Roleplaying Skyrim Combat
I've seen many a man rush headlong into battle only to have their life cut short in an instant. I've been a trainer of the warrior arts for many spans - cut from the cloth of a great lineage of knights, Blades and even a distant sellsword or two.
Killing - Before You're Killed
Combat in Skyrim is notoriously bland. We've all had that warrior that rushes in a cave and hits a bandit until he falls over dead, and it really can break immersion. Because of this, I've decided to come up with a few tips for making combat in Skyrim much more immersive and realistic.
1. Turn off your HUD
I know, it seems difficult to do considering bows are already hard enough to use, but it greatly increases immersion! You will learn along with your character how to actually shoot a bow, and it makes it feel much more epic when you pull off a long range kill without the training wheels.
Same goes for melee weapons and magic, take the training wheels off! I can not describe with words how immersive this simple step is. It's extremely fun having to learn just which way that greatsword swings, which angle to strike, and which position is most efficient.
2. Dodge Blows
What normal human being can survive 50 warhammer blows to the chest? Dragonborn or not, you cannot deny it's extremely immersion, rib, and heartbreaking to sit in front of an enemy taking sword blows like they're a slap to the face.
What I'm getting at is this, dodge blows. It adds spice to combat, makes it much more tactical, and overall increases the immersion. It doesn't matter if you're in full daedric armor, it's still immersion breaking. By dodging attacks, your enhancing the realism of Skyrim.
3. Taunt the Enemy
Now we're delving into your imagination a bit. Mentally act as if your character is taunting his or her opponent with insults. It sounds like a joke, but it makes combat much more interesting! If that bandit can shout "LOOKS LIKE YOU GOT LOST AT THE WRONG TIME, TRAVELER" why can't you throw an insult back?
Another form of taunting your enemy, bash him or her a few consecutive times. It simulates your character pushing the bandit over and hitting him with the hilt of your sword, not as a way of combat, but as a way to taunt.
4. Use the Terrain to your Advantage
Using the terrain during combat adds much needed spice to the mix. Let me give you an example. A freshly fallen tree is the only way to cross a particular waterfall. A bandit stands on top of it, waiting for a merchant to rob.
The bandit sees your character, and charges him into combat. You both exchange full force blows, and the fight grows even more tense. Eventually, with a clever bash, you send the bandit toppling over into the valley, never to be seen or heard from again.
Need I say anymore?
5. Attack without stopping
This final tip only applies to simulate a fit of rage. Constant blows show that your character is non caring at the moment, and unleashes his or her anger on their opponent.
Constantly attack, and when you run out of stamina, keep going with lighter attacks. Do not dodge blows. Do not block blows. Do not heal yourself. Keep striking. It doesn't sound like much, but it works wonders when you actually try it.
Especially on a giant.
Closing Notes
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed the guide. If you have any additional tips to enhancing combat, feel free to leave them below!
Roleplaying Skyrim Combat
I've seen many a man rush headlong into battle only to have their life cut short in an instant. I've been a trainer of the warrior arts for many spans - cut from the cloth of a great lineage of knights, Blades and even a distant sellsword or two.
Killing - Before You're Killed
Combat in Skyrim is notoriously bland. We've all had that warrior that rushes in a cave and hits a bandit until he falls over dead, and it really can break immersion. Because of this, I've decided to come up with a few tips for making combat in Skyrim much more immersive and realistic.
1. Turn off your HUD
I know, it seems difficult to do considering bows are already hard enough to use, but it greatly increases immersion! You will learn along with your character how to actually shoot a bow, and it makes it feel much more epic when you pull off a long range kill without the training wheels.
Same goes for melee weapons and magic, take the training wheels off! I can not describe with words how immersive this simple step is. It's extremely fun having to learn just which way that greatsword swings, which angle to strike, and which position is most efficient.
