wuffser

Actually It's not hard coded. The perk system itself is hard coded. You can add a whole bunch of new perks, and completely rework the originals into something more suitable. In fact there is are several working unarmed systems some with full animation replacers that adds the whole set of power attacks (which heavily implies that they could have added full unarmed combat but refused to do so in the end >:( ). They've already added an oblivion class system that you choose, level uncappers that allow full control over how you level up. An in depth economy system that effectively stops the "no smithing no cool stuff" issue. They added smash locks option, combine and strengthen potions and poisons,unlocks for alteration, levitation, flight. Multiple in depth changes to the follower system, reverse pickpocketing,harder combat, better difficulty balancing, deadlier monsters, unsafe fasttravel/wait/sleep,better weather, more items, better more varied smithing/enchanting/alchemy system, hotkeys for Xbox 360 controllers. And by "they" I mean modders. All this within the first 2 years of of skyrim. This is the reason why I think some of your claims against skyrim are a bit biased. Unlike the previous ones this has a better overall design, cleaner, smoother animations, more precise natural physics. Oblivion was too floaty(just like its main story), its animations stiff and limited, same with Morrowind only more so. It needs time to grow and develop and as far as I'm concerned skyrim actually has a class system (Believe it or not it is there) it's just not really applied to anyone but the game it self does. If I remember it refereed to combat style, same as how race determines different categories of npcs (Like the children and elder races). In many cases skyrim has already patched up it's most glaringly obvious flaws. And besides Oblivion and Morrowind also have their fair share of fails. Both where essentially unplayable under certain circumstances. And required tons of required downloading after purchase to maximize performance and enjoyment. Oblivion wouldn't nearly be as awesome without proper mod support. It got the ire of many morrowind players and in time it earned it's place. The one thing I liked about skyrim is that it cleaned out all the clutter. The sheer number of entirely useless fortify whatever spells, the one billion and one different strength levels for healing and debuffing enemies. Very confusing and a lot of the mystism spells made more sense in other schools. Kind of makes sense from lore based stand point. The only thing they screwed up on was figuring out what was clutter and what was necessary. Time is all it needs

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120503-2030) Video card: Intel HD Graphics 3000m 2gb dynamic Video Memory 1.76gb available System Model: Aspire 5750-6842 Default Resolution: 1366x768 BIOS: InsydeH2O Version V1.19 Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-2430M CPU @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz overclocks to 3.0 Memory: 4096MB RAM DDR3 Available OS Memory: 3948MB RAM Page File: 2320MB used, 5572MB available Windows Dir: C:\Windows DirectX Version: DirectX 11 My issue here is that it horribly stutters a lot after sometime (Usually at random). Happens often but varies in severity. This issue pleagued me for some time until I found out something interesting. When I default to medius settings then set the game to one core it not only gets rid of the stuttering entirely but boosted my FPS. Tried the same settings with 4 cores less overall FPS and stuttering, Move to two cores stutters a little but none to problematic. The issue may have been due to hyper threading. Using virtual cores. It may have been the issue because the game was only uses 2 cores and the presence of the other 2 caused VERY steep changes in cpu fluctuations and very frequently as well.

Yeah indeed it does. The system they have in place is half-arsed at best. If only :sad:

I would love to see a mod that adds team play to the mix. Healing, attaching, buffing as a team. With customizable in game AI that allows you to layer simple commands (Heal anyone below 40% health, use Cure Disease on this when any negative stat ailment arises, always stay close, do not attack who is directly in front of me etc). Allow potions to be usable on followers and vice versa Add More support spells, Particularly target versions of the various altercation "skins", add a fast heal targeted to followers or various friendly NPCs, add more powerful illusion buffs (Like rage, serenity, joy). Something to make having restoration mage followers actually useful.

