The official SKYRIM thread!

I'm playing on XBox and I don't have any patches or DLC. I'm so behind the times with that stuff. I know there's a ton my xbox can do, but I still treat it like a Nintendo LOL. I play a game, I turn it off :)
I need to look into the DLC, I don't even know if I can get it. My console doesn't have a HD, just 4Gb flash.

BTW, Thanks for that Enchanting/Alchemy post. It's Brilliant! :thu:

I keep my DLC on a USB thumbdrive. I still haven't played Dragonborn yet, but Dawnguard was kind of fun. I'm really hoping for a fourth DLC that wraps up the Stormcloak/Imperial battles.
 
Here's what you need to know to One-Shot a Dragon:

Get your Alchemy up to 100 - you don't need to fill up the Alchemy Perk tree, though...just the ones that increase the potency of helpful benefits. This process takes a while...always keep in mind that the higher the value of the potions you create, the more the skill improves. If you make one potion worth 2000 septims, it'll increase your alchemy skill much quicker than if you made 10 potions that each are worth 100 septims in value.

In raising Alchemy, it's quality (value) over quantity (the number of potions you create) that'll raise the skill the fastest.


At the same time, go out and fill up every soul gem you can, regardless of size, or whether a petty soul is using up a Greater Soul Gem. You're going to be gunning to max out your Enchanting Skills as well...and again, it's not necessary to fill up your perk tree; just the ones that have to do with enchanting weapons and armor. When you're boosting your Enchanting skill, the size of the soul gem or the item is irrelevant. You could enchant 50 Iron Daggers each with a Petty Soul Gem, or 50 Daedric Warhammers with 50 Grand Soul Gems, and your enchanting skill will increase at the exact same rate. In this case, it's absolutely quantity over quality.


To get things to immensely strong levels, you'll have to dis-enchant any single piece of gear that raises your Alchemy Skill. You can then enchant a whole set (I use any Circlet, Necklace, Ring and Gloves) of alchemy gear using a filled Grand or Black Soul gem for each piece. Now you can make yourself Stronger Enchanting potions...which, when you drink them, raises the strength of your next enchantment.

Which means that you now make a whole NEW set of alchemy gear, stronger than the last one. :grin: Which, again, means stronger potions.

You repeat this process over time until, in the Vanilla game with the Unofficial Patch, you'll have 4 pieces of Alchemy Enchanting equipment that each raise your Skill while you're wearing them to 32%. Your enchanting potions will max out around 32% stronger, and your Blacksmithing potions will improve your ability by about 130%.


Wait. We're not done. You'll need to create a set of blacksmithing gear at an Enchanting Station, as well....by using your maxed-out Enchantment potions to boost their stats!

Once you're done, you'll have a set of blacksmithing gear (I'd recommend a Blacksmith Apron, Gloves, Ring and Necklace)...that each raises your smithing ability by 32%. While you're wearing this set of Smithing gear, you'll now drink a "Fortify Smithing" potion that you've created using your maxed-out Alchemy gear. This potion raises your skill an additional 130% for 30 seconds, ON TOP OF the 130% boost that you get from the enchanted Blacksmithing clothing.


Long story short? If you've maxed out your One-Handed skill, you can create an Iron Dagger that does over 400 points damage per hit, not including a 28 point per hit Fire/Frost/Shock bonus. It'll kill just about anything in the game with three swipes.

This is a really rough outline, and I left a lot of specific details out...but that's the general idea. After installing Dragonborn, I've got a Dragonbone Sword that deals over 700 points of Damage on it's own, with another 200 of Chaos Damage.



You can go even more insane if you're using exploits on a console. You can get 5 pieces of both enchanting and Smithing armor, because of an unintended bug in the unpatched Vanilla game. I also didn't get into Dual Enchanting one set of gear that allows you to boost both Alchemy AND Smithing at the same time....

Thanks so much for that detailed explanation! Really appreciate that. I've actually got my smithing and enchanting maxed, but never figured out the trick... So this shouldn't take me too long. :thu:
 
Now get yourself a Dragonbone bow, equip it with Daedric Arrows, drink a Draught of Marksmanship, apply Stamina Poison, and sneak attack a Dragon. :thu:
 
Thanks so much for that detailed explanation! Really appreciate that. I've actually got my smithing and enchanting maxed, but never figured out the trick... So this shouldn't take me too long. :thu:

If you want balls-accurate instructions as to which perks you should take, I can give them to you...you sure my explanation is enough?
 
I keep my DLC on a USB thumbdrive. I still haven't played Dragonborn yet, but Dawnguard was kind of fun. I'm really hoping for a fourth DLC that wraps up the Stormcloak/Imperial battles.

Dragonborn is far more interesting than Dawnguard, IMO...so you've got something awesome to look forward to. And the first time the new bad guys show up, it's actually pretty jarring.

And, they appear in a hurry. As in, almost instantly after you download the DLC.

Remember the first time you ran into a "Traveler"? Worse.
 
I'm playing on XBox and I don't have any patches or DLC. I'm so behind the times with that stuff. I know there's a ton my xbox can do, but I still treat it like a Nintendo LOL. I play a game, I turn it off :)
I need to look into the DLC, I don't even know if I can get it. My console doesn't have a HD, just 4Gb flash.

BTW, Thanks for that Enchanting/Alchemy post. It's Brilliant! :thu:

My pleasure, man. Here's a tip specifically for you, if you don't know it already, and have a few Perk Points to spare...since you're big on the Dual Souls Conjuration thing. You also have to be Level 70 in Restoration. If you're not, let me know, and I can tell you how to buff it to 100 in about 10 minutes.


First, load a Save Game that you have no intention of continuing with...you might not like the results. But then again, you might. Either way, load from a point you can remember.


Next: Contract Sanguinaris Vampiris. You're going to turn yourself into a friggin' Vampire. This can be cured...but let's pretend it can't, since you're about to spend some Perk Points. Wait the 3 days until you're a Vampire. Yeah, things kinda suck for you, now. If you don't feed, and you become Blood Starved, everyone attacks you.



Next Step: After you're sure you're now a bloodsucker, go to your Perks menu. Under "Restoration", select "Novice Restoration" (the first one), then "Regeneration", and finally "Necromage".


End result?


For you, the most important thing is that you'll now be able to raise the Undead up to Level 50, instead of 40! Because the "Necromage" perk affects the Undead, and by becoming Undead yourself (by changing into a Vampire), all of your shit is now 25% more powerful. Everything. This means you should now be able to raise two Volkihar Vampires, who are well over the Level 40 cap, and by far among the strongest enemies in the game. Your Destruction Spells, your smithing, your enchanting? While you're a Vampire, these should all be 25% more powerful. Which pretty much makes you a killing juggernaut...at least at night.



For anyone who's reading this: Please note this only works if you are NOT using the PC's "Unofficial Skyrim Patch"...the Unofficial Patch closed this loophole, much to the dismay of people who knew it was a glitch, but thought it was fucking awesome, anyway.
 
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The Stealth Mulligan:

If you want to make sure you get that backstab every time, build up your Illusion. Perks like Hypnotic Gaze and Kindred Mage stack to make sure your spells (almost) always work. If you're sneaking up for a backstab and the victim sees you, cast Calm. He'll put his weapon away and politely turn his back to :grin:
 
Thanks so much for that detailed explanation! Really appreciate that. I've actually got my smithing and enchanting maxed, but never figured out the trick... So this shouldn't take me too long. :thu:

One last tip that I alluded to:

If you really want to go crazy with your enchanting and smithing, go kill some Falmer. I hate those fuckers, but do it. Specifically, you want to grab a few of the Falmer Helmets. Here's why:


Due to a glitch/bug, you can wear a Falmer Helmet and a Circlet at the same time. Under normal circumstances, you can only wear one piece of headgear. If you enchant BOTH the Falmer Helmet AND a Circlet with the Alchemy enchantment, and wear them both while you're mixing potions, you can make all of your enchanting potions an additional 20% stronger, because you've got that extra piece!

