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Post by Electric Dragon on Sept 5, 2014 4:22:51 GMT -5
I posted this in WAYPTW, but figured a cross post here wouldn't do any harm.
I'm (at last) about to start Skyrim, maybe this weekend, maybe next, which has been sitting uninstalled in my Steam queue since the summer sale. The last time I tried to play an Elder Scrolls game (Oblivion), I bounced off it pretty hard when I got a few hours in and realised I didn't have a clue what I was doing or why or where to go or what to do. So I'm throwing open to the floor a couple of questions: How do I get started? Tips for character creation and where to go early on and What mods do you recommend?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2014 10:04:19 GMT -5
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Post by pairesta on Sept 5, 2014 10:30:42 GMT -5
I just started about a month ago. Say good-bye to your family.
There was a Gameological article, I think, earlier this year, complaining that Skyrim is just too big. I'm finding myself reluctantly agreeing. My quest journal is constantly backlogged with quests yet to complete, and all the map markers for them give me seizures, but you just pick up three quests for every one you complete. And I have kind of lost what the large plot thread really is at this point.
I came at this fresh off Fallouts 3 and New Vegas and kept assuming there was some sort of reputation counter in the game, but short of murdering people in broad daylight, there isn't, and I'm finding more and more that it pays to be the bad guy in the game, so don't let moral quandaries hold you back.
But it is a beautiful game. Last night I was wandering in some farm village set on the seaside, next to a city build on a massive rock bridge. And it was sunset, and I looked up, and there was the city, and the sight actually took my breath away; something that doesn't happen much in games. And it is fiendishly clever at getting you to stay playing. "I'll just go to this village to drop this off and what's this about a lost sword in the crypts nearby? Well I'll check that out and HOLY SHIT A DRAGON IS ATTACKING ME"
I work at home, and having it available just a couple clicks away while I'm working is proving very dangerous.
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LazBro
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Post by LazBro on Sept 5, 2014 10:38:57 GMT -5
This could probably go on the Unpopular Opinion thread, but one mod I would definitely recommend - though I can't recommend a specific one - is any mod that allows you to modify or just plain eliminate encumbrance rules. Realism be damned, I want to carry 18 suits of plate without having to walk slow or juggle inventory. Maybe it's against the spirit of the thing, but I just think it makes the game more fun to play. I did this for Oblivion and Fallout games, too. pairesta: Yeah, the option paralysis is severe, but in these games I don't mind it so much, because whatever I do, it's usually fun. I'll see something cool, or I'll get some good gear. The other side for me would be something like GTA, where you have just as many options, but I don't want to do any of it, because the base game is shit (IMO).
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outforawalk
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Post by outforawalk on Sept 8, 2014 12:44:17 GMT -5
This could probably go on the Unpopular Opinion thread, but one mod I would definitely recommend - though I can't recommend a specific one - is any mod that allows you to modify or just plain eliminate encumbrance rules. Realism be damned, I want to carry 18 suits of plate without having to walk slow or juggle inventory. Maybe it's against the spirit of the thing, but I just think it makes the game more fun to play. I did this for Oblivion and Fallout games, too. pairesta: Yeah, the option paralysis is severe, but in these games I don't mind it so much, because whatever I do, it's usually fun. I'll see something cool, or I'll get some good gear. The other side for me would be something like GTA, where you have just as many options, but I don't want to do any of it, because the base game is shit (IMO). That makes me wish I had it for PC instead of console, because that type of mod sounds fantastic.
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Post by barremian on Sept 8, 2014 15:46:03 GMT -5
I posted this in WAYPTW, but figured a cross post here wouldn't do any harm. I'm (at last) about to start Skyrim, maybe this weekend, maybe next, which has been sitting uninstalled in my Steam queue since the summer sale. The last time I tried to play an Elder Scrolls game (Oblivion), I bounced off it pretty hard when I got a few hours in and realised I didn't have a clue what I was doing or why or where to go or what to do. So I'm throwing open to the floor a couple of questions: How do I get started? Tips for character creation and where to go early on and What mods do you recommend?Simply, Archery makes the game easy. When you level up keep your Health/Stamina ratio around 3/2 and ignore magic (unless you want to make the game difficult). You can buy iron, leather, leather strips from the blacksmiths, steal back the gold, and smith iron daggers and leather bracers to level smithing quickly. Fast travel to random cities, repeat said instructions, and you will have level 100 in smithing in no time. Aim for glass, ebony, or deadric bows (smith to legendary) and light armor; preferably elven, glass, thieves guild, or nightingale (smith to legendary). Wonder around and bring snacks.
