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How is monster scaling handled in skyrim? Does it work the same way as in oblivion? Or do most monsters have a fixed level like it does in the baldurs gate series fx?

From what I can tell, enemy levels are fixed, but you see different enemies as you progress in the game (so you might face "bandit outlaws" or "bandit thugs" at higher levels rather than just basic "bandits").

SWC

I may not be remembering correctly, but it seems like I read somewhere that it works similar to the newer Fallout games. Basically, the level scales to what level you were when you first visited a location. So if you stumble across a new area then your current level is used to calculate NPCs there within a certain range specific to that location and possible NPCs. If you revisit an area you had been to at an earlier point in the game then the level you were the first time you were there is taken into consideration for what you find on that and subsequent visits.

Ive found areas where i just can not function without running and firing tatics. I feel some areas of the game are accessible, but there appear to be some difference when entering locations at higher levels.

swcarter wrote:From what I can tell, enemy levels are fixed, but you see different enemies as you progress in the game (so you might face "bandit outlaws" or "bandit thugs" at higher levels rather than just basic "bandits").

SWC

That's about what I've experienced too, with the addition of some higher level creatures thrown in. There are things out there that you can run up on at early levels that will kill you very quickly and with little effort.

So basically in practice, most things seem to be on par with your level, but there are certain higher level creatures wandering around in parts of the world that you probably can't handle early on in a straight up fiight.

There is scaling to a point. You will notice as you begin to find for example Glass gear in your dungeons that some bandit leaders will be outfitted in Glass gear instead of leather. Whereas is you ran into the earlier in the game, both you and them would be in leather gear.

You will note giants are higher levels than you at the beginning but don't scale and will be easier to kill later on in the game.

In my experience I was kicking butt till whitesun and that was about level 5... When I was 11-16 I don't know if I was just in the wrong area but I was getting wrecked by things such as: boss necromancer, boss vampire, ice wolf, cave bear, dragon, spriggan.

I have 50+ archery with some perks and 25 destruction with bolt type spells (firebolt, ice blast, lightning strike).. dual casting and novice perks.

When i hear a cave bear my mage hauls ass. That is a monster to kill LOL

I currently have a High Elf Mage/Rogue, lvl 18. She has 4 lvls each in Destruction and Sneak perks, basic 170 Magica. 190 Health, 160 Stamina (more with magic equipment) but I'm now feeling the disadvantage of not leveling Light Armour any higher than Agile Defender. She had to turn tail and depart from one place because she kept getting killed in mere seconds, no matter what I tried. It would have been ok if there had been a nice convenient high point to shoot her destructive fire and lightening from! :laugh: Plus most fights are getting much harder now... I may have to rethink this one and start over, but I've invested a lot in her and don't want to give up just yet.