Hi,

(This could fit on the General board, but as I mention a couple names and also some console command stuff, I though on posting it here)

Introduction:
I know everyone of us learn our own tricks, or tactics, to try playing the game to get the best of fun. I would like to post the main things I started doing some time ago. My policies, rules, or the way you want to call them, to try having fun my way. I post them here to share them and because they may be useful for someone.

Also, I would like to read your ideas and ways of playing.

RULE 1: Disable quest markers
This is one of the first things I started doing, and that possibly most of you do. That feeling of following an arrow, ruins my experience. I check where the NPC or location is, and try traveling there. This is also more fun when applying Rule 2.

RULE 2: Don't use the map just anywhere
After feeling constantly spoiled by the magic GPS that tells me where I am everytime I open the map, and lacking the option to disable "current position marker", I decided to only use the map on cities.

How do I play? Well, once in a city, with everything done around (selling, sleeping, etc.), if I decide to complete some other quest, then before parting somewhere else I first open my map and check nearby quest locations (enabling markers). I own a big paper map (preorder) that I have on my wall, and using some stickies that don't damage the map, I place 2-3 of them on it, for the current session, comparing the paper map with the 3D map to know where the spot is. It may be a cave in the middle of a mountain, but the rivers shape or paths around help me recognize it's position both when placing the marker, and when trying to find the place.

Once I do this, I disable the quest marker again, and part away. While on the paths, I compare what I see around (path turns, rivers nearby, etc.) and look at my paper map, to know where I am. This way I just have to walk until I'm near the quest location, and then try finding the cave/fort on my own.

It's pretty fun, and also adds inmersion. For instance, after finishing the Companions quest where you wake up at some fort, and have to clear it, when I went out I obviously had no idea where I was... Rule: don't open the map. I just walked around, found a path, walked a bit until I found a river, and using my paper map I tried to figure out where I was. First I walked one way.. no clues. Then the other way.. I found a bridge and looking at the river and the path around, it helped me to be 95% sure of my location, so I continued walking on what I though was the correct direction. Later I found a wood sign and, just as I though, it pointed correctly.

RULE 3: Never run. Walk.
With the horse and while on already visited paths, I used to use the run function (not sprint), but I also traveled on it just walking. Now without horse I've walked long distances. Dawnstar-Whiterun... Whiterun-Greybeards... all just walking. Yes, it can take 30-60 minutes, or even more if I get "distracted" by enemies, or want to check some ruins around (even if I don't go inside), but I have no hurries. My fun on this game is to LIVE inside this world, not just finish quests or level up, so walking feels good. Also makes the world feel bigger.

It's great when I find other travelers around, also walking, like farmers wanting to join the Stormclocks, or a noble on a horse with a mercenary. It makes me feel like one more of them, instead of someone that goes here and there running and sprinting, like the kids you see in Solitude playing tag.

Personal setting: Timescale to 3 minutes
This was one of my greatest discoveries. I was really happy when using it after I read about it on a website. By default 1 real life minute is 20 ingame minutes. This was a lot for me, keeping in mind I always walk. I don't see it as cheating, and also I don't feel like breaking the world scale, because for me, the real scale is what I see with my eyes.

For those interested, the timescale applies to current char and savegame. Opening the console and typing "show timescale" displays the current value. Typing "set timescale to x", sets it to x minutes.


So... what policies or rules do you apply to yourself (for adventuring, playing the character, or whatever)?. I focused my post on the adventuring things I do myself, but I would like to hear all kind of ideas that help you get the best of this game.

Thanks for reading.