The OFFICIAL Anandtech Forums TeS V: Skyrim Thread

[cytoSiN]

oh gawd i can't beat the red eagle tomb boss. so rigged. i'm level 5 and the boss essentially one shots me

edit: i just leveld to 19 and i'm still getting one shotted x_x

Comments about improving your armor and leveling armor skills are good. Potions work well too.

Also, try to stop getting hit. Rethink your strategy to deal with the boss without engaging in direct combat. Not sure exactly what type of boss that is (tomb, so I'm assuming undead), but try fear/calm/turn undead/freeze/paralyze/sneak shot/backstab/companions/lure into a trap/etc... The list goes on. If you're not a mage, try a scroll or a companion that is a mage, or buy/make some poison that can do the above things, and apply to an arrow and deliver it from range before charging in if you're melee. If none of this works, come back later?

 

[Merad]

I look forward to some smithing/enchanting overhaul mods. They're kind ridiculous as is. I'm only level 35 and have just seen a handful of ebony drops (no deadric yet) but yesterday I got myself and Lydia decked out in full suits of dragon plate armor, plus myself a daedric axe and jewelry of +2H damage. Oh sure, they're not *quite* maxed since my enchanting isn't 100 yet, but it's pretty sick. Right after I made them I had a random encounter with an Elder Dragon (who looked like he was supposed to be pretty badass), but I killed him with 3 power attacks.

 

[Imp]

oh gawd i can't beat the red eagle tomb boss. so rigged. i'm level 5 and the boss essentially one shots me

edit: i just leveld to 19 and i'm still getting one shotted x_x

Do you have a companion?

I've also had lots of trouble with a few bosses, but usually get by after a lot of tries by having my follower aggro the dude. Then I pelt the dude from far away and/or wail on him as he is going after my follower.

Also, use ice spells to slow the boss down as you run away. Kind of lame, but better than getting hit, and you come out on top!

 

[Imp]

I look forward to some smithing/enchanting overhaul mods. They're kind ridiculous as is. I'm only level 35 and have just seen a handful of ebony drops (no deadric yet) but yesterday I got myself and Lydia decked out in full suits of dragon plate armor, plus myself a daedric axe and jewelry of +2H damage. Oh sure, they're not *quite* maxed since my enchanting isn't 100 yet, but it's pretty sick. Right after I made them I had a random encounter with an Elder Dragon (who looked like he was supposed to be pretty badass), but I killed him with 3 power attacks.

Really? I'm at level 37, I think, and I've been using an ebony greatsword for the last while. I ran into my first elder dragon around level 35 and it was doing a LOT of damage to me with its breath and bite. Meanwhile, my sword took at least 3 power attacks to take it down from 1/3 health. I enchanted my sword with a 1 second soul trap rather than a damage spell though...

 

[Zenoth]

Armor up. Improving your armor is very cheap (often just 1 Iron Ingot) which gives 15% increase. Also spend perks on armor.

Shield goes a LONG WAY. Block-punt (hold shield button + press attack) is SUPER essential which stuns your opponent in their mid-swing.

Indeed, and it also interrupts spell casting.

Spoiler

I used that to interrupt Krosis before he throws his fire balls, while my conjured Flame Atronach and Lydia both took care of the actual damage. I had a couple of stamina potions on me so the most I did during the fight was to interrupt him until I ran out of stamina, drank stamina regen pots, swung a few power blows on him (one-handed axe), then repeated the interruption process. He died like a pig, and I was a happy man (although I was Lvl 24, that might have helped, because he owned me when I first encountered him at around Lvl 14 or so).

 

[Merad]

Really? I'm at level 37, I think, and I've been using an ebony greatsword for the last while. I ran into my first elder dragon around level 35 and it was doing a LOT of damage to me with its breath and bite. Meanwhile, my sword took at least 3 power attacks to take it down from 1/3 health. I enchanted my sword with a 1 second soul trap rather than a damage spell though...

Ah but that's where things get a bit crazy. All of my gear was crafted while wearing items giving a total of +80% smithing improvement. Then I have I think 4 pieces that are enchanted with +33% 2H damage (33% each, 132% total).

