Me and CUO (Cyrodiil Upgrade Overhaul)

[nosisab]

For a time I had Oblivion uninstalled. Maybe for a long time before the nostalgic feelings would force me playing it again. So I saw Giskard and the team did release that new overhaul and knowing his previous works I though I should give it a try in a otherway fresh and bare game.

 

Once concluded the tuto my Lvl1 "Antamage" (Breton, mage oriented, Thief birthsign with blade and light armor) warped to Skingrad and headed out to the mages guild seeking for the quest scroll so to start the afinity sword quest (the only other mod in the install beyond the UOPs and streamline that doesn't count as "mod" at the pretended way).

 

Soon, just at the entrance of the near mine (I think it being the abandoned mine but not sure) Numparimpeh sees a strangely armored kajiit bandit lady she wisely lures to the city guard, running as fast as possible in the most heroic fashion. Needless to say that bandit was attacked by Lady Penele and another wine farmer and a goat I don't know for sure if it was attacking her too... So the heroic Numparimpeh (Don't stands on her own feet would be a reasonable translation for the name) caught the clue to go and help things.

 

My first surprise. The bandit's combat AI seemed ways less dumb the default one. She managed to intercalate runaway and attacks but at the end Numpa gets a good and complete set of Dreugh armor. Things are going well, Numparimpeh says to herself. And again heads to Meridia's Shrine and now without incidents.

 

(Here something I must verify with care. The Afinity's quest giver Myria had no voice, Since I download my own mod from the site, so to test it as it is meant to be used by everyone I'm not sure the issue is in the mod itself or the sound files were overlapped someway by the CUO packs. But isn't a issue I want to bring here to be resolved, anyway). The quest is accepted and Numparimpeh is warped into the cage.

 

Now a safeguard save and some preparations, like hotkeying the Dragon Skin power, and everything Numparimpeh could put out at the magic attack department (that was a not so powerful freezing touch). Didn't bother in hotkey recover items, one doesn't have many chances to recover even from the capped defiled version of that sword. Three attempts and Numpa got lucky and manages to bring Eladora Down before she had chance to place a well placed blow and lo, Numparimpeh is the proud owner of a wonderful +10 luck glass gauntlet and the coveted weapon.

 

And so, filled with a whole new confidence there go our wannabe heroine boldly defying fate and the wilderness, joyously collecting the abundant flora and marveling the pretty and wonderful horses she sought at distance...

 

The attack is at sudden, I never had a chance to know what was attacking with something like a fireball as a ugly shape I think had 8 legs since it was identified as a hairy spider leaps over her, Afinity manages to win that battle, but could not avoid a very painful and quick poison death to it's overconfident and careless new owner...

 

What can I say? CUO is beyond the expected from me. Now I want to play the game again and bring Numparimpeh's dread and hate to everything that have more than 4 legs, and even if have none or whatever other number of limbs....

 

Thank you Giskard and CUO team.

 

(Please forgive any bad structured English grammar)

[giskarduk]

Hello nosisab

 

That is what I like about you mate, your always fair and helpful and CAN talk about these things in a fun way without it turning in to a major argument or life or death situation.

 

Dialog:

 

Original dialog cannot conflict with other mods dialog or original beth and CUOS dialog is brand new, but sometimes a random click with the mouse causes a line to be marked as edited even though its not in the editor, this has happened before and will happy again im sure. Its the curse of the quest maker to be honest but in this case, I should not be CUO editing it and if its another mods dialog, then it cannot possibly be CUO editing it.

 

I am not familiar with the Afinity Quest giver , you would have to provide more details so i can remember it mate I'll take a look and make sure.

 

BTW I do not mind looking in to this for you mate, your one of those helpful types that spend most of the time doing for others, so I have no problem doing that for you if you need me too.

 

SafeGuards

 

This is actually a lot of fun, you buff up your character using stuff you never normally use in the default game, you prepare potions and stuff, check the staff you found is charged and ready for action, take a deep breath and sneak in to caves so you see them before they see you and you get the chance to prepare or withdraw.

 

I used to whip out my sword and do a fantasy rambo on them, sword swing and know I would be okay, those days are gone. Plus all these rarely used spells have caused my character to level up more evenly. Its a more well rounded character than the default game produces I found.

 

Anyway, safeguards, I found a staff is your get out of a hot spot for free card, you will not get any skill points for using it, but when things get tough, a staff is your best friend. Beth Staffs are a little unballanced thought. I may reballance them in a separate DIRTY esp later.

 

You got to love those spiders, they are the best :D

 

Bandits:

 

BlackBow Bandits whilst classed as bandits in CUO terms are not the same as other Bandits, Generally speaking normal bandits are weak, and pretty average but do get tougher, where as blackbow bandits are master archers and their skills reflect that.

