). Maybe I'll do a lot more with Shouts and Alteration/Restoration.

Anyway, besides that attributes and skills, how would you go about playing the missions differently? I have done all of the quest lines plus daedric, so I don't know how to do that differently. I'll stay away from the main quest this time but if you are starting out, what would you do and where would you go?

It seems that the start would typically be:
Helgen
Riverwood
WhiteRun
BleakFallsBarrow
WhiteRun
WatchTowerDragon

and you have just done 4 of the 17 main quests. So after you choose the stone, where would you go that would be really different?

Shouts & Alt/Resto sounds like a challenging playthrough & fun. I think you'd find archery to be similar to your destro experience, so may not be a change for you. Although, the play through I enjoyed the most was my Archer/Conj character.

As far as the where to go .. Since you've completed all the game already, if you don't roleplay - I think you'll find it difficult to get a much different experience in the game. Not sure what to say there.

Going through the mods now - so far I've added water, terrain, weather plus SkyUI. Does anyone have any experience with Falskaar - a new land 1/3 the size of Skyrim with lots of new quests?

I downloaded Falskaar, and have had no gaming issues with it outside of the new content (meaning it appears stable). But, I haven't gotten around to checking out the actual mod yet. The screenshots, video, and write-ups are all very impressive though. I guess that kid put some 4,000 hours his self into the project and gathered 100ish people for help with voices, etc. I was actually kind of bummed when he announced things didn't work out with Beth. He (and users) claim it adds 15-20 hours of gameplay, or 40-50 for the thorough/slow player.

That's my preference too. I love archery in this game. I will mix in some conjuration if needed, but I tend to roam without 2a companion.

Like I said, this was my favorite run though.

Bucc, I don't know if you installed Realistic Needs and Diseases which I mentioned before (or are interested in it.) Some other ones I really liked are Get Snowy, which lets snow accumulate on characters clothes and armor (nice effect,) Skyrim Sewers which adds new content in the form of sewer/dungeons to each town, Wearable Lanterns (one of my favorites) which lets you buy or find lanterns which your character can wear on different parts on their body, or even let companions carry for them. I also like Crossbows: Basic Collection which expands the number of crossbows available (introduced in Dawnguard DLC.)

I like using the Nexus Mod Manager to keep track of all of these - you can get it on Skyrim Nexus if you want.

IMO, Nexus Mod Manager is a MUST if you are going to get into the mods.

[Buccaneer]

Spending a lot of time going through the mods (the Top 100 pages at Nexus) picking out a bunch like snow, birds, sewer, HD 2K textures, ruins, climate, better map plus the new quest lines for Hunting and Elsweyr. Got them all activated and popped in a few places to see how they look. Lots of subtle changes, more realistic and sharper but except for the new quests and new UI, not much different.

Then my son and I started going through the lists in detail and saw about 10-15 more mods that he felt were a must-have: extreme dragons, much better civil war, radically new npcs, etc. - all stuff that will change how the game is experienced. Then we stumbled upon this deep into the list.

http://photos.imageevent.com/ltsgallery/memberfoldersd/buccaneer/images/websize/008a.jpg

and this - you recognize this place?

http://photos.imageevent.com/ltsgallery/memberfoldersd/buccaneer/images/websize/009a.jpg

Riverwood.

It's the Tropical mod and it changes all of Skyrim to a tropical/desert/jungle paradise. When we first loaded it up, we were stunned, literally falling out of our chairs. As much as we love snow and mountains, we also love desert and jungle regions in games (esp. Gothic 2/3). To see the area around WhiteRun a really nice desert - sand, scrub brush and WhiteRun with sandstone and adobe walls was awesome. Riverwood was set in a bamboo forest and then popping up to Dawnstar (my son's favorite place) and saw a beautiful tropical beach. It was too much. We did not go into any underground areas or interiors, so I can't speak for them but I'm thinking hard about this - it would be like playing a new game (at least above ground).

[JonInMiddleGA]

Wow !

[ColtCrazy]

That's amazing.

[chinaski]

Looks like Far Cry

[frnk55]

Looks like Far Cry
That was my thought too. It looks nice but doesn't seem like Skyrim.

[Buccaneer]

Doing some more exploring in Tropical Skyrim and came across a deluge of rain somewhere. I don't know if it was the Climate mod or the tropical one. Neat to see. Also it looks like the Tropical mod has replaced all of the animals and monsters. Similar forms like Jungle Spiders instead of Frost Spiders, but new ones as well like Raptors. Haven't experienced a sandstorm yet, nor have I seen the volcanic areas.

[bulletsponge]

all this looks great! im thinking of jumping back in to skyrim and that jungle mod looks great escpecially since i hate the snow terrains. do all these mods work together and what are the primary mods i should look for

im hoping to dl the hunting guild mod, the jungle mod (whats it called and where can i get it?) and maybe some skill point adjuster that i heard about in here.

aww crap just realized i dont have the expack, do all these mods only work with the expansion pack?

[frnk55]

Question. I have about 20 mods going and my load times suck! Sometimes 30 seconds to a minute for like entering a cave or exiting a tavern.

Is it because of the mods? My pc is plenty fast so I do run it almost maxed out.
All I know is it really pisses me off so right now I've been taking a break from it.
Any fixes for load times?

[Buccaneer]

Here's the link to the Tropical mod Tropical Skyrim -- A Climate Overhaul at Skyrim Nexus - mods and community (http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33017/)

I have no expansion packs so all of the mods that I have loaded up would work without it. I did notice that some had a Dragonborn (for example) version in addition to a vanilla version.

You would have read the notes about each mod if they talk about incompatibility. For example, the Tropical mod will overwrite any mods that change certain textures. And there's no reason to load a mod like Realistic Snow if you are playing. Also, the order in which you load the mods is important. For example, the big Climates mod is compatible with Tropical (even though that changes weather as well), as long as Climates is loaded after. However, I find the load order in Nexus to be confusing since it loads the .esm mods first then the others, so I don't know how to load Climates.esm after Tropical (an .esp file).

I have about 15-20 mods loaded and see no slow down on entering indoors/underground areas (takes the usual 1 1/2 load screens). However, when I first load the game or from save, it takes 2-3x slower (about 4-5 load screens).

The only mod that I could not run is Deadly Dragons. Activating that crashes the game and prevents me getting beyond the splash screen.

The mods I have loaded are:
Alternate Start
Better Females
Birds of Skyrim
Falskaar
Guard Dialogue Overhaul
High Quality 3D Map (amazingly awesome with the Tropical mod)
Hunting in Skyrim
Moonpath to Elsweyr
No Spinning Death
Climates of Tamriel
Ruins Clutter Improved
Run for your Lives
Skyrim Sewers
SkyUI
Tropical Skyrim (including the two updates)
Unique Region Names
Vilja in Skyrim

I played around with all of these loaded, going to different places including the new areas at the start of the Falskaar and Elsweyr and all seems to work well without any noticeable performance hits. The only one I had not seen yet is the new Hunting quest line.

[Buccaneer]

Here's another shot I took last night showing the new night sky (absolutely spectacular) and WhiteRun with its adobe and sandstone walls

http://photos.imageevent.com/ltsgallery/memberfoldersd/buccaneer/images/websize/001a.jpg

[Peregrine]

Hmm have to say the tropical thing is interesting but not my style - I love the snow and ice in Skyrim - would never go away from that, it's a big part of why I love the game.

[Buccaneer]

Hmm have to say the tropical thing is interesting but not my style - I love the snow and ice in Skyrim - would never go away from that, it's a big part of why I love the game.

I do too. But as I said earlier, I wanted a different experience playing a second time. Killing (by whatever means, it doesn't matter) the exact same things in the exact same places for the exact same quests would be a huge sense of been there-done that. At least now it would feel like a different world, not to mention the new regions of Elsweyr and Falskaar.

[Edward64]

Son is playing the mod Farskaal. He's enjoying it.

[DougW]

Also, the order in which you load the mods is important.

The only mod that I could not run is Deadly Dragons. Activating that crashes the game and prevents me getting beyond the splash screen.


Actually, VERY important. This is most likely the reason you crash when DD is active.

There is a program which puts mods in optimal order - which could help with that (and other future mods you may include in your experience).

BOSS at Skyrim Nexus - mods and community (http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/6/?)

[Peregrine]

I do too. But as I said earlier, I wanted a different experience playing a second time. Killing (by whatever means, it doesn't matter) the exact same things in the exact same places for the exact same quests would be a huge sense of been there-done that. At least now it would feel like a different world, not to mention the new regions of Elsweyr and Falskaar.

Well I think I didn't have as much trouble as I wasn't a completionist on my first run through (actually my first couple.) I missed lots of big quests, including more than one daedric one, so I had plenty to deal with second time around - and since I focused more on doing things my character would do, RP wise, the second time around it didn't seem so much of a rehash.

[Buccaneer]

Well I think I didn't have as much trouble as I wasn't a completionist on my first run through (actually my first couple.) I missed lots of big quests, including more than one daedric one, so I had plenty to deal with second time around - and since I focused more on doing things my character would do, RP wise, the second time around it didn't seem so much of a rehash.

Yeah, I've heard people playing games like that (even including Civ) but that's the opposite of how I have ever played games. It is me that is playing/winning the game, trying to use my abilities to win most effectively. I have never felt the need or desire to be someone else or to pretend that I am not me.

I did do every quest line, including Daedric, in my first run through but I know that there were places on the map I had not seen or experienced. Now I can re-explore the same world and have it feel like I am in a new land. This was also the reason why I was looking for new quests or quest lines (like Vilja) to add.

[Coffee Warlord]

So yes. I kill my second (first outside of the original quest one) dragon while wandering around the countryside, which was a colossal pain in the ass, considering I'm only like level 8-9.