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Post by pairesta on Sept 24, 2014 11:53:27 GMT -5
After complaining about losing the thread and the game being too big just a few weeks ago, I'm pretty sure I'm about to finish it and so now I'm stalling as much as I can with little side quests. I've also crossed a threshold now where I'm pretty much untouchable in the game; most opponents go down in two blows (or just by getting sniped by a crossbow at a distance).
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Sept 24, 2014 13:07:47 GMT -5
After complaining about losing the thread and the game being too big just a few weeks ago, I'm pretty sure I'm about to finish it and so now I'm stalling as much as I can with little side quests. I've also crossed a threshold now where I'm pretty much untouchable in the game; most opponents go down in two blows (or just by getting sniped by a crossbow at a distance). I did the same thing and ended up cranking up the difficulty once I got bored being a god.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2014 13:13:43 GMT -5
After complaining about losing the thread and the game being too big just a few weeks ago, I'm pretty sure I'm about to finish it and so now I'm stalling as much as I can with little side quests. I've also crossed a threshold now where I'm pretty much untouchable in the game; most opponents go down in two blows (or just by getting sniped by a crossbow at a distance). Have you finished all of the faction questlines? Some of those are just as good as the main quest/civil war stuff.
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Post by pairesta on Sept 24, 2014 13:24:51 GMT -5
After complaining about losing the thread and the game being too big just a few weeks ago, I'm pretty sure I'm about to finish it and so now I'm stalling as much as I can with little side quests. I've also crossed a threshold now where I'm pretty much untouchable in the game; most opponents go down in two blows (or just by getting sniped by a crossbow at a distance). Have you finished all of the faction questlines? Some of those are just as good as the main quest/civil war stuff. Just finished Dawnsguard a few days ago and the Riften Thieves' Guild one before that. I didn't get very far with the Companions because I don't want to be a werewolf. Finished the mages college one a while back. So let's see: I'm an archmage head of the thieves guild vampire hunter with the blood of dragons in his veins who could I guess also be a werewolf if he wanted to.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2014 13:49:37 GMT -5
Have you finished all of the faction questlines? Some of those are just as good as the main quest/civil war stuff. Just finished Dawnsguard a few days ago and the Riften Thieves' Guild one before that. I didn't get very far with the Companions because I don't want to be a werewolf. Finished the mages college one a while back. So let's see: I'm an archmage head of the thieves guild vampire hunter with the blood of dragons in his veins who could I guess also be a werewolf if he wanted to. The Dark Brotherhood is definitely worth checking out, and IIRC curing werewolfism is part of the companion's quests. Though I was more of a magic/one-handed guy, I know what you mean about being unstoppable. Once I got the Call Dragon shout I finished the Civil War stuff in about an hour or so.
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Sept 24, 2014 14:07:30 GMT -5
Just finished Dawnsguard a few days ago and the Riften Thieves' Guild one before that. I didn't get very far with the Companions because I don't want to be a werewolf. Finished the mages college one a while back. So let's see: I'm an archmage head of the thieves guild vampire hunter with the blood of dragons in his veins who could I guess also be a werewolf if he wanted to. The Dark Brotherhood is definitely worth checking out, and IIRC curing werewolfism is part of the companion's quests. Though I was more of a magic/one-handed guy, I know what you mean about being unstoppable. Once I got the Call Dragon shout I finished the Civil War stuff in about an hour or so. I wish the Dark Brotherhood quests in Skyrim were as inventive and varied as Oblivion, but it's still worth it for the unkillable demon horse.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2014 14:37:38 GMT -5
I wish the Dark Brotherhood quests in Skyrim were as inventive and varied as Oblivion, but it's still worth it for the unkillable demon horse. I managed to kill that horse. When I was fighting the dragon on top of the mountain, he got knocked off. Never saw that guy again.
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Post by pairesta on Sept 24, 2014 14:47:26 GMT -5
Just finished Dawnsguard a few days ago and the Riften Thieves' Guild one before that. I didn't get very far with the Companions because I don't want to be a werewolf. Finished the mages college one a while back. So let's see: I'm an archmage head of the thieves guild vampire hunter with the blood of dragons in his veins who could I guess also be a werewolf if he wanted to. The Dark Brotherhood is definitely worth checking out, and IIRC curing werewolfism is part of the companion's quests. Though I was more of a magic/one-handed guy, I know what you mean about being unstoppable. Once I got the Call Dragon shout I finished the Civil War stuff in about an hour or so. Is the Dark Brotherhood the Assassin's Guild? Because I wiped them out. And got a "well done!" from the captain of the guard and that was about it. I haven't done anything with the Civil War, largely because I am such a nerd and have conflicting feelings about what side to take. I'm playing a Nord so it would make sense to join the Stormcloaks, but everyone there is such a dick. The Empire's not much better, but I am a sucker for their Roman-like leanings. But then I'd feel like a traitor if I threw my lot in with them. This goes back to the Fallout discussion today on TOS: I can't, even in a game, bring myself to be a bad guy, which cuts off alot of enjoyment apparently in going that path.
