Discussion:
Dread Zombie Rant: [longish sorry]
(too old to reply)
Capt_Sinbad
2007-05-09 21:11:26 UTC
Permalink
Hi everyone,

I just got this game & it rocks but I do have a minor rant. Thanks in
advance for putting up with me since I've never posted here before.

Want to give background info though, to help the regulars here see where I'm
coming from.

OK so this isn't MWgotY... But how does Oblivion figure leveling up &
monsters?

Wanted my pirate guy to make heal potions & so alchemy was among his
"custom" skills. Hoarded 100's of ingredients from farms to get his alchemy
from 25 to 50 in one shot.

I'd gotten his light armor, & block skills to 75 by letting goblins bash on
him until they'd run out of usable weapons. (That took a **long** time which
is why I'm kind of pissed.)

After alchemy run, went to sleep and dang! Kept leveling up until game
thought I should be L-26? : 0 !

Eight levels? Was doing fine at L-18...

Blade skill was 62 btw. (Is enchanted cutlass from another quest useless
against some monsters?)

Long story short. Was after a quest statue in "Wendelbek" and did fine
maneuvering around summoned monsters, chasing down the necromancers, etc.

But what is a "Dread Zombie" & more importantly how do you kill these stupid
things?

I think it's bogus. I *never* saw any message saying "your weapon has no
effect".

I spent *3 minutes* slashing the (you know what) out of these things. Zombie
health kept looking like they were almost finished off. Then they must have
some sort of "power hit" or something that stuns you.

And gee wiz... While you are "stunned" zombie health goes back up to 100%?

So these things are gods? "Dread Zombies" are more powerful than Dremora
Lords or Oblivion plane critters? Like I say, seems bogus to me.

Drank max number of "strong healing potions" & health bar was around 80%.
Almost as soon as I returned to game though *one hit* from these things
killed me 80% health! At first I thought it was just the game's "stunned"
animation, but nope. DOA..Dead...

Anyway thanks for putting up with minor rant. It's just that I'd spent a
very long time working on this char. (I play "hardcore" so once I'm dead -
start again! maybe not possible in this game?)

Final question. I'm guessing magic items are leveled. If so, do they "level
up" with you? I'm guessing "no they don't" which also seems bogus.

What's the use of doing quests early in the game if "weak" magic items
cannot help you later?

OK, probably nothing the regulars here haven't heard before. ;)

I guess that's where the strategy comes into play.

So any tips greatly appreciated. I'm playing it "vanilla" (v-1.02 patch).
SI not installed yet.

thx

"SinBad"
MJB
2007-05-09 21:16:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Hi everyone,
But what is a "Dread Zombie" & more importantly how do you kill these
stupid things?
I have only one word: Fire. And lots of it.
--
MJB

Mr. Tin's Miniature Painting Workshop:
http://web.newsguy.com/Mrtinsworkshop/
DeAnn
2007-05-09 21:23:35 UTC
Permalink
Post by MJB
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Hi everyone,
But what is a "Dread Zombie" & more importantly how do you kill these
stupid things?
I have only one word: Fire. And lots of it.
--
MJB
Mr. Tin's Miniature Painting Workshop:http://web.newsguy.com/Mrtinsworkshop/
Dread Zombies are one of the tougher encounters when you first meet
them as they heal rather quickly and poisons do not work on them. As
the above poster says, fire works. You need to do damage quickly vice
slowly with these guys.

Almost everyone hates Oblivions' level up rules and leveled monsters.
It is very unsatisfactory for one's response to leveling up is "Oh
sh*t!"
Capt_Sinbad
2007-05-10 19:57:20 UTC
Permalink
Post by DeAnn
Post by MJB
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Hi everyone,
But what is a "Dread Zombie" & more importantly how do you kill these
stupid things?
I have only one word: Fire. And lots of it.
--
MJB
Mr. Tin's Miniature Painting
Workshop:http://web.newsguy.com/Mrtinsworkshop/
Dread Zombies are one of the tougher encounters when you first meet
them as they heal rather quickly and poisons do not work on them. As
the above poster says, fire works. You need to do damage quickly vice
slowly with these guys.
Almost everyone hates Oblivions' level up rules and leveled monsters.
It is very unsatisfactory for one's response to leveling up is "Oh
sh*t!"
Yes, it's pretty weird. Most games I can't *wait* to level up. In this one
it's like you said. "Oh no! Do I really want to go to sleep yet?"

Related question: I think MW was 10 skill increases to get you 5 points. I'd
swear I increased skills *way* past 10 and yet menu allows maybe 3 points or
something. How does Oblivion calculate skill increases not in your major
abilities? Slowly accumulated *hours* of foolishly hopping around Skingrad &
off the bridges until the shops open. Never have gotten acrobat to even 50.

"Need for Speed"

Endlessly swimming & swimming & swimming for athletics with fishman's ring
gets silly too. Pressed "Q" & just let the game run while I did something
else. CTD on me though. Game has water boundries or just too "far out" in
ocean? ;)
Merlin
2007-06-21 05:52:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Post by DeAnn
Post by MJB
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Hi everyone,
But what is a "Dread Zombie" & more importantly
how do you kill these
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Post by DeAnn
Post by MJB
Post by Capt_Sinbad
stupid things?
I have only one word: Fire. And lots of it.
--
MJB
Mr. Tin's Miniature Painting
Workshop:http://web.newsguy.com/Mrtinsworkshop/
Dread Zombies are one of the tougher encounters
when you first meet
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Post by DeAnn
them as they heal rather quickly and poisons do
not work on them. As
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Post by DeAnn
the above poster says, fire works. You need to do
damage quickly vice
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Post by DeAnn
slowly with these guys.
Almost everyone hates Oblivions' level up rules
and leveled monsters.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Post by DeAnn
It is very unsatisfactory for one's response to
leveling up is "Oh
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Post by DeAnn
sh*t!"
Yes, it's pretty weird. Most games I can't *wait*
to level up. In this one
Post by Capt_Sinbad
it's like you said. "Oh no! Do I really want to go
to sleep yet?"
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Related question: I think MW was 10 skill increases
to get you 5 points. I'd
Post by Capt_Sinbad
swear I increased skills *way* past 10 and yet menu
allows maybe 3 points or
Post by Capt_Sinbad
something. How does Oblivion calculate skill
increases not in your major
Post by Capt_Sinbad
abilities? Slowly accumulated *hours* of foolishly
hopping around Skingrad &
Post by Capt_Sinbad
off the bridges until the shops open. Never have
gotten acrobat to even 50.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
"Need for Speed"
Endlessly swimming & swimming & swimming for
athletics with fishman's ring
Post by Capt_Sinbad
gets silly too. Pressed "Q" & just let the game
run while I did something
Post by Capt_Sinbad
else. CTD on me though. Game has water boundries
or just too "far out" in
Post by Capt_Sinbad
ocean? ;)
The major skill increases count towards your
level-ups, while the minor skill increases
gives you bonuses. BUT for the increases to give you
max bonus'es they must
be controlled by the same attribute - strength,
speed, agility, willpower, intelligence
etc. So for you to get a 5pt strength bonus your
increases of blade, blunt and hand-to-
hand are the only ones that counts and the same
reason goes for the rest