Here's what set would look like:

Circlet: 32% Stronger
Falmer Helmet: 32% Stronger
Gloves: 32% Stronger
Ring: 32% Stronger
Necklace: 32% Stronger.


Unfortunately, you can't enchant a helmet or circlet with the Smithing enchantment, but this will still make your "Fortify Smithing" potions 25% stronger than they would normally be. Having 5 enchanted Alchemy items is better than 4!


As always: this doesn't work anymore if you're on PC and use the Unofficial Patch...another awesome loophole closed. :mad: :grin:
 
The Stealth Mulligan:

If you want to make sure you get that backstab every time, build up your Illusion. Perks like Hypnotic Gaze and Kindred Mage stack to make sure your spells (almost) always work. If you're sneaking up for a backstab and the victim sees you, cast Calm. He'll put his weapon away and politely turn his back to :grin:

Yeah, that works! :grin:

I'm a lazy bastard, though...I prefer to sneak up to the group, Quaff a home-brewed "Fortify Illusion 130%" potion (which basically means that you could successfully cast an Illusion spell on Satan himself), and quiet-casting a "Hysteria" spell on the lot of them.

Nothing like watching the masses do my work for me. :grin:
 
I use the Falmer Helmet trick a lot. Especially with a Dragonpriest mask. Only downside? Your face disappears while they're both equipped. :embarrassed:
 
Now get yourself a Dragonbone bow, equip it with Daedric Arrows, drink a Draught of Marksmanship, apply Stamina Poison, and sneak attack a Dragon. :thu:

:thu:

If you want balls-accurate instructions as to which perks you should take, I can give them to you...you sure my explanation is enough?

I'll read through it again in when I've got the game in front of me...you may be getting a PM. :wink:

One last tip that I alluded to:

If you really want to go crazy with your enchanting and smithing, go kill some Falmer. I hate those fuckers, but do it. Specifically, you want to grab a few of the Falmer Helmets. Here's why:


Due to a glitch/bug, you can wear a Falmer Helmet and a Circlet at the same time. Under normal circumstances, you can only wear one piece of headgear. If you enchant BOTH the Falmer Helmet AND a Circlet with the Alchemy enchantment, and wear them both while you're mixing potions, you can make all of your enchanting potions an additional 20% stronger, because you've got that extra piece!

Here's what set would look like:

Circlet: 32% Stronger
Falmer Helmet: 32% Stronger
Gloves: 32% Stronger
Ring: 32% Stronger
Necklace: 32% Stronger.


Unfortunately, you can't enchant a helmet or circlet with the Smithing enchantment, but this will still make your "Fortify Smithing" potions 25% stronger than they would normally be. Having 5 enchanted Alchemy items is better than 4!


As always: this doesn't work anymore if you're on PC and use the Unofficial Patch...another awesome loophole closed. :mad: :grin:

more good info...

I use the Falmer Helmet trick a lot. Especially with a Dragonpriest mask. Only downside? Your face disappears while they're both equipped. :embarrassed:

:eek:
 
So, does anyone have any particular order that they do the quests in? I think my last game was my 6th full runthrough, and I've developed a pattern to quest completion which I think maximizes both awesomeness and skills, simultaneously.

What order are you guys doing the missions and the side-quests?
 
They're either out or coming within a week. And I assume you meant PS3.
I don't speed level anything anymore. I played 400 hours on my first 3 characters when it came out and now I'm playing a stealth archer wood elf on master. Its the most fun I've had ever.
Its infuriating at times, but its a really fun way to play.

Skyrim is by far my favorite game of all time. I wish I had a PC to run mods for scenery. I love it on the 360 though.

