New but different build...harder?

[Fljotsdale]

The ultimate problem for me was that once it stopped being a pain in the butt, because of items which boosted Absorb Magica, it became as bad a game killer as 100% Chameleon.

I actually like Chameleon a lot! But you don't get high level chameleon soon enough for it to be that much of a game killer. I like Sneak, too. One of the greatest pleasures of the game, for me, is being able to sneak around without having to kill more than absolutely necessary. Brushing past Daedra and other powerful, inimical beings - actually pushing them aside! - pleases me hugely! :laugh:

[Mz_Trixter]

I actually like Chameleon a lot! But you don't get high level chameleon soon enough for it to be that much of a game killer. I like Sneak, too. One of the greatest pleasures of the game, for me, is being able to sneak around without having to kill more than absolutely necessary. Brushing past Daedra and other powerful, inimical beings - actually pushing them aside! - pleases me hugely! :laugh:

Yep! I like to use 'em in combo.. I usually have one or the other though. But if Im an inch from death, then I wouldn't care to use Invisibility If that isn't the case though, I'd either consider it laziness or overkill since - whatever can't see you, can't hurt you

I just got a 30second invisibility spell to get me started on one of the guilds but only just. Atleast to the point where I can take more hits w/o it. Using it mainly as a safety net. But I'm still looking for decent gear since I still have no access to my Frostcrag Spire or the Arcane place at the same time, I'm doing like a thousand things at once

[Fljotsdale]

Yep! I like to use 'em in combo.. I usually have one or the other though. But if Im an inch from death, then I wouldn't care to use Invisibility If that isn't the case though, I'd either consider it laziness or overkill since - whatever can't see you, can't hurt you

I rarely use Invisibility. I think the only place I've used it is in White Gold Tower so guards won't see me when doing the scroll quest for GF.

I just got a 30second invisibility spell to get me started on one of the guilds but only just. Atleast to the point where I can take more hits w/o it. Using it mainly as a safety net. But I'm still looking for decent gear since I still have no access to my Frostcrag Spire or the Arcane place at the same time, I'm doing like a thousand things at once

How come you haven't got access to Frostcrag Spire? First thing I do (if not doing MQ first) is go visit and explore the place, then save enough cash to buy the candles for the altar of enchanting!

[galraen]

How come you haven't got access to Frostcrag Spire? First thing I do (if not doing MQ first) is go visit and explore the place, then save enough cash to buy the candles for the altar of enchanting!

Why? I mean those candles are expensive and the mages guild is free, the only point I ever saw to FS was the herb garden really.

As for 100% chameleon, well if you like a game with no challenge whatsoever I gues it's fine.

[Mz_Trixter]

Why? I mean those candles are expensive and the mages guild is free, the only point I ever saw to FS was the herb garden really.

As for 100% chameleon, well if you like a game with no challenge whatsoever I gues it's fine.

Indeed they're expensive! It took me 2 savings just to get both for both alters not long ago, and strangely the most I've saved playing this character's only around 5k. But Im almost (still kinda far from it) but getting there; to making custom spells

Im still around lv 15ish.. but once I get around 20, Ima turn up the diff abit to keep the challenge in sync. Unless I keep dying on a certain area ridiculously

And on a side note, I got 'er lookin pretty foxy for this early in the game Leather Corsette Top, Leather Bell Bottoms, Leather Boots, Gauntlets - still yet to find a Good but stylish helm though. I still have yet to enchant all of it, because atm Im low on funds

[Fljotsdale]

Why? I mean those candles are expensive and the mages guild is free, the only point I ever saw to FS was the herb garden really.

The Alchemy thing is pretty good, too - adds 15 to your alchemy skill, thus giving you better potion strength. And yes, the candles are expensive and not worth it if you have access to Sigil stones. On the other hand, if you don't do the Mage Guild quests until late in the game, it is very useful indeed. Oddly, it is of more use to non-mage types than to mage types. But my first use of it is to enchant a hood with Night Eye, using the petty filled soul gem you get in the starter sewers, so as to be able to see in very dark places, and to spot enemies a long way off in gloomy caverns.

Oh, and I never noticed MG enchanting was free - apart from your Mage's Staff! You have to pay for enchanting items whatever place you choose!

As for 100% chameleon, well if you like a game with no challenge whatsoever I gues it's fine.

I said I like chameleon, not 100% chameleon. And I think I already said it takes a very long time to get anything like 100% chameleon; my normal practice is to keep Illusion as a minor skill, and once I have reached Apprentice Illusion (which I do by practising Starlight) I let it take it's own time to increase. Contrary to your expectation I really don't like a game with no challenge! It's boring. By the time most of my chars are at lvl 15 to 25 they are too good, I am bored out of my brain, and I have to start a new one. I keep trying to make them weaker every time, so they'll last longer. :laugh:

[Mz_Trixter]

Im liking this character ALOT now all her skills are at Journeyman or better. None mastered though... And also made her a new sword, so no more using Umbra Also a new fire spell, dubbed, Backdraft :laugh: 70pts Fire Dmg + 40% Weakness to Fire

Stats for the sword are: 20 Fire dmg, Soul Trap, 30% Weakness to Fire, Absorb Fatigue 6pts and Disintegrate Armor 5pts on strike it's sexy! err.. forgot Magika Drains on it aswell

[Fljotsdale]

Sounds nice!

I'd have gone for electrical rather than fire, because more things seem to be susceptible to shock damage, but other than that - nice!

[galraen]

Actually you can get 100% chameleon very early in the game if you go straight after the mages guild recommendations, which of course a mage naturally does. Ifyou have the Orrery plugin there's also a good chance of picking up items with chameleon enchantments, and of course there's a Sigil stone which does it too.

Chameleon actually starts getting very cheesy even at 60% though, it was handled much better in Morrowind, unfortunately in Oblivion it's ludicrously overpowered.

When I said free (enchanting/spellmaking) I was referring to the access to the enchanters/spellmakers, not the actual use of them.

[Mz_Trixter]

When I first started playing & getting the hang of the game, I was a lil crazy using the Sigil Stones on enchantments. Now I hardly ever use 'em anymore since that Azura's Stars reusable for recharging/enchanting
...Im sure some people think its overpowering like other things in Ob.. in a way it is, but it helps when the game 'seems' to work against you

Especially if I were to find a 100% chameleon, sure, I used think it looked sick but I eventually grew out of it I'd rather beable to see what Im wearing. One other thing I sorta frowned on was 1 enchantment/ stone where as Soul Gems, Az's Star you can add as many you want aslong's its within parameters.

[galraen]

Full strength Sigil stones create more powerfule single shot enchanted items than you can create yourself though, and of course non-weapon items can only carry one enchantment.

Personally I never bother with Azra's Star, Black Soul gems are far better.

[Fljotsdale]

Actually you can get 100% chameleon very early in the game if you go straight after the mages guild recommendations, which of course a mage naturally does. Ifyou have the Orrery plugin there's also a good chance of picking up items with chameleon enchantments, and of course there's a Sigil stone which does it too.

Well, I never did! :laugh: Get 100% chameleon early on, I mean. Though it WOULD be very useful for a High Elf Mage with all those vulnerabilities! Then again, though, I usually make sure my Mages have garments enchanted with Shield to all the elements.
In fact, most of my chars that I have put through Mage Guild have not actually been mages at all, but Stealth types, usually Dark Elves or Wood Elves, with Thief sign, so not overburdened with magica. I don't remember how much magica it takes to cast 100% Chameleon, but I doubt my stealth chars could do it. My proper Mages could, of course, but I only ever had one that had it; and she didn't need it, actually, because she was very good at Sneak. She was one of the few chars I kept playing above lvl 25. She was lvl 44 when I got bored with her.

Chameleon actually starts getting very cheesy even at 60% though, it was handled much better in Morrowind, unfortunately in Oblivion it's ludicrously overpowered.

When I said free (enchanting/spellmaking) I was referring to the access to the enchanters/spellmakers, not the actual use of them.

Gothcha!

[Fljotsdale]

Full strength Sigil stones create more powerfule single shot enchanted items than you can create yourself though, and of course non-weapon items can only carry one enchantment.

They do. :mischief: But, as you know, with soul gems you can mix 'n match.

Personally I never bother with Azra's Star, Black Soul gems are far better.

Likewise. I always give Azura's Star to Martin as soon as I get it. After all, if you have a number of soul gems in your inventory, you can tra that many souls. If you only have the Star, it might be filled, and you could miss out on getting a better soul. It's not as useful as it's cracked up to be. Though I suppose it would be handy if you used up all your filled soul gems refuelling your magic weapons!