merlin
Capt_Sinbad
2007-05-10 19:46:50 UTC
Permalink
Post by MJB
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Hi everyone,
But what is a "Dread Zombie" & more importantly how do you kill these
stupid things?
I have only one word: Fire. And lots of it.
Heh. Wasn't there a scroll of "Fiercely Roasting Thine Enemies" in MW?
Maybe scroll like that in Oblivion. Use CS & make it 1000 points just for
revenge! Killer zombies don't reflect do they? :- 0 !
Post by MJB
MJB
http://web.newsguy.com/Mrtinsworkshop/
Capt_Sinbad
2007-05-10 21:21:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by MJB
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Hi everyone,
But what is a "Dread Zombie" & more importantly how do you kill these
stupid things?
I have only one word: Fire. And lots of it.
Was double checking & came across an odd message. "server no longer has
message". Never had a dropped post before. Anyway D*amn straight about the
fire! :)
Post by MJB
--
MJB
http://web.newsguy.com/Mrtinsworkshop/
Greg Johnson
2007-05-09 22:12:10 UTC
Permalink
On Wed, 9 May 2007 16:11:26 -0500, "Capt_Sinbad"
Post by Capt_Sinbad
OK so this isn't MWgotY... But how does Oblivion figure leveling up &
monsters?
Wanted my pirate guy to make heal potions & so alchemy was among his
"custom" skills. Hoarded 100's of ingredients from farms to get his alchemy
from 25 to 50 in one shot.
It turns out that making Alchemy a major skill is never a great idea,
in the same way as Athletics and Acrobatics are bad. It goes up so
fast if you use it at all that it's a handicap if it's tied to your
level.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
I'd gotten his light armor, & block skills to 75 by letting goblins bash on
him until they'd run out of usable weapons. (That took a **long** time which
is why I'm kind of pissed.)
After alchemy run, went to sleep and dang! Kept leveling up until game
thought I should be L-26? : 0 !
Eight levels? Was doing fine at L-18...
Always rest whenever you can go up a level - that way you won't
accidentally skip a bunch of levels at once. Levelling a lot from just
using one skill is a bad idea for the same reason it was in Morrowind
- if you don't exercise different skills between levels, you lose out
on your stats.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Blade skill was 62 btw. (Is enchanted cutlass from another quest useless
against some monsters?)
Yes, some higher daedra do have enough magic resistance that it's not
very useful, but Dread Zombies aren't one of them.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Long story short. Was after a quest statue in "Wendelbek" and did fine
maneuvering around summoned monsters, chasing down the necromancers, etc.
But what is a "Dread Zombie" & more importantly how do you kill these stupid
things?
It's a stronger version of your standard zombie with a constant
regeneration effect.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
I think it's bogus. I *never* saw any message saying "your weapon has no
effect".
They're affected by normal weapons just like other zombies are.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
I spent *3 minutes* slashing the (you know what) out of these things. Zombie
health kept looking like they were almost finished off. Then they must have
some sort of "power hit" or something that stuns you.
Most enemies can stun you if you're unlucky, and yes, it's the same
with any power attack.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
And gee wiz... While you are "stunned" zombie health goes back up to 100%?
That's the constant healing going on.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
So these things are gods? "Dread Zombies" are more powerful than Dremora
Lords or Oblivion plane critters? Like I say, seems bogus to me.
They're a bit weaker than most of the daedra, but they're immune to
poison and that regeneration really stretches out their lifespan.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Drank max number of "strong healing potions" & health bar was around 80%.
Almost as soon as I returned to game though *one hit* from these things
killed me 80% health! At first I thought it was just the game's "stunned"
animation, but nope. DOA..Dead...
I'm fairly certain that your armour was broken at that point, so that
one hit was more damaging than previous ones. Next time remember that
they're weak to fire. Also, as an alchemist you should be using your
own healing potions during the fight - they provide the same sort of
healing over time the Dread Zombies have, and you can see what a
difference that makes. Finally, once you're an expert alchemist,
remember the combination of cheese wedge + lettuce will make you a
fire shield potion, which both protects you and does fire damage to
your enemy.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Anyway thanks for putting up with minor rant. It's just that I'd spent a
very long time working on this char. (I play "hardcore" so once I'm dead -
start again! maybe not possible in this game?)
It's quite possible - most of my characters have never died.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Final question. I'm guessing magic items are leveled. If so, do they "level
up" with you? I'm guessing "no they don't" which also seems bogus.
Quest rewards are, and found items are in the sense that you'll find
better ones later.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
What's the use of doing quests early in the game if "weak" magic items
cannot help you later?
They can still help, but what you get later will help more, in most
cases. There's still stuff like the reward for that slaughterfish
hunting quest, which will help you more or less equally at all levels
- water breathing is always useful. Also, don't feel that you always
have to use enchanted weapons just because you have them - look at the
damage column and see what you can use better. A plain glass sword is
much better than most enchanted steel swords.
Capt_Sinbad
2007-05-10 20:49:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by Greg Johnson
On Wed, 9 May 2007 16:11:26 -0500, "Capt_Sinbad"
Post by Capt_Sinbad
OK so this isn't MWgotY... But how does Oblivion figure leveling up &
monsters?
Wanted my pirate guy to make heal potions & so alchemy was among his
"custom" skills. Hoarded 100's of ingredients from farms to get his alchemy
from 25 to 50 in one shot.
It turns out that making Alchemy a major skill is never a great idea,
in the same way as Athletics and Acrobatics are bad. It goes up so
fast if you use it at all that it's a handicap if it's tied to your
level.
Thanks for the tip. Since I'll probably be starting over anyway, that's very
useful. Alchemy actually *not* good but I guess it makes sense. If no "luck"
seems to be involved in it now, then no reason to start with it relatively
high.
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