 

So your experiences between blackbow bandits and normal bandits will differ alot.

 

Just thought i would throw that out there so you know.

 

Other factions got the same treatment but you might want to consider marauders as the "Elite Bandits", not really Elite but just better, richer and with more effective fighting styles.

 

Better loot too.

 

Nice write up.

I would like to know what other methods players use to stay alive at lower levels, i found it a lot of fun but as you get to higher levels, whilst i remains dangerous, you do tend to become more of a normal rambo type, you being the elite sword master and them attacking in greater numbers.

 

I think that is correct but i do miss the creeping through the caves scenario promoted by CUO at levels lower than 20. Still the game develops and changes the style of play as you go up the levels now which is very nice i think.

 

Btw I do play this game and enjoy my own mods, so i can talk about this as a player without entering mod maker mode. This is player + mod maker posting this. So you get my mod maker chat and my thoughts as a player.

 

Question is deadly reflexes a more thiefy style mod and if it is, has anybody combined with TIE and CUO together ?

 

What where the results ?

This is a question thats been on my mind for a while because it struck me that, that combination would be good for stealthy games if DR is designed more along thieve/assassin lines.

 

Giskard

[Guest]

well, i just started a new game with cuo, and had to make sneak and marksmen major skills for my mage player, something i never did before. I also must recruit fighter guild guards through companion share and recruit, otherwise I cannot win a battle alone yet. (i've tried and miserably failed).

 

I do not play with DR, but i do play with tie4mods and duke patricks mods, whcih makes combat even harder (probably why i can't win a fight). Specifically, duke patricks, arrows and magic alert npcs, dead body alerts npcs (something like that name), sca melee combat (couple hits and you are dead), combat geomatry (keep enemies in front, otherwise extra damge to side and rear shots), npcs bob and weave (they will avoid arrows, magic and melee swings by dodging), smash of titans (large, strong creatues will throw you around like a ragdoll), combat archery (arrows are much more deadly), and combat magic (magic users have a force shield that protects them except when they attack, must time shots). In other words, best to kill enemies before they see you!! so sneaking is a must.

 

I load all of cuo after these mods, so cuo combat changes will take precedence, but with unleveld npcs and creatures with the combat mods, it is almost impossible without a companion or five. It is frustrating but fun at the same time.

 

ps i hate spiders!!!!!! you cant see them in the long grass until you are dying from poison. argh!

[nosisab]

Hello nosisab

 

That is what I like about you mate, your always fair and helpful and CAN talk about these things in a fun way without it turning in to a major argument or life or death situation.

 

Dialog:

 

Original dialog cannot conflict with other mods dialog or original beth and CUOS dialog is brand new, but sometimes a random click with the mouse causes a line to be marked as edited even though its not in the editor, this has happened before and will happy again im sure. Its the curse of the quest maker to be honest but in this case, I should not be CUO editing it and if its another mods dialog, then it cannot possibly be CUO editing it.

 

I am not familiar with the Afinity Quest giver , you would have to provide more details so i can remember it mate I'll take a look and make sure.

 

BTW I do not mind looking in to this for you mate, your one of those helpful types that spend most of the time doing for others, so I have no problem doing that for you if you need me too.

 

SafeGuards

 

This is actually a lot of fun, you buff up your character using stuff you never normally use in the default game, you prepare potions and stuff, check the staff you found is charged and ready for action, take a deep breath and sneak in to caves so you see them before they see you and you get the chance to prepare or withdraw.

 

I used to whip out my sword and do a fantasy rambo on them, sword swing and know I would be okay, those days are gone. Plus all these rarely used spells have caused my character to level up more evenly. Its a more well rounded character than the default game produces I found.

 

Anyway, safeguards, I found a staff is your get out of a hot spot for free card, you will not get any skill points for using it, but when things get tough, a staff is your best friend. Beth Staffs are a little unballanced thought. I may reballance them in a separate DIRTY esp later.

 

You got to love those spiders, they are the best :D

 

Bandits:

 

BlackBow Bandits whilst classed as bandits in CUO terms are not the same as other Bandits, Generally speaking normal bandits are weak, and pretty average but do get tougher, where as blackbow bandits are master archers and their skills reflect that.

 

So your experiences between blackbow bandits and normal bandits will differ alot.

 

Just thought i would throw that out there so you know.

 

Other factions got the same treatment but you might want to consider marauders as the "Elite Bandits", not really Elite but just better, richer and with more effective fighting styles.

 

Better loot too.

 

Nice write up.

I would like to know what other methods players use to stay alive at lower levels, i found it a lot of fun but as you get to higher levels, whilst i remains dangerous, you do tend to become more of a normal rambo type, you being the elite sword master and them attacking in greater numbers.

 

I think that is correct but i do miss the creeping through the caves scenario promoted by CUO at levels lower than 20. Still the game develops and changes the style of play as you go up the levels now which is very nice i think.

