Skyrim

this is my first post on this site !!
I have been playing skyrim non stop ever since launch day on and off,

Welcome to the forum.  So you've been playing non stop, on and off?  That's pretty difficult to do, You must get very confused 

Welcome to the forum.  So you've been playing non stop, on and off?  That's pretty difficult to do, You must get very confused 

i am very confused. Trouble i have a short attention span that only lasts a couple of hours !!

Im Lvl 42 now and have not touched the main campaign yet.

Im Lvl 42 now and have not touched the main campaign yet.

You will piss all over it. I breezed through it at level 26, you might as well play with your elbows.

You will piss all over it. I breezed through it at level 26, you might as well play with your elbows.

Finished the campaign. Plain easy. Could've done it with my eyes closed. At start of the Campaign my level was 42, now its only 45 and I thought I would be well over 50 at the end. Now Ive joined companions.Few Achievements left before I close out this epic game.

Now Ive joined companions.

That's not a bad questline, plus it's where I met my wife Aela the Huntress 

That's not a bad questline, plus it's where I met my wife Aela the Huntress 

I'm Married to lovely Camilla. 

Skyrim is done for me until the DLC comes. Got the 1000GS.

Skyrim is done for me until the DLC comes. Got the 1000GS

  You're a machine!

I married some random chick, but I'm very much up for leaving her for Aela, I'd do her, as in, real life me with the animated Aela, what a babe

You're a machine!

I found Skyrim Achievements pretty easy. They are bit long but easy.

I found Skyrim Achievements pretty easy. They are bit long but easy.

To be honest, even at level 26 I don't really struggle with anything on there now but as you say, it's more a matter of time, it takes a while to do some quests and I don't sit there for that long.

Went back to this last night for the first time in weeks. As long as I take these little breaks now and then, I don't see how I could get bored of this game! Time has no meaning when you start playing it, haha.

Just doing the Thieves Guild quest line. Without giving much away, that Mercer Frey's a hard b***ard isn't he?! I've just done the part where you hunt down Karliah and again, I won't give anything away about how that ends but he fights with a sword in one hand and a dagger in the other and slices Drauger Wights to pieces no problem. As I've said before, I'm a Mage of Breton race but I think I might enchant a sword and dagger combo at some point and brush up on my two-handed combat 

OK, so finished Oblivion and managed to borrow this from my brother in law.

Only managed to play a couple of hours so far, but it's totally awesome!

Was afraid to be disappointed after Oblivion. I know the graphics are obviously much better, but the sheer epicness of Oblivion, and the fantastic plot and characters made it very hard to follow.

So far I'm really impressed, I like the way you can combine weapons and magic in your two hands, and whilst I haven't levelled much yet, the system looks very interesting. (Geek alert, but does it remind anyone else of the Sphere Grid in Final Fantasy X, even FFXIII a bit?).

Anyway, between beheadings and dragon attacks, as well as my first dungeon filled with giant spiders and zombie things, I love it!

Also love the slow-mo kills yet get sometimes, bit like in Fable III if anyone liked that.

But enough comparisons, can't wait to move through this game, at my typically snail's pace!

I noticed you were on it. I have no doubt at all that you'll get hooked.

Also love the slow-mo kills yet get sometimes, bit like in Fable III if anyone liked that.

Those sort of effects seem to happen more and more as you become more powerful.

I did as I said and started using a dagger and sword combo. I have a Nightingale blade in one hand, which already carries an enchantment and a Dwarven dagger in my left hand which I've enchanted with fire damage. This obviously leaves me a bit open to blows from heavy weapons so I have to dodge a lot but pulling both triggers at once unleashes a ferocious combo where I spin with both weapons out, low or medium level enemies die instantly, it's insane!
I think I need to work on some armor though. I wear the Arch Mage's robes because they boost almost every aspect of my magic but if I'm going to mess about with blades, I need more physical protection.

I noticed you were on it. I have no doubt at all that you'll get hooked.

Those sort of effects seem to happen more and more as you become more powerful.

