So...I play on Novice difficulty. I still get killed sometimes, the game is still rather challenging. But I hear people say, recently, "I'm a level 81 on Master Difficulty", and I can't help but think that I'm missing something. I've tried to move the difficulty up, but then the game becomes about survival instead of fun and I get bored with it. Do you guys have any ideas that could help me have fun on a higher difficulty?

Edit:

I play as a Dark Elf, major in sneak, archery, one-handed, light armor, with a good bit in destruction. I do all of the guilds and all of the quests that I can find. I start off as a werewolf but just recently got infected with vampirism. Currently level 32.

Level up, stick to a weapon proficiency at lower levels (perk and leveling wise), then once you reach level 40 or higher, turn up your difficulty. I use novice at lower levels, then adept for level 40 and up. I really should play my lvl 58 Shadow Warrior on Expert now, since sneak and arrows are one hit kills for me now LOL

Well, this is a survival game. If you remove the danger then you are just playing Elmo Goes To Skyrim.

I die at least 2 or 3 times an hour, so death is not uncommon.

Keep playing on Novice if you enjoy it. I've played for 500 hours on Novice. I'm not ashamed of that. I find it not very fun dying over and over and I guess Adept is too much trouble for me. Why bother trying to emulate all those people who play on Master? If that is the challenge they want then let them play on Master. Do what you feel is right.

If you feel you want a bigger challenge just step the diffculty up to apprentice and start a new character. That way you don't have the culture shock of the entire way you play the game being changed. Depends on your preference of course.
I like Elmo

Depends on your playstyle.

As a warrior, I can help as thats my forte. Learn how to move well in combat, and where the limit of your weapons reach is. Standing still and trading blows is never a good idea, instead stand near the limit of your reach and jitter about a little. Often you'll be able to sidestep or step back from power attacks, and dive back in for a couple of free attacks whilst your opponent recovers.

If you insist on standing still, you *will* need a shield and perks invested in the block tree. The perk that slows time during enemy power attacks is useful, and shield and power bash are your best friends.

Oh yeah, stamina is useful, but early on focus entirely on health. Only invest in stamina when you feel comfortable you can sponge the increase in damage for the new level.

Thank you I just wanted to make sure I wasn't destroying my experience by sticking to the lower difficulty.

Thanks! I never really used the shield in Oblivion, so I guess I never got used to it. I'll give that a try on my next character.

Shields are much better in this game. Much better indeed

hmm i think you just have no idea about any kind of gamemechanic. i mean.. having problems on novice? the easiest mode that doubles your dmg and cuts the dmg of your enemies in 2? just thinking realistical does help, though. would you stand in front of 4 enemies and just brainlessly attack them with your sword with no defense at all?

Uncalled for

People who play on Master are the people that like to enchant legendary Daedric armor and weapons and fight dragons, then claim they're "Boss" when they can kill them while downing 5000 health potions.

Master is an egotistical mediocre concept to me. I only really play on Apprentice, because Novice feels a bit too easy for me.

Without reading the other posts yet, I've played this character - my first two. But my ass got owned SO many times that I decided to re-roll as a mage. That was on Adept. It's hard to defend yourself against anything at lower levels.

It was very disappointing and maybe one day when I get the hang of this game I'll try it again. But yeah - afaic, Novice is the only way to go with a character like this.

Just my opinion, but regardless of the Dunmer 'sword, bow, destruction' thing, putting perks into destruction and archery is a bit of a waste. Either use sword and spell up close, and destruction for ranged, or archery, and sword and shield up close.
As for the novice thing, what is more important, enjoying a game you paid good money for, or coming on this forum to brag?

See, here's your problem. If you try to specialize in three different weapons, you end up a master of none. Both archery and destruction are ranged, so one of them is redundant.
The thing is, if you stick to one weapon, you gain fewer overall levels, but your weapon skill is higher. If you spread out too much, you quickly gain levels and your opponenets get stronger, but each of your weapon skills is relatively lower.

Go away

For having an opinion? No thanks. Remember what a Forum is, my friend.

A place to exchange opinions and information? I guess my comment wasn't exactly informative... For that I'm sorry.

I still don't agree with you, though. Not all players are the same - I always play on Master because I love a challenge; I don't create overpowered characters, quite the opposite. My assassing still wears basic Thieves Guild armor and wields an Imperial Bow - all improved, I admit, but only to flawless (as high as I could go without perks in Smithing, potions and enchanted apparel). My warrior always uses conjured weapons, which are nowhere near as powerful as improved daedric. I have several mods that increase difficulty (Deadly Dragons for one) and some that improve immersion - among them Realistic Carry Weight, so I can't have a ton of potions with me, and turned off health regeneration, so to heal myself I need to flee from combat and use spells, avoiding the enemies that might pursue me.

I die often, I run from battles I have no chance of winning and I hold my breath every time I see a dragon, because I know it will probably squish me. And yes, I do feel like a boss every time I win a fight - because I know that my foes were powerful and yet I managed to destroy them.

Others want a smooth gaming experience, I want all the challenge I can get. What's wrong with that?

the way i do it is focuse on 3 or 4 skills at the start if u spread your skill points out to much your going to mess youself up big time

No money for you!

Why is that?

I'm refering more to the people that look down on others for playing easier difficulties. I apologize for including you in the majority of ego-heads.

The second half of your post was an opinion.

But the first part was a generalisation.

You do know the difference right? What you said is no different to those who get on their high horse about playing on master, only from the other side of the coin.

If you are going to be snarky about your opinion, ensure that it was your opinion that caused offence, not a poor, rash generalisation based on what difficulty level people play on.

EDIT: you ninja'd me. Disregard.

Does thinking that master players are like that make you feel better about yourself. I don't glich, loop, or have my armor or weapon ratings anywhere near the limit. I find master to be the only way to find challenge after level 15 in skyrim.

Funny thing is I think your massaging your own ego. When you throw out "majority of ego-heads" play this way or that way, they need 9000 hp weapons and 75 potions per fight. It just sounds like your pumping yourself up by putting other people down.

I'm betting that you have leveled up several times due to skill increases in things like smithing, enchanting, speech, etc. In other words, non-combat skills. This can cause the enemies to become way too difficult for awhile. But take heart. You'll catch up and pass them soon enough. Many players experience a difficulty hump around levels 12-16 and again in the 30's or 40's.

[REQ] Elmo Goes To Skyrim


On topic, the OP shouldn't feel pressured to play on a harder difficulty because others do. It's a single player game so just play how you want to. Once you've done everything you want to do on your own terms then you might be interested in cranking up the difficulty or even trying a "dead is dead" character.