I agree with you whole heatedly on a lot of the points you made. To further the issue the only characters that I actually cared for where the dragons (The friendly ones anyway), and they had no facial expressions to note and they had more power and conviction than over half the cast. But I disagree with a couple things. The first being the main quest the sense of urgency and force made me pay more attention to the quest at hand, I was far less likely to actually get distracted and got involved with the story a little more. The issue I had with oblivion was because there was no sense of urgency no emphasis on the situation at hand. It had no weight, no gravity, no drive, and it did little to carry me forward. For skyrim the main quest FELT like a main quest. Of course it feels like it's borrowing from JRPGs than anything else. Also most of the things you complain about can be avoided for example when looking for esbern you actually have the option to talk with 3 other people each with the same info.(Again delphen sucking at being useful) and even if you talk with him you can just back out of the conversation without saying a word and he'll back off (The quest won't even trigger either if I remember). ------------------------------------ The main problem with Skyrim to me is that it lacks depth. It lacks planning, cunning, and logic like the others do. Here is only a couple of glaring failures to balance game and immersion/realism. UI is bad even for consoles with a horrid organization, button mapping, no hotkeys (Even though they have room for 8 of them), no quick search, no instant top or bottom list buttons, No subcategorization for armor and weapon types in the smithing menu. No organization whatsoever for favorites. No quick select for switching between equipment sets. No warnings for when you are selling, smelting, or disenchanting Favorited or equipped items. It introduces a follower within the first stages of the main quest but they never implemented a proper follower system nor did they add spells that healed and buff spells for others, or allow followers to reach the same level cap as you, or even add perks to help make followers actually useful, didn't help that friendly fire kills them but doesn't even scratch you. Speech has a number of possibilities, being able to actively partake in the world, and opening up new choices, and options for quests and people. Being able to cheer on followers, taunt enemies, sell gear to any passing npc, improving shouts, gaining more from books and people teaching skills. Spouses being able to marry but only a few actively serve any useful purpose and that's on the battle field. All the stay at home types only cook meals and open a shop regardless of their previous occupation before marriage. Unable to do certain things simply because you didn't choose that field. Didn't choose lockpicking? Can't open anything locked even if you have a whole arsenal of alternatives at your disposal. Didn't choose smiting? Unable to actually get anything of actual use until much later in the game, or do specific quests, level up and get it off some random bandit. Rather than make a request for a weapon or armor. Make a loose exp system that doesn't differentiate combat and non combat skills. Allowing you accidentally make the game unbeatable because you over-leveled with alchemy. Allows gay marriage but only allows charming of the opposite sex. Heavy and light armor are the same except light armor is faster and well lighter. Allows for adjustment of difficulty on the fly (even in combat). But never tells you that it also rearranges the difficulty spikes (or dips) in the game world. One dungeon will be hardest on the easiest setting, easiest on the hardest setting. They never got rid of the level based item placement (Having glass weapons on bandits), one of the few bad features in oblivion. Player had access to all power attacks from the get go when in all the previous ones you had to actually level up said skill before animation became available and also changed existing ones to be faster and less clumsy. Skyrim removes this and simply makes the attack animation faster. Removes unarmed, unarmored, acrobatics, and athleticism. But has two categories for lockpicking and pickpocketing two essentially useless skills apart but handy useful together. The abilities that the other 4 earlier skills would have done wonders as one big perk tree. Completely take out utility spells (Walk on water, flight, levitation, feather fall) but add a whole bunch of places where they would actually come in handy, vertical dungeons, realistic looking and scalable mountains. No head tracking even though it is demonstrated by other npcs constantly and even the player at the character creation screen. The list goes on for someone who is a fan of the previous games they would rage hard. But to a person who has never, or rarely touched another Elder scrolls game this would be one of the best. For me it was a mixed bag. I love Skyrim it has a better overall design and feel than Oblivion. But all these little screw ups in game design (Coupled with a BILLION bugs, glitches, and poor optimization) really pile up. But the one thing you need to acknowledge. The one thing you or any older fan do not seem to get is time. This game has a number of flaws VERY similar to the ones in early vanilla Oblivion. And only time will heal these screw-ups in the future. Whether through mod or official release is all up to chance