I did as I said and started using a dagger and sword combo. I have a Nightingale blade in one hand, which already carries an enchantment and a Dwarven dagger in my left hand which I've enchanted with fire damage. This obviously leaves me a bit open to blows from heavy weapons so I have to dodge a lot but pulling both triggers at once unleashes a ferocious combo where I spin with both weapons out, low or medium level enemies die instantly, it's insane!
I think I need to work on some armor though. I wear the Arch Mage's robes because they boost almost every aspect of my magic but if I'm going to mess about with blades, I need more physical protection.

Interesting to read some different approaches to combat.

I'm wondering if I'm making the right choices when levelling, any advice would be appreciated.

First off, I'm going for an even spread between magic, health and stamina, as I want quite a rounded character, who is adept in both magic and physical combat.

But I'm struggling to make the choice of "Perks", as there are many to choose from, and the decision does seem pretty crucial, as it's not often you get to add them.

Any advice on which would be the most advantageous early in the game? Again, so far, I've gone for a range of different abilities, such as the magic using less points, and one/two handed weapons causing a little more damage. Have also gone for for some more general stuff such as better sneaking skills.

Just worried really to spread myself too thin and not be strong enough at some point and end up struggling.

Have almost finished the Companion's questline, though, but did have a hard time defeating a dungeon of witches (and cutting off their heads! ). In the end, found a strategy of getting in close as they were killing me in three hits for distance, and Healing constantly whilst chopping away at them like mad.

Desperation, or acceptable tactics? 

I'm not sure which perks are the best to pick but as the vast majority of quests involve killing things on your journey, I'd say it's best to focus on combat perks and/or destruction magic (which I chose, being a mage). As for them being few and far between, bear in mind that you can increase you skill levels by paying NPCs for training, though it will only let you increase them a certain amount between level ups.

I'm not sure which perks are the best to pick but as the vast majority of quests involve killing things on your journey, I'd say it's best to focus on combat perks and/or destruction magic (which I chose, being a mage). As for them being few and far between, bear in mind that you can increase you skill levels by paying NPCs for training, though it will only let you increase them a certain amount between level ups.

Fair enough, think I'll concentrate more on that for the time being then.

Think my one-handed skills (oo-er!) and destruction magic are far ahead of the rest and I was a bit worried about having a better balance, but I suppose it doesn't really matter.

I don't like two-handed weapons really, though, might drop that for a while. Too slow, and can't heal or use magic whilst in combat without switching through the menus.

Just don't try and spread yourself too thin, have an idea of maybe 5-6 core skills you want to improve and use the most. I usually play sneaky ranger type characters who specialise in Sneak, One Hand, Archery, Light Armour, and then have a couple of magic schools semi-trained as backup. The combination of Sneak and Archery is excellent once leveled up, as you can eventually sneak attack someone for 5x damage, and with an enchancted bow/arrows you'll kill most things with one arrow. If you already have a strong melee skillset but not such a strong defence you might want to consider Conjuration, as it allows you to summon creatures that can take the heat off you in a battle.

A note about skill points for the 'perks' is that it may be of more use to you to save a few when you level up and not spend them immediately, as the more you play the more your actual skills level up, and as the perks have skill level requirements (eg. Sneak attack 5x for Archery requires 40 Archery skill minimum), this can be useful in allowing you to focus in on what you want and unlock the perks for it more quickly. If you spend the points as soon as you get them you might find you've spread yourself too thin and can't unlock the highest perks in the tree.

Just don't try and spread yourself too thin, have an idea of maybe 5-6 core skills you want to improve and use the most. I usually play sneaky ranger type characters who specialise in Sneak, One Hand, Archery, Light Armour, and then have a couple of magic schools semi-trained as backup. The combination of Sneak and Archery is excellent once leveled up, as you can eventually sneak attack someone for 5x damage, and with an enchancted bow/arrows you'll kill most things with one arrow. If you already have a strong melee skillset but not such a strong defence you might want to consider Conjuration, as it allows you to summon creatures that can take the heat off you in a battle.

A note about skill points for the 'perks' is that it may be of more use to you to save a few when you level up and not spend them immediately, as the more you play the more your actual skills level up, and as the perks have skill level requirements (eg. Sneak attack 5x for Archery requires 40 Archery skill minimum), this can be useful in allowing you to focus in on what you want and unlock the perks for it more quickly. If you spend the points as soon as you get them you might find you've spread yourself too thin and can't unlock the highest perks in the tree.

Thanks, mate, very helpful that!