 

[Rhezuss]

Yeah those Shield Attacks are awesome, saved my life more than once.

Next build, Heavy Armor Spell & Shield?

Q: Can you block with a Staff?

 

[cytoSiN]

Ah but that's where things get a bit crazy. All of my gear was crafted while wearing items giving a total of +80% smithing improvement. Then I have I think 4 pieces that are enchanted with +33% 2H damage (33% each, 132% total).

Agreed with this and your previous post. With even a little attention to min/maxing crafted and enchanted gear, it's pretty easy to become overpowered at any level. Granted, I'm level 48 now, but I've been rocking full dragonscale & daedric bow/ebony arrows, with archery and sneak enchants that make me entirely undetectable, and give my bow over 250 dmg, for at least 10 levels

Spoiler

not including the three(!!!) levels I gained just by finishing the quest line involving Septimus and Mora

, and I can three shot most dragons even with stealth shots. Breath still hurts, but I try to keep my distance.

Also, for the record, being stupidly overpowered in any TES game has never ruined the immersion and fun for me. YMMV I guess.

 

[TheUnk]

Way too easy to get OP in this game. Such bad balancing.

 

[Merad]

Also, for the record, being stupidly overpowered in any TES game has never ruined the immersion and fun for me. YMMV I guess.

Being OP doesn't really bother me. It's pretty normal in most RPGs unless you play on stupid high difficulty. It's just disappointing that there isn't much advancement left for my character other than some perks. I still probably have explored maybe just 60% of the world, and could easily see playing another 60-70 hours or more on this character. So I'm barely halfway into the game by that measure, but gear-wise my toon is basically complete.

Really a big part of the problem is that Beth just makes leveling too fast by default in TES games. But that should easily be fixed as soon as the CK is released.

 

[coldmeat]

Under my active affects I have a fortify archery from a pair of gauntlets called the "gauntlets of the old gods". I have these gauntlets in my inventory but I'm not wearing them. Bugged?

I also just prayed at a Talos altar and got a blessing of "time between shouts reduced 0%".

 

[cytoSiN]

Really a big part of the problem is that Beth just makes leveling too fast by default in TES games. But that should easily be fixed as soon as the CK is released.

This. Can't come soon enough...

 

[Tequila]

Wow..just wow. I'm level 34 and on the quest to transcribe the lexicon and this Blackreach place is fricken humongous. It just keeps going and going and going and the architecture is just absolutely stunning.

Also finally got my conjuration up to 70 and got the Dremora pet. OMG this pet owns hardcore. Even turned up difficulty level to Master and he rips through mobs. However, now I kind of wish I had rolled a DE or Orc 2h toon Oh well next time around.

Also up to 90 enchanting now. After I get out of Blackreach I'll have a ton more souls filled and should hit 100 easy. Going from 80 to 100 is quite time consuming. Going to be OP as hell to hit the 100% destruction reduction

Just wish there was a sweet looking robe drop around. Still have these Arch Mage robes which are nice but look awful.

One thing I'm regretting is putting so many points into Illusion. I hardly use calm/fear/frenzy anymore.

And my destruction is still lagging behind grr... only 68. I don't understand why it's so easy to raise illusion with one spell that I can cast at anytime but I cast endless destruction spells and it barely goes up and I'm using the max spells/magestone etc.

 

[Tequila]

Why is it so hard to level Destruction? I blast the shit out of everything with destruction spells and it seems like it rarely ever levels up.

I've got over 30 hours into the game and I am level 26.

I've had the same problem, Pontifex.

I have been dual casting destruction spells forever and I use max level spells and I use the mage birthstone and my destruction is still only 68 at level 34.

So easy to raise illusion but destruction grr..

 

[cytoSiN]

Just wish there was a sweet looking robe drop around. Still have these Arch Mage robes which are nice but look awful.

There are lots of reskins for those on the nexus (for more just hit up the nexus and search for "arch mage robe"):

http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1429
http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=336
http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=762
http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1228

One thing I'm regretting is putting so many points into Illusion. I hardly use calm/fear/frenzy anymore.