2. Dodge Blows
What normal human being can survive 50 warhammer blows to the chest? Dragonborn or not, you cannot deny it's extremely immersion, rib, and heartbreaking to sit in front of an enemy taking sword blows like they're a slap to the face.
What I'm getting at is this, dodge blows. It adds spice to combat, makes it much more tactical, and overall increases the immersion. It doesn't matter if you're in full daedric armor, it's still immersion breaking. By dodging attacks, your enhancing the realism of Skyrim.
3. Taunt the Enemy
Now we're delving into your imagination a bit. Mentally act as if your character is taunting his or her opponent with insults. It sounds like a joke, but it makes combat much more interesting! If that bandit can shout "LOOKS LIKE YOU GOT LOST AT THE WRONG TIME, TRAVELER" why can't you throw an insult back?
Another form of taunting your enemy, bash him or her a few consecutive times. It simulates your character pushing the bandit over and hitting him with the hilt of your sword, not as a way of combat, but as a way to taunt.
4. Use the Terrain to your Advantage
Using the terrain during combat adds much needed spice to the mix. Let me give you an example. A freshly fallen tree is the only way to cross a particular waterfall. A bandit stands on top of it, waiting for a merchant to rob.
The bandit sees your character, and charges him into combat. You both exchange full force blows, and the fight grows even more tense. Eventually, with a clever bash, you send the bandit toppling over into the valley, never to be seen or heard from again.
Need I say anymore?
5. Attack without stopping
This final tip only applies to simulate a fit of rage. Constant blows show that your character is non caring at the moment, and unleashes his or her anger on their opponent.
Constantly attack, and when you run out of stamina, keep going with lighter attacks. Do not dodge blows. Do not block blows. Do not heal yourself. Keep striking. It doesn't sound like much, but it works wonders when you actually try it.
Especially on a giant.
Closing Notes
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed the guide. If you have any additional tips to enhancing combat, feel free to leave them below!
Very good!
I'd like to only add one thing (or maybe three words):
What normal human being can survive 50 warhammer blows to the chest? Dragonborn or not, you cannot deny it's extremely immersion, rib, and heartbreaking.
Very good!
I'd like to only add one thing (or maybe three words):
What normal human being can survive 50 warhammer blows to the chest? Dragonborn or not, you cannot deny it's extremely immersion, rib, and heartbreaking.
I totally taunt the enemy, totally.
Neat guide. I play with the Requiem overhaul, so it adds some other stuff to help with combat too. More stagger, one-shot kills with arrows, broken bows, exhaustion when drawing a bow. Good times.
I totally taunt the enemy, totally.
Neat guide. I play with the Requiem overhaul, so it adds some other stuff to help with combat too. More stagger, one-shot kills with arrows, broken bows, exhaustion when drawing a bow. Good times.
Funny, I do most of these just in game play without thinking that it was roleplay! About the only thing i don't do is turn off the crosshair, so I'm going to give that a go.
Great guide, thanks!
Funny, I do most of these just in game play without thinking that it was roleplay! About the only thing i don't do is turn off the crosshair, so I'm going to give that a go.
Great guide, thanks!
On my more RP-heavy playings, I do this. Also, sometimes I make a point to realistically equip/unequip items. For instance, if my Nord paladin Einarr is using a bow while a bandit is coming at him, he needs to switch to his greatsword once the bandit has closed the gap. He has to drop the bow to the ground before pulling the blade off his back. Just a little touch. You have to go back and find your discarded weapons- or better, you have to scramble and grab it up during combat once it becomes necessary again.
On my more RP-heavy playings, I do this. Also, sometimes I make a point to realistically equip/unequip items. For instance, if my Nord paladin Einarr is using a bow while a bandit is coming at him, he needs to switch to his greatsword once the bandit has closed the gap. He has to drop the bow to the ground before pulling the blade off his back. Just a little touch. You have to go back and find your discarded weapons- or better, you have to scramble and grab it up during combat once it becomes necessary again.