Here's a tip. There's a mine just north of whiterun where you pick up the transmute spell. Mine it clean, transmute it all to gold, smelt it to ingots and make jewelry. You get tons of cash, speed level smithing, and level alteration as well. Then, no matter what type of character you're rolling, you can cast ebony flesh and increase your defense by 100 right before battle for cheap.
Oh and the ore in the mine resets every 3 days I think. So it works well. You end up with about 50 gold ingots per trip which converts to 100 gold rings. Then if you enchant those you really put things over the top.

Sent from The Nether

Another cool tip. I've never used that spell. Though, my main character his more than a million septims at the moment, so it's not like I'm hurting. That's probably weird, but I just wanted to hit the million mark for fun... But for new characters, I'm all over this.

And yes, PS3... :facepalm:
 
I have a rather silly tip for those into archery like me. Every time you go into a dungeon, cave, mausoleum, whatever.... go into sneak mode and take pot shots at whatever unfreindlies you encounter. Before long, your archery perk tree will be filling up, and you will be able to one shot most things without using extra buffs. You do need a good bow plus decent arrows to make it work, but they can be had with just a little effort. There is a mod called Crazy Vaclav's who operates out of the Bannered Mare in Whiterun. He sells different upscaled arrows for those who can pay. One of which is explosive, kind of like the Arrows of Detonation from Baldur's Gate. Takes away most of the worry about bandits and Falmer shooting at you before you can see 'em.
 
Another cool tip. I've never used that spell. Though, my main character his more than a million septims at the moment, so it's not like I'm hurting. That's probably weird, but I just wanted to hit the million mark for fun... But for new characters, I'm all over this.

And yes, PS3... :facepalm:

BEWARE: DO NOT TRANSMUTE IRON ORE TO GOLD IF YOU PLAN ON BUYING THE HEARTHFIRE DLC!!!!

Save it. Save it all. That's all I'll say.

If you have no plans to download Hearthfire, then MonkeyZero's totally on point.
 
So, does anyone have any particular order that they do the quests in? I think my last game was my 6th full runthrough, and I've developed a pattern to quest completion which I think maximizes both awesomeness and skills, simultaneously.

What order are you guys doing the missions and the side-quests?

The VERY first thing I do in the game, after the initial Helgen/Whiterun business (doing a little smithing and money making along the way), is hitch a wagon to Markarth. There, I go straight to the bar and hear the rumor about the haunted house. It's pretty much the easiest quest in the game, which is nice for a low level character, and you get the Mace of Molag Bal, AND a free house with non-spawning chests that's in a very convenient location. That's where the hoarding begins... :)

As far as factions go, I usually do the TG line first, as I'm a fan of the armor, the quests, the Nightengale stuff, and above all else the skeleton key. I hate lockpicking, so that's a big help to me, and I like to have it as far along in the game as possible. I then hold off finishing the quest line, and jump to DB, then Companions (sometimes), then the college (sometimes), etc.
 
I have a rather silly tip for those into archery like me. Every time you go into a dungeon, cave, mausoleum, whatever.... go into sneak mode and take pot shots at whatever unfreindlies you encounter. Before long, your archery perk tree will be filling up, and you will be able to one shot most things without using extra buffs. You do need a good bow plus decent arrows to make it work, but they can be had with just a little effort. There is a mod called Crazy Vaclav's who operates out of the Bannered Mare in Whiterun. He sells different upscaled arrows for those who can pay. One of which is explosive, kind of like the Arrows of Detonation from Baldur's Gate. Takes away most of the worry about bandits and Falmer shooting at you before you can see 'em.

I dig it. I'm a big fan of exploding anything.

Speaking of which, do you have Dawnguard installed?
 
BEWARE: DO NOT TRANSMUTE IRON ORE TO GOLD IF YOU PLAN ON BUYING THE HEARTHFIRE DLC!!!!

Save it. Save it all. That's all I'll say.

If you have no plans to download Hearthfire, then MonkeyZero's totally on point.

Already did, thanks for the save!
 
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