Another thing about the magic, companions, and bosses 1. In many RPGs I've played thet had party based combat (Optional or not). You always had the power to buff and heal your partners quickly (and vice versa). How come there is such a limited range of spells for empowering others. I mean I counted only 2 in the school of restoration that allowed healing of others (Healing hands, and grand healing no in between). One in illusion (Courage). And that's it. This issue extends to potions as well I didn't really considered this an issue until I saw that skyrim trailer showing followers giving out healing potions. 2. Also the vanilla companion system sucks hard, not just because you have little control over them. But because they can be hurt (and killed) by you. I cannot tell you how many times I had to restart a fight because my partner got in the way of my charge attach, or fireball splash damage. They need to add an option to turn on or off friendly fire when in combat or various situations. You think it's just me being a noob. But in actuality the thing is THEY CAN'T HARM YOU WHILE UNDER YOUR SERVICE. Seriously I've tested it Lydia shield bashed straight through me and into another bandit who was sent reeling off a cliff. Seriously this is annoying for gameplay reasons only. 2a. Also why doesn't any mod try and add a follower team work system, I mean what about team dynamics healing each other and their leader. Working together to put down a foe, Staying close, spread out, do this or that when in danger. And also allow a sort of ingame ai programming. Similar to the system implemented in final fantasy 12. As you level up speech (Or travel with friends and up relationship ranks as a team) more options pop up, bonuses for traveling with certain classes or species or blessings. And also an excuse to add more deadly enemies or larger more expansive battles 3. Why can't NPCs tell the difference between accidentally picking up something and actively stealing it? Say I'm in the shop and I'm trying to talk with the owner instead I accidentally click too early early and snag a small bag of coins (Has like 3 coins inside). I instantly have a bounty. No chance to explain myself or give the stolen item back? Instead they should have a more complex crime system. Where NPCs actually consider letting you go scot free if you pay up for the stolen item (Effectively buying it), or give it back. And NPCs have to have a good look at you before they can effectively place a bounty on you. As well as make them more cautious or constantly look around when something truly odd happens. Like getting hit with a fire ball or the sound of someone they know (Within similar factions) screaming. Come on give NPCs better logic. 4. What is wrong with species variety. I know this is nord territory and few travel up there. But seriously add more beast races to various places traveling argonain merchants or mercenaries would be nice. In fact... 4a. Traveling/secret/rival boss fights. One thing I love about JRPGs is that they have some neat ways in handling extra bosses. Doing a quest that is seemingly like any other quickly gets out of hand and grows into an epic adventure that spans the country and beyond. Or at random get into a fight with some particularly powerful people or monster. Something that wars in skyrim only partially solved with heroes and villains.

Nothing really? I seriously would want someone to do this. I really wanted something along the lines of specialized followers but for non-combat spousal NPCs.

This has bothered me for some time. And no body seems to want to change it. Of course they'll quickly modify starting place, the character creation selections, starting stats. But they never even bother with which spells you start with based on these changes. Don't you think it's kind of stupid to have a powerful illusionist/conjurer, be stuck with basic healing and destruction spells forcing you to actively search out a spell you actually specialize in. And worst of all it's kind of annoying to see it just sit there taking up space and not actually being useful. :wallbash: Wouldn't it be cool to actually have a more dynamic starting spell selection based on your starting stats. With minimal conflict with other race based mods. Wouldn't it? I mean it would be nice to have a spell actually useful from the get go. I mean the vanilla opening gave you the whole set of weapons and armor types (Light and heavy). But they screwed up with the magic part, only one mage with one book, and its another destruction tome. :armscrossed: Its horribly immersion breaking to have a character with one specialization. But unable to use them because the game never gives you the means to immediately use them. Could Someone please try and make a mod that does this. And if not please explain why, I would do it myself but am nowhere near good at CK.

Hyperthreading? Hmm I guess I'll have to look into that. I haven't modified my bios since I reset my computer to factory settings. Maybe I should try that. But I've been playing with my settings for a while and I managed to rid myself of the stuttering for a little while. At least until I go to a new location anyway. Another strange thing, my load times suddenly skyrocketed, even though I've started a new game with different set (But unchanged in total number) of mods. Hmmm. :confused: I might have to go in and change a few things. Particularly with my visuals and ENB settings(Recently added). As I am getting a whole host of artifacts on mountains, and my interiors are as bright as day if not brighter. :mellow: I'll come back when these are properly applied.