I'd gotten his light armor, & block skills to 75 by letting goblins bash on
him until they'd run out of usable weapons. (That took a **long** time which
is why I'm kind of pissed.)
After alchemy run, went to sleep and dang! Kept leveling up until game
thought I should be L-26? : 0 !
Eight levels? Was doing fine at L-18...
Always rest whenever you can go up a level - that way you won't
accidentally skip a bunch of levels at once. Levelling a lot from just
using one skill is a bad idea for the same reason it was in Morrowind
- if you don't exercise different skills between levels, you lose out
on your stats.
I'll ask same question I asked DeAnn. How does game calculate skill
increases for stats? Went around in heavy armor beating up rats & wolves to
get hand to hand & armor up to 25 & get strength points. That should be
*way* past ten right? Level up menu gave 3 points. Will have to pay special
attention to what skills are before I start working on them with replacement
char.
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Blade skill was 62 btw. (Is enchanted cutlass from another quest useless
against some monsters?)
Yes, some higher daedra do have enough magic resistance that it's not
very useful, but Dread Zombies aren't one of them.
3 minutes is the longest sword fight I've ever been in to date. (Thanks Beth
for giving us the time on saves or I wouldn't know.) Weapon was probably
getting dull. Ran out of "drain health" enchant very early on. I still think
it's bogus. I was slashing the crap out of these things. My turn to use game
dialogue: "Die damn you! Why won't you die!" ;)
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Long story short. Was after a quest statue in "Wendelbek" and did fine
maneuvering around summoned monsters, chasing down the necromancers, etc.
But what is a "Dread Zombie" & more importantly how do you kill these stupid
things?
It's a stronger version of your standard zombie with a constant
regeneration effect.
Never had any problems with trolls, but never any long drawn out fights with
them either. Live with it I guess.
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
I think it's bogus. I *never* saw any message saying "your weapon has no
effect".
They're affected by normal weapons just like other zombies are.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Post by Capt_Sinbad
I spent *3 minutes* slashing the (you know what) out of these things. Zombie
health kept looking like they were almost finished off. Then they must have
some sort of "power hit" or something that stuns you.
Most enemies can stun you if you're unlucky, and yes, it's the same
with any power attack.
Maybe "stun" was wrong word. Knocked back or "staggered" might be better
description. When you block & opponent delivers a blow strong enough to get
past your shield before you can recover. That's probably what did me in.
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
And gee wiz... While you are "stunned" zombie health goes back up to 100%?
That's the constant healing going on.
Yes, that must be pretty fast too because I think I had them very close to
zero. Then the getting "stopped" by their power hits. Was actually the best
fight so far in the game & maybe that's how I got sucked in. Should've just
bailed. Could easily out run them. Live & learn, or in this case maybe
*die* and learn... <growl>
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
So these things are gods? "Dread Zombies" are more powerful than Dremora
Lords or Oblivion plane critters? Like I say, seems bogus to me.
They're a bit weaker than most of the daedra, but they're immune to
poison and that regeneration really stretches out their lifespan.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Drank max number of "strong healing potions" & health bar was around 80%.
Almost as soon as I returned to game though *one hit* from these things
killed me 80% health! At first I thought it was just the game's "stunned"
animation, but nope. DOA..Dead...
I'm fairly certain that your armour was broken at that point, so that
one hit was more damaging than previous ones. Next time remember that
they're weak to fire. Also, as an alchemist you should be using your
own healing potions during the fight - they provide the same sort of
healing over time the Dread Zombies have, and you can see what a
difference that makes. Finally, once you're an expert alchemist,
remember the combination of cheese wedge + lettuce will make you a
fire shield potion, which both protects you and does fire damage to
your enemy.
Excuse all-caps but THAT is probably exactly what happened! Good call!
Hadn't thought about blown armor. I know cutlass wasn't doing jack towards
the end. They actually outlasted my equipment! Incredible! I'm quite certain
I don't want to level up too quickly in this game now. :- 0!
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Anyway thanks for putting up with minor rant. It's just that I'd spent a
very long time working on this char. (I play "hardcore" so once I'm dead -
start again! maybe not possible in this game?)
It's quite possible - most of my characters have never died.
That's good to hear. Another reason I was pissed. 40+ game hours (much of it
very boring to build up acrobatics & athletics) all down the toilet. So it
is possible to finish main quest? Have heard gripes about giant "boss" in
streets of IC being impossible. People say they just type "kill". Not very
challenging imho, but if designers didn't give player at least a chance.who
am I to say?
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Final question. I'm guessing magic items are leveled. If so, do they "level
up" with you? I'm guessing "no they don't" which also seems bogus.
Quest rewards are, and found items are in the sense that you'll find
better ones later.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
What's the use of doing quests early in the game if "weak" magic items
cannot help you later?
They can still help, but what you get later will help more, in most
cases. There's still stuff like the reward for that slaughterfish
hunting quest, which will help you more or less equally at all levels
- water breathing is always useful. Also, don't feel that you always
have to use enchanted weapons just because you have them - look at the
damage column and see what you can use better. A plain glass sword is
much better than most enchanted steel swords.
Hey, those fish weren't easy at L-18! Ring was worth it tho. Khajiiti ring a
good one too. Any other suggestions for good items? I try to stay away from
walkthroughs or strategy guides. Just hints. Haven't found where to get
Goldbrand or Umbra, only done Meridia quest. Can't figure out what "path"
means for "Hermaeus Mora" shrine. How do you activate that one? "Path"
sounds interesting.
Anyway thanks for taking time for line by line reply. Really helped.

