Chatterbox Friday

Games: none.
Diplomacy: there are some real shits playing Dip. I'm better off out of it, I'm sure.

Morning all.

As reported yesterday before the unseemly and ultimately unsuccessful tussle to replace silverback Destry began, I have started Skyrim for the first time ever.

In the opening scene I tutted at the ancient art style - this sure has not aged well - like a graphics whore, but now that gameplay has commenced I have made my peace with it. Mainly. ("There's a bear we need to sneak past!" - Me, squinting at a dark blob on the screen, indistinguishable from a pile of rocks: "Is that it? Let me prod it. Oh yes, it moves.")

In case you are wondering, I'm playing as a Breton woman with minimal dirt and a touch of warpaint because I thought that I could get her to look like me. Unfortunately my hairstyle wasn't on offer. I was also tempted to play as a Khajiit, because kittycats!

I like the way you can plunder everything and leave the enemy soldier nekkig (at my first enemy encounter I tried diplomacy because it gave me a prompt to talk to them, but they wouldn't listen). Also the indication for successful plundering: Skeleton (empty), Bear (empty). The weight restriction forced me to leave a trail of heavy weapons next to the empty bear behind, because you never know when you might need a bucket, do you? I also picked my first locks and read all the books.

I started playing with the pro-controller, but the Switch version very heavily hints at playing with detached joycons, so I switched as soon as combat began. I like the joycons anyway, so no problem. More tonight and over the weekend.

I’ve just been audited. Who’s compliant? This motherfucker! Booyah!

Amazing really.

Games! 17 million from the last Elite CGs. Do I get to say “ladies” now?

what character build are you going for? Breton's a sound choice as the magic resistance applies to a wide range of elemental attacks (including fire/frost from dragons). Get Spellbreaker or the Shield of Solitude and luck out on a magic resistance item and you are quite tasty.

Early on it's worth getting to the Lover's Stone, you might have noticed various stones dotted around which (when activated) give some XP bonus to a specific set of skills. The Lovers Stone gives 15% increase in XP on everything. It's not easy to get to (near Makarth) but worth it.

Also, don't forget to check Magic>active effects to see if you have any diseases (they'll be in red). Depending on what DLC you have some diseases (vampirism) will take permanent hold if not treated early. The HUD will inform you if you have been poisoned but not if you have something like rockjoint or another disease which will cause lower health etc. I learnt this the hard way, so after any scrap just check in. 'Cure disease' potion will sort anything out, can be pricey early on.

I try to get a house or place sorted early on so I can stash a lot of my gear (e.g. ingredients). It's a great game so hope you enjoy! Any questions I'll be happy to pitch in.

Watching Father Brown, not quite sure why I like it but I do.

But then I love the whole X is a detective thing. Means the plots are contrived to match what the X is into.

Mrs Purchase is in this episode. Dressed a little like Eva from MGS 3.

Definitely, it'll cost 5,000 gold and a bit more to kit out but allows you to store stuff in chests. 

You'll probably want to get your smithing levels up, the easiest way is obtain iron ore (by mining or buying it) and transmute it to gold ore, then make gold rings. Back in the day there was a huge cheat involving crafting iron daggers but they've patched it.

If you are interested in archery (and want to go down that route), there's a 'Bound Bow' skillbook in Fort Amol. It's tough to get it as the enemy are at a decent level. It's a good mid-level option especially if you get 'mystic binding'. You'll need to invest some points but it's a long slog to daedric bows. If you sneak undetected whilst killing or loosing with it you'll also level up quickly in 'sneak' which (again if you invest points in the multiplier perks) is very powerful.

I always intend playing as a Red Sonja type character but the sneaky archer build becomes very OP.

Can guarantee shenguin is Carthage or rome after that comment..

Anyone playing the Skyrim SE on a PS4 or Xbox One? Is is close to resembling a current generation game graphically?

Can guarantee Bloggie is Carthage or Rome after that comment

Can guarantee Faceless is Greece after that early exit.

That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me in the 'box. Thank you. You're the best.