OK I've done absolutely EVERYTHING in my power to stop my stuttering issue. (It popped up after my update to 1.7+dawnguard from 1.6):confused: Fps boosting, uGrids, Background clock control, overclocking gpu, lowering resolution on small objects, lowered settings, limit fps, force vsync, turn off vsync, enable/disable/change vertex processing, and countless others. Even did a clean install played it as vanilla with no patches or mods, Runs infinitely better, apply patch stuttering :wallbash: I get very spazzy load times (Ranging from a few seconds to a raging 3 minutes on the same area with or without ALL mods disabled), stuttering framerate. From 30-40 outside, 60-50 inside (fraps isn't helping as benchmarks keep saying I should be getting 58 on average) to an abysmal 10 outside combat, 3 inside combat. (Doesn't matter outside or in combat chugs). All number of fixes only solve the problem temporarily delaying the inevitable stuttering brigade. Very rarely am I able to play for several hours with no stutters. (In fact just a week ago I managed to complete the entire main quest without any framerate hiccups, even though the ratway crapped out on me again never happened in 1.6). But recently in my frustration I played with WTM open checking processor speed. And I noticed something interesting. Every fps drop is represented by a spike in processor speed, usually between 10-16% increase in cpu usage. I also noticed that not all my cores are being used. when the game is on only 2 processors show a marginal increase in speed, but the other 2 show practically nothing. I messed around with it's priorities, nothing. But then I started to mess with the number of cores. Just for giggles I set it to one core just to see how slow it would chug (And even if it crashes). It didn't it ran at a solid 30-35 on medium (Inside or out) with no stuttering whatsoever :psyduck: . Of course the first core was at 100% but it ran flawlessly. Added 2 cores still ran awesome but ran into small stutters on heavy processing areas. Tried all 4 stuttering came back with a vengeance. Could it be because I'm using a dual core with 2 virtual processors? Here are my specs Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120503-2030) Video card: Intel HD Graphics 3000m 2gb dynamic Video Memory 1.76gb available System Model: Aspire 5750-6842 Default Resolution: 1366x768 BIOS: InsydeH2O Version V1.19 Processor: Intel® Core i5-2430M CPU @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz overclocks to 3.0 Memory: 4096MB RAM DDR3 Available OS Memory: 3948MB RAM Page File: 2320MB used, 5572MB available Windows Dir: C:\Windows DirectX Version: DirectX 11 DX Setup Parameters: Not found User DPI Setting: Using System DPI System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent) DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode Tried cpu-z it says I have 2 cores but 4 threads is that normal?

What's the point of having over 9000 spouses if they don't do ANYTHING. None of them are unique, the only useful ones are the ones that actually go into combat with you. And all of THEM have been improved. So what about the stay at home ones they don't get an upgrade? PFFT :armscrossed: Here's an idea for yah.. if you marry a spouse with a particular field of non-combat abilities, you get a massive bonus to that said skill. They can train you free of charge, give them the right materials and they begin to forage and temper new items based off of your stats (They have to get to know you somehow). For a more specific example say I marry that castle blacksmith in Markarth (Correct me if I'm wrong on this). And I move into a home with a built in fully functioning forge with smelter, grind stone, and tanning rack. In a nearby chest I store all my stuff including all my materials. I leave to complete a quest for several weeks come back and be greeted by my spouse who hands me a full set of ebony heavy armor all upgraded and everything free of charge at that! And as an added bonus they level up if you keep doing this! A master blacksmith(Or alchemist, or enchanter) for a spouse? Heck Yeah! 8) This also applies to spouses that open shops and whatnot. Choose a town with an open marketplace (Solitude, Whiterun etc.) they actually get a stall there! And they also act as banks store money there and they make sure to only buy the best stuff just for you. And this raises their speechcraft increasing the chance of purchasing a rare item.They also will upgrade the house if they have the money.Oh what pleasantries await when you return home! :dance: OH almost forgot home cooked meals add a whole host of bonuses essentially the ultimate food item, as well as an improvement to the lovers comfort bonus and applying it to your spouse. Lets see if those spousal followers can beat that! :devil: