Combat=None

[Rennn]

I've recently started playing Skyrim with 'no' combat. (I put 'no' in quotes because really sometimes combat is unavoidable) It really adds a lot of weight to role playing. If you see a bear, you run and try to escape. It's possible, if you're a rogue build of some kind, to go through an entire dungeon without ever killing someone, or to kill without being detected if that's your preference. Warriors in that case would have to attack, but that's in-character as well, I guess.

 

I generally walk around and admire the scenery, and flee if something big attacks me, like a sabrecat or a dragon. Wolves I can usually hear from some distance off and avoid them. It's surprising how many quests and dungeons can be traversed, and how many quests can be cleared without ever needing to resort to combat.

 

This was inspired by thoughts of fantasy books. Generally, in a good fantasy book people don't kill 5 groups of wolves and fight yet another group of bandits every 1.5 minutes on their way to a town. I also mute the music, because that makes it more immersive (Did you know heavy armor makes a high-quality clinking noise when you walk? Or that walking through grass patches sounds different than walking on bare dirt? I didn't until I muted the music.), and it makes it possible to hear voices, footsteps, and other noises before I walk right into a battle.

 

Also, a real journal has replaced my quest log, and only things that I actually find out without looking at a quest log go in there.

[aeonthraen]

I've recently started playing Skyrim with 'no' combat. (I put 'no' in quotes because really sometimes combat is unavoidable) It really adds a lot of weight to role playing. If you see a bear, you run and try to escape. It's possible, if you're a rogue build of some kind, to go through an entire dungeon without ever killing someone, or to kill without being detected if that's your preference. Warriors in that case would have to attack, but that's in-character as well, I guess.

 

I generally walk around and admire the scenery, and flee if something big attacks me, like a sabrecat or a dragon. Wolves I can usually hear from some distance off and avoid them. It's surprising how many quests and dungeons can be traversed, and how many quests can be cleared without ever needing to resort to combat.

 

This was inspired by thoughts of fantasy books. Generally, in a good fantasy book people don't kill 5 groups of wolves and fight yet another group of bandits every 1.5 minutes on their way to a town. I also mute the music, because that makes it more immersive (Did you know heavy armor makes a high-quality clinking noise when you walk? Or that walking through grass patches sounds different than walking on bare dirt? I didn't until I muted the music.), and it makes it possible to hear voices, footsteps, and other noises before I walk right into a battle.

 

Also, a real journal has replaced my quest log, and only things that I actually find out without looking at a quest log go in there.

 

I have been trying to integrate a, "No Kill" challenge to Skyrim like I did for Fallout 3. FO3 I got it to work because kills made by your companion don't count with you but strangely enough Skyrim does. I suppose if you want to try your hand at a pacifistic character you're best bet is to try and level your sneak as quickly as possible with it max perked in order to become undetectable. a full maxed and perked Illusion to. Problem is trying to do the main quest has you take out a fair amount of creatures/people so its hard to say how playing a pacifist would work. Fallout 3 it was pretty optional if you knew what you're doing. Skyrim killing is sadly rammed down your throat at times. :wallbash:

[thesapien]

I like that idea, to an extent. I think it's a nice way to play, like it's real. I wouldn't go after a bear in real life just because it's making warning noises. I'm just not one to go killing every animal I see when I'm the one trespassing. I'm also empathetic to bandits who might just had a rough life start. Granted, any of them come after me just for walking by is another story. When playing this type of character, I still do "respond" to finding a trashed campsite with a note or journal showing signs of an attack and dragged away bodies. I will investigate cases like those and do what needs to be done. It's a thankless job being a little crime fighter in Skyrim.

 

I only kill those who are trying to kill me and won't back down. If they yield, I walk away, unless I know for sure they just killed so and so and will kill again.

 

Oh, except like in the case where I'm weeding out creatures that just killed or dragged off people, like with Falmer. The Falmer are some of my worst common enemies. And spiders are killed on site because they seem to eat everyone they see.

[TaranTatsuuchi]

Illusion - Calm spells.

Restoration - Defense, and perk to affect undead better with illusion.

Pickpocket - Need an item someone's carrying for a quest?

Sneak - To try and get by without being noticed.

Crafting - Who says you can't still have good defenses? ;)

 

 

Haven't tried a pacifist myself, not really all that interested i don't think... But I think these skills would be the most useful for it.

 

Apart from 'kill this guy' quests I'm not sure what else you wouldn't be able to accomplish.

[thesapien]

I just want to report back on my frustration with trying this. Oh, how frustrating. Can you tell I'm a bit worked up? It's hard because when I try to RP like I don't already know those people ahead are going to kill me if I say hello, then I'm making combat kind of not fun. I start to hate combat because it always seems to start with me in a horrible position. Instead, I could've planned the whole thing after surveying the area, maybe getting to use stealth and a bow. Oh, I miss my bow!

 

I'm either going to use the console add faction for bandits, at least, or just make up a story about a zombie like infection going around making these people called "bandits" suicdial/homicidal maniacs that need to be put down. Those people need to be killed. All of them. With my bow if they are awake and with my blade if sleeping. Skyrim will be a better place.

 

Wolves, too. They all have rabies, need to be put down.

[marharth]

I wish Beth made the game so this could be a realistic option. Of course they decided to appeal to action fans and people who like things such as Call of Duty instead of RPG fans.

[marharth]

Double post by accident, forum f***ed up p.p Edited January 31, 2012 by marharth

[thesapien]

I wish Beth made the game so this could be a realistic option. Of course they decided to appeal to action fans and people who like things such as Call of Duty instead of RPG fans.

 

I was thinking it, but you said it.

[tzeentch4740]

I also turned the music off, while I like the music, it masks all of the environmental sounds I use to sneak around.

I want to know about a fight before I walk into it.

I want to hear the bear before it sees me.

Wolves are just loud and could probably make it through the music.

Bandits make a lot of noise if you have the music off.

You end up listening to a LOT of wind though as you wander about.

[Dukkah]

I wish Beth made the game so this could be a realistic option. Of course they decided to appeal to action fans and people who like things such as Call of Duty instead of RPG fans.

 

Very true.

 

This is a good idea though. The other problem is that many dialogue options lead directly to or imply combat, with no middle ground (Thalmor anyone?), which makes it hard to escape in an RPG situation, short of cutting the conversation short when you see that sort of thing coming, which doesn't stack well in an RP situation either.