Beginning Tips

Faust · Post by **Faust** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 7:39 pm

I'm in the process of beginning, at long last, to play Morrowind. I've been surfing around this forum for hints and tips. I've never played any of the Elder Scrolls games before. Quite frankly, I'm basically a bit overwhelmed by the scope and nature of the game. I was wondering, and excuse me if this is redundant with other threads I was unable to locate, what tips for beginners this, obviously, very experienced Morrowind community has?

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 7:55 pm

I can see why you'd be overwhelmed.. since you can do anything, be anything, and go everywhere.

Such being the case, and it always depends on personal playing style, I would suggest that when you join guilds and other organisations, that you be fairly systematic about working for them. For example, first complete all the mage's guild quests, then move to the thieve's guild etc.
You obviously don't need to do this, but if you've never played before, creating a certain level of structure for yourself can help to keep you from feeling totally lost.

What else? Wander around and explore, the graphics are beautiful. It is the only game I've ever played in which I've simply taken a walk in order to watch the sun rise.

A word of advice, though, SAVE OFTEN. One, the game is notiously unstable, and two in the beginning you can die quite easily. Especially ensure that you save before entering any caves, tombs or ruins...

I would also suggest that you initially create a character with whom you simply experiment in order to find out your playing style and preferences, and then if you feel like it, go back and make a character more tailored to your tastes.

fable · Post by **fable** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 8:51 pm

You might want to check out the Morrowind page here at GB, where there are quite a few tips. For myself:

Hang close to Seyda Neen, at first. Build up your combat skills by devastating the local minor fauna who don't bother anybody else: crabs, rats, etc. Don't boldly enter the river, but stick close to the edge. You may get attacked by some aggressive but remarkably stupid fish. Be careful, they sometimes gather in groups. When you get some armor, you can stand there and let them attack you to raise your armor skill.

Check the sticky threads at the top of this forum. If you're running MW on a PC, you may want to consider adding mods that help customize the environment--adding new quests, player homes, new armor, magicka regeneration, fixing broken dialog, etc.

Good luck, and feel free to ask any questions you want in this forum. We're a pretty helpful bunch.

Faust · Post by **Faust** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:09 pm

Good advice.I actually bought the PC version after the release, but found myself unable to run it smoothly (or even remotely tolerably) on my PC. I recently got a very cheap deal on the X-Box GoY edition. As such, I'm going to miss out on the mods, which is unfortunate.

I'll stick close to the Seyda Neen for a while. I started as an Imperial Knight; figuring that would be a fairly straight combination to get use to the game with.

Again, thanks for the help. I welcome any more advice, especially in regard to taking quests on, etc.

fable · Post by **fable** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:28 pm

Sorry to hear that about your PC. What's your RAM, and your CPU speed?

The quest to locate the missing tax collector is a good one to start. Check around the areas surrounding Seyda Neen, without getting too far from the ocean. Don't venture into any caves, just yet. These typically harbor bands of mixed professionals that would love to kill you, except for those caves that have undead, who would also love to kill you.

Talk to everybody in Seyda Neen. At least one or two will have quests for you. Note that even if you accept the quests, you're not obliged to fulfill all the conditions. There will be times when you want to keep something you've been sent for, instead of the promised reward.

Darth Potato · Post by **Darth Potato** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:03 am

what you should do is like what Fable said but don't go into the water and get attacked by fish to get your armour skill up because they may knock you down and you could drown.

also you can jump around to get your acrobatics skill up

To get your skills up the easy way may require a bit of evilness so if you don't want to be evil don't bother readin this next bit

once you get a bit stronger and better at killing you could try killing the ordinators in Vivec (you should be able to take the silt strider there from seyda neen) and selling there armour to Creeper in Caldera (north of
Balmora, balmora can be reached by silt strider from seyda neen aswell).

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 8:42 am

[QUOTE=Darth Potato]what you should do is like what Fable said but don't go into the water and get attacked by fish to get your armour skill up because they may knock you down and you could drown. [/QUOTE]

Not in the water, DP. I said, stick close to the edge.