No worries bud. I'm not even playing this at the moment, even though I want to. Just waiting for the player made mod resources to be sorted out  as after the latest update they had a few issues. Once the bugs are squished I can't wait to get back in and continue on from the many many hours I've spent in Skyrim already. If you're on PC definitely check out the modding forums at http://forums.bethsoft.com/forum/183-skyrim-mods/

Think my one-handed skills (oo-er!) and destruction magic are far ahead of the rest and I was a bit worried about having a better balance, but I suppose it doesn't really matter.

One thing I've found increasingly useful over the last few days are runes. Maybe it's just me but I'd completely ignored them upto now but they can be quite handy, especially if you unlock the perk to throw them 5x further away. For example, I was up against some Nightingale Spirits in tight corridors last night and they're quite tough with good archery skills from distance. After hitting one a few times, I backed off round a corner and threw a fire rune at the wall. When she came after me, she got close to the rune and it exploded, taking some of her health but also stunning her for a few seconds so I could attack. They can also be used as a medium range weapon if the enemy is standing near to a wall. Just hit the wall next to them and it will explode instantly.

So, been slowly giving the archery a go.

I was hesitant, as I found it quite awkward initially in Oblivion, and so didn't persist. But I have found it quite useful so far in Skyrim, for the moment to whittle away at tougher enemies before to get in close and finish them off with One-handed swordwork.

I can certainly see the benefits, and I think I'll keep at it, without getting too obsessed at raising the skill too quickly.

One thing I've found increasingly useful over the last few days are runes. Maybe it's just me but I'd completely ignored them upto now but they can be quite handy, especially if you unlock the perk to throw them 5x further away. For example, I was up against some Nightingale Spirits in tight corridors last night and they're quite tough with good archery skills from distance. After hitting one a few times, I backed off round a corner and threw a fire rune at the wall. When she came after me, she got close to the rune and it exploded, taking some of her health but also stunning her for a few seconds so I could attack. They can also be used as a medium range weapon if the enemy is standing near to a wall. Just hit the wall next to them and it will explode instantly.

Interesting, because not long after reading that post, I wandered into a random dungeon and there was a weird drawing on the floor.

Like a plank, I wandered up to it and it exploded in my face, causing me some severe damage!

Not sure where to find them/how to acquire the skill yet, but seems like a cracking option to have!

Overall, still really enjoying this! Without wanting to harp on to much with Oblivion comparisons (but I will! ), I have found the various dungeons and enemies more challenging and diverse in Skyrim.

I've already found several foes during these early stages in the game in which I've found I've had to back off and re-think various strategies of how to kill them.

In Oblivion, I was quite quickly so strong I could just charge in and chop the mothers to pieces without too much worry. Whilst this was satisfying in a way, I think I'm going to prefer Skyrim in the long run!

The first expansion looks interesting. I'm a bit limited here at work because any sites to do with gaming are blocked but here are some details from Wikipedia:

Bethesda released a trailer for Dawnguard on June 1, 2012, revealing that the add-on would focus around the return of an ancient Vampire named Harkon. Harkon wishes to use the powers of the Elder Scrolls to blot out the Sun, allowing Vampires to overwhelm Tamriel.

Players will be given the choice of joining forces with the Vampires, or alternatively, an order of Vampire hunters known as the Dawnguard. Depending on the player character's choice, they will be granted access to two home bases, Castle Volkihar and Fort Dawnguard, respectively. New armors, perks and weapons, including a crossbow for the Dawnguard, will also be introduced. Additionally, in the case of the Vampires, a transformation into a "Vampire Lord" demon will be made available, working in a similar way to the existing Werewolf transformation. The Vampire Lord will have a new skill tree to level up, as well as a separate skill tree being implemented for Werewolves, with both levelling up individually from the regular skill trees.

New locations will be featured in Dawnguard, including the player character journeying through a rift into Oblivion. A new character will also be introduced in Riften's Ratways, allowing players to change the facial appearance of their character at will.

"Legendary" Dragons will also be present in Dawnguard, and can be slain by the player character. New Dragon Shouts will also be included, exclusive to Dawnguard.

Video (with an irritating uber-nerd doing the interview). This explains it better:

E3 2012 - Skyrim: Dawnguard Stage Interview & Walkthrough