Becoming A Master Of Skyrim - 10 Things You Need To Know

[HideInLight]

Skyrim is severely broken in the mechanics department and the way difficulty scales. That's why I made my mod Nerf and Balance for Adept, it gets rid of some of the most game breaking exploits at least and it removes the x2 and x0.5 Multiplier when changing difficulty only retaining the NPC level multiplier. Game experience has been much better that way.

 

Problem I have with PISE and virtually all other balance mods is they try and balance the game around vanilla master which is a HUGE mistake. Why balance the game around that, where the damage number stated on all weapons isn't even the damage it does anymore.

 

Vanilla master is nothing more than a grind and abuse of mechanics. With the right balance the game becomes an actual challenge where you must use the right gear and abilities in order to succeed. But with retarded AI, you can only do so much.

[todd92371]

My thing to know. In the infamous words of Kenny Rogers (lol lol lol)

 

“ You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,

Know when to walk away, know when to run.

You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table,

There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.

 

Unfortunately, I spend most of my time running. Hey the scenery is nice along the way

”

[sukeban]

I find I agree with both Fortunado and Balance et al.

 

As a dedicated roleplayer, I tend to try and avoid min-maxing (did that with my first character, hated how easy it became), but I also think that certain builds are more viable than others, or at least less overtly annoying to play during combat.

 

For example, my two-handed Nord has never picked a lock in her life... and has remained tragically broke as a result. She is a master jewelery-smith for the levels, but not for upgrading her gear. She participates in no other crafts. She never even used block until after she had defeated Alduin at around level 35. In any case, she survived due to her pumping nothing but health and also her judicious use of two-handed perks, specifically those for added-effect power attacks. She used Skyforge greatsword, Wuuthrad, then Volendrung (but never recharged because she didn't want any levels in Enchanting).

 

Anyway, her experience was challenging but highly rewarding. She had 0% magic resist (save for 50% frost for being a Nord) and frequently got owned by mages/dragon priests. But then she learned to more effectively use cover and to make good use of her shouts, especially "Become Ethereal." She also had high health regen from store-bought gear (useful with "Become Ethereal"), used the anti-stagger word of meditation (Fus) from Paarthurnax, and the Steed Stone for mobility in heavy armor (first Wolf Armor, then Blades--full sets). Dragon fights were brutal, but felt thoroughly heroic. She would become ethereal whenever the dragon would use their breath and would tank them for as long as she could--before going ethereal and regen-ing--when they landed.

 

TL;DR -- Highly inefficient yet viable

 

OTOH, my stealth poison archer was haxx throughout most of the game. I never even wanted to take the final archery perk (paralyze) for fear of becoming too imba. The Skyrim AI was clearly meant to handle melee combat, but is frankly terrible at countering sneak/ranged. Both characters were great fun to play, but one was definitely more challenging than the other.

Edited March 6, 2012 by sukeban

[Tidus44]

I also think that certain builds are more viable than others, or at least less overtly annoying to play during combat.

 

Not sure if I agree with certain builds being viable or not, as any character build is viable to the person playing based upon what they want to do or achieve. Pretty much any play style is doable. It may not be overly efficient (is there a score for that?), but its not about efficiency or practicality, but about what the player wants to do and the challenges they set for themself.

 

However, I can agree the annoying part is more a factor in a character build, at least it is for me.

 

I found the combat system in Skyrim absolutely horrible and pathetic. Trying to be a smash and bash melee player (which can be a lot of fun – oh yeah, a lot of fun) was terribly boring for me. The long, long, long wind up used to transmit the signal that indicates the bad guy is about to swing their weapon gave more than enough time to step out of the way - almost had time to nap. Second, at Master difficulty level the bad guy is using a very sharp sword while you get to use a piece of rebar wrapped in marshmallows as a weapon. The combat just became annoying (and boringly repetitious) having to beat a bad guy to death with 145 blows of a piece of dull metal pipe while moving around avoiding their pathetically slow swipes with a weapon. Go forward, two/three hits on the bad guy, move left to avoid his slow motion swipe, move right, two/three more hits on the bad guy, move right (ie: wash, rinse, repeat), etc. If I wanted a dance I’d play one of those games that have a dance focus, not Skyrim.

 

The game isn’t about playing one way or another based upon someone else’s idea of how the game should be played. The developers certainly didn’t have a single play style in mind as they designed the game with a pretty wide range of abilities and capabilities so people could mix and match to play the game in the way they individually wanted to play the game and as the character type they wanted to play. And for a lot of players it isn't about playing in a certain way or style, but about the challenges you set for yourself when playing.

 

I do think the OP has some good points for a certain type of play style, but it isn’t the only way to play and it isn’t the only viable way to play or to “Master” the game in master level.

[Kane65]

This has probably been mentioned but if you really want to dominate Skryim, a Thief/Archer combo has to be the deadliest. Nothing has a chance to get close to me unless I get dropped into the middle of a Skyrim war. Even deadly dragons fall pretty quickly.

[TheBalance]

This has probably been mentioned but if you really want to dominate Skryim, a Thief/Archer combo has to be the deadliest. Nothing has a chance to get close to me unless I get dropped into the middle of a Skyrim war. Even deadly dragons fall pretty quickly.

 

Agreed. The sneak attacks can finish off almost anything quickly - and the bow gives you the MUCH needed range damage without the reliance on Magicka recharge and enchantments in order to cast spells continually in combat.

 

What perks/equipment did you go with starting off? I've found the first 10 levels or so are the hardest by far.

[RandomBurglar]

Thanks this helps me because im going to try the game on master now, i have 6 characters all of them finished with the game. I usually try to master my games on the higher difficulties when i've done everything that can be done.

[TheBalance]

Yeah man, give it a shot. If anything, you'll be a little more prepared now! ;)