Seeking advice for non-combat style

[freakuac]

Even I've enjoyed the game for so long, this time I'm having trouble playing a character not combat-oriented. Help!

 

 

Skill:

Athletics, Illusion, Mysticism, Mercantile, Security, Sneak, Speechcraft.

 

The only main skills actually focused on are Speechcraft, Illusion, and Mercantile.

Also considering leveling Restoration and Alchemy up a bit, maybe Light Armor as well.

 

 

I started the new character 6 or 7 months ago. My idea was to develop this one into a total non-combatant like an unarmed civilian.

She is quite charming and kindhearted, somewhat social, but also a sneaking sort when needed, can use light weapon/armor or cast casual utility spells.

All she does daily are civilian works, running around solving trivial quests, delivering letters and packages, and occasional traveling.

Progressing very slowly, she is just level 6 now. She can barely defeat an imp, needn't to say more than 2 bandits or 3 goblins at once. Trolls are even unharmable!

(PS: the main plot walkthrough won't be done again, neither will vanilla quests. Only those mods added.)

 

 

The problem is, ironically, she IS indeed a Treasure Hunter! :yucky:

 

 

Yes that is her life goal, not just merely interest, to get rich and 'powerful', for the sake of her family name and fallen nobility's pride, for the sake of her dead brother's wishes.

That means sooner or later she will inevitably need to do dungeon-crawling, beating monsters, (stealing) and even killing bad guys.

She will eventually become a decent adventurer in the end. If that would be the only path to the glory. (game mechanics limit)

 

In this case, I have no idea what better should i go defensive straight fighting, cat-sneak ambusher, or instead go Illusion/Mysticism. Personally I prefer Magic.

But, I don't want to make her a true combatant: fighter, thief, archer, battlemage...etc.. All the perks she learns must not be for fighting, but for daily living or surviving.

 

Thats said, alone she cannot even fight! Trustworthy companions might will be her only salvation.

 

 

A few ways to achieve the goal I managed to think of:

- to get good company (npc mods)

- become a powerful summoner (not very likely, explained above)

- be a support healer (but real healers are powerful, too lol)

 

 

Relative mods I've used or planned to add:

- Midas Magic (very useful, especially non-combat utility spells, but that will be mostly for later game until she becomes a credible spellcaster, just not for now)

- NPC companion system (not yet decided, but I don't need more suggestion about this)

- leveling list mods (to reduce later game's frustration for higher level and immersion)

- merchant and economic mods (will look for them later)

- roleplaying and quest mods (a lot of them)

Possibly needing to count on other specific mods I didn't mention? if i wanna keep her 'uselessness' but still able to swarm higher difficulty dungeons or to fight on par against some big villains like Mehrunes Dagon ultimately?

 

 

How can I make this kind of playstyle more enjoyable and adventurous?

Any suggestion will be very appreciated. Thanks in advance. :cool:

 

http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/images/68149-1347094819.jpg

 

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EDIT: A typo and missing image link I made for this post.

Edited September 9, 2012 by freakuac

[Tidus44]

Just a few mods that you may find useful in playing a non-combatant character - I know I did.

 

An alternative start mod - I liked http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/11495

Make every item worth while - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/35508 and http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/12859 to make things a bit easier handling them

Alternative money maker - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/39255 and http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/33191

Help with quest items - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/10956

Dealing with with finances - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/40256 or http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/3172 depending on how involved you want to be in finance

So you don't get "stuck" working on some skill/attribute you need - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/31464

Just because it makes the game "feel" better and some alternatives - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/4387 and http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/11351

So you have a "life" - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/13006 and http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/37510

Some other fun and beneficial activities - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/3852 and http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/38452 and http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/42640

To stop some of the more annoying fauna - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/19392

Because there is just no way to avoid a fight sometimes - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/28977

Because you'll need them - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/5197 and http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/31908

 

Lots and lots of free domicile mods around or if you have the inclination - use the CS to make your own. A farm helps a lot more than just a house.

 

Hope these give you some ideas and offer some fun and interesting play.

[freakuac]

Wow thanks, the mod list is extremely helpful. Kudos to you.

 

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I would also like to advertise for some mods I'm using: (not only for non-combat specifically)

 

Alternatives to death and reload - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/23862

( to reduce combat difficulty without breaking too much immersion and challenge. versatile and very customizable. )

 

Morrowind Lockpicking - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/31424

( feeling lazy? or too easy to pick a very hard lock? need a good weapon choice? )

 

Persuasion Overhaul - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/12367

( almost a must have. or if you are lazy too. but I am still looking for something more RP-ish such as http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/20807 )

 

Duke Patrick's - Actors Can Miss Now - http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/17706

( actually a combat mod. so I hate autoaimbots shooting you with insane accuracy all along. just like other mods from the same author, realistic and interesting. )

 

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Still needing:

- methods to win over any opponents against you other than combat (maybe faction related?) (someone did it before but it was not very immersive/intuitive.)

- working mechanics to make reputation between you and random people more interactive and unpredictable (not everyone likes you, even you have maximized Personality.)

- command system for non-combat activities, such as scheduled house cleaning or cooking dinner for you (to actually schedule your companions' activities in game)

- or even to deploy your own army (I meant it!) to scout and secure a region without actually needing to lead them yourself (possible?) (I bet someone did it before if my memory serves.)

Perhaps I should try modding AI my own XD

 

For conversations, I also found Oblivifall series (Let's Talk!), Diplomacy and Mercy (truce) both useful and liked, but not fully satisfied with them and willing to try something more dynamic and advanced.

By the way, I remembered there was a mod called combat persuasion but could not find it anymore, any clue?

 

 

I tried COBL too but haven't reactivated it again yet because I removed it along with OBGE, Pluggy and other potential plugins to prevent endless CTD.

The crash troubleshooting on my old computer was really killing my brain. :(