 

Btw I do play this game and enjoy my own mods, so i can talk about this as a player without entering mod maker mode. This is player + mod maker posting this. So you get my mod maker chat and my thoughts as a player.

 

Question is deadly reflexes a more thiefy style mod and if it is, has anybody combined with TIE and CUO together ?

 

What where the results ?

This is a question thats been on my mind for a while because it struck me that, that combination would be good for stealthy games if DR is designed more along thieve/assassin lines.

 

Giskard

 

Hi Giskard

 

About the voice issue I don't think CUO is responsible too, since that quest giver is a whole independent NPC that is enabled and wanders Meridia's Shrine after the player reads one of the scrolls at the Skingrad Mages or Fighters guild and vanishes as soon the quest is completed. My real concern is that mod being for such a time into the 'market' and no one complaint about it. Maybe the user just assumed it being not voiced at all. As curiosity, the voice is an artificial one using a free sample of the Crystal set from AT&T (not this would have any meaning about the issue itself). Now I just have to reinstall CS and go to homework, you already gave me a good start point.

 

I'm sure I'm going to love CUO, it returns the danger's feeling somewhat lost even with major mods as OOO and MMM (and Afinity sword itself having a relevant role at reducing this danger feeling). Sorry if it seems the shameless auto-promotion it is actually is but I like to tell about the concept behind that weapon. It was designed with major overhauls in mind. It isn't a all might piece of junk able to deliver an absurd amount of physical damage backed up by all sort of destruction effects. Indeed it adapts to the player's level and some stats, so it is a bit different used by a fighter, a thief or a mage. It's raw physical damage power is around that of a good Akaviri katana, but is in this magic power it shines, although not a very powerful blow it's a blow that goes directly at the foe's health so it's user have a chance to overcome even those pesk gargoyles that can do short work of a bunch of ogres thanks their high physical and magical defenses. Mainly because the weapon critical throws the enemy a bit giving some space to breath or less often even being a one blow death. In the end the player is meant to feel he/she have a very powerful weapon, the best to his level and will keep so don't matter what level is that and never so powerful one can disregard caution. Aside, the weapon don't rely in effects that may backfires badly when reflected :)

 

DR have few things in common with sneak play, it is a good mod that brings a new level to the fighting difficulties (or maybe the inverse) and will attend more the Street fighters fan and even the gore lust one can display, if set up to so. And it is another factor that playing again with a bare setup will help me judge CUO and Afinity, since the former tests were made mainly in the gaming environment, with hundreds of mods (albeit the making up of the mod was at a clean environment meant to development). The presence of so many mods could mislead the final results.

 

Since the reinstall the playing is yet a short time, the character didn't even leveled once. It's even surprising so many surprises in that short period. And for a bit more this setup will be kept and soon I'll include new mods, in a pondered way. First yours own mod since they are meant to integrate, of course. The most important thing is try and avoid introducing too soon the mods that will change deep the game mechanics. I think this will help to feel the impact each one these wonderful works from the community gives to this already wonderful game and yet have alot of fun in the process.

 

Sheers

 

Nosisab Ken Keleh

 

PS: Numparimpeh being mainly a mage, sort of a battlemage only by having blade and light armor in detriment of two mage's main skills and the Thief for birthsign; one can think with reason this setup is going to be a weak one mainly at low levels. The reason for such choices becomes more clear once one understands the way afinity works. The bonus on speed, agility and luck will reflect in the nimbleness and critical hit chances. Afinity will swing like a dagger under high agility (this is valid even with the temporary effect like those given by spells or potions). Acrobatics increases slightly the reach, and the natural magic affinities will play a role in the magical damage as well. But luck becomes a very important attribute with the weapon, indeed the most important one. It's highly advised increasing it before a tough battle one think is going to dogfight. Strength affects the weapon's raw physical power, but strength is something Numparimpeh lacks badly.

 

Obviously Numparimpeh will resort to blades only when this comes to be unavoidable, but when so afinity may be the difference between a richer character or a dead one. This setup already tested with success under other conditions will bring a very powerful character at levels near 10 and something progressively godlike at 20 and beyond ... if he/she survives his/her beginnings.

 

PS2: Because engine limitations changes at the weapon's reach and speed requires it being re-equipped, all others statistics are applied immediately and in a transparent way.

 

Another interesting fact about afinity is it is a good weapon to use at the Arena, since it will refuse to deliver it's full power (mainly the one blow death) at non evil NPCs and so will not slay foe and fun altogether. If one wants a overpower weapon above a powerful one he is advised to seek another weapon. Assassins, keep distance of it, even because an infamy blessed character will be summarily shun by Myrian and will not be able to do the quest.

