How to Skyrim?

[ThinkWithPortals]

So I finally worked through my backlog of games I impulse-bought in a sale, and I've come to Skyrim (the base game, no DLC or special editions or anything). I've put in about 2.5 hours, about 15 minutes of which was spent trying to get the thing to work in ultrawide, but mostly just spent gawking at the pretty mountains and strolling by a river looking at rabbits. I'd like to actually get into the game, or at least try to, but there's one crucial problem: I haven't got a clue what I'm doing.

 

Consequently, I appeal to more seasoned Skyrim players. Could somebody please just give me a few key tips for starting out, maybe explain a few mechanics or give me some must-know information for beginner's? The game seems to have a really steep learning curve and doesn't do a great job of explaining anything. I really want to enjoy it, but it's kind of hard when I don't know how to start.

 

Thanks in advance, and remember: I am a total noob, go easy please

[minibois]

Focus on just a couple things when you start out. Don't try to master all the things, start with a couple things like some sort of magic, some sort of weapon, etc.

Other than that I can say Skyrim doesn't really have a steep learning curve, it's actually pretty easy to get going with stuff. Don't forget to save often though, or at least quicksave (F5 and F9 to quickload), because if you die you will be sent back to your last save state.

[BloodyWaters]

Don't suck. 

[ThinkWithPortals]

4 minutes ago, BloodyWaters said:

Don't suck. 

Very helpful, cheers.

[ThinkWithPortals]

8 minutes ago, Minibois said:

Focus on just a couple things when you start out. Don't try to master all the things, start with a couple things like some sort of magic, some sort of weapon, etc.

Other than that I can say Skyrim doesn't really have a steep learning curve, it's actually pretty easy to get going with stuff. Don't forget to save often though, or at least quicksave (F5 and F9 to quickload), because if you die you will be sent back to your last save state.

Which would you say would be the most effective weapon set to start out with? I've currently got a dagger, mace, sword, greatsword and axe, an iron shield and a longbow with a few arrows.

[Natsoup]

When you level up, it lets you upgrade stamina, health, and magicka. If you uograde stamina, you get an extra 5 carry points.

 

don't pick up everything - take money and valuable weapons and potions but dont pick up cups and plates with the assumption you will sell them for 12 gold someday... you won't.

 

upgrade a single skill at first, preferably one-handed as it is the most accessible in the game.

 

explore! The dungeons in this game are impressive and quite fun and some have a bit of storage. You may find some of the journals interesting.

 

have fun, and enjoy! Skyrim is probably my favorite single player game of all time  

[minibois]

2 minutes ago, ThinkWithPortals said:

Which would you say would be the most effective weapon set to start out with? I've currently got a dagger, mace, sword, greatsword and axe, an iron shield and a longbow with a few arrows.

It's pretty nice to start off with just a mace or sword (mace, sword and dagger are all one handed and the experience that you get with any of them stack. Daggers are fastest, but weakest, maces the other way around and swords are the happy inbetween) and you can you something else in your other hand. A shield is an option, but I never found that super helpful, but maybe some conjuration magic might be nice (you probably don't have such a spell yet though, unless you started off as a Breton).

 

But don't worry about all of this to be honest. You will have plenty of time to master other skills, if you don't like one you're doing now.

[stconquest]

@ThinkWithPortals

 

There is a right way to play for the first run through... your next game can be to specialize in the role-play element.  I try to mix the best possibly way to play (economically) with a role-play slant.

 

So what is this right way?

 

1.  Start collecting every single alchemical ingredient you can find.  You can use the three barrels behind the Blacksmith in Whiterun to store things.  Your stuff is safe there until you can buy a home.

 

2.  Play up to the first dragon kill in Whiterun in order to get your first follower.  She is an effective mule and is tougher than you.

 

3.  Start making potions at the alchemy shop in Whiterun and start selling the potions.  To start, you can eat one of each ingredient to get one of four attributes.  Each ingredient has four aspects that can be used to tailor your specific potions.  Some potions are worth more than others.  You will want to also buy recipes for potions at the shop.  As you level your alchemy skill you will get the perk to reveal more attributes when eating an ingredient.

 

The shop will replenish supplies every two days.  Early on you will find it impossible to buy every ingredient.  Eventually you will have enough of an income to do just that:  buy all the ingredients, and make your money back by selling the potions.  I run back and forth between Whiterun and Solitude to shop, it is more efficient than just sleeping or waiting for a single shop to restock. 

 

Potions that have multiple effects will sell for more money.  That is why it is important to have many ingredient attributes available, so you can see what ingredients go with what others; and to throw in a third ingredient to increase value by adding more effects to the potions.

 

So now you are stinking rich and everybody wants your product. =P

 

4.  Smithing and enchanting are the next two things to level.  Smithing is easy, enchanting not so much... but easier than alchemy, especially since you have money now.

