I realize we all have varying views on using the guide and many simply won't buy/use it at all and others to varying degrees.

I'm one who bought the guide just to have item info and stuff like that, which I thought would be helpful but not game spoiling for me personally speaking of course.

An interesting thing happened last night. I found myself unable to get past a certain point in a quest. I must of spent a solid hour or more retracing all steps, looking at every texture in the dungeon to see if and what I may have missed, but all to no avail. Finally I cracked open my Prima Guide, looked up the quest and had a "ah hah, omg am I dumb" moment.

I'm an older gamer, in my 50's. I don't know if that means much or not but I'm rusty at these games and genuinely feel that one "cheat" to get the guidance needed will actually allow me to get past future puzzles and challenges on my own. It was more of a learning experience in how to be resourceful in Skyrim.

Just thought I'd share this, not for the purpose of debate but just for consideration of any that may be on the fence. Aside from philosophy, the guide is actually huge and very well done. I bought the paperback one and it's a great deal for the info. it provides to a game I feel is easily among the best I've ever played, and I've been playing these games since the mid 80;s.

Cheers -T

I really enjoy the guide, I bought the CE hardback. I haven't used it for quest details, mainly as an item and ingredient reference and locate specific types of ore. I also like to track my achievements. I had 1250/1250 gamerscore on Oblivion and I plan to get 100% on Skyrim as well so the checklist in the back is a nice touch.

I also like the guide. I don't use it to plan my every step or even to get beyond a quest until I've exhausted all my own thoughts about how to beat the quest. So far I've used it twice in regard to quests. It is nice to have a list of ingredients and what they can make though. Since those sorts of lists can be found in books within the game or on notes anyhow, I don't feel using the book in this fashion is cheating in any way.

I ordered (havent received yet) the CE guide just to have, I don't plan to use it to solve problems, I really try my damnest to figure things out in-game, unless I'm convinced a glitch is causing the problem. No, I basically just bought the guide because it has a Skyrim logo on it... It's FAR more than just a cheat's guide, it has detailed info on everything the tiny little game manual left out.

I bought the guide myself as well, mostly just for reading material if I'm bored and for whatever reasons unable to play. I don't use it to get through the game.

I do use it, however, if I'm faced with a choice where I feel as a player, I should really know what my options are.

And no, I'm not talking about what choice to make in a quest or something like that. But rather, if I'm deciding on what perk to take, I feel I should know just what the perks do. Or a spell effect. Things like that.

I have used it on a rare occasion to get through a quest if I am just absolutely stuck, and using the guide is the only way I will be able to continue the game.

The guide is fantastic. The stat info and advice is really valuable. Not to mention there have been a few spots where I was stuck and it help me out.