# The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 12, 2010, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846 "2010-12-12T02:45:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/381 "2011-11-09T13:47:36Z")
This thread has a ton of discussion on all things relating to expectations of the game, but since it’s so big and unwieldy at this point I’d suggest we switch to a post-launch thread to discuss the game to start fresh once it’s released. I’m not going to make it because I don’t anticipate I’ll be getting the game till it hits $10 or under unless it turns out to be unexpectedly mind blowing. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/382 "2011-11-09T14:39:17Z")
I’ll wait for the fan wiki to come instead-they are usually more informative and to the point anyway. Yes, my formerly dormant gaming pulse has actually come to life over this title. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/383 "2011-11-09T14:48:17Z")
FYI I just discovered that for $.99 Amazon has guaranteed Release Date delivery fro Skyrim (and Mass Effect 3 for that matter). I have just adjusted my order accordingly! I was a little nervous it was in exchange for joining their Prime plan but that doesn’t seem to be the case. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/384 "2011-11-09T17:02:31Z")
It is amazing how fast fan wikis build up. I remember getting stuck on something in Dragon Age on the day of release and being able to find hints online that day. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/385 "2011-11-09T18:01:56Z")
[QUOTE=SenorBeef] This thread has a ton of discussion on all things relating to expectations of the game, but since it’s so big and unwieldy at this point I’d suggest we switch to a post-launch thread to discuss the game to start fresh once it’s released. I’m not going to make it because I don’t anticipate I’ll be getting the game till it hits $10 or under unless it turns out to be unexpectedly mind blowing. [/QUOTE] That’s a great idea, though I’m hoping it’s so mind blowing that I can’t tear myself away from it for a couple of days, so any such thread will probably be 10 pages in before I even get around to coming up for air. I’m hoping I can start the download process after midnight tonight and have already stocked up on supplies for a long siege (plus the wife and kiddies will be out of town until Sunday, so should have plenty of uninterrupted play time). -XT ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/386 "2011-11-09T18:06:12Z")
Our office manager got our Skyrim shipment a few minutes ago. She came by to show me one of them and asked, “Is it sad that my heart fluttered a bit when I opened the box?” ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/387 "2011-11-09T18:14:58Z")
FWIW I think a new thread post release is in order as well. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/388 "2011-11-09T18:19:33Z")
A couple things. A guy in The Netherlands reported that he received his copy today, from a small game store chain. Lucky bastard. Also read this article: [Skyrim Will Have Infinite Quests, Director Says](http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/11/skyrim-infinite-quests/) > [@](#): > > The game’s Radiant quest system randomly generates new tasks based on your progress in the game. An innkeeper might ask you to hunt for bandits in a place you haven’t found yet, or an aspiring alchemist could request that you collect 10 undiscovered flowers for his work. Howard claims that the options are endless. > > In addition to these minor tasks, Howard says you’ll be able to do extra work for each of the game’s factions, like the Dark Brotherhood and the Thieves Guild. Once you complete the scripted quest lines for each group, you can go to their respective hubs and pick up randomly generated missions to steal gems or assassinate shopkeepers across Skyrim’s massive world. That sounds crappy, sort of like what Daggerfall tried to do with all its randomness. If I wanted to do that I’d play WoW. But I still have great confidence in the core game and quests. Of course if killing shopkeepers affects the economy of that town/region I’ll take my statement back. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/389 "2011-11-09T18:20:47Z")
Geek flag flying: so what kind of characters are people planning on building? Since Morrowind, I build a Breton spellsword variant (I just like the class name Spellsword). In my mind, they are all direct descendants of each other. Why yes, I was a virgin in high school, how did you know? ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/390 "2011-11-09T18:23:38Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Geek flag flying: so what kind of characters are people planning on building? Since Morrowind, I build a Breton spellsword variant (I just like the class name Spellsword). In my mind, they are all direct descendants of each other. In Morrowind and Oblivion my characters were both stealth mage Argonians named Plays-With-Fire. If this game were set anywhere else in the Elder Scrolls universe I’d almost definitely continue that tradition. But for Skyrim I’m seriously contemplating creating a Conan the Barbarian. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/391 "2011-11-09T18:24:21Z")
