Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

[Monkeyboy]

Okay, I'm getting fed up of my housecarl in my home in Solitude. Every time I enter by the living room door up the little flight of steps, she turns from where she's sitting, and says, "You lost?"

No, I'm not lost! It's my bloody house, for fucks sake!

[Garibaldi]

A lot of the repetitive NPC chatter is amusing, not in an intended way of course, but it really does start to drive you mental with your companions. Hear Mjoll's story about encountering a cutpurse on the road for the 10,000th time and you'll be desperately hitting her with a sword to try and cut it short.

[Mr.Crowley]

Okay, I'm getting fed up of my housecarl in my home in Solitude. Every time I enter by the living room door up the little flight of steps, she turns from where she's sitting, and says, "You lost?"

No, I'm not lost! It's my bloody house, for fucks sake!

Maybe it's time you corrected her.

[Mr.Jeff]

So! Where can I get boost how much magicka I have potions?!

Could you not just get some armor/accessories that lower the cost of whatever school of spells fear belongs to?

[Judgement]

Okay, I'm getting fed up of my housecarl in my home in Solitude. Every time I enter by the living room door up the little flight of steps, she turns from where she's sitting, and says, "You lost?"

No, I'm not lost! It's my bloody house, for fucks sake!

She keeps telling me not to start any trouble. Then the two face bitch ask me if I need any help friend.

IT'S MY HOUSE WOMEN!

[DC]

Why the fuck do I feel like I am walking through treacle in this now? I'm not overencumbered or under any curse. It's very annoying.

[Wroth]

Have you been remembering to jump everywhere?

[Jamin]

The dialogue is indeed simultaneously hysterical and headshake-worthy, it's perhaps the one aspect that hasn't changed that much from Oblivion.

If I had a septim for every guard who

a) claim an unfortunate leg-based arrow incident stopped them being a full-time adventurer, and

b) deduce from my confident stride and general tough demeanor that a sweetroll thief has somehow bettered me

...I'd be an (even more) rich man.

[deerokus]

Don't forget the one complimenting your tactical decision to use light armour.

Oh, and I had a bug where I was walking at 'encumbered' speed for no reason. I simply reloaded the game to get rid of it.

[DC]

Have you been remembering to jump everywhere?

Is this a joke?

[Raane]

Don't forget the one complimenting your tactical decision to use light armour.

Oh, and I had a bug where I was walking at 'encumbered' speed for no reason. I simply reloaded the game to get rid of it.

I had a similar experience. I just turned auto-run back on.

[robdood]

Is this a joke?

Yes. Are you playing on PC? You haven't toggled walk by accident have you? (Caps lock)

[SqueakyG]

Hear Mjoll's story about encountering a cutpurse on the road for the 10,000th time and you'll be desperately hitting her with a sword to try and cut it short.

I'm about ready to fus-ro-dah that bitch off the top of a mountain. It's not just that I've heard her stories a thousand times. It's that she tells them again while quest-givers in the main storyline are telling me important shit.

"That's okay, Max von Sydow. Don't bother explaining the nature of the universe and my important role in it... Mjoll is telling us her cutpurse-nearly-soiled-his-armour story again."

So why don't I let her go? Well, I'm so used to having a companion, but Lydia's deaths traumatised me, plus I read on the interwebs that Lydia is levelled to the level you were at when you first met her, which is early in the game, so statistically she's even more likely to get killed as time goes on. Whereas the interwebs tell me that Mjoll is flagged as a character who cannot die, therefore I will never see her die and I can cheat the grieving process.

[Garibaldi]

Here's a thought: How about not taking those morons with you? You don't actually need them, and they're nothing more than a hindrance, especially if you play a sneaky character.

I've played 160+ hours, and only had Lydia with me for about 40 mins.

They're just too handy as meat shields. I play a sneaky, very proficient archer who can often kill someone with a backstab but if a group descends on me then I'm doomed. All that results is a load of tedious, benny-hill style running back through the dungeon and trying to move them onto pressure plates to trigger a trap. Same goes for 'fire an arrow, stealth hit does x4 damage, hide until they give up searching, rinse and repeat'. Going solo does sound pretty exciting though, maybe I just need to become more inventive with my crowd control.

[DC]

Yes. Are you playing on PC? You haven't toggled walk by accident have you? (Caps lock)

360. It's intermittent and really fucking annoying but the games is SO COMPULSIVE.

[deerokus]

If going through a dungeon I'll usually bring a companion as large groups can easily murder my sneaky archer mage. Currently using Vorstag, a big Conan the Barbarian-esque merc who doesn't say much at all, which is perfect.

[robdood]

They're just too handy as meat shields. I play a sneaky, very proficient archer who can often kill someone with a backstab but if a group descends on me then I'm doomed. All that results is a load of tedious, benny-hill style running back through the dungeon and trying to move them onto pressure plates to trigger a trap. Same goes for 'fire an arrow, stealth hit does x4 damage, hide until they give up searching, rinse and repeat'. Going solo does sound pretty exciting though, maybe I just need to become more inventive with my crowd control.