If you control access to yourself by standing at the edge of the land, you can provide access to only one fish at a time. At least, I've always found that to be the case.

Don't rush to sleep and gain character levels, which you can do every ten skill levels that you acquire. The more skill levels you gain in a given attribute, the higher the potential gain for that attribute when you finally sleep. In extreme cases, you can be offered an increase of 5 for an attribute upon making a character level. That requires 9-10 levels gained in skills relating to a single attribute. So if you've made, say, 7 skill levels in long blades and 3 in acrobatics, but can hold off from sleeping enough to make 2-3 more levels in long blades, you'll be offered an increase of 5 to your Strength stat after you sleep.

Faust · Post by **Faust** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:11 pm

[QUOTE=fable]Sorry to hear that about your PC. What's your RAM, and your CPU speed?
[/QUOTE]

It's a 1.8 Athlon, 768RAM (I've been putting off getting that last 512 stick). The problem seems to lie with my uber integrated graphics card. I've had some trouble upgrading the card (i.e. bio's won't read it like it suppose to); regardless, the PC lacks an AGP or PCIX port (low dollar Dell special). So, I'm stuck with PCI. However, its otherwise a fairly good PC, so it will be a while before I upgrade to a more serious gaming centered PC. Regardless, Morrowind ran at a snail's pace on my computer. The video sequence at the beginning wouldn't even play.

Anyway, its not a huge loss. I got the X-Box GoY edition for $10, which effectively gives me the two expansions cheaper than I could have acquired them independently. I'm sure that will prove a worthwhile investment. While I miss out on the mods, there's still a great deal of content untapped for me to explore.

Question, though, do you recommend heading straight to Balmore after Seyda Neen (I've not spent ages in the small town, but I completed every available quest I could find, and spent a bit of time practicing skills)?

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:22 pm

You could probably make the run up to Balmora safely, if you don't stray from the path. You'll likely have one or two simple encounters with minor vermin along the way. However, many quests in Balmora send you elsewhere, so you might want to continue selling a few things you kill at Seyda Neen, gather some herbs, etc, and upgrade your weapons and armor before heading out.

What are your stats, by the way? For attributes and skills?

jopperm2 · Post by **jopperm2** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:49 pm

THink of the bright sides of your xBox purchase.

1> Price-Did you get it used? the cheapest I have ever seen it new is 20. Anyway, it's cheaper than you'll find it on the PC..

2> Stability-Mine has frozen a few times on xBox, but not like PC does.

3> Control-I love how natural the controller feels vs the keyboard.

ANywho.. It's not all bad.

Raumoheru · Post by **Raumoheru** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 3:50 pm

well if u are an imperial knight then i suggest going to Gnisis first and join the imperial legion. they offer nice simple quest and will give u more and more weapons and armor as you go up in rank.

EDIT:

i got my X-box GOTY for 12 U.S. dollars

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 4:02 pm

Guys, let's not spam the thread with a discussion of the joys of Xbox, okay? Or I'll be removing posts. Thanks.

Faust · Post by **Faust** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:01 pm

[QUOTE=fable]What are your stats, by the way? For attributes and skills?[/QUOTE]

er...I'm not sure which stats to list. But, effectively. 52 health/40 Magika/180 Fatigue. Str: 53, Int: 40, Willpower:30, Agil: 30, End: 67, Personality: 85, Luck: 40. Strong Skills are: Long Blade 48, Speechcraft: 45, Block 45, Heavy Armor: 50. I'm only level 2, at the present.

I've managed to accumulate quite a bit of money just by doing the various quests around the starting city (i.e. bandit cave, tax collector's murder, hidden stash, etc.). I'm wearing the best Heavy Armor I could buy from the merchant (with a couple light pieces thrown in), as well. I also bought the starting healing spell (Hearth Heal, I think). I have 15 points in restoration magik. Though I'm finding that near impossible to go up with my small magik pool, and I'm lucky if the spell works 1/5 times by virtue of the fizzles. I'm reminded of my days playing Everquest, suddenly.... Any tricks to raising this?