He finally drops...and I'm eaten by ice wolves as I approach the carcass. Assholes.

(Yay for playing a 2 year old game for the first time!)

[DougW]

[QUOTE=Buccaneer;2862611 This was also the reason why I was looking for new quests or quest lines (like Vilja) to add.[/QUOTE]

If you finish Vilja, and are looking for some more side quests while you're doing your whatevs - there is another solidly built companion mod with voice and deep questline you may want to check out. Her name is Cerwiden, she's a healer/mage - and is very customizable in what you want her to do.

[Peregrine]

I would say Ceridwen is sort of a love her or hate her situation. I loved her questline, but hated how overpowered she felt - at times it felt she was the main character and I was her sidekick - a problem I have with most of the companion mods.

[DougW]

I would say Ceridwen is sort of a love her or hate her situation. I loved her questline, but hated how overpowered she felt - at times it felt she was the main character and I was her sidekick - a problem I have with most of the companion mods.

I can get on board with that. I had her offensive spells off, and all she did was heal/buff. She was still pretty strong. Then I turned her healing spells, to only heal when she was max magicka - that slowed her down a bit and made it more enjoyable.

[ColtCrazy]

Restarted a game. Been awhile since I've played. I've bought a new HD TV since then and HDMI cable for the Xbox so it feels like a completely new game. Playing as an archer while putting a little into melee for dungeons. Won't do destruction at all. Not sure if I'll both with conjuration or not yet. Not far along, just finished Bleak Falls Barrow.

[Buccaneer]

It is amazing to me how much different playing this the second time is compared to my first playthrough. It's not just because I am playing with Tropical Skyrim, even though I am enjoying the landscape immensely (from tropical beaches to steamy, insect-filled jungles to rugged deserts to deep alpine forests to fiery lava fields) - spending a lot more time traveling through it instead of fast-travel. I am focusing solely on archery-sneak-light armor, which is playing very differently than a destruction mage, even with the same quests.

One of the other things I did was to get the Peregrine Highlands mod. It gave me a great looking house situated in the perfect place - just downstream from Riverwood overlooking the WhiteRun valley. I don't have the Hearthfire DLC but this mod brings over a similar, fully-stocked house into vanilla. I figured it was not overpowering to have a house like this at the beginning because the stocked items were not that much different than if I had started at Helgen (I'm using Alternate Start and I chose to start at the inn in Riverwood).

I did start with Vilja but she grew very tiresome and annoying. She, Lydia and I walked from WhiteRun to the Eldergleam Sanctuary (Vilja's first quest) and even though she's fairly strong and fights well, she kept saying how nice it was to have a strong man to help her poor helpless self. She also kept jabbering to Lydia about nonsense and I could feel that Lydia wanted to smack her. So when we got to Eldergleam, I just left her there while Lydia and I continued on to Riften.

The amazing part was in the first playthrough, I finished the main quest at around Level 12 (or thereabouts). I am at Level 12 now and all I got done were the first three big quests of the Thieves Guild (playing smarter and taking my time). I know in this thread I had wondered how I would play this again, knowing that I wanted a different experience, and so far the collection of mods I have are exceeding my expectations. Thanks for the help.

[Peregrine]

Sounds like fun Buccaneer - personally I have found that I can play Skyrim a lot of different ways and it doesn't really get old. A strategy I have been using lately is have each character stay mostly in one "home base" city, work all those quests, slowly explore around the city, and then once it seems mostly done I move onto another.

[Buccaneer]

I am doing very well as a sneak Archer (nearly maxed out on both) but I have also been learning how to use Enchanting and Smithing for the first time. Those are still unclear to me and here are my questions:

1. I obviously did not invest in Smithing early on so I am finding myself with weapons far above what I can improve. It seems the only way to increase in Smithing is to train since it is so cheap, much cheaper than buying ore/ingots and doing it yourself. Is this the right way?
2. If I find myself at around game level 30, I'm using Ebony or Glass weapons. But what's the point of Smithing if when to improve them, I have to be at level 70-80 smithing? Even early on when I was using an Elven bow - by the time I was able to improve it, I had moved on to something better. Rinse. Repeat.
3. Working the Arcane Enchanter for the first time with mixed results. I think I understand the item-enchanment-soul gem combination. So I pick up a lot of filled gems (esp. going through the College quests), go disenchant them and I got...nothing much of use for me. Lots of fortify/absorb health/magic stuff. All I do with those is to enchant items that I can sell for a lot more gold. Are there disenchantments out there that would add to sneak/archery/light armor?
4. I picked up an Ebony Bow from a deathlord. It didn't come with any magical properties so I think I added a simple one to it (absorb 8 health). Can I remove that property and replace it with something better?
5. I finally realize the Recharging thing - I had wondered why some of my earlier magical bows ran out. However, didn't really seem to make much difference with the charge or without. So is it better to go with a basic bow with higher damage (like Ebony) than a lower bow with a magical property? For context, I am at 86 in Archery and playing at Expert level. I can take down even the most toughest creatures (with Lydia's help) in less than 10 shots. Why would I need to bother with enchanting/recharding?
5. I do need gold since I train a lot across several skills. It seems that simply being able to make things (like Elven and Jewelry) and sell them at a good profit is the primary benefit of all of this?

[Shepp]

I am doing very well as a sneak Archer (nearly maxed out on both) but I have also been learning how to use Enchanting and Smithing for the first time. Those are still unclear to me and here are my questions:

1. I obviously did not invest in Smithing early on so I am finding myself with weapons far above what I can improve. It seems the only way to increase in Smithing is to train since it is so cheap, much cheaper than buying ore/ingots and doing it yourself. Is this the right way?
2. If I find myself at around game level 30, I'm using Ebony or Glass weapons. But what's the point of Smithing if when to improve them, I have to be at level 70-80 smithing? Even early on when I was using an Elven bow - by the time I was able to improve it, I had moved on to something better. Rinse. Repeat.
3. Working the Arcane Enchanter for the first time with mixed results. I think I understand the item-enchanment-soul gem combination. So I pick up a lot of filled gems (esp. going through the College quests), go disenchant them and I got...nothing much of use for me. Lots of fortify/absorb health/magic stuff. All I do with those is to enchant items that I can sell for a lot more gold. Are there disenchantments out there that would add to sneak/archery/light armor?
4. I picked up an Ebony Bow from a deathlord. It didn't come with any magical properties so I think I added a simple one to it (absorb 8 health). Can I remove that property and replace it with something better?
5. I finally realize the Recharging thing - I had wondered why some of my earlier magical bows ran out. However, didn't really seem to make much difference with the charge or without. So is it better to go with a basic bow with higher damage (like Ebony) than a lower bow with a magical property? For context, I am at 86 in Archery and playing at Expert level. I can take down even the most toughest creatures (with Lydia's help) in less than 10 shots. Why would I need to bother with enchanting/recharding?
5. I do need gold since I train a lot across several skills. It seems that simply being able to make things (like Elven and Jewelry) and sell them at a good profit is the primary benefit of all of this?

1. Training is obviously the fastest way but an alternative would be to mine your own ore, smelt it into ingots, and then craft your items from that. That process takes quite a bit longer but doesn't cost as much.

2. Some of the vanilla magic weapons have enchantments far better than you will be able to produce yourself, at least for quite a while. Once you are able to improve magical weapons you can really beef up their damage to go along with their enchantment, especially if you can enchant items to increase your smithing skill. I enchanted a blacksmith apron, bracers, ring, and necklace all to improve smithing. Along with my smithing skill I was able to almost double the base damage of "Chillrend". To continue with the Chillrend example, in order to improve that sword you need to be able to smith glass and smith enchanted weapons.

3. You can disenchant to get just about every magical effect in the game. To get it you have to take an item with that power and disenchant it. Of course this destroys the item. Its probably best to disenchant something with a relatively weak enchantment so you're not destroying expensive stuff. When you enchant an item, the power of the enchantment is based on your skill and the quality of soul gem that you use.

4. Once you enchant something that is it. The only improvements you can make after that are through smithing.

5. The trick is to have high damage and high enchantment. This is obviously not always possible, at least not in the start of the game. In the beginning I say base damage trumps magical enchantment. Unless of course you find a rare magical item.

5a. Selling stuff at a profit is good but making jewelry is also a way to increase your smithing skill. You can put useful enchantments on all that stuff too.

[DougW]

I am doing very well as a sneak Archer (nearly maxed out on both) but I have also been learning how to use Enchanting and Smithing for the first time. Those are still unclear to me and here are my questions:

1. I obviously did not invest in Smithing early on so I am finding myself with weapons far above what I can improve. It seems the only way to increase in Smithing is to train since it is so cheap, much cheaper than buying ore/ingots and doing it yourself. Is this the right way?
2. If I find myself at around game level 30, I'm using Ebony or Glass weapons. But what's the point of Smithing if when to improve them, I have to be at level 70-80 smithing? Even early on when I was using an Elven bow - by the time I was able to improve it, I had moved on to something better. Rinse. Repeat.
3. Working the Arcane Enchanter for the first time with mixed results. I think I understand the item-enchanment-soul gem combination. So I pick up a lot of filled gems (esp. going through the College quests), go disenchant them and I got...nothing much of use for me. Lots of fortify/absorb health/magic stuff. All I do with those is to enchant items that I can sell for a lot more gold. Are there disenchantments out there that would add to sneak/archery/light armor?
4. I picked up an Ebony Bow from a deathlord. It didn't come with any magical properties so I think I added a simple one to it (absorb 8 health). Can I remove that property and replace it with something better?
5. I finally realize the Recharging thing - I had wondered why some of my earlier magical bows ran out. However, didn't really seem to make much difference with the charge or without. So is it better to go with a basic bow with higher damage (like Ebony) than a lower bow with a magical property? For context, I am at 86 in Archery and playing at Expert level. I can take down even the most toughest creatures (with Lydia's help) in less than 10 shots. Why would I need to bother with enchanting/recharding?
5. I do need gold since I train a lot across several skills. It seems that simply being able to make things (like Elven and Jewelry) and sell them at a good profit is the primary benefit of all of this?

