how much do you consider cheating?

[wolfpack91]

me personally i started out on Xbox 360 for oblivion, new vegas, fallout 3, and skyrim. i only play on max difficulty and started on a console i played te game start to finish with no cheats or console (because they didnt exist) i have no problem bypassing a broken quest and useint Batch files to set up stats to my prefered setup. but other than that i dont use console for much, but i HAVE played Legit, and made a god charecter with out cheats or console (xbox 360) SO I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH CHEATING.

[Jeir]

I play in 'god mode' whenever a game lets me. =P I've always preferred exploring and doing quests to fighting enemies, which just bores me.

[MidevalGuy]

I had an answer ready to go last night, but after thinking about it some more here is my stance:

 

It's a single-player game.

 

Cheat as much (or as little) as you want.

 

You aren't hurting anybody except maybe your own satisfaction of doing things how they are meant to be done e.g. leveling up, etc. Even if you have played through the game multiple times that's the whole point of a game like Skyrim: The process of creating your own character and his/her own unique story.

 

Far be it from me to judge, but it baffles me why people do things like tie rubber bands around controller triggers to level up a certain skill, etc. They are free to play however they want, but this almost defeats the purpose of playing the game, let alone buying it, IMO. It's not cheating per say, but it's not taking advantage of what the game has to offer (improving skills through adventure) even if the game itself is far from perfect.

 

On a related note...

 

A lot of mods for the PC version can be considered cheats as well, and I don't mean the obvious ones like Lock Pick Pro.

 

For example, being able to have more than one (non-scripted) follower at any time and turn your game into an old school party RPG when dungeon raiding, exploring, etc. Or what about mods like "Convenient Horses" that gives unlimited follower horses for free since the player only has to buy their initial horse and the rest spawn out of thin air? They way I see it, mods like these aren't cheats because they give more choices and "fix" (add) features that weren't in the original game and should have been in a lot of players opinions e.g. followers not riding horses in vanilla Skyrim just bad game design no matter how you slice it. Not only does it break immersion (realism), but followers can't keep up, so by the time you may need their help they are a mile away still trying to catch up!

 

My own personal rule is I don't use console commands unless I have no choice. This is because of bugs and other Bethesda VooDoo that happens during the course of the game.

 

Mods, on the other hand, I am totally down with because they make TES V a better game than was initially released.

 

I like mods that take the grinding/exploiting out of the game and just let me play the game however I want, but... Still allow me have the same (and possibly better) experience the developers originally intended but fell short of because of being hamstrung by conventional RPG elements e.g. grinding smithing so you can have the best armor, etc. I don't mind playing a game the way it's "meant" to be played, but when it is obvious some of the design choices are imbalanced and/or promote boring grinding/exploiting then it ceases to be fun and that is what games should always be about, IMO.

Edited September 12, 2013 by MidevalGuy

[Taran0]

If you feel the leveling is too fast, there are a few mods that reduce the leveling speed.

[fraquar]

I don't consider Lockpick Pro a cheat if I'm not playing a thief or assassin based character. All the lockpick interface does is become a barrier to enjoying the rest of the game to me in that instance.

 

Same thing with woodcutting/mining speed up mods - if I'm not playing an ultra hardcore live off the land super realistic character - I'd simply rather not have my time wasted by meaningless animations.

 

As for spamming unlimited pots, I'd consider that a waste of time. Might as well just put yourself in god mode and be done with it then if you want impunity.

[diyeath]

I only consider cheating when my save file becomes bloated and I lose my lvl 115 character.

[Ometh]

I typically cheat when I play Skyrim, mainly for the fact that I wish to explore everything at max level and because I've already hit max on a character legitimately. I stay within the confines of Bethesda's limitations though and don't abuse the system.

[yzerman19]

Anything that makes it impossible to die is a cheat. My nephew...that is all he does...cheat. I got him interested in ES games starting with Oblivion. He learned the cheat codes, and the rest is history. Me...I never cheated, never will. Makes it too fake.

[DashingKnight]

I think everyone should be entitled to play the game in any fashion or form they desire. Whatever method brings the gamer joy and happiness. Having fun is what it's all about and the most important thing.

[Elfriend]

This isn't multiplayer. There is no such thing as cheating. Play it however you like. I like detailed realism and roleplaying and will never "beat" or "finish" the game, but that's my preference. Skyrim is my sandbox and I'll play in it until it gets old (or I do).

 

That said, I don't use console commands except to give myself common items like linen wrap or crossbow bolts that should be readily available but aren't. I earn each level by doing things that my character would logically do and exercising skills that are part of my roleplaying image. I have multiple followers (well, two) because I enjoy their company. I use Realistic Needs and Diseases so I have a use for all those food items, but not Frostfall because that's just too much of a pain in the arse. I don't use The Most Popular Companion on the Nexus because I would never in real life put up with someone like that. In short, I play it the way I enjoy it and encourage you to do the same.