The random quest system would be nice so long as it’s in addition to a full suite of designed quests and not in place of. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/392 "2011-11-09T18:33:51Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > This thread has a ton of discussion on all things relating to expectations of the game, but since it’s so big and unwieldy at this point I’d suggest we switch to a post-launch thread to discuss the game to start fresh once it’s released. I’m not going to make it because I don’t anticipate I’ll be getting the game till it hits $10 or under unless it turns out to be unexpectedly mind blowing. Good idea, once the 11th hits a new thread may be in order. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/393 "2011-11-09T19:01:48Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > A couple things. A guy in The Netherlands reported that he received his copy today, from a small game store chain. Lucky bastard. > > Also read this article: [Skyrim Will Have Infinite Quests, Director Says](http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/11/skyrim-infinite-quests/) > > That sounds crappy, sort of like what Daggerfall tried to do with all its randomness. If I wanted to do that I’d play WoW. But I still have great confidence in the core game and quests. > > Of course if killing shopkeepers affects the economy of that town/region I’ll take my statement back. Not sure why this sounds crappy. Remember this is in ADDITION to the standard, scripted quests that you usually ran into in these games. The ones for factions/guilds, the sidequests in towns, and the main plot quests. Basically, unlike in Oblivion, where when you finished the Thieves’ guild quests there wasn’t much else to do, now the engine will generate random quests for you to continue to feel like there’s stuff to do. Apparently the engine will take into account previous acquaintances, places visited, items discovered etc,. These random quests will try to get you to visit places you haven’t seen, involve people you’ve had dealing with before where it makes since, and get you to utilize or find items that you have not yet encountered or bothered with. Sounds awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/394 "2011-11-09T19:27:20Z")
New video: [The Animation of Skyrim.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4GgjHoOYkU&feature=player_embedded) Check out the beheadings and how Dovahkiin deals with an unfriendly giant. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/395 "2011-11-09T20:34:46Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Geek flag flying: so what kind of characters are people planning on building? Probably some sort of rogue. I usually go the stealth/stealing route on the first play of an RPG. I think there’s dual-wielding in Skyrim, so twin daggers may have to happen. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/396 "2011-11-09T20:36:12Z")
Fighter with mage and thief skills. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/397 "2011-11-09T20:58:55Z")
Well, it’s finally here. Just VPNed into my box at home and, sure enough, you can start your pre-load from Steam right now. I kicked it off (it’s pretty big) so hopefully it will be well on it’s way by the time I get home tonight and be done and ready to go by tomorrow sometime. Then just got to wait until midnight tomorrow night and… -XT ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/398 "2011-11-09T20:59:08Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Probably some sort of rogue. I usually go the stealth/stealing route on the first play of an RPG. I think there’s dual-wielding in Skyrim, so twin daggers may have to happen. I’m going to go with a rouge. Skills will be foppery, makeup, and charm. Dual-wielding is in. Makes me wonder if there is any huge reason to go 2h. > [@control-z](#): > > Fighter with mage and thief skills. So, basically what every character becomes at some point given enough time, at least in Morrowind & Oblivion? 🙂 Morrowind: Usually Dark Elf rogue/assassin + destruction etc. Oblivion: Breton mage/necromancer w/ heavy armor and blunt. Skyrim: Maybe Nord barbarian/archer with some magic of course. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/399 "2011-11-09T21:50:36Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Geek flag flying: so what kind of characters are people planning on building? I’m planning my first character as an Argonian thief type. [Their](http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Argonian) racial bonuses of “+10 Lockpicking, +5 Alteration, Light Armor, Pickpocket, Restoration, Sneak” seem compatible, and I like nonhuman characters. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846/400 "2011-11-09T21:55:57Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Geek flag flying: so what kind of characters are people planning on building? Since Morrowind, I build a Breton spellsword variant (I just like the class name Spellsword). In my mind, they are all direct descendants of each other. > > Why yes, I was a virgin in high school, how did you know? High elf. Mage with some stealth to shadow sniper/backstab people and go through locked doors. I like the versatility of magic and I’m used to the “linear-barbarian, quadratic-mage” mechanic, which I think will also be found here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim/563846.md?page=21)