So how do you play, anyways?
It's like every other RPG you've ever played only better. Be warned: there are still bugs in the game, but they're mostly physics gaffs and some are hilarious.
The first thing you need to know is that there is no XP for killing things. You don't get 10 XP for killing a fox, 50 XP for killing an elk and 100 XP for killing a bear, oh fuck let's kill some bears for sweet XP. No, what happens is that you swing a one-handed weapon X number of times and it levels up. Block with a shield X number of times and it levels up. Crouch into stealth mode when an enemy is nearby and if he doesn't see you it levels up. Talk to people and sell things enough times and speech levels up. Level enough of those individual things up and your character gains a level. In other words, don't just kill shit or do quests expecting end of quest XP. Do things. Do everything and find out what you like to do. Then do what you like while you play and gain your levels.
If you're the kind of guy that wants to suit up and kill shit play a Warrior type. They use
One handed, Two handed, Heavy Armour, Light Armour, Archery, Shield and Smithing.If you're more of a magic guy then play a Mage type. They use
Restoration, Destruction, Alchemy, Enchanting, Alteration, Conjuration and Illusion magic.
If you'd rather sneak around and steal shit and kill people from the shadows play a Thief. They use
Sneaking, Lockpicking, Speechcraft and Pickpocket.Those aren't set in stone either as there are no archetypes. You can freely do whatever you want as those are just generic guidelines. You can be a lockpicking, dual wielding alchemist if you want. Those are just the eighteen things you can do to level.
Secondly, save often. There is no real death penalty, but you do revert to your last save. There's nothing quite as heartbreaking as losing half a level of progress because of one fucking giant.
Thirdly, in the beginning don't buy anything, just sell. You'll find tons of weapons, armour, potions and food to use. Or if you want just steal things. But if you get caught and arrested you'll pay a fine and lose all your stolen goods.
Fourthly, books worth more than 50 are worth a read. They'll give you a stat up in their respective skills. All other books are flavour text.
Finally, explore. I've played for a week and I'm sitting halfway between 26 and 27. I've done a
ton of exploring. And dragon slaying. When I get off work I'll do a couple of quests and then spend an hour just walking in a new direction filling out the map and finding new locations. I've found over two hundred so far just for fast travelling purposes. I've only walked through Falkreath, I still haven't been to Morthal or Windhelm and I've
just started Riften.
This game.
