Elder Scrolls V

[Fire Me Boy!]

So the guys at Bethesda let it slip a few months ago that Elder Scrolls V was in the works for 2010, and a friend said he read a possible release in 2009... I'm looking for the article, but I'm friggin' STOKED about a new Elder Scrolls game coming out in the next 12-18 months!!!

I think they can learn a lot with the successes and failures of their previous landmark releases like Morrowind, Oblivion and Fallout 3 and make ESV an absolute KICK ASS game!

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by bsp4444

I went about it the other way...I focused on destruction magic and archery skills. I'm only just now going back and doing smithing so I can level up. Destruction archery and sneak are all above 90, but I'm only level 52.

In retrospect, that's probably a better, less exploitative way to play the game.

IMO, the enchanting/smithing/alchemy system breaks the game. You shouldn't be able to create more powerful gear than you can find unless there's also a limit on your ability to develop your combat skills if you focus on the craft skills (so that the super gear just compensates for low skill).

I think I'm level 61 with 100s in Alchemy, Smithing, Enchanting, Lockpicking, 1-Hand, and Heavy Armor and 90+ in Archery, Light Armor, Speech, and Sneak. My perks were used primarily to improve 1-Hand, Smithing, and Enchanting. Getting up to the "Merchant" perk in Speech was useful.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Pants

Have you ever tried playing an MMO?

No. I don't want to end up as one of those stories they use to condemn gaming.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by patteeu

I've got a couple hundred hours in the basic game now and I've decided that I probably played it wrong. I focused early on smithing, alchemy and enchanting. I ended up making better equipment for myself than anything I can find in the game. It really drained any suspense out of the battles when even the most powerful bad guys have trouble hurting me and die to a quick flurry of strikes or a couple of arrow hits.

I don't use enchants at all, only use alchemy for healing potions, and only level smithing in order to upgrade my weapons and armor.

I am also playing as a Nord "Hold Guard" so I only use hold guard armor (classified as light) and do not use anything "out of character" - no heavy armor, only "Nord" weapons like iron and steel (no ebony, elven, dead rid, or anything like that), no magic items or spells.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I don't use enchants at all, only use alchemy for healing potions, and only level smithing in order to upgrade my weapons and armor.

I am also playing as a Nord "Hold Guard" so I only use hold guard armor (classified as light) and do not use anything "out of character" - no heavy armor, only "Nord" weapons like iron and steel (no ebony, elven, dead rid, or anything like that), no magic items or spells.

That's pretty impressive.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by patteeu

That's pretty impressive.

I am also playing on the highest difficulty level. I die once in a while.

[frazod]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I don't use enchants at all, only use alchemy for healing potions, and only level smithing in order to upgrade my weapons and armor.

I am also playing as a Nord "Hold Guard" so I only use hold guard armor (classified as light) and do not use anything "out of character" - no heavy armor, only "Nord" weapons like iron and steel (no ebony, elven, dead rid, or anything like that), no magic items or spells.

The problem with that is eventually you'll have to start using the "out of character" skills or you'll quit gaining experience points.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by frazod

The problem with that is eventually you'll have to start using the "out of character" skills or you'll quit gaining experience points.

I'm level 52 now and the only "out of character" perks I have taken so far have been on the right side of the smithing tree (to get to dragon smithing).

I have perks in light armor, blocking, 1-handed, 2-handed, archery, and alchemy. Only blocking, light armor, and 1-handed are maxed at 100.

I have plenty of room to grow in 2-handed, archery, alchemy, lockpicking, and speechcraft before I have to do anything "out of character".

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by frazod

The problem with that is eventually you'll have to start using the "out of character" skills or you'll quit gaining experience points.

Yeah, I initially tried to only used one-handed combat with very little archery or sneak, but after I maxed out in one-hand and heavy armor, I decided to switch to sneak, light armor, and archery to keep earning XP.

I admire the way htismaqe is approaching the game though. I wish I'd have made some ground rules for myself like that, although I woudn't have gone as far as he did. I probably should have sworn off enchanting altogether. That alone would have probably made a pretty big difference.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by patteeu

Yeah, I initially tried to only used one-handed combat with very little archery or sneak, but after I maxed out in one-hand and heavy armor, I decided to switch to sneak, light armor, and archery to keep earning XP.

I admire the way htismaqe is approaching the game though. I wish I'd have made some ground rules for myself like that, although I woudn't have gone as far as he did. I probably should have sworn off enchanting altogether. That alone would have probably made a pretty big difference.

I look at it this way. I am missing out on the power of enchanting.

I also don't have to do ANY managing of soul gems or any of that recharging shit...

[frazod]

Originally Posted by patteeu

Yeah, I initially tried to only used one-handed combat with very little archery or sneak, but after I maxed out in one-hand and heavy armor, I decided to switch to sneak, light armor, and archery to keep earning XP.

I admire the way htismaqe is approaching the game though. I wish I'd have made some ground rules for myself like that, although I woudn't have gone as far as he did. I probably should have sworn off enchanting altogether. That alone would have probably made a pretty big difference.

Personally I think it's retarded, but so what? If it works for him and he enjoys it, more power to him.

For me, games like this are all about advancing my character and getting the highest level skills/best equipment possible. As soon as I can't do that anymore, I lose interest quickly. Skyrim requires that you be flexible and have a well-rounded character to do that effectively, so I roll with it.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by frazod

Personally I think it's retarded, but so what? If it works for him and he enjoys it, more power to him.

For me, games like this are all about advancing my character and getting the highest level skills/best equipment possible. As soon as I can't do that anymore, I lose interest quickly. Skyrim requires that you be flexible and have a well-rounded character to do that effectively, so I roll with it.

I don't play games like this much. It's been a decade since I last played an RPG all the way through (NWN 1). My initial approach was just like what you seem to be describing and it was a lot of fun to advance and see how good I could make my enchanted equipment, but eventually I got to the point where my battles with the bad guys were pretty ho hum because my gear was just too good.

I'm still playing and trying to find ways to keep it interesting though.

[Fire Me Boy!]

I just started a new character - complete mage. I'm not using any armor, and using only magic or bound weapons. It's been interesting - added a significant level of difficulty since I have no armor, especially early on.

[Pestilence]

Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!

I just started a new character - complete mage. I'm not using any armor, and using only magic or bound weapons. It's been interesting - added a significant level of difficulty since I have no armor, especially early on.

I take it that you do a lot of running away.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

I take it that you do a lot of running away.

No, but I've done a lot of dying!

The only time I've actually run away from something was at Shearpoint. Krosis flat kicked my ass.

[Pants]

Originally Posted by patteeu

I've got a couple hundred hours in the basic game now and I've decided that I probably played it wrong. I focused early on smithing, alchemy and enchanting. I ended up making better equipment for myself than anything I can find in the game. It really drained any suspense out of the battles when even the most powerful bad guys have trouble hurting me and die to a quick flurry of strikes or a couple of arrow hits.

Welcome to Bethesda games.