Perhaps others have found a similar issue. My character is a Wood Elf specializing in archery. Between the boost in Crits, general damage, and the 2x sneak attack bonus there doesn't seem to be anything I cant destroy. Even when something is charging me the fact that each arrow can stagger or even paralyze the opponent means they never get a swing to connect before they keel over. Dragons? Not a problem. And with their frequency of spawning I have more Dragon items then I know what to do with.

I'm sure a factor is that I only have three skills maxed. Archery, Smithing, and Enchanting. I'm sure a number of you would quickly state that that is the issue which is allowing for such ease. I hadn't played an Elder Scrolls game before this, and I went into it somewhat blindly. I found myself leveling my Smithing and Enchanting to give myself an 'edge' without considering the overall repercussions. With the ease of leveling these skills came many XP bonuses and with the simplicity of finding any necessary crafting resource, unlocking then crafting the best of the best didn't take long. I'm now just focusing on the main story line, but interest is waning.

I'm not exactly sure where the fault lies though. Bethesda's invitation was to "Play how you want to play" and by that logic I did just that. My overpowered Elf is a product of my own creation i.e. choices. But there is a fault with this logic in that it puts the responsibility of the outcome solely on the user without consideration of the system it's created in. In my case, I assumed that the developers wouldn't make Smithing and Enchanting so easy to level unless there was still some grandeur yet to acquire. Something unique and desirable. But there isn't. Many unique items are really just variations on enchantments already available to the user with a few exceptions.

I made my character but ultimately he's the product of the developer's mechanisms. Was I expected to create a character and use him within some unspoken equilibrium to prevent my current state?

The game gives you tools to become very overpowered, it doesn't warn you at all and it is there at fault. However the fact that it lets me also gives me the ability to do what I want. I'm always viable if I choose to be.

I think it comes down to some bad game design and bad luck. I would suggest get a new character and try something new. Only upgrade damage and or gear when needed and use perks more to give you more options with your skill instead of just boasting it.

There will always be ways to exploit in any game out there. Just keep buying/making health potions, smithing/enchanting. Its up to you to set the limit sometimes and determine whats 'cheap'. I dont think any Elder Scrolls is designed with great challenge, but more about the discovery, adventure and exploration.

I know what you mean Izak. But if this game was really hard and that there's nothing we can exploit, a bunch of kids would rant here in the forum.

What I discovered while playing several TES games is that you really need to:
-- Create a character you can roleplay for a good long while
-- Have a good idea what skills you want
-- Take a look at the above + game systems and try to make sure that you don't break your character by being too uber or too weak.

The problem is it's not always obvious what combination of skills will break your character. You're often OK if your character isn't "good at everything" ... Combine that with just "playing the game" and try not to "grind" out levels and you'll probably be fine.

FYI: I'm normally OK until I get bored and grind skills / train skills like you would in an MMO, If you avoid this you're probably OK even if you pick skill combos that would otherwise make you "uber".

Excuse me but taking Enchanting and Smithing is not exploiting. Do you guys have any clue what the term exploiting applies to? I have no qualms about having the ability to become incredibly powerful, yeah that is player choice - but in order to even scale weapon damage and effectiveness, you MUST take up crafting. It is unnatural to make the decision of NOT progressing or to make decisions that are not advantageous to your character.

I wish I would get overpowered with my character. I can't see that happening with my character in a million years. I am an experienced player, relying on magic most of the time. Already I had to adjust the difficulty (at level 24) and sometimes I even type 'tgm' to complete quests I strongly dislike the way alchemy and smithing works, I just buy/find my potions and weapons. How can smithing and enchanting make you overpowered, I like to have to that explained out of curiousity. I could learn a thing or two in the way.

I had no idea a weak looking Wood Elf could get overpowered. Archery is missing some balance, I read that before. Well, start again as an Imperial, don't develop archery skills and combine magic with swords. Maybe the game is challenging again

It was widely known already that skills in Enchanting, Smithing and such would make a player God-like. Many posts to mention that, so not sure where the surprise is for it happening when you go for Enchanting and Smithing with one other skill. If you want or wanted to be invincible, then that would be the sure way to go. If you did not want that, then should simply utilize other skill areas that are perhaps more beneficial to using more weaponry or tactics. I chose to become a Thief and use things like Light Armor, Archery, and most of the skills in the 'Green' Celestial area, that are more prominent for Thieves. Knowing that the skills like Enchanting would make me more God-like... is the reason I intentionally apply and train in the other areas or skills, so it is more balanced for me.
Can try it with another character if you'd like, can always keep the God-like Elf for fun times.

If it really bothers you, switch to a sword or something. Simple.

This again? *facepalm*

Your topic title is misleading because being a wood elf has nothing to do with your complaint. The root of your problem is contained in the first paragraph quoted, namely your choice of how to play. You took the road to get the most powerful gear and then leveled the 1 weapon skill you need to unleash that power. From an outside view, I am skeptical of your claim that you didn't know what you were doing when you did that, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. That aside, any character you make with those skills as primary is likely to have a fairly easy time through the game.

Look at it this way. If you know you're going to see some sword fights but instead of just rolling with it you spend all your time building a tank, of course it's going to be an issue. All you can do at this point is say you know better and start a new character. Failing that, try a different method of play like dropping the bow and using magic or a knife. If neither of those work for you then I suggest quitting and finding something else to do with your time.

Thank you for your replies. I believe that the complaint wasn't as much geared towards remorseful exploitation as it was taking part in blatant, encouraged activities. When comparing the product of effective smithing/enchanting to the difficulty of enemies (on Master) and the lack of unique "qwestables" I guess I was surprised just how quickly I hit the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_ceiling, so to speak. That's all.

