MW newbie questions

[Darin Johnson]

1) Can anything be done with the strange Dwemer steam machines
in Arkngthang? Are they just decoration? Also the various
Dwemer tubes, gears, and cylinders, are they just things to sell
or do they have a real use other than being on a shelf in my mini
museum?

What about the "observatory" room there, is there anything special
going on? I assume it's just decoration, but it was difficult to get
to as if it was a special prize for exploring. Similar with the deep
mines, where I levitated up to all the levels but only found a poorly
equipped chest.

2) Does speed affect anything other than walk/run/swim speeds? Ie,
can it help combat?

3) I've "solved" two quests so far that weren't actually assigned
to me. The Hlaalu murder and freeing some imperial in what I think
was a Daedra shrine. If I later join a faction that assign these
quests, does it mess up my promotion opportunities, or otherwise
confuse the game?

[Ryan Stewart]

Post by Darin Johnson
1) Can anything be done with the strange Dwemer steam machines
in Arkngthang? Are they just decoration? Also the various
Dwemer tubes, gears, and cylinders, are they just things to sell
or do they have a real use other than being on a shelf in my mini
museum?
What about the "observatory" room there, is there anything special
going on? I assume it's just decoration, but it was difficult to get
to as if it was a special prize for exploring. Similar with the deep
mines, where I levitated up to all the levels but only found a poorly
equipped chest.

In my experience, most Dwemer stuff is decoration or sellable, as the case
may be. However there are a few quests in the game that require items such
as a Dwemer tube or puzzle box. I'm not quite sure what observatory you're
talking about though. It's been a while since I visited Arkngthang, or
whatever it is.

Post by Darin Johnson
2) Does speed affect anything other than walk/run/swim speeds? Ie,
can it help combat?

It governs certain skills, like Short Blade, making your use of that skill
more effective with higher Speed.

Post by Darin Johnson
3) I've "solved" two quests so far that weren't actually assigned
to me. The Hlaalu murder and freeing some imperial in what I think
was a Daedra shrine. If I later join a faction that assign these
quests, does it mess up my promotion opportunities, or otherwise
confuse the game?

No, it won't confuse anything. You'll just get to that quest and get to say
it's done without having to do anything. In some cases, the scripts are
written so that the NPC will say something like "I was going to have you do
this, but it seems you've already taken care of the matter. Thank you." They
do give you all applicable rewards and such.

[Darin Johnson]

Post by Ryan Stewart

Post by Darin Johnson
2) Does speed affect anything other than walk/run/swim speeds? Ie,
can it help combat?

It governs certain skills, like Short Blade, making your use of that skill
more effective with higher Speed.

Which brings up the question - what does "governs a skill" really
mean? Does a stat of 50 add 50 skill points to all skills it covers,
or increase the skills by 50%, or what?

[Ryan Stewart]

Post by Darin Johnson
Which brings up the question - what does "governs a skill" really
mean? Does a stat of 50 add 50 skill points to all skills it covers,
or increase the skills by 50%, or what?

That, I can't really say. I just know that it makes a difference. I've tried
not to learn *too* much of the game's inner workings and just let them play
out on their own. It leaves room for discovery.

[Eric Gill]

Post by Darin Johnson

Post by Ryan Stewart

Post by Darin Johnson
2) Does speed affect anything other than walk/run/swim speeds? Ie,
can it help combat?

It governs certain skills, like Short Blade, making your use of that
skill more effective with higher Speed.

Which brings up the question - what does "governs a skill" really
mean? Does a stat of 50 add 50 skill points to all skills it covers,
or increase the skills by 50%, or what?

Works a couple of ways. First, you cannot raise a skill over it's governing
attribute. If you hit this limit, you must first find a way to up your
attribute before your skill will increase.

Second, when using a skill, the governing attribute influences your chances
of doing it successfully and, if applicable, how well the results turn out.

For example, a high agility helps your chances of hitting an opponent with
a short blade, and the damage you do when you connect.

Other attributes may add to this; strength helps damage of any weapon, and
luck helps no matter what you're doing - at least a little.

The exact amounts may be available as reference somwhere; to enjoy the game
you really don't need the specifics.

[ALMA ENGELS]

Post by Eric Gill

Post by Darin Johnson

Post by Ryan Stewart

Post by Darin Johnson
2) Does speed affect anything other than walk/run/swim speeds? Ie,
can it help combat?

It governs certain skills, like Short Blade, making your use of that
skill more effective with higher Speed.

Which brings up the question - what does "governs a skill" really
mean? Does a stat of 50 add 50 skill points to all skills it covers,
or increase the skills by 50%, or what?

Works a couple of ways. First, you cannot raise a skill over it's governing
attribute. If you hit this limit, you must first find a way to up your
attribute before your skill will increase.

You can raise a skill above its governing attribute by using it but not by
training.

Post by Eric Gill
Second, when using a skill, the governing attribute influences your chances
of doing it successfully and, if applicable, how well the results turn out.
For example, a high agility helps your chances of hitting an opponent with
a short blade, and the damage you do when you connect.
Other attributes may add to this; strength helps damage of any weapon, and
luck helps no matter what you're doing - at least a little.
The exact amounts may be available as reference somwhere; to enjoy the game
you really don't need the specifics.

It seems that other attributes affect a skill. For instance if you are low
in agility, your blows may miss more than they connect.
My current character is a high elf magic user. He started out with a major
skill of Conjuration which gave him the bound daggar and summon ancestor
spells. His summon ancestor spell was about 90 percent probable. When he
found and equipped the Mentor's Ring, the probability immediately rose 3
percent. Unequiping the ring made it drop back the 3 percent.

Aelyria

[Darin Johnson]

Post by Eric Gill
The exact amounts may be available as reference somwhere; to enjoy the game
you really don't need the specifics.

True. But the other stats at least tell you something about them;
strength explicitly says it affects damage, and willpower says it
affects magic resistance, etc. The descriptions of most skills
make you want to incresae them even if they don't "govern" anything.
However, speed merely says it affects how fast you're moving, so
it stays near the bottom of my "stats I need to raise" list.

[The Horny Goat]

Post by Eric Gill

Post by Darin Johnson
Which brings up the question - what does "governs a skill" really
mean? Does a stat of 50 add 50 skill points to all skills it covers,
or increase the skills by 50%, or what?

Works a couple of ways. First, you cannot raise a skill over it's governing
attribute. If you hit this limit, you must first find a way to up your
attribute before your skill will increase.

I have something VERY interesting going on in my present game - I've
got alchemy now at 97 while intelligence is only at 80. What happened
is that when I took first took alchemy higher than intelligence I had
a fortify intelligence potion active (actually 3 or 4 of them for a
total temporary IQ of 200+) and was surprised to learn that myalchemy
skill didn't fall back when the fortify wore off. I was actually doing
it to get a LARGE number of potions to sell to my favorite scamp
rather than any desire particularly to raise the skill (but making 100
potions is still a little cheaper than training - and you've still got
the potions to sell when done).

[Julie d'Aubigny]

Post by Eric Gill

Post by Darin Johnson
Which brings up the question - what does "governs a skill" really
mean? Does a stat of 50 add 50 skill points to all skills it covers,
or increase the skills by 50%, or what?

Works a couple of ways. First, you cannot raise a skill over it's governing
attribute. If you hit this limit, you must first find a way to up your
attribute before your skill will increase.

You can't train a skill over its governing attribute, but you can
increase it past that point through actual in-game use.

[Fat]

Observatory,,, levitate or jump to shelf and find a tube I think.

