[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Vargr]Vargr White-Tree[/url] said:[/b]

@ Blooded:  The size or type of weapon doesn't matter when it comes to blocking, all blocking (weapon or shield) only blocks attacks coming from the front or the character. 

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Thanks, Vargr :) I figured as much. Luckily, it didn't end up really mattering for my build :/

I heard that if you pass the Persuade (or maybe it was Intimidate) option on the toll bandit in front of Valtheim Towers, they turn non-hostile. Is that true for all the bandits in the area, or just the one? And how high does your Speech have to be to pass the check?

@Relycs:  I've never tried something that complex when it comes to combat, tend to be a magic user, the few builds that I've used sweep on I never tried anything fancy, I'm not even sure if you can move while your in the animation, somthing to be tested. 

As far as your summons' aggro is concerned there is no way that i have discovered that will control them when it comes to this.  They will aggro whatever enemy they deem fit, and will sometimes get into fights with your other summons/followers if they damage them with an AOE attack; I usually just replace the summon when this happens.  Also summons are immune to illusion unless you have the master of the mind perk.  They are very good at distracting enemies who seem to prefer attacking your summon rather than you (as long as you stay out of the way).

@Mitch:  From what i know of persuade checks i believe all bandit interactions are classed as very easy persuades so you should be able to persuade them to let you by with only 10 in speech and no perks, this is probably a persuade to pay them less than what they are asking.  I have no idea about intimidate but i'm pretty sure that it is tied both to your skill level as well as your actual level.  I'm pretty sure that it's just the first bandit who turns non-hostile, entering the towers will trigger them to all become hostile and attack, like when you enter any other bandit camp, however it's been awhile since i even bothered with them since they are easy to just run past.

What's a good number of skill trees to invest in to ensure your character doesn't become a jack of all trades? 

@ RogueSilver:  There's no clear answer.  You can make a Jack of all trades character with just three skills (well one if you want to push me) but genral rule of thumb the fewer skills the better and try to stick to only one color of the sky (red/green/blue) this will help ensure a more focused character who is really good at one thing.

[blockquote][b][url=/profile/Vargr]Vargr White-Tree[/url] said:[/b]

@ RogueSilver:  There's no clear answer.  You can make a Jack of all trades character with just three skills (well one if you want to push me) but genral rule of thumb the fewer skills the better and try to stick to only one color of the sky (red/green/blue) this will help ensure a more focused character who is really good at one thing.

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Thanks Vargr!