1. No, that's not right. It's more costly to pay to train. The best way to level smithing was to mine ore yourself (or buy it) and make simple crafts. People used to just smith a million (or whatever) Iron Daggers. The game has been changed a little so that you can't do that as easily. But, still can level up by bumping material. If you are going to go that route, Glowing Ore Veins 300 at Skyrim Nexus - mods and community (http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/193/?) maybe a good mod for you (I find it a necc. mod). It makes ore veins glow a little. Not overdone - but you can see them. You'd be surprised how much ore you just walk by without the mod.

2. Yes, it's worth it. Especially at higher levels. You can improve your weapons A TON. A top notch smith can upgrade an iron dagger to hit harder than an ebony warhammer. So, even if you find new stuff with upgraded material, your old stuff that you upgrade will be stronger - until you have the skill to upgrade the new, etc.

3. Yes, there are enchantments for just about everything. Although, certain slots can only do certain things. For example Fortify Archery can only be found (or put) on Head, Gloves, Rings, Necklaces. Here is a nice table that details this info : Enchanting (Skyrim) - The Elder Scrolls Wiki (http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Enchanting_%28Skyrim%29). You can find table about 1/2 down the page in a section called : Apparel enchantments

4. No you can't remove properties. (There is a mod that lets you wash items clean of enchantments - but no, unmodded skyrim doesn't allow this.)

5. Enchantments make you stronger. I feel they make you gamebreaking strong - ESPECIALLY if you get to 100 and get the double enchantments. You can make your character 1 shot dragons with enchantments and smithing - & your game gets boring. You can make yourself nearly immune to physical and magic damage - & your game gets boring. You can give your mage gear that makes his magic cost nothing - & your game gets .. .well, you get the idea.

6. Gold. Alot of money can be made by all 3 of the "professions". Overpowered examples : I have an alchemist that can make a potion worth $2000+ - for 1 potion. Easy materials to gather. An enchanter can drop a Banish enchant (with only a petty gem) on an iron dagger, and it'll easily fetch 700g. Once you learn that enchant, you're basically writing your own checks.

[Buccaneer]

Thank you both, that is very helpful.

[Julio Riddols]

I'll finally be getting in on some Skyrim.. Got it for 14.99 used, it should be here by Monday hopefully. Pretty excited.

[Buccaneer]

My initial thought on mining->smelting->crafting was that it seems to be really time consuming. Then I thought about the number of hours I have spent simply hunting for the Hunting Guild mod. Apart from fighting a different way, hunting has been the biggest gameplay change for me and have really enjoyed the loooong hunting trips. Ever had to find four foxes and catch those skittish things (that took 1 1/2 hours of real time to do)? Twice I had to hunt for elk (20 skins and later 10 carcasses), first finding them and then quietly getting off a shot before spooking them. Sometimes I would chase a wounded one through the landscape only to lose it. A good change of pace after a dungeon crawl and good way to level Sneak.

[DougW]

My initial thought on mining->smelting->crafting was that it seems to be really time consuming. Then I thought about the number of hours I have spent simply hunting for the Hunting Guild mod. Apart from fighting a different way, hunting has been the biggest gameplay change for me and have really enjoyed the loooong hunting trips. Ever had to find four foxes and catch those skittish things (that took 1 1/2 hours of real time to do)? Twice I had to hunt for elk (20 skins and later 10 carcasses), first finding them and then quietly getting off a shot before spooking them. Sometimes I would chase a wounded one through the landscape only to lose it. A good change of pace after a dungeon crawl and good way to level Sneak.

FYI .. The hunting you've done may "hurt" your enchanting. If you choose to keep at enchanting, finding enough soul gems to level it at a decent pace can be a chore. Eventually, you'll want to buy unfilled gems and fill them yourself (with magic or an enchanted weapon). All those animals make for fast soul targets, and the animal respawn isn't very fast.

But, doing the two together .. filling gems while you do your hunting would probably be fun for you. 2 birds, 1 hunt kinda thing :).

[Buccaneer]

I've come across only a few bows that would trap souls - is that the only way to capture animal souls manually?

I have dozens of filled gems but no items to enchant. Do I just hang on to those until I pick up some more rings and whatnot?

When I chose a gems as part of enchanting process, sometime it would give me a slider (maxed out to like 38, for example). What does that mean?

[Shepp]

I've come across only a few bows that would trap souls - is that the only way to capture animal souls manually?

I have dozens of filled gems but no items to enchant. Do I just hang on to those until I pick up some more rings and whatnot?

When I chose a gems as part of enchanting process, sometime it would give me a slider (maxed out to like 38, for example). What does that mean?

There is a spell called "Soul Trap" which will trap a soul in one of your crystals. Its kind of a pain because you have to kill whatever your fighting within something like 30 seconds. Its easier just to use a weapon enchanted with Soul Trap.

Different animals/ monsters have different size souls. Animals are small or petty, powerful monsters are large and grand. Black soul gems are able to trap the souls of humans and are the most powerful.

The slider is for swords or weapons that have a charge. The slider is to select between higher damage/ fewer charges or lower damage/ more charges. Stuff like armor or jewelry don't need to be recharged and don't have the slider.

[Buccaneer]

Thanks again, Shepp

[frnk55]

Got the urge to start up again. But I want to make the game a little harder. I'm not talking about mods where you have to eat and drink. That just sounds like a pain in the ass. I could play legendary but I don't know.
Anyone use a certain overhaul mod that is good?

[Coffee Warlord]

Easy way to make it harder - don't use destruction magic.

I'd say don't use archery either, but I couldn't bring myself to not use my beloved bows.

[frnk55]

Only magic I use is the quick heal one. As for bows I've never used them but it does sound fun.
Think I may go for Skyrim redone mod.

[Coffee Warlord]

Ah, use bows, if only for the fun factor. Bows + Stealth == Fun.

[DougW]

Couple suggestions :

Deadly Dragons. Great mod for what you want. It doesn't just effect dragons. You can adjust the armor/health/damage of all enemies (you can adjust them all to your liking and seperately - so, just want to make them hit harder, no problem, just want them to live longer, no problem, want them to live longer and hit harder .. done). (The mod has it broken up into 3 categories .. Dragons, Monsters, Humans I think)

Another option is to "cheat" when you are getting started. Use the console to up your level 10-20 levels. What that will do is tell the game you are a higher level. So, if you did it at level 1, and bumped yourself immediately to say 15 .. you'd still have level 1 stats, but when you enter a zone - when the game populates the zone, the enemies it creates will be for a level 15 player.

fyi :

player.setlevel ##

is your command for that. And, you won't get any perk points, or skill increases. It'll just raise your level to make enemies stronger :)

[frnk55]

Couple suggestions :

Deadly Dragons. Great mod for what you want. It doesn't just effect dragons. You can adjust the armor/health/damage of all enemies (you can adjust them all to your liking and seperately - so, just want to make them hit harder, no problem, just want them to live longer, no problem, want them to live longer and hit harder .. done). (The mod has it broken up into 3 categories .. Dragons, Monsters, Humans I think)

Another option is to "cheat" when you are getting started. Use the console to up your level 10-20 levels. What that will do is tell the game you are a higher level. So, if you did it at level 1, and bumped yourself immediately to say 15 .. you'd still have level 1 stats, but when you enter a zone - when the game populates the zone, the enemies it creates will be for a level 15 player.
Interesting, very interesting. Didn't know DD tinkered with other stuff than dragons. I know whats going to happen is that I'll spend all day modding the shit out the game and then spend 1 hour playing. :lol:

[Blackadar]

Easy way to make it harder - don't use destruction magic.

I'd say don't use archery either, but I couldn't bring myself to not use my beloved bows.

It's funny, because I've never used destruction magic in either of my two entire playthroughs of Skyrim (365 hours worth!). Both times I've gravitated to Stealth first - once mainly with a two hander and the second time more of a pure bow-master.

The way to make Skryim harder is fairly easy. Don't level up the enchanting or smithing skills. Use only what weapons you can find. That makes a MASSIVE difference simply because you can't find anything in the game near what you can craft.

[Buccaneer]

Ah, use bows, if only for the fun factor. Bows + Stealth == Fun.

Yep, I can't imagine ever going back to Destruction.

I am playing at Expert but with Archery, Sneak and Light Armor maxed out, there are a lot of things that are easy, some that are not. I think it's more dependent upon what level you're at and leveled creatures that you face. I've been playing Dragonborn all week (awesome DLC, better than any mods) and you know when go through crypts and have all of these Draugurs pop out? Imagine all of them bring Deathlords or Scourges. I'm sure it's that way when I go back to Skyrim as well (level 45).

Not sure of how to make it harder in the early game except by handicapping yourself or by doing the cheat to start at level X. Deadly Dragons can be good (I don't do that because I think Ancient and Elder Dragons are too deadly by themselves).

[DougW]

Don't level up the enchanting or smithing skills. Use only what weapons you can find. That makes a MASSIVE difference simply because you can't find anything in the game near what you can craft.

I agree with this, completely.

Deadly Dragons can be good (I don't do that because I think Ancient and Elder Dragons are too deadly by themselves).

No worries about DD with that (if you're wanting to leave dragons alone and increase difficulties of others). You can set dragons to be 100% Armor, Health, Melee, and Shouts - and they'll be default. - and upscale the other stuff.