You don't have to hide until they stop searching - stealth attacks still work while someone's looking for you!! Sheesh. Also, you're using arrows to lure/split groups right?

I'm firmly in the camp of thinking that partners are lame and spoil the ride. I did have Lydia in tow for a good few hours though, and felt bad when she died. But I couldn't have someone with me now, messing up my sneakiness! I do most 'boss fights' without even being seen; the top level stealth perk is insanely overpowered

I also thought I'd miss having them as a packhorse, however I've literally never been overburdened in this.. Well, save for the times when I'm smithing in Whiterun and purposefully overload myself with items.. I guess I still had the most efficient looting mentality engrained (i.e. weight to price ratio, don't bother picking up anything which weighs more than 5) since playing Oblivion.

...

Had a nice little session last night, actually. Wanted to just do a 'quick' dungeon, and for once got my wish! Wolfskull cavern was very enjoyable and only 20 mins long Though on reflection I may be finding the dungeons shorter as I no longer have to creep around them all since I'm a FUCKING SHADOW WARRIOR WHO CAN TURN INVISIBLE AT WILL.

[Puck]

Had a nice little session last night, actually. Wanted to just do a 'quick' dungeon, and for once got my wish! Wolfskull cavern was very enjoyable and only 20 mins long Though on reflection I may be finding the dungeons shorter as I no longer have to creep around them all since I'm a FUCKING SHADOW WARRIOR WHO CAN TURN INVISIBLE AT WILL.

How does the top stealth perk work in practice? I've had 100 sneak for yonks and, like you, don't bother with sidekicks as they just put a downer on my super sneak vibe. I haven't taken the top three sneak perks though as I have no problem killing rooms full of enemies before they even know I'm there with my current sneak level and perks and maxed out archery.

I think the base damage of my custom legendary glass bow of flaming death is 167. Combined with ebony arrows and my x3 stealth attack bonus trolls go down in one shot and even giants and mammoths take no more than two.

After my next enchantment perk, (which will be the double enchantment one), I'll be struggling to select perks that naturally fit my character.

[Sng]

I think I'm starting to tire of it a bit I must have about 15 missions going, along with 15 side missions, but can't get excited about any of them.

Any recommendations on things to do/places to go that I might not have already? To be honest I've not been to many places except Whiterun/Solitude/Riften/Winterhold and done a bit with Greybeards/Imperials. I think if I start exploring more I'll get even more bogged down with quests that don't really interest me.

[drkbfhmmr]

Having a warrior-type with me in dungeons completely messed up my stealth attempts. It was a sad day when he died because he was one of the only khajiit I'd met, but it made the dungeons/caves more fun again. I like to succesfully sneak up on enemies and stab them in their backs, or (as dood suggests) lure them away with an arrow.

What I have found a follower to be useful for, so far, is when you're riding around in the wilderness it can get a bit annoying if you have to get off the horse for every encounter with a pack of wolves etc. The follower can take care of those.

[Stagger Lee]

I think I'm starting to tire of it a bit I must have about 15 missions going, along with 15 side missions, but can't get excited about any of them.

Any recommendations on things to do/places to go that I might not have already? To be honest I've not been to many places except Whiterun/Solitude/Riften/Winterhold and done a bit with Greybeards/Imperials. I think if I start exploring more I'll get even more bogged down with quests that don't really interest me.

I was in a similar position recently, just a little bored with every thing and rapidly losing interest in the whole game. I started on the theives guild missons and that forced me to change my style of play from a Warrior style to a Thief style. It totally re-sparked my interest.

[Stolly]

Here's a thought: How about not taking those morons with you? You don't actually need them, and they're nothing more than a hindrance, especially if you play a sneaky character.

I've played 160+ hours, and only had Lydia with me for about 40 mins.

Haha. I've been dragging Lydia round with me, not so much for support in fighting where she mainly gets in the way, but as a mobile storage unit for surplus stuff. Mind you I lost her last night (I parked her on a mountainside while I got on with some important sneaking) and it took me fricking ages to find her again. And that got me worried about losing her stuff so I've now parked her (permanently maybe) at my storage camp of choice Redoran's Retreat. Touch wood that place won't get re-banditised as up till now I haven't been bothered with buying a house and there, coupled with Drela's Cottage, really come in handy.

[Sng]

I was in a similar position recently, just a little bored with every thing and rapidly losing interest in the whole game. I started on the theives guild missons and that forced me to change my style of play from a Warrior style to a Thief style. It totally re-sparked my interest.

Yeah I was tempted with either that or the magic route. I guess that's the next step! But I just got my dragon armour

Have you done the drinking contest yet?

Nope, where's that?

[Stagger Lee]

Yeah I was tempted with either that or the magic route. I guess that's the next step! But I just got my dragon armour

I really want to have a go with the magic side of it but I reckon that means starting a fresh as I don't have that many more perks left. Question is can I sink another 100 hours into this game? Probably but it'd mean signing on and kissing good bye to girls.