[Mz_Trixter]

I think this's gonna be the last time I'll be playing Oblivion. Do'no when or if I'll get back to it 'cause neither 2 of my saves won't load anymore And it's on Xbox.. so there's really no way of salvaging 'em.

I was just starting DB quests too and trained all that time. So Im NOT in any mood to startover!!! I'm might still be floating around here but won't be for this game

[Fljotsdale]

Er... can you only have two saves on XBox? :speech:

I'm sorry you are giving up on the game, though I do understand how frustrated you must feel after bringing your character so far on.

[Mz_Trixter]

Er... can you only have two saves on XBox? :speech:

I'm sorry you are giving up on the game, though I do understand how frustrated you must feel after bringing your character so far on.

It'll allow multiple saves, it's just I never expected this to happen This is actually the first time its done this. It froze few times before but only that. Both of these saved games when I try to load 'em up, that loading bar doesn't even move. I've tried another game I had saved & it worked just fine, but after all that time working on the character... Im just not up to remaking anymore

[Fljotsdale]

I always keep quite a lot of saves on the PC, because I've had the problem of corrupt saves myself, and sometimes had to to make the choice to go back several levels to continue the char, or to quit and start over. I have to say I have usually quit and started over, but have on a couple of occasions picked up the char from a previous save - but only because I was still enjoying the character!

Anyway, maybe you'll come back to it later.

What are you going to play now? I've been thinking of going back to NWN2, but I'm not quite ready to yet.

[Mz_Trixter]

I always keep quite a lot of saves on the PC, because I've had the problem of corrupt saves myself, and sometimes had to to make the choice to go back several levels to continue the char, or to quit and start over. I have to say I have usually quit and started over, but have on a couple of occasions picked up the char from a previous save - but only because I was still enjoying the character!

Anyway, maybe you'll come back to it later.

What are you going to play now? I've been thinking of going back to NWN2, but I'm not quite ready to yet.

I was thinkin the exact same ...since the next NwN 2 Xp should be out soon I'll look more into it; maybe wait for the first batch of reviews before getting. Plus Im expecting a new 'n more improved comp I ordered last week so.. I'll be looking forward to trying it out on some of the past games i.e. Icewindale I, II, NwN 2 and some others. Our 'recent' custom comp fried its motherboard so.. yeah. I like how this new one looks anyways :laugh: [url="http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3655638&CatId=114"]here[/url]'s a 'lil glimpse of it. But, maaybe I'll consider retrying someday w/ the same build ofcourse.

One other thing I remember noticing though, before it led to that... the quest in Bravil ''Caught in the Hunt'' never allowed me to finish it. Im speculating that may've contributed to it

[Fljotsdale]

Looks nice! Wish I could afford to pay that much for a comp!

I must say, I've never had that that problem with that quest. Maybe it's 'cos your game is on XBox and mine is PC?

Anyway, when I go back to NWN2, I'll look out for you on that forum.

I have Mask of the Betrayer, which I've not yet played because I couldn't get the patch, this comp not being on-line at the time, and I have the new on on order as well, without waiting for reviews.

[Mz_Trixter]

Looks nice! Wish I could afford to pay that much for a comp!

It came in earlier, and Im absolutely LOVING it right now Its alot quieter, runs smoother, easier and more convenient to use

I must say, I've never had that that problem with that quest. Maybe it's 'cos your game is on XBox and mine is PC?

Well, if mine were on pc, I doubt i'd have to abandon it But, since not I wasn't really left with any other choice.

Anyway, when I go back to NWN2, I'll look out for you on that forum.

I have Mask of the Betrayer, which I've not yet played because I couldn't get the patch, this comp not being on-line at the time, and I have the new on on order as well, without waiting for reviews.

Likewise We'll most likely run into one 'n other on 'n off once that Xp2 is out longer. And you haven't finished MotB? ...that new meter's a challenge I had a hard time with it first few tries. But I guess its less pressuring if playing evil. I don't think I've tried that one :laugh: I might though. Plus, Im thinkin I'll be planning out my party build in the meantime I'll let you know what I come up with. But lemme know how the Xp2 goes for you once you get to play it.