cheers,

Bruce (aka "Capt. Sinbad" for this game for now at least)
Greg Johnson
2007-05-10 23:32:26 UTC
Permalink
On Thu, 10 May 2007 15:49:23 -0500, "Capt_Sinbad"
Post by Capt_Sinbad
I'll ask same question I asked DeAnn. How does game calculate skill
increases for stats? Went around in heavy armor beating up rats & wolves to
get hand to hand & armor up to 25 & get strength points. That should be
*way* past ten right? Level up menu gave 3 points. Will have to pay special
attention to what skills are before I start working on them with replacement
char.
It takes 10 points in skills governing a particular attribute during
one level to get a +5 multiplier. Since you went up a bunch of levels
at once and got a +3, this tells us that you only increased the skills
by a total of 5-7 points in a particular level. Unlike Morrowind,
Oblivion does remember at what point you levelled, and skill increases
after that time count for the next level's bonuses, not the current
one.
See http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Leveling#Raising_Attributes

The other reason for resting as soon as your level increases is to
provide you with access to better equipment, both found and in the
shops. There are two cases in which levelling is a problem - if you
level only from increasing a non-combat skill, this means that enemies
are tougher to fight, effectively pushes the game's difficulty up a
bit. If you store your levels and level up a lot at once, then you've
deprived yourself of the opportunity to find equipment that is
appropriate for the strength of your enemies, increasing the
difficulty more.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
3 minutes is the longest sword fight I've ever been in to date. (Thanks Beth
for giving us the time on saves or I wouldn't know.) Weapon was probably
getting dull. Ran out of "drain health" enchant very early on. I still think
it's bogus. I was slashing the crap out of these things. My turn to use game
dialogue: "Die damn you! Why won't you die!" ;)
The problem with that weapon is that once the magic runs out, it's got
fairly low damage. At level 26, you can buy weapons in the shops that
are far more damaging than that cutlass, and they won't run out of
charges.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
So it
is possible to finish main quest? Have heard gripes about giant "boss" in
streets of IC being impossible. People say they just type "kill". Not very
challenging imho, but if designers didn't give player at least a chance.who
am I to say?
I have to say that anybody who actually stands face to face and fights
the end boss is pointlessly indulging themselves. You've been given
another way to defeat him, that doesn't require facing him at all, so
why not use it?
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Any other suggestions for good items? I try to stay away from
walkthroughs or strategy guides. Just hints. Haven't found where to get
Goldbrand or Umbra, only done Meridia quest. Can't figure out what "path"
means for "Hermaeus Mora" shrine. How do you activate that one? "Path"
sounds interesting.
Hermaus Mora can only be activated when you've finished all the other
daedric shrine quests. Most daedric shrines are in gaps between the
roads, though there's a very useful one on the road down near
Leyawiin.
Capt_Sinbad
2007-05-12 04:53:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by Greg Johnson
On Thu, 10 May 2007 15:49:23 -0500, "Capt_Sinbad"
<snip for brevity>

***********
Possible Spoil:
***********
( I'll be typing a bit about the Main Quest (MQ). So may want to skip
entirely.)
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
So it
is possible to finish main quest? Have heard gripes about giant "boss" in
streets of IC being impossible. People say they just type "kill". Not very
challenging imho, but if designers didn't give player at least a chance.who
am I to say?
I have to say that anybody who actually stands face to face and fights
the end boss is pointlessly indulging themselves. You've been given
another way to defeat him, that doesn't require facing him at all, so
why not use it?
Haven't done much of the MQ yet except get Martin out of Kvatch.

I'm sitting here thinking, "Hmmm... Now that's a pretty cool hint." :)

Not enough to be a spoil, but maybe suggest the MQ can be played differently
just like in Morrowind?

Didn't know you could! Read gripes about it being too linear, "Go here-- get
Martin this, get martin that." Slay demons, close Oblivion gates... Rinse &
repeat.

So you're saying the ridiculous giant in the streets of the IC can be
avoided? Cool!

Or maybe not, since now I'll be looking for clues... ;)

Hope you don't mind me asking one last question *here* rather than checking
out wiki & possibly learning more than I wanted to know.

Enjoy reading the books in-game. Did developers go out of their way to
emphasize a section in "Book of the Daedra"? I think "special" is used
*twice* in one sentence.

So should I pay any "special" attention to the following? (cut-n-pasted
from CS - hope it formats correctly)

"Especially marked for special interest under the heading "Malacath" you
find a reference to SCOURGE, blessed by Malacath, and dedicated to the use
of mortals. In short, the reference suggests that any Daedra attempting to
invoke the weapon's powers will be expelled into the voidstreams of
Oblivion."

Red herring or something to keep in mind?

thx
Greg Johnson
2007-05-12 06:14:44 UTC
Permalink
On Fri, 11 May 2007 23:53:51 -0500, "Capt_Sinbad"
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Post by Greg Johnson
On Thu, 10 May 2007 15:49:23 -0500, "Capt_Sinbad"
<snip for brevity>
***********
***********
( I'll be typing a bit about the Main Quest (MQ). So may want to skip
entirely.)
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
So it
is possible to finish main quest? Have heard gripes about giant "boss" in
streets of IC being impossible. People say they just type "kill". Not very
challenging imho, but if designers didn't give player at least a chance.who
am I to say?
I have to say that anybody who actually stands face to face and fights
the end boss is pointlessly indulging themselves. You've been given
another way to defeat him, that doesn't require facing him at all, so
why not use it?
Haven't done much of the MQ yet except get Martin out of Kvatch.
I'm sitting here thinking, "Hmmm... Now that's a pretty cool hint." :)
Not enough to be a spoil, but maybe suggest the MQ can be played differently
just like in Morrowind?
Didn't know you could! Read gripes about it being too linear, "Go here-- get
Martin this, get martin that." Slay demons, close Oblivion gates... Rinse &
repeat.
No, not very differently at all - the main quest really is very linear
in terms of always having the same goals in the same order, and yes,
there's a lot of escorting people about involved.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
So you're saying the ridiculous giant in the streets of the IC can be
avoided? Cool!
Or maybe not, since now I'll be looking for clues... ;)
There's no particular clue - just read what the quest actually asks
you to do. People who go directly to the big monster are doing what
they feel is appropriate for a game instead of treating it like a
real-world problem.