Respec imo: http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=1078

That addon is amazing for planning purposes alone, and once you hit the higher levels, respeccing can revive your experience and really open up new areas of gameplay. It's kind of a cheat, but to be honest, after investing so many hours, I don't feel like being punished for making poor/uninformed decisions early on. I'd start a new game, but when I do that, I want to go with a totally different approach, not a better/tweaked version of what I'm doing now. Anyway, it's highly recommended, and easy to use.

 

[cytoSiN]

Also, for anyone wielding the Mace of Molag Bal, I highly recommend this reskin. Much more eeeeeeeeeeevil.

 

[waggy]

sigh. just like in real life when i do drinking games i so stupid shit.

lol fondling a statue? eek!

 

[dennilfloss]

Just fought my first elder dragon. Niiiiiice loot!

 

[waggy]

man just looking at skyrimnexus. i'm amazed at the mods out already. I can't wait until they release the tools to make mods! lol

really excited about this game and the mods. some of the mods for oblivion were outstanding.

 

[cytoSiN]

sigh. just like in real life when i do drinking games i so stupid shit.

lol fondling a statue? eek!

And proposing to a goat? The reward is outstanding too!

 

[magomago]

Armor up. Improving your armor is very cheap (often just 1 Iron Ingot) which gives 15% increase. Also spend perks on armor.

Shield goes a LONG WAY. Block-punt (hold shield button + press attack) is SUPER essential which stuns your opponent in their mid-swing.

The hard part is I can't spend my perks to improve anything right now. I'm avoiding levelling at the moment because I want to see how far I can get (levvel 5 ).
My smithing is in the mid 50s right now, but I still only have access to hide/studded/iron/leather armor.

 

[magomago]

Armor up. Improving your armor is very cheap (often just 1 Iron Ingot) which gives 15% increase. Also spend perks on armor.

Shield goes a LONG WAY. Block-punt (hold shield button + press attack) is SUPER essential which stuns your opponent in their mid-swing.

Comments about improving your armor and leveling armor skills are good. Potions work well too.

Also, try to stop getting hit. Rethink your strategy to deal with the boss without engaging in direct combat. Not sure exactly what type of boss that is (tomb, so I'm assuming undead), but try fear/calm/turn undead/freeze/paralyze/sneak shot/backstab/companions/lure into a trap/etc... The list goes on. If you're not a mage, try a scroll or a companion that is a mage, or buy/make some poison that can do the above things, and apply to an arrow and deliver it from range before charging in if you're melee. If none of this works, come back later?

I block and stun all the time (I go 1H+S), but I find that not getting hit is actually pretty hard. If I keep my distance I find that, in general, they move much faster than me and I keep getting hit at the expense of me not being able to touch the enemy.

I did try using pots and it didn't work, I also tried to paralyze and use a few other poisons, and he resists it all. He also constantly disarms me, and most of the time I can't find my weapon or shield x_x Its annoying as shit lol.

I think I'll come back later lol...

 

[cytoSiN]

The hard part is I can't spend my perks to improve anything right now. I'm avoiding levelling at the moment because I want to see how far I can get (levvel 5 ).

This explains a lot

If I keep my distance I find that, in general, they move much faster than me and I keep getting hit at the expense of me not being able to touch the enemy.

Even with sprint (alt)? You should be able to get a couple swipes and then bug out and lose him in a hallway? Maybe not without some perks though?

Either way, sounds like you need a companion. And I suggest you find Sam in the Bannered Mare in Whiterun and go drinking with him.

I think I'll come back later lol...

That works too :-D

 

[magomago]

aaaah i just beat it xD xD xD

I noticed that if I ran all the way back and kept kiting him along, i could defeat him. Towards the beginning of the cave, there is a change of elevation that I could jump on, and he would get confused when I was on that platform. Then I'd just hit him twice with an arrow, jump down, hit him again and thu'um so i could buy time to get back up on the platform, and do it again xD

I found that his disarm is pretty cheap - it is a heat seeking style spell that WILL hit you regardless of where you are.

Also reminds me - the tracking for 'Misc' Quests in this game sucks. Better quest history tracking is needed.

Excellent...still level 5 =)

 

[pontifex]

don't know whats going on but I can't play for more than 10 minutes without the game crashing to desktop tonight.