 

Come back when you are this far and I  will go into enchanting.

 

I am level 31 and have maxed alchemy, level 92 in enchanting and 78 (I think) in smithing.  My potions sell for 2000g+, my enchanted daggers sell for 1500g+.  I am actually balancing some of my own gear stats in order to not be too overpowered.

 

This may sound boring, but it the most efficient way to get a start in Skyrim.

 

@ThinkWithPortals I forgot to mention enchanted items to buy in shops early on... you will want to float 2000g-3000g early on in order to be able to buy a piece of armor/jewelry that enhances the potency of your potions, should you find them available.  This is an important step. 

 

Oh, and you can use the carriage service to travel between Whiterun and Solitude.  Picking up ingredients on the journey becomes less important once the money rolls in.

 

There are also enchanted gear pieces that help your "haggle" rate, so you can sell higher and buy lower.  There is a perk for this in the speechcraft skill tree.  Buy those when you can.

 

There is a glitch with Restoration potions that drastically speeds up this process (base game, no mods), but I won't go into that.  A few rounds of Alchemy and Enchanting and your potions will be worth more than all the money of all the shop owners in the game combined.

 

There is a reason I only travel into two cities.  There are quests everywhere and I don't like to bog down my journal early on.  I still have not gone to visit the Greybeards.. level 31.

 

5.  Combat is part of the game even when you are focused on stabilizing your income and Alchemy/Smithing/Enchanting skills.  I rarely use magic so I won't comment on that.  Either one-handed/shield/armor-of-choice or two-handed/heavy armor is easy and effective.  Archery is great for those 2x damage shots when in sneak mode;  this works only when you are not seen.

 

After you get the the holy trinity of skills (Alchemy/Enchanting/Smithing) maxed, you can pretty much do whatever you want.  You will be unstoppable.

 

Oh...and I NEVER DIE!  It is part of my role-play slant.  Self imposed Hard-Core mode.  <<This is a lie.

 

@ThinkWithPortals

 

Minor Addendum

 

Perks and leveling up:  Get your health up.  Having a lot of health gives you time for those unexpected "holy crap" moments in order to pop a potion.  I am not above running around a large obstacle, in circles, to avoid being killed. 

 

All my perks are in the trinity skills (and the Speech stuff to make money) with a few perks in Smithing to gain access to improving things like steel gear.  This is extreme but I can pull it off.  I hit level 34 now and have about 4-5 perk points to still spend, so there is some wiggle room to improve armor/archer/one-hand/block/etc... skills a bit.

 

I maxed enchanting and have about 40 daggers left over, with values ranging from 1375g-2000g+ each.  A chest full of potions is worth more that the daggers.

 

Smithing:  Grab the ability to make/improve steel early on.  Suit up your follower before going on a dangerous quest.

 

Notable quest:  There is a lady (Gray-Mane) in Whiterun that has a missing son that she believes to be alive.  Others are telling her he is dead.  I prioritize this quest because it gets me a ton of Elvish Armor/Weapons (sells well and the weapons are nice to use) and there is a Falmer cave nearby that has a lot of Chaurus Eggs (used for invisibility potions, great money maker early on).  I do this mission around level 10-15, when I feel capable.  I make sure I have some in-game knowledge (recipe) that Chaurus eggs make those potions, just to play into the RP element.  It is a nice break from the alchemy.

 

A neat little trick to increase the potency of potions is to get your hands on a Falmer helmet.  A Falmer helmet can be worn at the same time as a circlet.  If you enchant both to boost the power of potions, you can wear them at the same time.

 

The Thalamors are no joke, they are tough.  Use whatever tactics you can to defeat them when outside.  Inside is even tougher.  Having Lydia help out is a must.

 

As if the Thalamor prison is not hard enough, the Falmer cave is probably tougher.  The Chaurus creatures pack a punch (Lydia will die fast) and Falmers jump down on you from the ceiling of the cave. 

 

Stock up of potions, you will need them.  Tune up your steel armor and weapons before you attempt this, if you attempt this.  I do this mission without any help from Thorald's brother, he offers to get a bunch of men to attack the prison.  You might try accepting his offer, it could make it easier.

 

Hey, at least you don't have to worry about the cold.  I use a mod to make the weather deadly.  I have to set up a camp to do this quest or I freeze to death. 

 

Northwatch Keep is the Thalamor Prison.

 

Lost Echo Cave:  http://uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Lost_Echo_Cave

 

http://srmap.uesp.net/?centeron=Lost+Echo+Cave

 

There are probably better ways to get a jump on your income.  This is just the one I use.

 

[stconquest]

Was it too much? 

 

I do use mods, but what I described above is tailored to the base game experience.