[Buccaneer]

It's funny, because I've never used destruction magic in either of my two entire playthroughs of Skyrim (365 hours worth!). Both times I've gravitated to Stealth first - once mainly with a two hander and the second time more of a pure bow-master.

The way to make Skryim harder is fairly easy. Don't level up the enchanting or smithing skills. Use only what weapons you can find. That makes a MASSIVE difference simply because you can't find anything in the game near what you can craft.

I don't know if I completely agree. I got my Smithing up to 100 (first time I had done smithing) and all the stuff I made I sold. The only thing I did that I kept was getting my Nightingale armor up to Epic and my bow to Legendary.

Speaking of bow, I've been using my awesome Ebony bow most of the game. I found one pretty early on in Lost Volskygge and it has done me well. I would suspect that is different with Swords - being able to make them better than what you can find but that wasn't the case with bows (since I can't make a Dragon bow).

[Buccaneer]

By the way, one of the goals of this 2nd play through (175 hours!) was pick and choose where I wanted to go and do and not focus that much on the quest lines (didn't do much of the main, companions and killed the dark brotherhood). I wanted to take Lydia and do some of the more fascinating places I remembered from before but ended up discovering a whole host of new places. Before I went to Solstheim, I wanted to find the five toughest dungeons/caves and do them consecutively. Here's what I came up with based on a consensus from various forums:

1. Forelhost (yeah, that was tough)
2. Bthardanz (wasn't hard but long and interesting)
3. Labyrithnian (all three, had done that already)
4. Tolvald (massive narrow Falmer cave I believe, the deeper you go the more there are)
5. Volunruud

[Buccaneer]

I'm sorry, I misspoke. I just realized that I had been using a Legendary Daedric Bow for quite some time, which I had made.

[Blackadar]

I don't know if I completely agree. I got my Smithing up to 100 (first time I had done smithing) and all the stuff I made I sold. The only thing I did that I kept was getting my Nightingale armor up to Epic and my bow to Legendary.

Speaking of bow, I've been using my awesome Ebony bow most of the game. I found one pretty early on in Lost Volskygge and it has done me well. I would suspect that is different with Swords - being able to make them better than what you can find but that wasn't the case with bows (since I can't make a Dragon bow).

100 Smithing + Potions + Ebony = Massively awesome bow. I have two of them on my last game. The base (non-enchant) damage on each is 204. I never found anything like those in the game.

[Buccaneer]

What potions?

[ColtCrazy]

It's amazing how a strong combinations of skills can make you are very effective archer. I can't remember the bow I had in my last game, but I was up to 140 damage on it. Now totally confusing on archery, smithing, and skills to enhance that.

[Blackadar]

What potions?

Maybe it wasn't a potion. Maybe it was an enchant or something. I don't remember. It's been a few months. I just looked up the base damage on them.

All I know is that stealth + 1 ebony arrow is enough to drop a dragon in one shot with either of those.

[Buccaneer]

One shot dragons?? Hmm. Going to have to look at Enchanting. I have 80 in Enchanting, mainly due to enchanting stuff to sell as well as re-charging my bow, but no perks. I didn't see anything in there that stuck out. But then again, I haven't really found any Archery enchantments.

[DougW]

One shot dragons?? Hmm. Going to have to look at Enchanting. I have 80 in Enchanting, mainly due to enchanting stuff to sell as well as re-charging my bow, but no perks. I didn't see anything in there that stuck out. But then again, I haven't really found any Archery enchantments.

I'm sure he has the Deadly Aim perk (X3 bow damage when sneaking)

+5 enchanter perk (100% enchantment)
+25% fire damage perk
+25% frost damage perk
Extra effect perk

Fire enchant + frost enchant ... can add quite a bit.

Plus ... "Fortify Archery" to Helmet, Gloves, Amulet, & Ring

Personally, I find the enchanting tree to be overpowered - especially the extra effect perk.

[Buccaneer]

Thanks Doug, that makes sense now. I got that perk very early on since it's only a level 40. My Legendary Daedric Bow does base 88 damage and that makes it 264 for sneak kills. Does a 20 damage arrow add to that? Problem is for dragons, very difficult to not be seen. But for most everything else, having the chance to paralyze has saved my butt numerous times, esp. in those crawls where there were a Deathlord around every corner.

[Blackadar]

Thanks Doug, that makes sense now. I got that perk very early on since it's only a level 40. My Legendary Daedric Bow does base 88 damage and that makes it 264 for sneak kills. Does a 20 damage arrow add to that? Problem is for dragons, very difficult to not be seen. But for most everything else, having the chance to paralyze has saved my butt numerous times, esp. in those crawls where there were a Deathlord around every corner.

Yeah, with a base of 204, the sneak x3 is over 600 plus the enchanting effects and everything else. Realistically, I'm probably hitting for well over 800 or 1000. That's why I said that smithing is overpowered - you just won't find bows that drop that are anywhere near that powerful.

[Buccaneer]

Yeah, with a base of 204, the sneak x3 is over 600 plus the enchanting effects and everything else. Realistically, I'm probably hitting for well over 800 or 1000. That's why I said that smithing is overpowered - you just won't find bows that drop that are anywhere near that powerful.

Except it's not just the bow itself but all of the armor that adds fortify archery? The two best bows one can make are Ebony and Daedric but I suppose you have to have a lot of other things with that? Guess I'll have to learn how to do that.

[Buccaneer]

Ok, I found a cookbook on how to do that (actually a 700-damage bow). A lot of things here I did not know.

Skill Level and Perks
Alchemy
• Level 80
• Alchemist perk at level 5
• Benefactor perk

Enchanting
• Level 100
• Enchanter perk at level 5
• Insightful Enchanter, Extra Effect, Element Enchanter (Fire, Frost, Storm, whichever two that you want)
Smithing
• Level 100
• Arcane Blacksmith, Daedric Smithing

Archery
• The higher your skill level and perks, the better your bow will be

Ingredients and Items
• Ingredients to make Fortify Enchanting potions (buy at shop, combine only two of them)
• Ingredients to make Fortify Smiting potions (buy at shops, combine three of them)
• Two full sets of armor (helmet, armor, gauntlets, boots, rings, necklaces)
• Ingredients to make full Daedric armor and a Daedric bow (Daedra hearts, Ebony ingots, etc)
• Grand soul gems or black soul gems (filled with souls, as many as you can)

Enchantments
• Fortify Enchanting
• Fortify Smithing
• Fortify Marksman/Archery
• Resist (any element you prefer)


1. Enchant your first set of armor with Fortify Enchanting and Fortify Alchemy enchantments. Make sure to unleash its full potency by using the grand soul gems or black soul gems.
2. Equip your enchanted armor set and start creating as many Fortify Enchanting potions and Fortify Smithing potions as possible.
3. Enchant your second set of armor with Fortify Smithing and Fortify Enchanting while consuming and in the effect of Fortify Enchanting potions.
4. Equip your ultra crazy armor of ultimate smithing and enchanting. Go to the nearest forge to craft a full set Daedric armor and a Daedric bow while in the effect of Fortify Smithing potions.
5. Get yourself to an enchantment table and enchant your Daedric armor set (including random necklace and ring) with Fortify Marksman and any Resistance enchantment. Take note that it must be done in 30 seconds after drinking a potion of Fortify Enchanting. All kinds of enchanting use Grand Soul Gem or Black Soul Gem.
6. Enchant the Daedric bow with Fortify archery and elemental attack (whichever you want). Don’t forget the Fortify Enchanting potions and Grand Soul Gem.
7. The last step is to upgrade them all at grindstone and workbench. Don’t forget to drink the Fortify Smithing beforehand.

[DougW]

Ok, I found a cookbook on how to do that (actually a 700-damage bow). A lot of things here I did not know.

Skill Level and Perks
Alchemy
• Level 80
• Alchemist perk at level 5
• Benefactor perk

Enchanting
• Level 100
• Enchanter perk at level 5
• Insightful Enchanter, Extra Effect, Element Enchanter (Fire, Frost, Storm, whichever two that you want)
Smithing
• Level 100
• Arcane Blacksmith, Daedric Smithing

Archery
• The higher your skill level and perks, the better your bow will be

Ingredients and Items
• Ingredients to make Fortify Enchanting potions (buy at shop, combine only two of them)
• Ingredients to make Fortify Smiting potions (buy at shops, combine three of them)
• Two full sets of armor (helmet, armor, gauntlets, boots, rings, necklaces)
• Ingredients to make full Daedric armor and a Daedric bow (Daedra hearts, Ebony ingots, etc)
• Grand soul gems or black soul gems (filled with souls, as many as you can)

Enchantments
• Fortify Enchanting
• Fortify Smithing
• Fortify Marksman/Archery
• Resist (any element you prefer)


1. Enchant your first set of armor with Fortify Enchanting and Fortify Alchemy enchantments. Make sure to unleash its full potency by using the grand soul gems or black soul gems.
2. Equip your enchanted armor set and start creating as many Fortify Enchanting potions and Fortify Smithing potions as possible.
3. Enchant your second set of armor with Fortify Smithing and Fortify Enchanting while consuming and in the effect of Fortify Enchanting potions.
4. Equip your ultra crazy armor of ultimate smithing and enchanting. Go to the nearest forge to craft a full set Daedric armor and a Daedric bow while in the effect of Fortify Smithing potions.
5. Get yourself to an enchantment table and enchant your Daedric armor set (including random necklace and ring) with Fortify Marksman and any Resistance enchantment. Take note that it must be done in 30 seconds after drinking a potion of Fortify Enchanting. All kinds of enchanting use Grand Soul Gem or Black Soul Gem.
6. Enchant the Daedric bow with Fortify archery and elemental attack (whichever you want). Don’t forget the Fortify Enchanting potions and Grand Soul Gem.
7. The last step is to upgrade them all at grindstone and workbench. Don’t forget to drink the Fortify Smithing beforehand.