[Fat]

In the observatory , fly up to top where you find a ledge, item(s) laying
there

[ALMA ENGELS]

Post by Darin Johnson
1) Can anything be done with the strange Dwemer steam machines
in Arkngthang? Are they just decoration? Also the various
Dwemer tubes, gears, and cylinders, are they just things to sell
or do they have a real use other than being on a shelf in my mini
museum?
What about the "observatory" room there, is there anything special
going on? I assume it's just decoration, but it was difficult to get
to as if it was a special prize for exploring. Similar with the deep
mines, where I levitated up to all the levels but only found a poorly
equipped chest.

There is a circular ledge in that and other observatory. You need to
levitate (or possibly jump) go reach it. There is something there but it is
not too valuable.

Aelyria

Post by Darin Johnson
2) Does speed affect anything other than walk/run/swim speeds? Ie,
can it help combat?
3) I've "solved" two quests so far that weren't actually assigned
to me. The Hlaalu murder and freeing some imperial in what I think
was a Daedra shrine. If I later join a faction that assign these
quests, does it mess up my promotion opportunities, or otherwise
confuse the game?
--
Darin Johnson
My shoes are too tight, and I have forgotten how to dance -- Babylon 5

[Darin Johnson]

Post by ALMA ENGELS
There is a circular ledge in that and other observatory. You need to
levitate (or possibly jump) go reach it. There is something there but it is
not too valuable.

Hmm, I levitated up there, but nothing was on the ledge. I even
wandered up and down on the telescope itself. Maybe I need to peer
at the ground closer?

I wonder if the prizes are just random chests with treasure that
increases as you level up, so they just seem ho-hum when I'm level 5.

[ALMA ENGELS]

Post by Darin Johnson

Post by ALMA ENGELS
There is a circular ledge in that and other observatory. You need to
levitate (or possibly jump) go reach it. There is something there but it is
not too valuable.

Hmm, I levitated up there, but nothing was on the ledge. I even
wandered up and down on the telescope itself. Maybe I need to peer
at the ground closer?
I wonder if the prizes are just random chests with treasure that
increases as you level up, so they just seem ho-hum when I'm level 5.
--
Darin Johnson
Caution! Under no circumstances confuse the mesh with the
interleave operator, except under confusing circumstances!

Its there but you have to walk around the ledge. It is a Dwemer cylinder or
something similar.
Aelyria

[Darin Johnson]

Post by ALMA ENGELS
Its there but you have to walk around the ledge. It is a Dwemer cylinder or
something similar.

Ah. I've got one already (iz verr nice).

I also levitated above the ruins on the outside, where I could see the
outside of the telescope and the circular room. (I got the "stop the
moon" blessing in Vivec and wanted to see how far I could travel
before it wore off)

[Baggers]

Post by Darin Johnson
I also levitated above the ruins on the outside, where I could see the
outside of the telescope and the circular room. (I got the "stop the
moon" blessing in Vivec and wanted to see how far I could travel
before it wore off)

It goes a LONG way doesn't it. I've not tried getting to Solstheim with it
yet but I completed the pilgramage where you are supposed to talk to no one
in relative simlicity thanks to it.

Baggers

[Darin Johnson]

Post by Baggers
It goes a LONG way doesn't it.

I actually had two on at once, which I think means the second one
takes affect when the first wears off.

I floated over to the island by Seyda Neen that had another cave with
slaves inside, then *slept* to heal up, and the levitate was still
active. I touched the water once and it turned off immediately. I
reloaded from the autosave that occured when I slept, then headed up
the Foyada, swatting away cliff racers as I went. I got to ghost
gate, then did a quick save because I wanted to see what happened
if I flew threw it; at that point I fell, so I did a quick load but
that caused me to fall immediately also.

I had climbed Mt. Fuji in July, and was hoping to see if the volcano
was similar in any way. It wasn't; except for the huts to sleep in
and the fog. A nice sandy crunch sound when walking would have worked
well though. Maybe a merchant bottled water and oxygen.