And perhaps the Title might of been reworded to read "Master isn't hard enough for THIS Wood Elf."

However one point I'll bring up. There seems to be a sense of irony in a number of statements made regarding starting a new character. Given the game I think those statements are accurate, however It kind of comes across to the effect of "Welcome to the wide world of SKYRIM where you can make any number of characters from a versatile skills set in a MASSIVE, Free Roaming world. Just be sure to play it within certain confines or else you won't enjoy it."

Not to be snarky, but that's just kind of what I'm left with.

Has very little to do with your race, a +10 skill modifier isn't a big deal, wood elves are one of the weaker races when it comes to the real racial bonuses.

Only thing increasing difficulty does is make you deal less damage while enemies deal more, yet control, stealth, and range+kiting still work just as well on any difficulty. You can consistently avoid getting hit by physical damage completely while mitigating almost all spell damage, so master will end up just making NPCs bigger health sacks for some play styles.

You might as well not bother worrying about the combat and trying to take it seriously anyway. TES, Beth games in general even, have never given adequately challenging or engaging combat systems, if you're not getting anything out of the lore and exploring the game world you might as well find another game. There's almost no skill curve to it at all and it's not all that gratifying mowing through things either - some easy combat can still be fun, but Skyrim is kind of clunky.

I joined these forums a while before release, and I could see Smithing + Enchanting would equal massive power... That is why I put it in my "massive power" build...

But even assassin build + smithing without enchanting = loads of power on Master. What can I say, just try to design your build to your challenge level. I would not mind if they put in one more "extreeeeeeeeeeme difficulty" level, but I guess they didn't have time considering how many bugs got through just with this massive budget and five year development timeframe.

Bethesda is not really known for been good at game balance. But they are improving, because it is easier to get into godmode in Oblivion and even more so in Morrowind.

While not mutually exclusive, Bethesda also has a problem balancing more choices (in terms of more effects) with gameplay balance. Case to note is 100% magic resist + 100% damage reflect, 100% camouflage, magic weakness stacking via spell making found in oblivion.

In an ideal world, Bethesda would be able to give us all the spells, enchantment and effects that appear in the last games AND balance them. But logic and historical data has proven otherwise. So be very careful with what you wish for.

Choice > Balance

Archery is definitely a skill that kicks it out....... do doubt about that.

When archery is perked up with enchanting ALONE, it's a kicker.

Maybe go with a mindset? Ranger, who doesn't smith, uses axes, with a magic ability.....restoration.....drop smithing.

Nothing wrong with saving your guy, and trying another build.......

Also, I didn't see how far you have got.......but at higher levels, I do believe enemies get a bit levelled......dragons as well,
although I believe there is a cap to it.......

For me it's a mindset.......I restrict myself, and do a lot of foot travel when applicable, and it works.
Oh, did you start the game on Master? not sure if I read that.....
Have fun....

with alchemy you can make much more powerful potions than just buying, for example, buying smithing potions, you can only get ones that are 50 percent stronger, creating smithing potions, you can get some that make your smithed items 150 percent stronger, or more. Also, my created fortify destruction potions make my spells 200 percent stronger, much, MUCH better than the mere 50 percent you can buy.

Yes I agree completely, I've just encountered the same problem being a stealth and archery based character. I haven't even maxed out the perk trees and it's too easy. I'm level 30 and I'm thinking of wrapping up my character and starting again because there's no challenge.

I think this could be solved quite easily if they introduced some high level monsters to the monster tables. I don't mean just tougher versions of the same ones but some new ones. Oblivion had a lot more.

Hopefully we'll see something in the DLC. I miss that feeling of stalking through a dungeon knowing death could come very easily.

My next character will be a straight warrior with no magic or any of the crafting options. Hopefully that will make a difference.

Enchanting + Smithing does not equal "exploiting" in the usual definition of the term. It's clearly a standard choice you can make.

However, by the time you get to 100 in both plus five or so perks in each, you should realize that it is going to make you extremely powerful. I mean you've been playing the game for many hours.

Yeah, crafting in the game is a cool feature. No doubt.
It needs an adjustment to make it balanced.......

Sneak by itself maxed out is ridiculous. control_ out of combat perk is just "sick". (in combat, run a short distance with 100 sneak and start to sneak, and the npc just says' HUH?

It does not need adjustement, it just needs to be capped, for example, you should not be able to loop alchemy and enchanting to create enchants that make your sword do 1000 fire damage, or things of that nature, or upgrading swords that do 100 thousand damage, other than that, if you spend the time to get your alchemy to 100, you deserve the many rewards you get from it, smithing not so much, but alchemy, most definately.

Try a melee warrior on master. Levels 10-20 will devour your soul. I'm looking forward to trying a stealthy archer/assassin character on master, in part because I'm counting on it being easier.

Many long timers with Bethesda's games realize that the only way to really increase difficulty, outside of mods, is to nerf your own character. These games are extremely flexible in that regard allowing you to play as you like being either very weak or very strong. It's totally up to you. That really is the beauty of it. They don't hold your hand or force anything on you. So yea if you choose to max out all your skills early on you are going to become powerful much quicker than someone who takes their time with it. I have found my mage character to be very challenging because I did not go out of my way to level up. I took a very natural route of progression and even in my upper 40's I am not what I consider over powered.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I enjoyed the Fallout 3 and to a lesser extent New Vegas, but its interesting see how so many came into Skyrim with certain understanding of Bethesda's work in the TES series. I share many of your hopes with whatever upcoming DLC releases. However I'm a bit pessimistic as it seems most natural for them to release 'more of the same' in regards to difficulty. I'll admit I'm unfamiliar with the previous TES DLC, only that of Fallout.

I Use smithing as well too, but im not a blacksmith, so the skill is a little lower than my 4 prime skills