 

CUO is showing as being a real challenge, one I'll need to think more with the head than the sword tip, mainly when this sword may give me a unhealthy overconfidence.

[nosisab]

well, i just started a new game with cuo, and had to make sneak and marksmen major skills for my mage player, something i never did before. I also must recruit fighter guild guards through companion share and recruit, otherwise I cannot win a battle alone yet. (i've tried and miserably failed).

 

I do not play with DR, but i do play with tie4mods and duke patricks mods, whcih makes combat even harder (probably why i can't win a fight). Specifically, duke patricks, arrows and magic alert npcs, dead body alerts npcs (something like that name), sca melee combat (couple hits and you are dead), combat geomatry (keep enemies in front, otherwise extra damge to side and rear shots), npcs bob and weave (they will avoid arrows, magic and melee swings by dodging), smash of titans (large, strong creatues will throw you around like a ragdoll), combat archery (arrows are much more deadly), and combat magic (magic users have a force shield that protects them except when they attack, must time shots). In other words, best to kill enemies before they see you!! so sneaking is a must.

 

I load all of cuo after these mods, so cuo combat changes will take precedence, but with unleveld npcs and creatures with the combat mods, it is almost impossible without a companion or five. It is frustrating but fun at the same time.

 

ps i hate spiders!!!!!! you cant see them in the long grass until you are dying from poison. argh!

Yes, I'm coming to hate them too, and love them if this can be understood :)

 

The way this overhaul was designed will force a whole new way to play... those trampling fighters will have a bad time ahead, it seems.

[giskarduk]

Hello :)

 

I love those spiders, not see such great spiders for the game anywhere until i saw them. I cast my first 10 vote for those spiders :D

 

Btw if your interest, here is my test settings for CUO.

 

Difficulty set to 40%:

I consider that a reasonable mid way difficulty level for my own game.

 

I started a new game with a normal battlemage and have promoted his restoration and destruction, as well blade and blunt skills over most over skills. But most other skills kept up with those to a degree because of CUO.

 

I actually finished the kvatch quests using CUO at level 1 with my battlemage. I was doing okay right up until i came toe to toe with a hero (level 50) whilst i was level 1, at which point I decided to improve my athletics stat and ran for it :D

 

If anybody wants a tip, especially you fighters.

 

Remember in morrowind you got soul gems from some undead creatures as loot ? Well CUO removes the ability to soul trap undead creatures but replaced it with a 30% chance that you will find a soul bounded to a soul gem on them instead.

 

The soul gem replaces the soul you would normally trap and is filled already.

 

That means fighters can collect them and keep their weapons charged. This makes undead caves and stuff handy places to go for resupply :)

 

Its a risk of course, 30% chance of finding one is still 70% chance that you will not. And the undead come with the greatest variety of unlevelled creatures too.

 

We spent a fair while balancing that correctly, originally they all dropped soul gems and i just could not use them fast enough but now they drop at just about the right rate.

 

Giskard

[nosisab]

Hello :)

 

I love those spiders, not see such great spiders for the game anywhere until i saw them. I cast my first 10 vote for those spiders :D

 

Btw if your interest, here is my test settings for CUO.

 

Difficulty set to 40%:

I consider that a reasonable mid way difficulty level for my own game.

 

I started a new game with a normal battlemage and have promoted his restoration and destruction, as well blade and blunt skills over most over skills. But most other skills kept up with those to a degree because of CUO.

 

I actually finished the kvatch quests using CUO at level 1 with my battlemage. I was doing okay right up until i came toe to toe with a hero (level 50) whilst i was level 1, at which point I decided to improve my athletics stat and ran for it :D

 

If anybody wants a tip, especially you fighters.

 

Remember in morrowind you got soul gems from some undead creatures as loot ? Well CUO removes the ability to soul trap undead creatures but replaced it with a 30% chance that you will find a soul bounded to a soul gem on them instead.

 

The soul gem replaces the soul you would normally trap and is filled already.

 

That means fighters can collect them and keep their weapons charged. This makes undead caves and stuff handy places to go for resupply :)

 

Its a risk of course, 30% chance of finding one is still 70% chance that you will not. And the undead come with the greatest variety of unlevelled creatures too.

 

We spent a fair while balancing that correctly, originally they all dropped soul gems and i just could not use them fast enough but now they drop at just about the right rate.

 

Giskard

Sorry Giskard for even mentioning CUO at my voice issue. Indeed that was the n00best thing I just forgot to include the sound and lipsynch files into the directory from what distributed the mod. Having them on my /data structure mislead me at believing I did. Worse, uninstalling Oblivion and deleting that folder I lost them all. Now I need to reinstall CS v1.1 just to do the lipsynch again.

 

Since no one ever complained the missing voices the issue did pass unperceived to me. Maybe the better is just keeping things like they are now, will depend on my humor.