So, I use Whirlwind sprint all the time. I usually try to get all three words, but I'm actually starting to wonder.

The way the cooldown works, I actually think I move farther, faster, if I just use the first word only. It charges up very quickly, much faster than the full, three-word shout. Not only that, but the full three words only moves your character another 20% or so.

So there's the question, is it actually faster to use Wuld three times, then Wuld Na Kest?

I think so. Can anyone figure a way to measure this? I would love to be able to say something with objective precision.

Use a fixed straight route, like a road from one gate to another in Riverwood, and a timer in your cellphone to see which one is faster.

I think doing regular sprinting while using Become Ethereal may be faster than continual use of whirlwind sprint for longer distances. Or if you have restore stamina perk in restoration, you can sprint, restore stamina whirlwind sprint sprint again.

Interesting question. Maybe I'll try to compare different techniques.

Turns out the second level is the most efficient.

The single word is the worst, the full three is the next worst. However, using two is considerably more effective than the others.

In terms of feet traveled per second, the numbers were very close to:

1 word: 2.5
2 word: 3
3 word: 2.65

And that was more or less it. I think this highlites a very serious problem with the way Bethesda calculated their shouts generally. The third shout in the sequence isn't always the best. In many cases, like Fire Breath, you do far more damage over time if you just use the first word repeatedly than if you use the three word combo.

The shout cool downs don't scale properly.

I mentioned this before. They need to realize that for shouts, power doesn't come in damage but practicality

Go on top of winerhold college (may need to be archmage to access the roof) jump up on the edge of the rampart facing the water below, and use all 3 words, I did it naked and landed in the water.

It's like epic skinny dipping.. lol

There is a cave in markarth province.......redoran's redoubt? Anyway, there is a ledge that is unreachable with a chest on it. I've tried the three word sprint shout to reach it from the opposite path, but can't seem to do it.

Has anyone made it to the top of that ledge?

You want to get somewhere in a hurry ... Beast Form.

Lol that is pretty epic

I don't think there's a "problem" with which the way beth calculated this shout. I've never used whirlwind sprint as a means to get from A to B quicker. I've only used it to get in front of a wizards face quickly, avoid traps, and reach secret ledges and other impassible ledges that wouldn't otherwise be accessible. I even went through Kagranzel backwards because I thought the exit was the entrance to a secret ruin.

Word.

I use the first word of Wirlwind sprint but usually I use Become Ethereal instead. With Become Ethereal I can sprint without losing Stamina for a limited time. I've only got the first part but that short burst of invincibility and infinite stamina is great. I don't know if the sprinting is actually faster or covers more distance though. Whirlwind sprint is fun but is quite long. I use the Talos prayer and the Amulet of Talos for a really short cooldown. It's like 9 or 12 seconds every Whirlwind and something similar for Become Ethereal.

its actually a decent way to get to a store quickly if youre overencumbered

Mmm hmmm... interesting figures on Whirlwind Sprint.. http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1368696-wip-dragonborn-ascendant/page__p__20666987#entry20666987

Questions... Is this just calculating start-end of just the dash itself, or factoring in unmodified cooldown too? What are the distance numbers used to calculate these figures?

Is that the chest with the Predator's Grace boots next to it? I got over there by "climbing" the wall to bypass the waterfall. No need for whirlwind sprint.

I'm thinking of Hag's End. http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Hag

If those numbers are accurate, that's a problem. Shouldn't the third tier be best? According to him and those numbers, the third isn't (not worth the cooldown). Why do you say it's not an issue?

I agree. I think it is an issue. Especially since http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1370434-shout-cool-downs-dont-scale-very-smartly/

I'm not going to argue with anyone that disagrees. If it's not an issue to you, that's fine. However, I don't like it and I would love to see this sort of thing adjusted.*


*I hesitate to use the word fix, because it's not horribly broken. It's just unusual and a bit nonsensical.