[Baggers]

Post by Darin Johnson
I had climbed Mt. Fuji in July, and was hoping to see if the volcano
was similar in any way. It wasn't; except for the huts to sleep in
and the fog. A nice sandy crunch sound when walking would have worked
well though. Maybe a merchant bottled water and oxygen.

And levitation potions?

Baggers

[Baggers]

Post by Darin Johnson
What about the "observatory" room there, is there anything special
going on? I assume it's just decoration, but it was difficult to get
to as if it was a special prize for exploring. Similar with the deep
mines, where I levitated up to all the levels but only found a poorly
equipped chest.
2) Does speed affect anything other than walk/run/swim speeds? Ie,
can it help combat?

If you are using spear or marksman it can keep you out of range of your
attacker, but I've not seen it have an effect on any weapon swings other
than short-blade which I think is speed dependent.

Post by Darin Johnson
3) I've "solved" two quests so far that weren't actually assigned
to me. The Hlaalu murder and freeing some imperial in what I think
was a Daedra shrine. If I later join a faction that assign these
quests, does it mess up my promotion opportunities, or otherwise
confuse the game?

Solved the Hlaalu murder in another quest so when I was asked about a job I
was told that I was going to be asked to investigate but had already killed
the murder so I was given the reward and faction boost.

Baggers

[Darin Johnson]

Post by Baggers
If you are using spear or marksman it can keep you out of range of your
attacker, but I've not seen it have an effect on any weapon swings other
than short-blade which I think is speed dependent.

Marksman is another question. I made it a major skill, but discovered
that when shooting arrows at a mud crab at point blank range, only
one arrow in ten hits.

[Sidhain]

Post by Darin Johnson

Post by Baggers
If you are using spear or marksman it can keep you out of range of your
attacker, but I've not seen it have an effect on any weapon swings other
than short-blade which I think is speed dependent.

Marksman is another question. I made it a major skill, but discovered
that when shooting arrows at a mud crab at point blank range, only
one arrow in ten hits.
--

Well at point blank range that be a problem. I've got a character with it as
a major skill, and I can often kill someone in two crosbow shots an or
two-three arrows (crossbows damage is flat but less for most of the weapons
bows are much more random but tend to have higher ranges),

In generall I miss only people zig zagging back and forth in front of me
with my marksman centered character.

[Baggers]

Post by Darin Johnson

Post by Baggers
If you are using spear or marksman it can keep you out of range of your
attacker, but I've not seen it have an effect on any weapon swings
other than short-blade which I think is speed dependent.

Marksman is another question. I made it a major skill, but discovered
that when shooting arrows at a mud crab at point blank range, only
one arrow in ten hits.

When you get marksman and agility up it becomes much more accurate. I find
aiming at point-blank range is actually much harder than from a short
distance.

Baggers

[ALMA ENGELS]

Post by Darin Johnson

Post by Baggers
If you are using spear or marksman it can keep you out of range of your
attacker, but I've not seen it have an effect on any weapon swings other
than short-blade which I think is speed dependent.

Marksman is another question. I made it a major skill, but discovered
that when shooting arrows at a mud crab at point blank range, only
one arrow in ten hits.
--
Darin Johnson
Laziness is the father of invention

Weapons you throw work better there. Try throwing knives etc. An advantage
to these is that nothing wears out and needs repairs.
Aelyria

[Magnus Itland]

Post by Darin Johnson
Marksman is another question. I made it a major skill, but discovered
that when shooting arrows at a mud crab at point blank range, only
one arrow in ten hits.

There is, in my experience, a penalty to point blank. Try standing a bit
further away.

[Darin Johnson]

Post by Magnus Itland
There is, in my experience, a penalty to point blank. Try standing a
bit further away.

I've used several ranges, with both slow moving mud crabs and large
cliff racers. I suspect the arrow may be dropping, but I can't see it
well enough to know how high over the target I need to keep the
crosshairs. My agility is reasonably high (60?) and marksman is 30.