Another question, I'm noticing the starting merchant doesn't sell anything resembling healing potions. If I want to buy something to heal my wounds, or collect something, what do I need to do?

Anyway, I'll begin making my way toward Balmore. By foot should prove more interesting, at this point. Though, I may follow up on the idea of going to Gnisis, first. If I can figure out where that is....

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:10 pm

Strong Skills are: Long Blade 48, Speechcraft: 45, Block 45, Heavy Armor: 50

Sorry I wasn't more clear. That's what I was looking for. You might list your minor skills, as well. And you should have one more major. I was hoping for alchemy, since that's the easiest way to get good potions in the game without paying for them.

You'll find that the Mage's Guild in Balmora has a friendly alchemist who will sell you some relatively simple healing potions. Chances are you won't be able to qualify yet to join the MG; too bad, because that alchemist is involved in several quests. She gives potions as rewards, too.

jopperm2 · Post by **jopperm2** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:12 pm

If you do decide to go to Gnisis first, don't walk. It's a long and dangerous way and you'll surely die. I think the SN merchant sells scrolls that heal. I like the Jack of Trades spell he sells too. That can come in handy. Once you get to a bigger city you can try to get a restoration trainer to up your chances on that heal spell. Practice works too. Get som restore magicka potions and just keep casting it. WHat's your restoration skill?

Edit: Oops, fable you're quick on the draw.

Nasuke · Post by **Nasuke** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:46 pm

Unless you have plenty of good potions and a fortify Health,strength,and agility spells(or potions) I wouldn't reccomend going to Gnisis for the Legion at your lvl. Its kinda easy at first but there is one 3 or 4 missions later where your going get your but kicked.

Faust · Post by **Faust** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:56 pm

I'll hold off on Gnisis, then.

My other major skill is Axe (35, I believe). My minor skills are Enchantment, Restoration, Mercantile, and Medium Armor. Merchantile is at 25. I think the others are still at 15.

I just took the default skills. If I'm better off picking another class with useful skills I've missed out on, I can probably still do that. I'm not terribly sure, thinking about it, how useful either Axe or Medium Armor are going to be (no idea about Enchant, at this point, either).

Anyway, still learning about these things.

Raumoheru · Post by **Raumoheru** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 6:57 pm

oh trust me enchant is usefull

main reason i started playing a knight, a warrior that can enchant hehe

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 8:03 pm

[QUOTE=Faust]My other major skill is Axe (35, I believe). My minor skills are Enchantment, Restoration, Mercantile, and Medium Armor. Merchantile is at 25. I think the others are still at 15.

I just took the default skills. If I'm better off picking another class with useful skills I've missed out on, I can probably still do that. I'm not terribly sure, thinking about it, how useful either Axe or Medium Armor are going to be (no idea about Enchant, at this point, either).
[/QUOTE]

I'd drop Enchant. It's useless in the early game, and later, you can just simply buy the skill levels from some mage who sells them. I'd strongly urge you to consider Alchemy. That's a good source of income and useful potions from fairly early in the game. And it's something that will never cease to be useful.

I would also suggest dropping Medium Armor, Mercantile, and Speechcraft. Mercantile is buggy: the higher you get, the cheaper buying from merchants becomes, but they also offer less for your goods. Speechcraft isn't a bad skill, but it's primarily of use to thieves; and it's not too great as a starting skill. Something, again, that you can buy, later. Medium Armor is the poorest armor in the game. There's far better Light and Heavy armor, out there. I would select one, or the other.

I like the other skills, though you may want to consider replacing Restoration with Alteration or whichever fuels Magicka Resist. That can come in handy if you want to chop up something with a magical attack. You'll encounter a lot of that, later on.

Raumoheru · Post by **Raumoheru** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 8:22 pm

well enchant can be a good source of income with a certain little creep....

and why spend tons of mony to make a CE invisibility ring wen u can make it urself for free?