<snip book contents>
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Red herring or something to keep in mind?
Red herring.
Merlin
2007-06-21 05:57:38 UTC
Permalink
Post by Greg Johnson
On Wed, 9 May 2007 16:11:26 -0500, "Capt_Sinbad"
Post by Capt_Sinbad
OK so this isn't MWgotY... But how does Oblivion
figure leveling up &
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
monsters?
Wanted my pirate guy to make heal potions & so
alchemy was among his
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
"custom" skills. Hoarded 100's of ingredients from
farms to get his alchemy
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
from 25 to 50 in one shot.
It turns out that making Alchemy a major skill is
never a great idea,
Post by Greg Johnson
in the same way as Athletics and Acrobatics are
bad. It goes up so
Post by Greg Johnson
fast if you use it at all that it's a handicap if
it's tied to your
Post by Greg Johnson
level.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
I'd gotten his light armor, & block skills to 75 by
letting goblins bash on
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
him until they'd run out of usable weapons. (That
took a **long** time which
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
is why I'm kind of pissed.)
After alchemy run, went to sleep and dang! Kept
leveling up until game
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
thought I should be L-26? : 0 !
Eight levels? Was doing fine at L-18...
Always rest whenever you can go up a level - that
way you won't
Post by Greg Johnson
accidentally skip a bunch of levels at once.
Levelling a lot from just
Post by Greg Johnson
using one skill is a bad idea for the same reason
it was in Morrowind
Post by Greg Johnson
- if you don't exercise different skills between
levels, you lose out
Post by Greg Johnson
on your stats.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Blade skill was 62 btw. (Is enchanted cutlass from
another quest useless
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
against some monsters?)
Yes, some higher daedra do have enough magic
resistance that it's not
Post by Greg Johnson
very useful, but Dread Zombies aren't one of them.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Long story short. Was after a quest statue in
"Wendelbek" and did fine
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
maneuvering around summoned monsters, chasing down
the necromancers, etc.
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
But what is a "Dread Zombie" & more importantly how
do you kill these stupid
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
things?
It's a stronger version of your standard zombie
with a constant
Post by Greg Johnson
regeneration effect.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
I think it's bogus. I *never* saw any message
saying "your weapon has no
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
effect".
They're affected by normal weapons just like other
zombies are.
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
I spent *3 minutes* slashing the (you know what)
out of these things. Zombie
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
health kept looking like they were almost finished
off. Then they must have
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
some sort of "power hit" or something that stuns
you.
Post by Greg Johnson
Most enemies can stun you if you're unlucky, and
yes, it's the same
Post by Greg Johnson
with any power attack.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
And gee wiz... While you are "stunned" zombie
health goes back up to 100%?
Post by Greg Johnson
That's the constant healing going on.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
So these things are gods? "Dread Zombies" are more
powerful than Dremora
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Lords or Oblivion plane critters? Like I say, seems
bogus to me.
Post by Greg Johnson
They're a bit weaker than most of the daedra, but
they're immune to
Post by Greg Johnson
poison and that regeneration really stretches out
their lifespan.
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Drank max number of "strong healing potions" &
health bar was around 80%.
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Almost as soon as I returned to game though *one
hit* from these things
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
killed me 80% health! At first I thought it was
just the game's "stunned"
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
animation, but nope. DOA..Dead...
I'm fairly certain that your armour was broken at
that point, so that
Post by Greg Johnson
one hit was more damaging than previous ones. Next
time remember that
Post by Greg Johnson
they're weak to fire. Also, as an alchemist you
should be using your
Post by Greg Johnson
own healing potions during the fight - they provide
the same sort of
Post by Greg Johnson
healing over time the Dread Zombies have, and you
can see what a
Post by Greg Johnson
difference that makes. Finally, once you're an
expert alchemist,
Post by Greg Johnson
remember the combination of cheese wedge + lettuce
will make you a
Post by Greg Johnson
fire shield potion, which both protects you and
does fire damage to
Post by Greg Johnson
your enemy.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Anyway thanks for putting up with minor rant. It's
just that I'd spent a
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
very long time working on this char. (I play
"hardcore" so once I'm dead -
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
start again! maybe not possible in this game?)
It's quite possible - most of my characters have
never died.
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Final question. I'm guessing magic items are
leveled. If so, do they "level
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
up" with you? I'm guessing "no they don't" which
also seems bogus.
Post by Greg Johnson
Quest rewards are, and found items are in the sense
that you'll find
Post by Greg Johnson
better ones later.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
What's the use of doing quests early in the game if
"weak" magic items
Post by Greg Johnson
Post by Capt_Sinbad
cannot help you later?
They can still help, but what you get later will
help more, in most
Post by Greg Johnson
cases. There's still stuff like the reward for that
slaughterfish
Post by Greg Johnson
hunting quest, which will help you more or less
equally at all levels
Post by Greg Johnson
- water breathing is always useful. Also, don't
feel that you always
Post by Greg Johnson
have to use enchanted weapons just because you have
them - look at the
Post by Greg Johnson
damage column and see what you can use better. A
plain glass sword is
Post by Greg Johnson
much better than most enchanted steel swords.
They may be impervious to magic attacks, but they are
not immune to
armor enchanted with spell reflect spells or damage
reflect spells

