Dragon Shouts

[Tricky]

Honestly, the first thing that occured to me when I read about them was 'mobile doomstones'. But forgive my prudence, please Bethesda. Surprise us.

Well there is one little thought that keeps nagging me. There are three archetypes that can be found in all characters in all TES games. They are ultimately either [url="http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Arena:Magic"]Magic[/url], [url="http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Stealth"]Stealth[/url] or [url="http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Combat"]Combat[/url] oriented characters (though stealth also tends to include certain social aspects - never thought that fitted in very well). All we know so far is that Dragon Shouts will enhance these three archetypes through various new stat/skill bonuses and other abilities.

Here's the pickle. Just how exactly could shouting *anything* possibly be benefitial to any stealth oriented character in any situation?

OK, you're the social type, trying to get a good bargain:
- SHOUT UNTIL THE SHOPKEEPER KICKS YOU OUT!

OK, so you're a combat-avoiding thief, sneaking through a mansion & stealing stuff:
- SHOUT REALLY LOUD, LETTING EVERY GUARD KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE!

OK, so you're a more combat oriented Assassin:
- Sneak attack about to happen. Carefully you creep up behind your victim, then you take in a large gulp of air, put the dagger in your mouth and then SCREAM AND SEND THE DAGGER FLYING THROUGH YOUR VICTIM'S RESPIRATORY TRACT!


The bottom line of my subtle, if intricate, argument is that I don't see Dragon Shouts work out much for stealth oriented characters.

[endboss]

Granted I haven't had time to read the articles, but if I recall correctly back in Redguard's pocket guide the shouts were used for stuff like causing avalanches and tearing down cities. I would suspect they'd be used to take down the dragons or other large obstacles, and not in your day-to-day adventuring and questing.

[Dagoth_shel]

Yeah, it would kind of take away from the roleplaying if one were to shout while sneaking about.