Step 6 .. There is no Fortify Archery for weapons.

But, don't forget to make a badass true shot (fortify archery) potion .. and, if we're gonna be exploiting the enchant/alchemy loop then we may as well be sure to roll Orc for the 2X damage from Beserker :)

EDIT : But, yeah .. people have micro'd this stuff to hell. I've read about 20K plus shots.

[Buccaneer]

After a LOT of work, the best I was able to make was a 304-damage Daedric Bow and that's with almost no perks in Enchanting or Alchemy. I imagine if I had 100% bonus in each, the bow could have been easily twice that.

[DougW]

After a LOT of work, the best I was able to make was a 304-damage Daedric Bow and that's with almost no perks in Enchanting or Alchemy. I imagine if I had 100% bonus in each, the bow could have been easily twice that.

If you're wanting to skip the "LOT of work", and you're doing stuff, just for the sake of "study" or "I wonder what if ..."

You can use the console to give yourself just about w/e u want. (raise a skill level, give yourself materials, etc.)

raise skill : player.advskill XXNAMEOFSKILLXX ##NUMBERTOBERAISED##
example : player.advskill enchanting 100 .. This will simulate that you just enchanted 100 items, and raise your skill accordingly.

Give materials (or anything)
First find material :
help "NAMEOFMATERIAL"
example : help "iron ore"
This will return you a list of in game items with iron ore in the title, and give you the ID# for them. FYI, if you are to general you will get a big list - example : help "steel" ... this will return you steel bars, steel shields, steel swords, steel daggers, etc. It's easier to be more specific if you can.

Give yourself the material :
Using the ID# you just learned use this command to put it in your bags.
player.additem ##ITEMID## ##HOWMANYYOUWANT##
example : player.additem f 100 will give you 100 gold (I happen to know "f" is the ID# for gold :lol:

I recommend saving before doing anything with the console though, just to be safe. I've never had a problem with it, but, guess I'm paranoid like that. Also, obviously, this is "cheating", so be careful you don't cheat yourself out of some fun that you would otherwise have by gathering materials or whatever.

[Buccaneer]

The work that I did (finding ingredients to make a lot of potions, finding enchanted stuff that I could use and learn how it all works) was fun (albeit time-consuming) since I had not done any of that before. What struck me was the process depended on preparing yourself ahead of time to make the potions, enchantments and weapons. That part I did not realize. Now I'm all dressed up and no where to go since I had done all of the things I wanted to do after 190 hours this second time through.

[Buccaneer]

Skyrim with one of the coolest chicks on the planet

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BSLPH9d-jsI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Icy]

I played a few hours in ps3 but never got really into it. I have purchased it now for PC with all dlc and want to give it a new try.

Which build do you guys recommend? As I'm playing AC4 on ps4, I have enought sealth so I'm thinking about a Mage or a brute axe or long sword character or a mix for a battle Mage but reading that destruction is too powerful maybe it's not that fun character. I also enjoy the bow, so maybe a mix of archer and sword could be fun.

Suggestions for a hard but fun character for a long play through?

[Peregrine]

Personally I had a lot of fun with my straight two handed warrior build as well as a 1H + shield/restoration/illusion tank. There's a lot of good options for fun playthroughs. Stealth archers are a lot of fun also - I recommend just trying out a couple playstyles for a few levels and play which you like best.

[Coffee Warlord]

I'm having far more fun with my Archer + 1H with a little non-combat magic thrown in than the destructo-mage I originally had.

But, really, it depends on what you like to do. You'll figure it out as you play a bit.

[Buccaneer]

And I had far more fun as a sneak archer than I thought I would. One of the good things was that you can be successful at the beginning. You make it harder by playing at a higher difficulty level.

[Maple Leafs]

One warning: Your ability to enjoy a sneak archer is going to be directly correlated to your ability to shut off the part of your brain that yells "This is stupid and makes no sense" whenever things are stupid and make no sense.

(Of course, the ability to do that is pretty much essentially to having a fun life so hopefully you've done it already.)

[Julio Riddols]

I spend more time going around trading and smithing and creating potions than anything. If I finish a mission by accident as I traverse the lands and plunder the caves, then so be it.

[DougW]

I spend more time going around trading and smithing and creating potions than anything. If I finish a mission by accident as I traverse the lands and plunder the caves, then so be it.

This is actually has caused me to lose interest in playthroughs. I learn how to craft some potions or, really any of the 3 "trades" - and bam. It isn't long before I've priced myself out of a town, and can't sell all my wares unless I make the game be about traveling from town to town to town, and then looping again (usually vendors have restocked and gotten more money by the time I finish a loop).

I get tired of it. I wish I could just leave the 100 potions in a chest and be done with it until I needed some more money, but I have some kind of plague or something that forces me to keep at it until I've sold my stuff.

[Maple Leafs]

This is actually has caused me to lose interest in playthroughs. I learn how to craft some potions or, really any of the 3 "trades" - and bam. It isn't long before I've priced myself out of a town, and can't sell all my wares unless I make the game be about traveling from town to town to town, and then looping again (usually vendors have restocked and gotten more money by the time I finish a loop).

I get tired of it. I wish I could just leave the 100 potions in a chest and be done with it until I needed some more money, but I have some kind of plague or something that forces me to keep at it until I've sold my stuff.
I did the same in my last playthrough. Except with the newly added bonus of being able to constantly reset your alchemy level and build it back up to 100 over and over.

[Julio Riddols]

I store all my shit at my houses until I need it.

[DougW]

I did the same in my last playthrough. Except with the newly added bonus of being able to constantly reset your alchemy level and build it back up to 100 over and over.

Eww, a grind with a goal, then reset the goal and chase the same goal, and ... ewww.

Speaking of that though, I've never done that. Is there any purpose to it ?

[Buccaneer]

The only purpose I can see is to be able to get to level 255. Sounds stupid to me. However, the dragonborn dlc allows you to re-assign perks out any tree, which can be useful.

[Julio Riddols]

I just reset my smithing recently after making a set of armor I think I can enjoy for a while. Going to do the same with my speech eventually too, so I can move those perk points into archery and one handed. It helps level your character up quickly too because I went back after resetting my smithing and smithed leather armor until it go back over 50 and gained a level or two in the process (currently at level 54 I think). That only took me like 10 or 15 minutes.

[cthomer5000]

I played this game very, very intensely but not for nearly as long as I have obsessed over some other games. Still, playing Skyrim is one of my top 5 experiences playing a game ever. Ever. I think back to being a kid where a few games blew my mind, and Skyrim kind of did that to me as a dude in his 30s.

Anyway I was listening to the soundtrack the other day and can say with a straight face that a few songs from the game literally send a chill down my spine (in a positive sense). Specifically 'Secunda,' 'Far Horizons' and 'Dragonborn.' Also, i really really loved the version of 'The Dragonborn Comes' that girl did on youtube.

[DougW]

Also, i really really loved the version of 'The Dragonborn Comes' that girl did on youtube.

Oh, she's great. On the off chance that someone hasn't seen it.

Skyrim: The Dragonborn Comes - Female Cover by Malukah - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr-buV4tYOA)

[Buccaneer]

Thanks for sharing, that was awesome.

[Buccaneer]

I am thinking along the same line as Corey in skyrim's impact as a gaming experience. For the first time in 13 years, a Civ game may not be my favorite anymore. I think what really struck me was after playing for about 120 hours the first time, the next 190 hours were mostly new experiences (thanks in large part to mods).

[Honolulu_Blue]

I finally started to play Skyrim over the holidays. I've had it for over a year, but just never got into it. I think I played too much "Fallout 3" and "New Vegas." I enjoyed both games, but I was a little burned out on that style.

This is the first ever "Elder Scrolls" game I've played. For whatever reason, I've never played any.

I am really enjoying it. I think I'm 20th level or so right now and feel like I've just begun to scratch the surface. Every time I head out to do one quest, I end up stumbling up several more.

My "build" is all over the place. I am a stealth archer in heavy armor that switches to a one-hand + destruction magic (sometimes a shield) when the enemies get close. It's worked so far.

I just realized how enchanting works, but haven't spent any skills on blacksmith or enchanting or anything like that. All the combat-style perks look so enticing all of the time.

I have a very evil looking mace that I feel a little guilty about carrying around, but that's ok, since I don't tend to like many people. I generally walk around Skyrim hating most people. I like the Nords and Stormcloaks, but pretty much hate the Forworn, the Silverbloods, the Imperials and the elves.

I have all the DLC.

I am not too savvy when it comes to mods. I feel like I have sufficient game content (more than sufficient), but are there any other mods that people would consider "must haves"?

[ozias]

It's been a long time since I played Skyrim, but I played as an Archer and excelled at stealth.

It reminded me of this little comic. You could get your stealth up so high that enemies may not see you after an attack such as this.:lol:

[Julio Riddols]

I love when they run around and see their fallen friends with arrows in their bodies and then say "I must have been hearing things" and go about their business.

[Buccaneer]

I love when they run around and see their fallen friends with arrows in their bodies and then say "I must have been hearing things" and go about their business.

Just like most other games that have numerous combat AI; otherwise, you would get too frustrated in not ever being able to take a place.

[bhlloy]

Yeah, Assassins Creed is pretty ridiculous for that as well - "sure I see eight bodies of my fellow guards, but I don't see anybody here. Back to walking between these two points for me then"

[frnk55]

Going to start the mod Requiem. I also want immersive armor and weapons so should I load them after Req?

[Peregrine]

I've been dabbling in Skyrim a good bit more lately - noticed on Steam that I have reached 379 hours, so maybe more than dabbling. I've really been enjoying sort of getting some character ideas to start with, giving me a bit of a roleplay framework.