merlin

Merlin
2007-06-05 15:14:20 UTC
Permalink
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Hi everyone,
I just got this game & it rocks but I do have a
minor rant. Thanks in
Post by Capt_Sinbad
advance for putting up with me since I've never
posted here before.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Want to give background info though, to help the
regulars here see where I'm
Post by Capt_Sinbad
coming from.
OK so this isn't MWgotY... But how does Oblivion
figure leveling up &
Post by Capt_Sinbad
monsters?
It depends on your level. The wolfs, timberwolfs,
bears, minotaurs etc
appears when you reaches a certain level. It is a
chance encounter
though. At level 4 you will start meeting timberwolfs
eg. They all have
a certain level where your chance to meet them
starts. It mirror the
fact that you need a certain conjuration level before
you can summon
the stronger monsters
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Wanted my pirate guy to make heal potions & so
alchemy was among his
Post by Capt_Sinbad
"custom" skills. Hoarded 100's of ingredients from
farms to get his alchemy
Post by Capt_Sinbad
from 25 to 50 in one shot.
I'd gotten his light armor, & block skills to 75 by
letting goblins bash on
Post by Capt_Sinbad
him until they'd run out of usable weapons. (That
took a **long** time which
Post by Capt_Sinbad
is why I'm kind of pissed.)
After alchemy run, went to sleep and dang! Kept
leveling up until game
Post by Capt_Sinbad
thought I should be L-26? : 0 !
Eight levels? Was doing fine at L-18...
Blade skill was 62 btw. (Is enchanted cutlass from
another quest useless
Post by Capt_Sinbad
against some monsters?)
Long story short. Was after a quest statue in
"Wendelbek" and did fine
Post by Capt_Sinbad
maneuvering around summoned monsters, chasing down
the necromancers, etc.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
But what is a "Dread Zombie" & more importantly how
do you kill these stupid
Post by Capt_Sinbad
things?
the dread zombie is like Daggerfalls Vampire Ancient
or Morrowinds Lich
a super monster
Post by Capt_Sinbad
I think it's bogus. I *never* saw any message
saying "your weapon has no
Post by Capt_Sinbad
effect".
I spent *3 minutes* slashing the (you know what)
out of these things. Zombie
Post by Capt_Sinbad
health kept looking like they were almost finished
off. Then they must have
Post by Capt_Sinbad
some sort of "power hit" or something that stuns
you.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
And gee wiz... While you are "stunned" zombie
health goes back up to 100%?
Post by Capt_Sinbad
So these things are gods? "Dread Zombies" are more
powerful than Dremora
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Lords or Oblivion plane critters? Like I say, seems
bogus to me.
The dremoras or dremora lords are not "super". They
compare to nord or redguard
warriors only stronger. Oblivion plane critters like
the clannfears and daedroths are
the slaves and servants of their masters. Zombies are
undeads, which the dremoras
aren't, and considerably stronger adversaries since
they can heal up so fast and
has a paralysing spell. Others on their level are the
atronach's, which on the cyrodillic
plane compares to minotaurs and ogres
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Drank max number of "strong healing potions" &
health bar was around 80%.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Almost as soon as I returned to game though *one
hit* from these things
Post by Capt_Sinbad
killed me 80% health! At first I thought it was
just the game's "stunned"
Post by Capt_Sinbad
animation, but nope. DOA..Dead...
Anyway thanks for putting up with minor rant. It's
just that I'd spent a
Post by Capt_Sinbad
very long time working on this char. (I play
"hardcore" so once I'm dead -
Post by Capt_Sinbad
start again! maybe not possible in this game?)
Final question. I'm guessing magic items are
leveled. If so, do they "level
Post by Capt_Sinbad
up" with you? I'm guessing "no they don't" which
also seems bogus.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
What's the use of doing quests early in the game if
"weak" magic items
Post by Capt_Sinbad
cannot help you later?
OK, probably nothing the regulars here haven't
heard before. ;)
Post by Capt_Sinbad
I guess that's where the strategy comes into play.
So any tips greatly appreciated. I'm playing it
"vanilla" (v-1.02 patch).
Post by Capt_Sinbad
SI not installed yet.
thx
"SinBad"
merlin
Gamester
2007-06-06 03:32:36 UTC
Permalink
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Hi everyone,
I just got this game & it rocks but I do have a minor rant. Thanks in
advance for putting up with me since I've never posted here before.
Want to give background info though, to help the regulars here see where I'm
coming from.
OK so this isn't MWgotY... But how does Oblivion figure leveling up &
monsters?
Wanted my pirate guy to make heal potions & so alchemy was among his
"custom" skills. Hoarded 100's of ingredients from farms to get his alchemy
from 25 to 50 in one shot.
I'd gotten his light armor, & block skills to 75 by letting goblins bash on
him until they'd run out of usable weapons. (That took a **long** time which
is why I'm kind of pissed.)
After alchemy run, went to sleep and dang! Kept leveling up until game
thought I should be L-26? : 0 !
Eight levels? Was doing fine at L-18...
Blade skill was 62 btw. (Is enchanted cutlass from another quest useless
against some monsters?)
Any magic weapon should work against anything.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Long story short. Was after a quest statue in "Wendelbek" and did fine
maneuvering around summoned monsters, chasing down the necromancers, etc.
But what is a "Dread Zombie" & more importantly how do you kill these stupid
things?
Disease bearin varmints. I'd much rather sneak by them then fight
them.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
I think it's bogus. I *never* saw any message saying "your weapon has no
effect".
I spent *3 minutes* slashing the (you know what) out of these things. Zombie
health kept looking like they were almost finished off. Then they must have
some sort of "power hit" or something that stuns you.
And gee wiz... While you are "stunned" zombie health goes back up to 100%?
So these things are gods? "Dread Zombies" are more powerful than Dremora
Lords or Oblivion plane critters? Like I say, seems bogus to me.
I popped one with over 500 arrows at triple damage from a dark corner
in a
previous game. I had to switch to flame and sword to finish it off. It
still put up a
good fight.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Drank max number of "strong healing potions" & health bar was around 80%.
Almost as soon as I returned to game though *one hit* from these things
killed me 80% health! At first I thought it was just the game's "stunned"
animation, but nope. DOA..Dead...
I wont fight these things unless I have some cure disease potions or
the spell
with the same name unless possessing the Ring of Vitality. Even then I
have a
couple of those potions as backup. Astral Vapors is a bitch disease.
Flame
user conjuration in conjuction with a Weakness to Fire spell. Scamp,
Flame
Atronach or Daedroth. You have to stay right on top of these beasties.
They
regenerate health. If you are brave (stupid?) enough to engage more
than
one at a time concentrate on one then the other. Dont bother with the
poisons
either. As you probably know already a goodly portion of Heal potions
doesnt
hurt.