 

[Eredian]

Play Stealth Archer

[ThinkWithPortals]

1 hour ago, stconquest said:

 

Not at all, highly informative. I've already broken the rule of "don't die" (decided to engage in a 3-on-1 with some Imperial soldiers on my way to Whiterun, died basically immediately) but I'm thinking of starting over taking into account all this new information.

[stconquest]

31 minutes ago, ThinkWithPortals said:

Not at all, highly informative. I've already broken the rule of "don't die" (decided to engage in a 3-on-1 with some Imperial soldiers on my way to Whiterun, died basically immediately) but I'm thinking of starting over taking into account all this new information.

This is my second run through.  I died a lot my first run.  I got to end game gear, but it felt wrong.  So I started again.

 

I think I am about 6 weeks in, in terms of the game's calendar.  Five days in IRL.

 

Modding is a thing in itself.  You can install SkyUI if you want to try one.  It just changes the inventory menus in ways that you will greatly appreciate.

 

This is for the base game:  http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/3863/?

 

This is a "Favorites" menu organizer, comes in handy as well:  http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/4862/?

 

Note:  you will need a utility named SKSE (for scripting that the two mods above require).  You can find it in the description of each of the mods.

[stconquest]

@ThinkWithPortals

 

Oh, oh, one last thing... get the Lover's Stone if you want, it increases your ability to gain skill by 15%(I think 15%).

 

http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/The_Lover_Stone_(Skyrim)

[Praesi]

Get the DLCs. They are awesome.

[Magmutile]

On 2/27/2017 at 11:08 AM, ThinkWithPortals said:

So I finally worked through my backlog of games I impulse-bought in a sale, and I've come to Skyrim (the base game, no DLC or special editions or anything). I've put in about 2.5 hours, about 15 minutes of which was spent trying to get the thing to work in ultrawide, but mostly just spent gawking at the pretty mountains and strolling by a river looking at rabbits. I'd like to actually get into the game, or at least try to, but there's one crucial problem: I haven't got a clue what I'm doing.

 

Consequently, I appeal to more seasoned Skyrim players. Could somebody please just give me a few key tips for starting out, maybe explain a few mechanics or give me some must-know information for beginner's? The game seems to have a really steep learning curve and doesn't do a great job of explaining anything. I really want to enjoy it, but it's kind of hard when I don't know how to start.

 

Thanks in advance, and remember: I am a total noob, go easy please

@ThinkWithPortals

IMPORTANT NOTE!!!

Don't use mods YET.

It will ruin your game, especially if you're new to this game. Wait until you finish all the quests, understand mechanics and just want to expand the Skyrim experience. After all that, you may start playing mods. There are a lot of mods, from Enderal (an expansion - like mod) , Falskaar (Another expansion - like mod) and also ENBs (Graphical mods). However, if you still want to incorporate mods. I recommend you to use graphical mods instead of going for the gameplay changing mods such as the armor mods. The reason is because most armor mods are already too overpowered. It will make the game very easy. In my own case, I finished the game in my XBOX 360 and replayed it again in my PS3. Then I replayed it once more in PC and started using mods at around 130 hours. After all that, I replayed it again but with a set of overpowered mods and set the difficulty on the hardest one. I started with the graphical mods, then the armor mods, and lastly the expansion and gameplay mods. Nevertheless, this is just a suggestion. The decision ultimately lies on you, hope you have a great day / night!

 

The screenshot I uploaded is my version of Skyrim (Special Edition) along with the Skyrim re-engaged ENB (not reshade) and the nobleskyrimmod HD - 2K texture mod and another couple of mods. 

And if you're wondering what the cool armor set and weapons are, it's the Mythical Armors and Dragons. It's made by ZeroFrost, a great armor modder. The mod is available for both the original skyrim and the special edition and the mod can be found in http://nexusmods.com/skyrim/ or http://nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/

 

Feel free to ask more about Skyrim!

[MoonSpot]

Firstly, kiss your wife and kids goodbye.  After a day or two and you get the swing of things in tesv, you're not going to want to deal with the people that get in the way of moar skyrim time.

 

The most basic tips I can give for any beginning character is to:

 

1 - Sneak archer your first attack if you're on the offensive/stalking.  One-handed when the enemy is close, with the ability to summon something...anything... helps a lot.  A summon is largely used for crowd control, if the cheesiest of summons can take one or two combatants off you for a few seconds, then it's done its job.  If it keeps a tough enemy off you and gives you the chance to escape, it was wildly effective.  But in general they give you a chance to heal and pace fights better.

 

2 - Destruction magic is BS.  Tool around with it, sure; but don't count on it till you've invested heavily in to it or have some decent supporting equipment.  Saving jumping to a mage build for lvl 8-10 isn't a bad idea.  And even then going a mixed style until you can rely on magicka more in an organic fashion, just always seems to work for me.