[Dreghorn2]

I've been dabbling in Skyrim a good bit more lately - noticed on Steam that I have reached 379 hours, so maybe more than dabbling. I've really been enjoying sort of getting some character ideas to start with, giving me a bit of a roleplay framework.

Check this site out, a lot of imaginative individuals over there.

Character Building - The Skyrim Blog (http://theskyrimblog.ning.com/group/character-building)

[Peregrine]

Yeah I love that site and use it for a lot of ideas - been running the Salamander for a while - really interesting take on a warrior/mage and a lot of fun.

The Salamander (http://theskyrimblog.ning.com/forum/topics/character-build-the-salamander?groupUrl=character-building&xg_source=activity&groupId=6452022%3AGroup%3A48137&id=6452022%3ATopic%3A298722&page=2#comments)

[Dreghorn2]

I suffer greatly from restartitis, mainly because of that damn site.

I keep finding myself trying different characters because of a lot of the unique builds there, and yes that Salamander is a neat idea.

I've found myself geeking out on the lore side of things as well and incorporating it into my play, i must be sick.

[frnk55]

I suffer greatly from restartitis, mainly because of that damn site.

I keep finding myself trying different characters because of a lot of the unique builds there, and yes that Salamander is a neat idea.

I've found myself geeking out on the lore side of things as well and incorporating it into my play, i must be sick.
You're not alone pal. :) Weird thing is I started Oblivion again because of this damn thread.

[bulletsponge]

sigh* i downloaded the tropical skyrm patches, but they didnt work properly. i have a bunch of blue palm tree like thins and blurry trees.

[Peregrine]

Been trying out some mods that I really like lately.

To boost the number of NPCs around and get more travellers on the roads. I've been using Travellers of Skyrim (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/15501/?). It adds a lot of wandering merchants, apothecaries, healers, and others that you will see a lot in the inns and wandering the roads.

Additionally, a mod called Interesting NPCs (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/8429/?) adds quite a few NPCs around the world, each with very deep dialogue trees and interesting backstories. All the ones I have found are very well voice acted and some have interesting quests - all in all this is a real winner if you want to find more interesting NPCs to chat with. Highly recommended.

Expanded Towns and Cities (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/13608/?) actually expands the cities of Skyrim, adding new merchants, buildings and other stuff that really helps to "fill out" some of the places like Dawnstar, Dragon Bridge, etc. Very customizable in terms of what features you can install.

Forgotten Magic Redone (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/35339/?) is an updated version of a mod I used to use - it adds a bunch of new spells which can be randomly discovered in the game - additionally you can find rings that add a bonus to each of the spells. I find the spells quite nice and generally not overpowered, it's very nice to have a lot of new toys to play with as a mage.

[TroyF]

I finally beat this game over the weekend. 173 hours of total playtime. I picked up hearthfire DLC, but I have not grabbed the other two. I'm waiting for the Steam Summer sale and hoping I can get them for half off.

Love this game and will likely try another playthrough at some point.

[Neuqua]

I beat the main quest finally last week. I'm about ~200 hours in. I have it for PS3 & don't have any of the DLC's yet. This is the one game keeping me from splurging on a next-gen system. I still have at least a hundred hours or so left playing.

[Peregrine]

Not sure how I missed this site before -if you get tired of manually trying to match alchemical ingredients - on this site you can just put in all the stuff you have and it will tell you what potions you can make with it.

https://arrington.me/alch/

[The Jackal]

I finally decided on my new PC, downloaded skyrim last night and the 360 controller for windows arrives today. So excited to get back into the game - it's been long enough that there's nothing I wouldn't do over again... plus the unimaginable tons of things I haven't done.

[Peregrine]

360 controller for windows? Wow never tried that in Skyrim. Anyway yes there's so much to do - definitely recommend looking into some mods as there are tons of great ones.

[NobodyHere]

Is there really a separate 360 controller for windows?

[cartman]

It isn't separate, you use the same controller. What they sell is a USB dongle that has drivers that allow you to use the controller with your PC. Or, if you have a 360 controller that isn't wireless, you can just plug it in and start using it.

[NobodyHere]

That makes sense. I thought maybe MS was going for another cheap cash-in

[The Jackal]

Yeah when I upgraded to the Xbox One I got rid of my 360 and all the controllers, so just needed a new one to pair with this. Going to use it for things like Portal and such too.

[MizzouRah]

Yep, I use mine plugged into the USB port, been playing Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning as of late.

[Peregrine]

I am dealing with a really annoying bug in Hearthfire now that I am building my house. I bought a carriage but for some reason it doesn't work - he takes 50 gold but it doesn't actually go anywhere. I have all the unofficial patches and I checked the load order - not sure what's going on but feel like I wasted 1000 gold.

[sabotai]

That's odd. I've been playing again recently and my carriage is working fine. Doesn't take 50 gold from me either for rides.

[Peregrine]

Further details on this carriage issue - apparently it does work (but still takes money) to the main holds but doesn't work to go to smaller towns and villages - in other words all the places you'd need the carriage for.

[Buccaneer]

I'm getting close to starting up my annual 200+ hours gameplay again. I have not followed Nexus at all this year and I am wondering if there is anything new and dramatic (mod-wise) that I should be aware of?

[Peregrine]

Been trying out some mods that I really like lately.

To boost the number of NPCs around and get more travellers on the roads. I've been using Travellers of Skyrim (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/15501/?). It adds a lot of wandering merchants, apothecaries, healers, and others that you will see a lot in the inns and wandering the roads.

Additionally, a mod called Interesting NPCs (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/8429/?) adds quite a few NPCs around the world, each with very deep dialogue trees and interesting backstories. All the ones I have found are very well voice acted and some have interesting quests - all in all this is a real winner if you want to find more interesting NPCs to chat with. Highly recommended.

Expanded Towns and Cities (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/13608/?) actually expands the cities of Skyrim, adding new merchants, buildings and other stuff that really helps to "fill out" some of the places like Dawnstar, Dragon Bridge, etc. Very customizable in terms of what features you can install.

Forgotten Magic Redone (http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/35339/?) is an updated version of a mod I used to use - it adds a bunch of new spells which can be randomly discovered in the game - additionally you can find rings that add a bonus to each of the spells. I find the spells quite nice and generally not overpowered, it's very nice to have a lot of new toys to play with as a mage.

I will still recommend these mods - especially Interesting NPCs is really great. Not sure how many of them are new per se - not really playing Skyrim since I started Elder Scrolls Online.

[Buccaneer]

I will check those out, thanks. I will want to play with Tropical Skyrim again so I'll have to keep compatibility in mind.

[Buccaneer]

I've been working on a new set of mods and getting close to start again. But I need to have something clarified. The first time I played, I did a destruction mage; the second time a sneak archer. This time I want to combine the two and play an arcane archer (archery and enchantments). I've read differing opinions on the value of destruction perks for this type of build. Does firing arrows enchanted with fire (for example) count as a fire spell? In other words, does the destruction perks like augmented and intense flames make fire archery more powerful?

[Buccaneer]

This is why I think Skyrim is the greatest game ever made. 130 hours on my current character and I haven't done much of anything yet - which is completely the opposite of the first time I played where I "finished" the game (main questline) at level 18 or so. Last week I was at level 30 and had only completed 9 misc. quests. Now I'm at level 45 with a Legendary Dragonbone bow and I still had not even begun the main quest (i.e., no dragons yet), let alone anything else besides the College.

My goal this time was more geographic - to visit every place on the map, hold by hold. I have printed out a map showing every location and even playing 350 hours previously, there's still a lot of places I had missed or not known about, and that does not include the DLCs locations. Most of the time I find a place and decide to go in and clear it out for the fun of it. Rinse, Repeat.

The set of mods I've chosen this time is great and a lot of fun, along with focusing on an Arcane Archer plus Destruction to mix it up.

[bhlloy]

I quit my third play through because some of the graphical mods I downloaded made the game crash, but I have a new computer now and now you have made me want to download it again. Thanks for nothing!

[Peregrine]

I have to say I have temporarily abandoned this game for Dragon Age: Inquisition but am sure I will be back soon.

[Neuqua]

Being a PS3 player, I've put in about 250+ hours just on the Skyrim standalone game. Tonight I saw that Amazon has the Legendary version for PS3 including the 3 DLC's for <$20 and I had to go and order it. No other game has immersed me like this one and I'm looking forward to going back.

Quick question, anyone know if I am going to have to start my game over completely or will I be able to continue from my saved game? I'm ok with either, just want to prepare.

Btw, for those interested:
Amazon.com: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Legendary Edition: Xbox 360: Video Games (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CJ7IUGS/ref=ox_ya_os_product?tag=slickdeals&ascsubtag=9da5cdc568a44b6d96a58b6976dc1cc9)

Edit: Looks like the price jumped back up.

[SackAttack]

Being a PS3 player, I've put in about 250+ hours just on the Skyrim standalone game. Tonight I saw that Amazon has the Legendary version for PS3 including the 3 DLC's for <$20 and I had to go and order it. No other game has immersed me like this one and I'm looking forward to going back.

I have all the DLCs for Xbox 360, as well as the digital base game that game with my slim 360, but the textures look like ASS on the downloaded version. I saw that Best Buy had the game for $7.99 on Black Friday and figured that was cheap enough to acquire a disc copy (which I know looks better because less compression), and wound up with the Legendary edition for that $7.99 price after they threw all of their copies of Skyrim in whatever flavor on the cart. Woo!

Quick question, anyone know if I am going to have to start my game over completely or will I be able to continue from my saved game? I'm ok with either, just want to prepare.

You're good. It will be just the same as if you had downloaded the DLCs on top of your base game, either digital base or optical base.