If you cant conjure Id recommend not even fighting these things. Go
look for
something more productive to do like running in circles jumping.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Anyway thanks for putting up with minor rant. It's just that I'd spent a
very long time working on this char. (I play "hardcore" so once I'm dead -
start again! maybe not possible in this game?)
Im playing at 100% from start so hardcore is out for me for sure. I
died
about 20 times just getting past the prison rats.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
Final question. I'm guessing magic items are leveled. If so, do they "level
up" with you? I'm guessing "no they don't" which also seems bogus.
What's the use of doing quests early in the game if "weak" magic items
cannot help you later?
Skeleton Key is good at any old time in tne game otherwise put off
magic
item quests until you hit level 30 unless your character name is Rose
"Cheating Orc" Thorn. Most quest items are of limited value even if
acquired later so its not worth the wait. My favorites are Umbra,
Rockshatter and Skeleton key. The Chorrol Shield is good too. The
rest
end up in storage as far as I can recall. I ended up mostly using
items
created at the Arcane University
Post by Capt_Sinbad
OK, probably nothing the regulars here haven't heard before. ;)
I guess that's where the strategy comes into play.
Im playing a potion (read poison) based strategy strictly from
necessity.
Focusing on one particular thing weakens you in other areas. My
archery
is great but Blade and Blunt blow. Since poisons dont work on dead
things
Im pretty much helpless against Ghosts, Willies, Dreads, Wraiths and
Skeletons. Having played before I know that Magic Items exist which
will
eventually level the field.

Dont start a fight that you cant win.
Post by Capt_Sinbad
So any tips greatly appreciated. I'm playing it "vanilla" (v-1.02 patch).
SI not installed yet.
thx
"SinBad"
capt_sinbad
2007-06-06 13:38:14 UTC
Permalink
<snip rant>
Post by Gamester
Im playing a potion (read poison) based strategy strictly from
necessity.
Focusing on one particular thing weakens you in other areas. My
archery
is great but Blade and Blunt blow. Since poisons dont work on dead
things
Im pretty much helpless against Ghosts, Willies, Dreads, Wraiths and
Skeletons. Having played before I know that Magic Items exist which
will
eventually level the field.
Dont start a fight that you cant win.
Yes, but maybe easier said than done. Am learning to turn things upside
down for Obliv.

1.) Have a skill you can level up ASAP like Achemy (for when you've got 10
points for Endurance, Speed, etc.)

2.) Marksman (my weapon of choice) takes s-o-o-o long! "Sneak" on the
other hand is one you *don't* actually want as a major skill. Too easy to
get to 100. Detect life ring & then sneak back-n-forth, back-n-forth &
eventually sneak around a rat until you can practically bump into it.
Discovering that Mr. rat is your friend for combat skill training as well.
Let him smack you until you're almost out of health, then run away / cast
restore health & work on retstore & athletics to boot! :)

3.) *Way* easy to die here (if you play hard core) compared to MW, but
combat & not being able to bail out w/recall potion much more realistic
imho. Still haven't quite mastered any "trick" moves that were probably
meant more for consoles than PC, or maybe just not right combos?

Update(s) should anyone care.

L-37 ranger got fried in lava trying to avoid annoying aptly named elf
knight-- a real *thorn* in the side... : /

L-25 Palidin now totally depressed after losing half his men in last part of
NOtN quest. "Wait here" apparently not in a knight crusader's vocabulary.
: 0 !

thx for replies.

--Bruce
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