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Post by nowimnothing on Sept 24, 2014 14:49:38 GMT -5
Hmm, part of me thinks I would really like this game but the part of me that has become bored with Red Dead Redemption disagrees.
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Sept 24, 2014 16:15:36 GMT -5
I wish the Dark Brotherhood quests in Skyrim were as inventive and varied as Oblivion, but it's still worth it for the unkillable demon horse. I managed to kill that horse. When I was fighting the dragon on top of the mountain, he got knocked off. Never saw that guy again. Once you sleep he resurrects wherever he died. He's out there somewhere, waiting for his next chance to slaughter the Whiterun city guard.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2014 22:19:13 GMT -5
If you are a melee two hander, then the werewolf questline is for you. Since there is a pretty powerful two handed weapon at the end of it. The werewolf ability also isn't anything different. It only activates if you do it yourself, it isn't something that just happens out of nowhere. Though once you do activate it you will have to wait for it to end and you also can't pick up items during it. It is essentially useless once you are past the early levels. But I say the questline is still worth it.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2014 9:03:20 GMT -5
The Dark Brotherhood is definitely worth checking out, and IIRC curing werewolfism is part of the companion's quests. Though I was more of a magic/one-handed guy, I know what you mean about being unstoppable. Once I got the Call Dragon shout I finished the Civil War stuff in about an hour or so. Is the Dark Brotherhood the Assassin's Guild? Because I wiped them out. And got a "well done!" from the captain of the guard and that was about it. I haven't done anything with the Civil War, largely because I am such a nerd and have conflicting feelings about what side to take. I'm playing a Nord so it would make sense to join the Stormcloaks, but everyone there is such a dick. The Empire's not much better, but I am a sucker for their Roman-like leanings. But then I'd feel like a traitor if I threw my lot in with them. This goes back to the Fallout discussion today on TOS: I can't, even in a game, bring myself to be a bad guy, which cuts off alot of enjoyment apparently in going that path. I also cannot be a purely bad guy, but the assassin's guild missions in these games usually have awesome rewards (and the Oblivion questline was one of the best parts of the game like RJFM said) and uuuuusually you're not assassinating saints. I did feel guilty every time a guard said something about the Emperor's cousin's wedding though. But killing strangers is out of the question, in the GTA games I even tried to avoid pedestrians. Case for the Empire: the Stormcloaks are all racist dickheads and the Thalmor are actively rooting for them, so that's that.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2014 9:04:37 GMT -5
I managed to kill that horse. When I was fighting the dragon on top of the mountain, he got knocked off. Never saw that guy again. Once you sleep he resurrects wherever he died. He's out there somewhere, waiting for his next chance to slaughter the Whiterun city guard. I am NOT going to go back to Skyrim just to search the base of the mountain for demon horses.
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Sept 25, 2014 10:18:10 GMT -5
Case for the Stormcloaks: Literally the first thing the Empire does in the game is try to cut my head off for no goddamn reason. FUCK THE EMPIRE. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. They're SO RACIST though! And by fracturing the Imperial Legion you basically set up the continent to get dicked over by the even more racist Thalmor. Plus, they're trying to end reality!
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Post by pairesta on Sept 25, 2014 11:51:30 GMT -5
Case for the Stormcloaks: Literally the first thing the Empire does in the game is try to cut my head off for no goddamn reason. FUCK THE EMPIRE. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. They're SO RACIST though! And by fracturing the Imperial Legion you basically set up the continent to get dicked over by the even more racist Thalmor. Plus, they're trying to end reality! This is pretty much my whole debate. I haven't met a decent, upstanding Stormcloaker yet. But the Empire tried to execute me. But I threw my lot in with the Empire. The Stormcloaks are planning to invade Whiterun and Solitude, the two coolest cities in the game, and where I have both of my houses, my family, and my hot wife, so gotta stand up for that. Then on my way to Solitude yesterday, I wandered through an Imperial caravan and they fucking drew swords on me for being too close. Almost ended the whole shebang right there.