[Buccaneer]

I've been back in Skyrim for my fourth experience and finally found a way to combine my two favorite games (Assassin's Creed Black Flag and Skyrim). Playing in Tropical Skyrim, as usual, along with 50+ mods (and some house rules), I wanted to do the actions that I loved from Black Flag. That means full-on sneak assassin in the same manner that Edward Kenway would sneak up behind someone and stab them. It also means making good use of berserk darts (and berserk grenades from Rogue) for those clusters of hostiles.

I started off as a member of the Dark Brotherhood (Alternate Start) but I had to level up as a usual Sneak Archer until I got enough perks in Sneak and Illusion plus some One-Handed to play Black Flag-like. Now (at level 30) I can sneak in front of or back of mid-level enemies and do a 1-2 strike kill with my Ebony Dagger. If they become alert, that's where the Calm spell comes in. If there is a room full of enemies or I'm facing an outside ruin full of Forsworns (for example), Fury or Frenzy would get them going berserk (fighting each other). I, however, have to stop the habit of looking for bushes to hide in (at least not until I get the last perk in Sneak).

Just wanted to share my experience of combining my two favorite games.

[dubb93]

This is the game that won't die. Finally got the Legendary Edition as a gift so I went looking for a new game. Modded the hell out of it this time. Finally decided to install ENB as well to open up the vault for tons of graphical mods. Think I have something like 120 something mods installed. Went with this character. I'm a sucker for RP in this game.

Character Build: The Lion - The Tamriel Vault (http://tamrielvault.com/group/character-building/forum/topics/character-build-the-lion)

[JPhillips]

Has anybody tried the Enderal mod?

[Buccaneer]

Thanks for the post about Enderal, looks amazing. Just in time, too, for my annual long play.

[JPhillips]

Post impressions, if you would. I don't have time for it now, but would love to know if it's worth loading.

[Edward64]

Enderal reviews are out. For the most part, pretty positive.

Enderal: The Shards of Order &mdash; Skyrim mod review | PC Gamer (http://www.pcgamer.com/enderal-the-shards-of-order-skyrim-mod-review/)

[Buccaneer]

Post impressions, if you would. I don't have time for it now, but would love to know if it's worth loading.

I wanted to try something different first (mostly Perkus Maximus and the large Gray Cowl quest) in a modded game - after getting to level 20, not sure how I felt about Perkus: it forces you to spread skills instead of doing a sink, so it did make it more challenging.

Will start up Enderal this weekend.

[korme]

Broke down and bought it.

[cthomer5000]

It's still crazy to me that they've probably only just started production on the next Elder Scrolls game this year. What's our best case scenario for release - some time in 2018?

Pretty nuts to go 7 years without a sequel given how universally acclaimed the last one was.

Regarding the re-release: I just can't risk spending another 100+ hours on the game. Absolutely loved Skyrim but need to avoid relapsing like an addict.

[JPhillips]

That's not quite true as they did Tamriel on-line, it just wasn't nearly as popular.

[Peregrine]

It's still crazy to me that they've probably only just started production on the next Elder Scrolls game this year. What's our best case scenario for release - some time in 2018?

Pretty nuts to go 7 years without a sequel given how universally acclaimed the last one was.

Regarding the re-release: I just can't risk spending another 100+ hours on the game. Absolutely loved Skyrim but need to avoid relapsing like an addict.

Totally agree - it's taken ages to work on the next game and here they are wasting time doing a re-hash of the last one.

[RainMaker]

Is there anything new in the re-release? Or just updated graphics?

[Bobble]

Totally agree - it's taken ages to work on the next game and here they are wasting time doing a re-hash of the last one.

Developing the new 64-bit version is probably a significant step toward producing the next one.

[Edward64]

Is there anything new in the re-release? Or just updated graphics?

Just updated graphics. A warning I read was the current mods may not all work with the updated graphics.

[sabotai]

And from what I've read, the updated graphics aren't even as good as the graphics you'll find in mods.

Started playing Enderal yesterday. My only two issues for it so far is 1) There are a lot of flowers and vegetation, making it pretty hard to see at any kind of distance which can be collected as food or ingredients and which ones can't, and 2) Using skills does not increase your ability in them. You have to buy upgrades for skills. I can see the reasoning for crafting skills, but I'd prefer combat skills to increase with use.

But overall, I like it so far.

[Maple Leafs]

It's still crazy to me that they've probably only just started production on the next Elder Scrolls game this year. What's our best case scenario for release - some time in 2018?

Pretty nuts to go 7 years without a sequel given how universally acclaimed the last one was.

Regarding the re-release: I just can't risk spending another 100+ hours on the game. Absolutely loved Skyrim but need to avoid relapsing like an addict.
Honestly, Bethesda seems like a badly managed company.

I always read these glowing stories about how they keep their team small, and refuse to rush their products, and only ever work on one game at a time, and don't take any shortcuts like all these other companies. And there's no question that the quality of what they're putting out, between Elder Scrolls and Fallout, is excellent. But at some point, part of putting out a good product is being able to get it out the door.

Sure, good for them for avoiding the temptation to put out crappy products every year or so to capitalize on their brands. But seven years (or more) between flagship products isn't something to be proud of. It's a sign that something somewhere is broken.

[JPhillips]

Didn't Bethesda work on Elder Scrolls on-line? With the subscription and all the expansions that had to make money.

[Buccaneer]

And from what I've read, the updated graphics aren't even as good as the graphics you'll find in mods.

Started playing Enderal yesterday. My only two issues for it so far is 1) There are a lot of flowers and vegetation, making it pretty hard to see at any kind of distance which can be collected as food or ingredients and which ones can't, and 2) Using skills does not increase your ability in them. You have to buy upgrades for skills. I can see the reasoning for crafting skills, but I'd prefer combat skills to increase with use.

But overall, I like it so far.

What mods did you install with Enderal? I think I at least would want SkyUI.

[sabotai]

What mods did you install with Enderal? I think I at least would want SkyUI.

I didn't install any mods, and SkyUI is built into Enderal so you don't have to use it as a mod.

[Buccaneer]

And from what I've read, the updated graphics aren't even as good as the graphics you'll find in mods.

Started playing Enderal yesterday. My only two issues for it so far is 1) There are a lot of flowers and vegetation, making it pretty hard to see at any kind of distance which can be collected as food or ingredients and which ones can't, and 2) Using skills does not increase your ability in them. You have to buy upgrades for skills. I can see the reasoning for crafting skills, but I'd prefer combat skills to increase with use.

But overall, I like it so far.

Several hours into Enderal and still feels like I just started. It is truly amazing, probably better than all of the quest mods put together (apart from finding most of them pretty bad, including Falksaar). And dare I say? Better than either Dragonborn or Dawnguard DLCs.

On your two points. 1) I have been playing with Tropical Skyrim for four years now, so I am quite used to lots of flowers and vegetation. 2) This game feels just like all those years I played Gothic (and Risen) with its traditional way of earning points. It certainly makes the game much more active instead of passive (you actually have to accomplish things to get rewards). It makes for a more challenging game as I still don't feel confident in my abilities yet, even playing at Adept level instead of my usual Master/Legendary level.

It's the classic catch-22: I need to fight in order to get points so I can fight better, but I'm having a tougher time fighting because I don't have the skills to fight better.

One more thing, magic (at least in the early game) is more valuable, useful and almost critical. I am having to fight with magic and a sword at the same time since my archery is not that effective. But I haven't ventured into the cities yet, just slowly trying to get points and gold out in the world.

[sabotai]

Took a few hours of playing it, but I've gotten the hang of it now. I've been itching to play another Skyrim like game, and every time I start Skyrim up again lately, I stopped after an hour or two. I mean, I did have it clocked at about 410 hours.

This mod has gotten me back into it. This really does feel like a totally new Elder Scrolls game and I am loving it now that I got used to the changes.

[Edward64]

Anyone playing Enderal with the new Special Edition graphics upgrade?

[Peregrine]

What is Enderal? Don't think I've heard of it.

[Edward64]

What is Enderal? Don't think I've heard of it.

Its a massive free DLC.

[Buccaneer]

I had to come here and heap more praise on Enderal. I am well over 100 hours into the game but only 2/3 through the main quest and hardly any side quests, and only half explored. The game is leaving me speechless, much better than Skyrim and even modded Skyrim. The story, geography, characters, voices, immersion, music, etc. are beyond amazing for a free fan game. My all-time favorite game is Black Flag at 9.75/10. I am tempted to give this a 10/10 but it does crash frequently. Dont just take my word for it, here's a spot-on review

'Enderal': The Game-Sized 'Skyrim' Mod You Should Be Playing (http://www.tomshardware.com/news/enderal-skyrim-mod-acclaim,32986.html)

[lighthousekeeper]

I am currently playing through Enderal. It certainly does some things way better than Skyrim did (the ambient life in the towns/cities seems more real and fleshed out, dialog is better, terrain seems less procedurally generated, and combat is much more difficult). I am about 15 hours in - not really sure how far through I am right now, I get the sense that I am only 10% into the game based on my level on the skill tree.

Unfortunately I hit a glitch that I can't seem to get past.

[Buccaneer]

I am currently playing through Enderal. It certainly does some things way better than Skyrim did (the ambient life in the towns/cities seems more real and fleshed out, dialog is better, terrain seems less procedurally generated, and combat is much more difficult). I am about 15 hours in - not really sure how far through I am right now, I get the sense that I am only 10% into the game based on my level on the skill tree.

Unfortunately I hit a glitch that I can't seem to get past.

What is the glitch?

[lighthousekeeper]

this. https://www.reddit.com/r/enderal/comments/5gmwoh/jasper_goes_crazy/

https://www.reddit.com/r/enderal/comments/545pce/stuck_in_combat_and_jespar_dalvarek_is_getting/

I've paid the same bounty several times (without doing anything wrong), but the whole town keeps attacking Jespar. Game says I am in combat mode so I can't interact with anyone. I've left the town and returned but no change.

