Please note that new user registrations disabled at this time.

Unarmored and Block (and the Dodge mod)

This forum is to be used for all discussions pertaining to Bethesda Softworks' The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and its Tribunal and Bloodmoon expansion packs.
Post Reply
User avatar
Coot
Posts: 2130
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2001 10:00 pm
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Unarmored and Block (and the Dodge mod)

Post by Coot »

Call me a girly man (TM), but I like my pc's to look good and wear neat clothes. My last pc had Unarmored as a major skill for that reason (nobody's going to appreciate your flashy new pants if it's covered by armor).

My new pc will not be a sneaky character this time so I expect him to get into melee combat more. I'd like to give him both Unarmored and Block as a minor skill so he can defend himself a little better.
I'm also using the Dodge mod (created by Horatio and LDones & WDog), which improves on the Unarmored skill by giving your character some Sanctuary points when your Unarmored skill goes up. It gives you an AC penalty however when you use any armor - and that includes shields.

Is it a dumb idea to combine Block and Unarmored? Should I just use Block and not Unarmored and rely more on magic to protect my pc?
She says: Lou, it's the Beginning of a Great Adventure
User avatar
Raven_Song
Posts: 550
Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2004 4:02 am
Contact:

Post by Raven_Song »

I've always found block worthless as a minor skill, (it kicked in too infrequently) so I'd be tempted to do with it.

I suppose it would also depend on the type of weapon you plan on usingas block would be wasted if you planned on using a daedric dai-katana.
User avatar
Greg.
Posts: 1938
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 3:56 pm
Location: Here, now
Contact:

Post by Greg. »

[QUOTE=Raven_Song]I've always found block worthless as a minor skill, (it kicked in too infrequently) [/QUOTE]

There's always Blocking Enhanced... But then block maybe isn't a good skill to take...
User avatar
Coot
Posts: 2130
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2001 10:00 pm
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Post by Coot »

I forgot about Blocking Enhanced.
But is Block really such a terrible skill? Doesn't it protect you sufficiently when your Block skill is really high?
She says: Lou, it's the Beginning of a Great Adventure
User avatar
Raven_Song
Posts: 550
Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2004 4:02 am
Contact:

Post by Raven_Song »

Terrible skill - not necessarily.

My point was that it won't do anything until it is really high, and without paying for training (or it would seem blocking enhanced) it is quite difficult to raise.

If you are going to use iy go major.
User avatar
Ebonwyrm
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 3:12 pm

Post by Ebonwyrm »

[QUOTE=Coot]Call me a girly man (TM), but I like my pc's to look good and wear neat clothes. My last pc had Unarmored as a major skill for that reason (nobody's going to appreciate your flashy new pants if it's covered by armor).

My new pc will not be a sneaky character this time so I expect him to get into melee combat more. I'd like to give him both Unarmored and Block as a minor skill so he can defend himself a little better.
I'm also using the Dodge mod (created by Horatio and LDones & WDog), which improves on the Unarmored skill by giving your character some Sanctuary points when your Unarmored skill goes up. It gives you an AC penalty however when you use any armor - and that includes shields.

Is it a dumb idea to combine Block and Unarmored? Should I just use Block and not Unarmored and rely more on magic to protect my pc?[/QUOTE]

I feel you - one of my female sneaks, Maelasi Timsar-Dadisun (a Dunmer), was largely unarmored. Netch leather cuirass, left gauntlet, right leather bracer, common shirt, common pants, and netch boots. I got a whopping 6 armor with her armor skills.

I was at a kind of fault there - I wore light armor, but not much. Unarmored would help normally but I was wearing too much armor for that skill to be good use, but too little armor for Light Armor to be good use. But hell, Maelasi sure made a convincing Ashlander.

You could always be born under the sign of one of The Thief's three Charges - The Lover. Agility bonus will not only help you hit harder, but also make you slightly harder to hit.

As for actually answering your question, I think you should take up Alteration, Mysticism, and Restoration (either one of those three) and get some Shield/Sanctuary spells.

Although I digress on the point of clothing - Why would you want to wear fancy clothing into battle? You're not one of those Imperial s'wits, are you? Battle is about killing your opponent, not looking good. Wear your extravangant articles to formal meetings, not arena fights. Otherwise, don't be so vain.

But if you really want to argue this point, I suggest wearing Imperial armor (eugh). It looks good, provides mild protection, and you won't have to worry about getting your head lobbed off of your +3 Exquisite Robes of Fornication.

Hope this helps.
Poets know the hearts of Men and Mer
But beasts can't know my heart, you see
This book was written by a bear
It is not a book of poetry.
User avatar
Coot
Posts: 2130
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2001 10:00 pm
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Post by Coot »

[QUOTE=Ebonwyrm] Why would you want to wear fancy clothing into battle? You're not one of those Imperial s'wits, are you? Battle is about killing your opponent, not looking good.[/QUOTE]
I see we're from different worlds, you and I. Battle is about killing your opponent while looking good! And wearing a smashing robe when you don't win... well, it helps ease the pain. Really, why do you think there so many clothing mods out there? :)
She says: Lou, it's the Beginning of a Great Adventure
User avatar
Ebonwyrm
Posts: 21
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 3:12 pm

Post by Ebonwyrm »

[QUOTE=Coot]I see we're from different worlds, you and I. Battle is about killing your opponent while looking good! And wearing a smashing robe when you don't win... well, it helps ease the pain. Really, why do you think there so many clothing mods out there? :) [/QUOTE]

For the people who are gaudy enough to arrive in battle in your most expensive, delicate clothing?
Poets know the hearts of Men and Mer
But beasts can't know my heart, you see
This book was written by a bear
It is not a book of poetry.
User avatar
Aqua-chan
Posts: 4607
Joined: Sat Apr 13, 2002 9:17 am
Location: Right Off Elsewhere
Contact:

Post by Aqua-chan »

I loathe the Block skill. It was one the Bard class' major abilities, so I've had time to formulate reasons to hate it.

Will Block in Morrowind help take hits at high levels? Yes, but the problem is getting to said high levels. When my Bard was around level 45ish his Block skill was the only one not maxed out; it still straggled at around the upper 30's. And sure, you can pay for trainers, but it's still not a 100% thing even in its more developed stages. Personally, I think you're better off fortifying your Agility and Luck attributes to evade attacks altogether.

Alternatively, I agree with becomming at least proficient with Alteration/Mysticism/Restoration. Those are the magical classes my current PC uses and it's amazing to me, a persion who has always played stealth-based characters, how much easier everything is now.

Oh, and my characters rub elbows with fine clothiers all over the Morrowind Provice. ;)
"There are worse things in the world than serving the whims of a deadly sex goddess." - Zevran
Post Reply