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Post by pairesta on Sept 25, 2014 11:55:21 GMT -5
I also cannot be a purely bad guy, but the assassin's guild missions in these games usually have awesome rewards (and the Oblivion questline was one of the best parts of the game like RJFM said) and uuuuusually you're not assassinating saints. I did feel guilty every time a guard said something about the Emperor's cousin's wedding though. But killing strangers is out of the question, in the GTA games I even tried to avoid pedestrians. I ran afoul of them when I killed that woman running the orphan's school in Riften for that runaway kid. The head of the dark brotherhood kidnapped me and took me to some shack somewhere, then lined up a bunch of nobodies and wanted me to kill one of them for some minor offenses. So instead I beheaded her, which triggered this whole Exterminate the Dark Brotherhood quest. I'm also gonna wipe out that Boehithia cult before I wrap this up.
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Sept 25, 2014 12:14:14 GMT -5
I also cannot be a purely bad guy, but the assassin's guild missions in these games usually have awesome rewards (and the Oblivion questline was one of the best parts of the game like RJFM said) and uuuuusually you're not assassinating saints. I did feel guilty every time a guard said something about the Emperor's cousin's wedding though. But killing strangers is out of the question, in the GTA games I even tried to avoid pedestrians. I ran afoul of them when I killed that woman running the orphan's school in Riften for that runaway kid. The head of the dark brotherhood kidnapped me and took me to some shack somewhere, then lined up a bunch of nobodies and wanted me to kill one of them for some minor offenses. So instead I beheaded her, which triggered this whole Exterminate the Dark Brotherhood quest. I'm also gonna wipe out that Boehithia cult before I wrap this up. Yeah, that's basically the only way to never do the Dark Brotherhood questline. That's kind of a bummer because then you never get to kill the Emperor and get his sweet robes.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2014 15:54:08 GMT -5
I chose stormcloaks because I went with being a nord as my character. I thought it fit the role. For some reason I just have a knack of choosing the most whitebread character types. In ME I was a spacer war hero! Basically destined to be savior of the fucking galaxy. Anyway, back to the stormcloaks. Fuck those guys. By the third mission I was wondering why Im supporting these racist shit for brains. Not to mention if I sided with the imperials I would be siding with Tigh from BSG..... who was a racist shithead(but a cool one at least).
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Post by pairesta on Oct 1, 2014 8:24:24 GMT -5
Ok, I don't know how to Spoilertag a post so . . .
SPOILERS
SPOILERS
SPOILERS
Ok, the final fight with Alduin is ridiculously easy. Four hits and he goes down. I actually had a tougher fight with that huge dude guarding the Hero's Hall or whatever it was, right before the end fight.
So, is that it? Is it over? Parthunax or whatever that dragon's name is said "You Have Much to Do still" when I came back, but I'm wandering around, all my dialogue options have reverted to just the usual stuff, I'm not getting a sense of something else to do. The Dawnguard quests are starting to repeat themselves.
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Post by ComradePig on Oct 1, 2014 12:07:18 GMT -5
I will dump a bunch of the mods I have installed that add some extra visual panache and bustle to the towns eventually, I just need to muster up the strength to end my laziness and look through the installed mods list and remember which ones are which. You'll probably be done with the game by then, but I'll get there I tell you!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2014 12:09:21 GMT -5
There are many major quests besides the main one, in addition to the seemingly infinite minor ones. Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, Civil War, Bard's College, and probably other ones all have multi-layered tasks. Honestly I finished the main quest so quickly I barely remember it, and I've been playing off and on for like 2 years and I'm not even close to finishing. There are always more dragons to slay and shouts to learn and cheeses to collect. You should see my cheese room, it is a thing of beauty.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2014 13:10:08 GMT -5
Once you sleep he resurrects wherever he died. He's out there somewhere, waiting for his next chance to slaughter the Whiterun city guard. I am NOT going to go back to Skyrim just to search the base of the mountain for demon horses. I lied. I ended up doing exactly this on Sunday because you incepted me. Shadowmere lives.
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Post by transcumanist on Oct 1, 2014 20:52:10 GMT -5
I like to role play the characters I make. This helps limit options. I can't get "gamey" with a Bethesda game, it's just too overwhelming.
By developing a character like I would for a table top game, I know what quests they would turn down and take. This keeps things manageable.
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Oct 1, 2014 22:16:30 GMT -5
I am NOT going to go back to Skyrim just to search the base of the mountain for demon horses. I lied. I ended up doing exactly this on Sunday because you incepted me. Shadowmere lives. *maniacal whinnying*
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