[Edward64]

Been playing Enderal the past week, currently at level 14.

It does crash alot but I save alot. I don't think I enjoy it as much as Skyrim, the dialogue seems too wording, inconsistent.

Buy hey, it provides hours of free entertainment back in the Skyrim world so can't complain too much.

[Draft Dodger]

is it a workshop mod?

[Eaglesfan27]

Anyone play the switch version? Thinking about buying it to enjoy Skyrim all over.

[Edward64]

is it a workshop mod?

Not from the workshop. I downloaded from Nexus

https://enderal.com/

[ISiddiqui]

The Switch version is great!! But it's my first Skyrim, so I have no real frame of reference.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[Edward64]

Anyone play Elder Scrolls Online?

I've read its gotten better since launch with DLC's and a comment that its a "MMO for solo play".

[chesapeake]

Anyone play Elder Scrolls Online?

I've read its gotten better since launch with DLC's and a comment that its a "MMO for solo play".


I haven't played in the better part of a year, so I can't tell you how good the last couple of updates are But I can say that I enjoyed soloing my main all the way through level 50 and into the veteran levels. There are some dungeons and a little other content I couldn't do since I had no interest in finding other groups of players to join with, but I never felt that I was missing out on any important bits.

[Thomkal]

I haven't played in the better part of a year, so I can't tell you how good the last couple of updates are But I can say that I enjoyed soloing my main all the way through level 50 and into the veteran levels. There are some dungeons and a little other content I couldn't do since I had no interest in finding other groups of players to join with, but I never felt that I was missing out on any important bits.


I play off and on, as a solo player, and just the free stuff, so tough to say how good the updates have been. But its a great game for solo play. I have played a bit on the test server to check out things like the warden class and new DLC stuff

[Edward64]

Bought it during the $10 sale and have been playing it some. Still learning the ropes.

Similar to Skyrim. Just some thoughts so far.

1) When using a bow in Skyrim, you raise the bow and can choose when to release the arrow. In ESO, you raise the bow and split second later the arrow is released automatically. Need to figure out if there is a way to change this.

2) You are limited to 60 items in your bag when starting off. Finally got a 'free" room of my own thinking I can put my junk in there but apparently not, you have to pay for a bank deposit box. Saving up for that now.

3) Never played MMO before. I'm more PvE (and not PvP) so its cool that in most missions I'm piggy backing off someone else (or vice versa). I pass by players at level 600+ with their fancy companions and armor, pretty weird.

4) When I fight and kill a soldier, I don't get to pick up all the armor or weapons, more often its just some gold (but I want that sword!). This sucks but I guess I understand it.

All-in-all, if you liked Skyrim, I think ESO is easily worth the $10.

[Maple Leafs]

Anyone play Elder Scrolls Online?

I've read its gotten better since launch with DLC's and a comment that its a "MMO for solo play".
Just started with ESO a few weeks ago after finding it on sale for like $15.

It's... not bad. It's not Skyrim, and the MMO aspect screws up some stuff (like the economy, which is a total wreck). The quests are also very linear -- it's rare you get any kind of choice at all, you just click through he dialogs and select the only option to keep moving.

All that said, it's been good enough to keep me playing, and with a handful of exceptions you can play it like a solo game without worrying about the MMO stuff. If you view at as the next Elder Scrolls game, you may be let down. But if you can view it as a Skyrim ripoff that gets about 90% of the stuff right, I'd recommend it.

[Thomkal]

What Maple said about Elder Scrolls Online Edward. It's the nature of a MMO-its not a free form open world game like Skyrim, so have things like not being able to aim bows, pick up all weapons, etc.

[Edward64]

Its been fun so far, level 12 right now. Two things that are annoying ...

1) I have found/won numerous level 11-12 two handed weapons but I have not seen any high level one-handed weapons. I am doing dual wield and only have level 4 & 5 one-handed weapons ... they just have not come up?

2) It seems I get more gold $40-$100 stealing things from bags, drawers, chests than I get for selling magical weapons. Even the higher level weapons are like $36 gold. Doesn't seem right?

[Maple Leafs]

1) I have found/won numerous level 11-12 two handed weapons but I have not seen any high level one-handed weapons. I am doing dual wield and only have level 4 & 5 one-handed weapons ... they just have not come up?

That sounds like bad luck, but I recently realized I was still wearing the same helmet from 10 levels ago and hadn't found any new ones since, so maybe there's some sort of glitch with certain categories not randomly appearing? (For what it's worth, a crafted a new helmet and since then since things seems to be back to normal.)
2) It seems I get more gold $40-$100 stealing things from bags, drawers, chests than I get for selling magical weapons. Even the higher level weapons are like $36 gold. Doesn't seem right?
Yeah, the economy is completely screwed up. Selling equipment is pointless (except for ornate items), everything else should be deconstructed or researched instead. Apparently it's because anything reasonable could have been exploited by bots or spammers, although I'm not sure why that matters -- if you want to cheat and get rich, I don't see how that impacts what I'm doing, but maybe I'm missing something.

[Edward64]

Level 26 now. Playing PvE and it seems to be getting "stale", I'll give it a rest and come back later. I've had fun with the $10 investment.

For the most part, I do like the MMO model. Bethesda is keeping it fresh with paid DLC's and I do like joining up with random folks that clean out a dungeon with me (one used a soul gem to bring me back to life).

Assuming this is what Fallout 76 will eventually turn out to be, I can live with it (not much choice I guess if you want to keep playing Fallout).

[Coffee Warlord]

It was worth 10 bucks. It just felt...meh over all, IMO. Nothing really groundbreaking. Kinda felt like it was mainly trading on the ES name. Take away the Elder Scrolls lore, and this was just another faceless MMO.

[Maple Leafs]

Level 26 now. Playing PvE and it seems to be getting "stale", I'll give it a rest and come back later. I've had fun with the $10 investment.

You've probably already done this, but just in case -- make sure you get to as many different areas as possible. I got like 15 levels into it just staying on the first island I started on, because I thought that was all there was. Nope. Turns out that's only a tiny piece of a huge world, so if you're getting bored in one area just hop on a boat and go find some new zone somewhere.

[Edward64]

I have hopped around elsewhere.

One of the things I don't like is I get to a level, I get nice weapons and after a couple newer levels, I get better weapons and I don't get a chance to finish the set (and even if I did, not enough time to enjoy it).

I don't think there is a way to level up my existing magic armor/weapons to stay current with my new level? This makes me not appreciate the newer and better armor/weapons for long.

I also would have appreciated some dragons (maybe not to those areas yet).

[Maple Leafs]

One of the things I don't like is I get to a level, I get nice weapons and after a couple newer levels, I get better weapons and I don't get a chance to finish the set (and even if I did, not enough time to enjoy it).

Yep, this is a real annoyance. You finish a major quest, get some cool named weapon as your big reward, and two levels later every low-level grunt you kill is coughing up something better.

I don't know if that's because of the way the game is designed, or because they put a level number on everything. I don't think Skyrim did that, so if you got a cool weapon or whatever maybe you could use it for awhile without noticing that new stuff was slightly better. In ESO, everything is so tied to your current level that nothing that happened a level ago seems to matter.

I do like the sets, since if you stay in one place you can eventually get five pieces and sometimes that unlocks a cool effect, but otherwise you're scrapping stuff for parts that was a big reward like an hour ago.

[Edward64]

Looking forward to the Anniversary Edition coming on Nov 11.

Haven't seriously played Skyrim for a while now, and never played with Creation Club mods so looking forward to this. Hope there is a ton of great stuff (vs just graphics).

Good news for fans of a classic RPG. At QuakeCon 2021, Bethesda announced the arrival of The Elder Scrolls 5 – Skyrim Anniversary Edition, which celebrates the game’s tenth anniversary. The title will release on November 11, 2021 for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

This edition of the game will include all the content from the “Special Edition” (2016) and over 500 unique Creation Club elements (dungeons, quests, bosses, spells, armor, etc.). Those who already have the old version can upgrade to the Anniversary Edition for free if they wish.

[Edward64]

Been playing the Anniversary Edition for the past couple weeks.

I'm still using my old 750ti so not much has changed graphically that I've noticed (have to buy one next year when things come back to normal). Haven't gotten to any new content yet.

But been into a dungeon and will say how much I've forgotten about the mood setting with music & sounds. I find myself sneaking around because it fits the music & sounds.

[Jan135]

When skyrim was released for the first time (lol) I was slightly disappointed, the story (or any of the stories) are mediocre at most, non PC-friendly interface and huge amount of technical issues ruined the experience. But now, mods are fixing many major Skyrim's problems for me, DLC Dragonborn, brought an interesting story, which made my experience way more enjoyable.

[Ryche]

When skyrim was released for the first time (lol) I was slightly disappointed, the story (or any of the stories) are mediocre at most, non PC-friendly interface and huge amount of technical issues ruined the experience. But now, mods are fixing many major Skyrim's problems for me, DLC Dragonborn, brought an interesting story, which made my experience way more enjoyable.

I'm actually just starting it for the first time now on my Switch. Just have to get settled on a character, which is always the hardest part for me in these kinds of games.

[Jan135]

I'm actually just starting it for the first time now on my Switch. Just have to get settled on a character, which is always the hardest part for me in these kinds of games.

You'll probably have a better experience on the console. Still, there are very few RPG elements that any other good games in the genre has. All of the Skyrim's RPG-ness breaks apart when you go through major side quest lines. It's not even the lack of any choice that concerns me, it's the way the dialog options re written. In some of the stories it ok and subtle, in others, you are a fanatic puppet. I'm sure you'll see.