Open-world games can often time be a little overwhelming with choices; from which armor to sport, to which guild the Dragonborn is better off with.Skyrimis an open-world game that truly creates an immersive experience. For those that are just hopping on the wagon to Helgen for the first time, there are a few things to keep in mind.
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Sometimes, players will run into things that they cannot reverse and in turn, makes them resort to the thing most gamers dread such as having to start from scratch (aka starting a new save file). Here are some things to try to avoid in order to get the full experience.
Updated August 21st, 2021 by Christine Mendoza:While Skyrim continues to be an incredibly popular game, it would be a shame to not put the community’s collective experience and knowledge together to help the ever-growing plethora of Skyrim newcomers with their first playthrough. In addition to a few other notable mistakes to avoid, how to remedy each issue has been added for convenience as well.
12Joining The Wrong Guild
The world ofSkyrimhas many different clans to align with. From the Thieves Guild all the way to the Dark Brotherhood,Skyrimhas something for everybody. However, once crossing over, it can be difficult to leave. Accidentally joining the wrong guild or having a change of heart later can ruin the player’s overall experience. Whichever guild the Dragonborn is associated with will directly affect which set of quests will be available.
For example, if the Dragonborn decided to align with the Stormcloaks in the rebel uprising against the Empire, any quests available to the Imperial Army will then be barred. Ensure that when joining a guild, it is truly the set of quests that are the most appealing!
11Not Increasing Perks
Some players prefer to just go along their way and try their best not to do any extra work, ignoring upgrades and just going from quest to quest. Avoid this! Ensure to always check how many perks are available to upgrade after each level up. Checking up on skill trees and investing in the skills that are the most interesting or useful not only makes the Dragonbornthat much stronger, but it also changes up the gameplay as well with new abilities and keeps things fresh.
10Always Being Over-encumbered
Looting is a huge part of the trueSkyrimexperience and not taking the time to empty inventory space would hinder it entirely. Overencumberance is when inventory is full and the player is then forced to walk at a snail’s pace with no ability to sprint or fast travel. Being over-encumbered can cause multiple trips just to bring over valuable loot; it can even prevent the player from being able to pick up crucial quest-related items.
Before each trip out into the world, ensure to drop off any important items in-home storage, sell any heavy valuables at shops and use any available crafting materials.
If not, the option of quickly chugging a Fortify Carry Weight Potion and fast traveling to the nearest town or storage space can come in handy when in a pinch!
9Killing A Valuable NPC
Each NPC in the gameis designated a specific job, whether it be toprovide simple flavor textor to give the player their next big story quest. Some NPCs are incredibly valuable with regards to convenience for the Dragonborn.
Accidentally kill a shop owner or allow a dragon to kill a blacksmith in a town and they’re not coming back. Forget being able to sell any valuables or buy up some ore. Once that blacksmith or store owner is dead, that resource is as well. Once a valuable NPC is dead, don’t turn a blind eye and continue onto the next task. It may be best to restart from a previous save. Otherwise, better start heading to the next town over and pray they have the items you need in stock.
8Forgetting Where An Item Is Stored
Being over-encumbered is one of the most common problems players face when exploring a dungeon or clearing out a cave. Luckily,Skyrimoffers a great solution outside of expanding pocket space: home storage.
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While venturing out into the world, it can be nice to own a house to settle down in every once in a while and empty out some heavy items. However, withSkyrimoffering a housewithin every hold(and adding even more options in the DLC), the hunt for a specific item can be incredibly tiresome. Losing that specific set of armor, that weapon that needed to be honed, or that powerful potion that would be perfect for the next quest can ruin the fun. Rummaging through the hundred or so storage boxes available in all the Skyrim homes can feel less like a game and more like an episode ofHoarders. attempt to organize all items in a specific way to avoid losing important items.
7Getting A Huge Bounty
As fun as it can be to run around and abide by no rules, sometimes it can go too far. After committing enough crimes (with accompanying witnesses), the guards of each Hold within Skyrim will begin to stop the player when going along their way. At this point, the Dragonborn can either go to jail, pay off their bounty, or resist and begin to battle for their freedom.
Getting stopped by every guard within a Hold can be tiresome. However, if the player’s bounty grows too large, guards will no longer even warn the Dragonborn. Instead, they will just attack them on sight. Avoid large bounties. Either play by their rules or save up some coin. It’s best to bite the bullet and pay it off for convenience later on.
6Overusing Fast Travel
Although there is a very real threat of the dragons returning and wreaking havoc among the land, it’s important to remember to take a breather once in a while. Skyrim is a vast and beautiful land and it’s worth exploring the land that the entire main quest is trying so desperately to save.
Once a location is unlocked, it can be easy to lazily fast travel to the closest point to save some time, but there is value in taking the long way instead. Skyrim isn’t all about the large holds and extravagant fortresses; among the land are small caves and hideouts that hold challenging enemies, curious NPCs, and valuable treasures.
Next time around, try going on foot or by horse, and keep an eye out for any interesting hidden locations that may not have been found otherwise!
5Not Crafting
Armor is incredibly vital to being able to enjoy the game. A good defense is key to feeling powerful whentaking out a dragonor wiping out a team of bandits. However, it’s important not to rely on the base armor given within the game. Not honing weapons or armor is a serious mistake. Not making sure to hunt down the materials and ore needed for thenext set of armoror upgrading a favorite weapon can make the game feel like it’s getting more difficult without giving the player any real new buffs or advantages.
Don’t stick to what’s available in shops. Make sure to rummage through treasures and corpses and craft new items at any opportunity that comes up.
4Accidentally Losing A Follower
Venturing out into the world can be a lonely life for the Dragonborn. It always helps to have a buddy for aid when things look rough. However, with all the different terrain and enemies that can cross paths with the Dragonborn and their helpful followers, it can be easy to lose them. Even if left for a second, a follower can get themselves lost. Finding them again is sometimes a difficult task.
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Whether it be stuck behind trees or falling off a cliff, a faithful follower can lose their way, and often time it’s not as easy as waiting the next day for them to return to their post. Unfortunately, the case is that they’re either lost forever or they’ve died on their journey trying to get back to the Dragonborn. Ensure to check in on them every now and then or keep a separate save before recruiting them for help.
3Ignoring Side Quests
The main storyline ofSkyrimis great, however, ignoring the side quests doesn’t allow the player to feel the trueElder Scrollsexperience. Avoiding the completion of side quests can take away a lot of the story and overall experience. Some ofthe best storiesare found within the side quests and minor characters.
Skyrimis the type of game to be enjoyed slowly. It allows the player to take their time and enjoy each little detail of it.Not to mention, the lootthat comes from side quests can be quite valuable as well.