 

3 - Smithing makes everyone a god.  I'm lvl 100 and smithing is, again, my best skill by far.  I play on legendary and force lvl 4 npcs to tag along with me (Adrianne, Carlotta and Ysolda are favored victims), and the only reason they're alive is because they're are walking tanks in armour my dragonborn tempered for them.  A fairly extreme notion, but I hope it illustrates what tempering armour can do for you and your own survival with even a little bit of devotion to it.

On the other hand, I did try to avoid smithing on a previous run for a while.  Unsurvivable is the most apt description I can manage for how that theory panned out for me.

[rattacko123]

Try playing Gothic.

 

/jk

Just look at the map and you will figure it out, RPG 101 m8

[Sir Asvald]

I have at least 1000 hours played on the PS3 and still not finished the game. I'm at level 79. I've got Daedric Armor.

I'd recommend getting smithing, sneak, magic and stamina levelled up asap. 

[ThinkWithPortals]

5 hours ago, rattacko123 said:

Just look at the map and you will figure it out, RPG 101 m8

That might be the problem, I've never really played an RPG before Skyrim.

[stconquest]

1 hour ago, ThinkWithPortals said:

That might be the problem, I've never really played an RPG before Skyrim.

Whew... I started playing TES when Arena came out.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elder_Scrolls:_Arena

 

Holy moly I am old.

 

Daggerfall is the only one I have not played:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elder_Scrolls_II:_Daggerfall

 

Scratch that, I might have played Daggerfall as well.  ...scratch the scratch that... it was another game... I can't remember the name!!! 

[Magmutile]

On 2/28/2017 at 8:13 AM, ThinkWithPortals said:

That might be the problem, I've never really played an RPG before Skyrim.

If I were you, I'd steal dozens of food and eat them in battle. That way, you can use the food as a health supply and when a guard stops you and wants to bring you to a prison. They can't take back the food. Therefore you don't lose anything.

[Magmutile]

THEN YOU CAN DO THIIISSSSSS!!!!

heuhuehuehuehue

Free wallpaper I made. Hue

[Magmutile]

If you want to make screenshots use these commands.

~ = opens console command

tfc 1 = freezes time and lets you use free camera to go around

tm = hides UI (DANGEROUS BECAUSE LITERALLY HIDES EVERYTHING. HUD AND UI) 

Then after that you can press the printscreen button instead of the f12. The reason is because the f12 (steam screenshot) doesn't provide a high quality screenshot.

After that, when you're done taking screenshots. You can press the command "tm" once again to unhide the UI. Then to unfreeze time and let yourself use your character once again press the command "tfc" without any numbers.

There ya go

However, do it at your own risk. I won't recommend @ThinkWithPortals to use it but the others... I guess they can use it since they have more experience. :D)

[ItsGucci]

Basically go into it with a set way to play, IE i want to be an assassin so i play with daggers and sneak around with light armor, or I want to be an unstoppable tank with a mace and shield in hand that only wears heavy armor. once you decide how you want to play follow the main story until you get sent to high hrothgar, then go out and explore the world as you see fit. most of the monsters scale with your lvl so you wont be getting wrecked constantly. Quick save (default f5) ALOT the game dose not do auto saving well so you must quick save. good luck and have fun, its personally one of the best games ive ever played

[aisle9]

19 hours ago, MoonSpot said:

2 - Destruction magic is BS.  Tool around with it, sure; but don't count on it till you've invested heavily in to it or have some decent supporting equipment.  Saving jumping to a mage build for lvl 8-10 isn't a bad idea.  And even then going a mixed style until you can rely on magicka more in an organic fashion, just always seems to work for me.

So here's the problem I have with playing a mage: even if I'm wearing enchanted heavy armor, I get to a point in later levels where life purely as a mage is just this side of impossible. I almost have to invest in a sword, mace or other form of beating stick at that point, otherwise it's too easy to get overwhelmed.  What have I been doing wrong all this time?

 

OP, my advice is not to get too tied up in any questline. For one, the later quest rewards you get from those lines scale by level. Getting Nightingale armor at level 25, for example, is far worse than getting it at level 35, because the level 25 version doesn't match the stats of the level 35 variant. There's also an element of taking time to explore the land, visit the major holds and kill lots of bandits on the way. Maybe get yourself some sweet secret loot like Valdr's Lucky Dagger or a Daedric artifact or two. Take your time and enjoy the landscape, because once you start to get deep into the various questlines, it's easy to lose sight of how beautiful the game is and start focusing solely on the action.

 

Also, I highly recommend only fast traveling when you really need to. Walking the roads of Skyrim gets to be pretty interesting from time to time, and there are some amusing folks sharing it with you.