[Rick Russell]

Post by Darin Johnson
I've used several ranges, with both slow moving mud crabs and large
cliff racers.

If the target is at the same elevation as you, aim for the top of the
target.

If it's much higher than you, aim above the target.

If it's lower than you, aim at the target or slightly below it.

Sometimes it takes several shots to get the angle right. But that's OK; the monster doesn't wake up and attack you until you fire in the right place.

Post by Darin Johnson
I suspect the arrow may be dropping, but I can't see it
well enough to know how high over the target I need to keep the
crosshairs. My agility is reasonably high (60?) and marksman is 30.

I'm surprised; arrows are usually pretty easy to see. Maybe you need
to dump those camo-style chitin arrows in favor of iron or steel?

By comparison, crossbow bolts are MUCH harder to see -- that's one
reason I don't like them very much.

Rick R.

[Merlin]

Post by Rick Russell

Post by Darin Johnson
I've used several ranges, with both slow moving mud crabs and large
cliff racers.

If the target is at the same elevation as you, aim for the top of the
target.
If it's much higher than you, aim above the target.
If it's lower than you, aim at the target or slightly below it.
Sometimes it takes several shots to get the angle right. But that's OK;

the monster doesn't wake up and attack you until you fire in the right
place.

Post by Rick Russell

Post by Darin Johnson
I suspect the arrow may be dropping, but I can't see it
well enough to know how high over the target I need to keep the
crosshairs. My agility is reasonably high (60?) and marksman is 30.

I'm surprised; arrows are usually pretty easy to see. Maybe you need
to dump those camo-style chitin arrows in favor of iron or steel?
By comparison, crossbow bolts are MUCH harder to see -- that's one
reason I don't like them very much.
Rick R.

On the other hand the trajectory is flatter, and the aiming more
precise. Keeping the crosshair dead center works most of the
time. Personally I prefer stars and throwing knifes

merlin

[Darin Johnson]

Post by Rick Russell

Post by Rick Russell
Sometimes it takes several shots to get the angle right. But that's OK;

the monster doesn't wake up and attack you until you fire in the right
place.

You can fire at the right place and still miss; ie, the monster
wakes up and comes after you, with the yellow bar showing they
have full health.

Post by Rick Russell
On the other hand the trajectory is flatter, and the aiming more
precise. Keeping the crosshair dead center works most of the
time. Personally I prefer stars and throwing knifes

I switched to crossbow, and I can hit more. But not enough to
make it reliable. I still need to train marksman, since it'll
take years to raise it with use.

[TigraTheAvenger1]

Subject: MW newbie questions
Date: 07.09.2003 00:50 Westeuropäische Sommerzeit
1) Can anything be done with the strange Dwemer steam machines
in Arkngthang? Are they just decoration? Also the various
Dwemer tubes, gears, and cylinders, are they just things to sell
or do they have a real use other than being on a shelf in my mini
museum?
What about the "observatory" room there, is there anything special
going on? I assume it's just decoration, but it was difficult to get
to as if it was a special prize for exploring. Similar with the deep
mines, where I levitated up to all the levels but only found a poorly
equipped chest.
2) Does speed affect anything other than walk/run/swim speeds? Ie,
can it help combat?
3) I've "solved" two quests so far that weren't actually assigned
to me. The Hlaalu murder and freeing some imperial in what I think
was a Daedra shrine. If I later join a faction that assign these
quests, does it mess up my promotion opportunities, or otherwise
confuse the game?
--
Darin Johnson
My shoes are too tight, and I have forgotten how to dance -- Babylon 5

1) The most Dwemer steam machines are Deco, but I have see some Dwemer steam
machines in the Activator-List of the Editor.

You need the various
Dwemer tubes, gears, and cylinders for some Quests and if you need money.

2) Is all Atletics and work too for the Chance to Hit a Target or Dodge
(Agility).