[robdood]

How does the top stealth perk work in practice? I've had 100 sneak for yonks and, like you, don't bother with sidekicks as they just put a downer on my super sneak vibe. I haven't taken the top three sneak perks though as I have no problem killing rooms full of enemies before they even know I'm there with my current sneak level and perks and maxed out archery.

I think the base damage of my custom legendary glass bow of flaming death is 167. Combined with ebony arrows and my x3 stealth attack bonus trolls go down in one shot and even giants and mammoths take no more than two.

After my next enchantment perk, (which will be the double enchantment one), I'll be struggling to select perks that naturally fit my character.

The top three perks are quite useful, I find.

The light foot one basically means that so long as you're out of sight, you can literally run straight up behind/alongside them without being detected (no sneak mode required). Good for quick dagger stealth kills.

The silent roll is useful for moving quickly while in stealth mode, uses less stamina per meter than sprinting too (it seems, anyway)

The shadow warrior perk makes you go invisible for a second when entering stealth mode (and have already been spotted). It also forces the enemies to 'lose sight' of you. This basically mean that even in a melee fight, you can pull out a dagger, crouch and get in a free sneak attack or two (15x or 30x damage if you've done the right things!). It also means even if a whole room spots you, as long as you're not in strong light and have a few meters between the enemy and yourself, they will ALL lose sight of you (since with sneak 100 you're basically invisible until about 1 meter proximity) which means you can just start sneak arrowing them like a fucking ninja.

It's cool, suddenly I've gone from being a slowly slowly stealthy stealthy ninja to a leg it about super leet shinobi hardass.

Have you put any perks into one handed? the very first node is great for improving the stabby stabby

Otherwise, maybe it's time to try out some magic for lols? There are some spells under alteration/illusion that aid stealthy types. Restoration is always good. Alchemy is fun

[davejm]

I'm going to ditch Lydia and get Faeldon back. I like that guy!

[Guest]

I must apologise guys, I've not had time to play this the last few days so I won't be able to instigate Kittypocalypse until next week

[robdood]

It's random I think, but I believe you've been to enough towns for it to trigger. Whenever you're in a town, be sure to go to the Inn there, you should find a guy at the bar asking you to take part in a drinking contest. For me it was in Windhelm, I've read others had it in Whiterun. I won't spoil it for you, but it results in a rather amusing quest.

Yeah for me he's in Riften. Yet to embark on that quest, may give it a go tonight since everyone smiles when they mention it!

[Puck]

The top three perks are quite useful, I find.

The light foot one basically means that so long as you're out of sight, you can literally run straight up behind/alongside them without being detected (no sneak mode required). Good for quick dagger stealth kills.

The silent roll is useful for moving quickly while in stealth mode, uses less stamina per meter than sprinting too (it seems, anyway)

The shadow warrior perk makes you go invisible for a second when entering stealth mode (and have already been spotted). It also forces the enemies to 'lose sight' of you. This basically mean that even in a melee fight, you can pull out a dagger, crouch and get in a free sneak attack or two (15x or 30x damage if you've done the right things!). It also means even if a whole room spots you, as long as you're not in strong light and have a few meters between the enemy and yourself, they will ALL lose sight of you (since with sneak 100 you're basically invisible until about 1 meter proximity) which means you can just start sneak arrowing them like a fucking ninja.

It's cool, suddenly I've gone from being a slowly slowly stealthy stealthy ninja to a leg it about super leet shinobi hardass.

Have you put any perks into one handed? the very first node is great for improving the stabby stabby

Otherwise, maybe it's time to try out some magic for lols? There are some spells under alteration/illusion that aid stealthy types. Restoration is always good. Alchemy is fun

Excellent. They sound far better than their meagre skill tree descriptions had me believe. And of course, one-handed! Don't know why I didn't twig on that now I have back stab down and sorted. The Suck, my self-crafted legendary glass dagger enchanted with soul trap, does a lovely 32 x 15 backstab damage and is my current favourite way of killing everything. I'm guessing your one-handed skill goes up when you back stab? Can't say I've noticed it levelling up though.

[Strangelite]

I'm encountering one strange problem with the miscellaneous quests..

usually they are "give x to n" kind of quests. And so i faff around finding X and then go to my journal and say "right who was it that wanted 17 X's again? Okay, it's N, right, where the fuck was N again? "show on map" = nothing.. nada. just points the arrow to somewhere in the wilds.

I'm wondering that there's three possible scenario's for this:

1. The person who asked for 17 X's is now dead... (which is a REAL arsehole)

2. I've somehow got the quest, by collecting a special X and not yet encountered the person I'm supposed to be taking it to.. (which would be kinda odd)

3. It's bugged to fuck, and I should just go on the wiki and look up where N usually hangs about.

I'm hoping it's not 3....