How do you fight in Skyrim?

[HoradricNoob]

I tend to hang back and fire arrows from the shadows while Lydia tanks. That doesn't mean I can't wade in and melee as well- I have to do that fairly often against loads of Falmer or mages cramped into small dungeons.

 

[Ace of Spades]

I started a new game when I encountered a game-breaking glitch, so I'll answer with my second character.

1. I go on my merry way. Giants are massively strong.

2. Turn on oakflesh and start hurling fireballs with my right hand and firebolts with my left.

3. Use unrelenting force to stagger the three enemies to give me time to drink some potions and conjure a flame atronach to back up my attack. Repeat number 2.

4. Use unrelenting force, turn on oakflesh, use one of my leftover scrolls of flame cloak, conjure a flame atronach, break out chain lightning and hope Lydia doesn't die in my attack. I would most likely die in this situation.

 

[sms_117b]

1 - No point messing with something that won't outright attack you, he's safe.

2 - Sprint up the stairs as fast as I can and power attack the first one I see with my two handed Sword.

3 - Lots of potions and lots of swinging my Greatsword sideways hitting multiple targets.

4 - Put boss between me and mage, parry and power stike, occasional potion but basically carve my way out

 

[teebeeohh]

1-put away my sword & kite him with magics
2-cast every buff i have, pick my shield (since this is gonna be close quarters)and get cutting
3-potions
4-kill 1 or 2 enemies before running, kiting the others along the way, move close to a door that changes locations

 

[idarkphoenixi]

Oh look another Skyrim thread.. http://exurbanpedestrian.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/angry-homer.gif?w=249&h=147



Okay well here goes...: Stealth, that's pretty much it. A shield if I'm in trouble.

 

[Jandau]

Yes, its another Skyrim thread. Deal with it.

I am interested in how my fellow Escapists deal with combat in Skyrim. Not because I need tips, but because I am curious as to how you do things. So, I will present you with several combat scenarios, and you can tell me how you would deal with each. Please treat each scenario as if it is your character (or your favorite/main character) in the scenario. Also, unless specified, you are allowed to place your character wherever you want (can be a really advantageous position, or really bad one. Its up to you). One more thing: unless the scenario puts you in a combat situation, you are allowed to just walk away (if you are so inclined). I would like it if you say you just walk away though.

You come across a giant on a highway. He sees you, but does not attack you since you are about 100 yards away. He WILL attack you if you get close, but you can both go on your merry way without having to engage in hostilities.

You are in a crypt where you can hear several undead walking around near you. You know there are at least 2, but there could be 5 for as well as you know. You do not know the type of undead, or how tough they are, just that they are undead (since that is all you have encountered thus far). You enter the room they are in, and see they have the elevation advantage, but have not detected you yet.

Having just killed a challenging dragon, your health and magick is low. You stand still for a couple seconds waiting for your mana to replenish itself so you can heal, but are attacked by a frost mountain cat and 2 ice wraiths.

You are sneaking around in a fortress, trying to get the stealth bonus on a particularly tough bandit. Just as you are about to strike, one of the bandits sees you and all 12+ bandits in the fortress are alerted to your presence. Your escape route is cut off, and you are in a medium sized room with 2 ways out. The tough bandit you were about to strike down turns and attacks you right away, and you see the other 2 bandits in the room are a mage and an archer.

Well? How do you get yourself out of these situations?
Please don't say you run away in every scenario >.>
And yes, I have had every one of these happen to me (I embellished a few of them). I will share how I dealt with these if you ask.

I avoid the Giant. I avoid all the Giants. They are cool dudes, minding their business and their mammoths. They also help me kill Dragons on a regular basis, so why the hell would I pick a fight with one?

For the Undead, I go in sneaking with my Bow and try to drop one or two before I'm spotted. Then I back away into the hallway I came from and wait for them to line up. I unleash my Fire Shout and then lay into them with Power Attacks from my Greatsword.

Depends. If I can, I pop an Invisibility potion/spell. Barring that, I pop a health potion or two (I always have a ton due to waaaay too much Alchemy), get back into fighting shape and mop the floor with them. I wanted so save my potions after the Dragon, but this is an emergency.

For the bandit scenario, I run at first, get to a better position, either down a hallway or around a corner. I pop any buff potions I have (12 dudes is a lot) and try to line up a good whot with a Shout. I take down any of the enemies that pursue me and then switch to my bow to trade projectiles with whomever is left.

 

[RedDeadFred]

1-Stealth kill
2-Stealth kill
3-Fuck healing spells - stealth kill
4-Stealth kill

Seriously. That 15x bonus is too good to ignore.

You kinda missed his point... he was asking how you would deal with certain situations, some of which do not allow for stealth.

Personally I find multiple opponents challenging even with a melee/shield guy... so I can't imagine how tough it must be taking on a room full of Electromancers and Fire Wizards as a light armour sneak char.

It's really quite easy. You just don't get spotted. That's pretty easy to do with sneak at 100.

 

[FateOrFatality]

1: Run up and kill him. Giants are easy for me now, and I'm running my own little war against giants and their mammoths. Shield bash him when he is about to attack to prevent taking too much damage.

2: Take out a certain quest reward sword (no spoilers here) I have and go to town. Undead are no worries to me after getting it.

3: Take some potions for health (I always carry heaps) and fight them with my enchanted, Legendary Daedric sword. Should be over in a few seconds.

4: Kill the mage first. They are sometimes a decent threat, so I'll sprint over and put a few power attacks on him. Slaughter the others at my leisure.

Eh, this wasn't so fun now that my character is basically a demigod. Looking forward to my thief playthrough.

Edit: Just read through this and saw how many people don't kill Giants. Why? They're probably one of the funnest things to kill in Skyrim. What level are you guys at? Fair enough at lower levels, as it is like taking on a brick wall with your head I suppose.

 

[kommando367]

Destruction spam and circle strafe
Dual firebolt/fireball and fire breath. Against mages or D-elfs, dual lightning bolts and fire breath.

In case of Dragon or other powerful boss: highborn power + above strategy.

 

[Karlaxx]

Occasionally I'll open up a fight with a sneak attack by arrow, but generally the bulk of the killing will be done with by opening up with a charging power attack and finished by lots of wild swinging and some sideways power attacks. I'll have either Unrelenting Force or Elemental Fury/Marked For Death on hand for use depending on the number of enemies (the first for groups, the second for larger single enemies.)

Edit: I too did not really read the full OP. I am sorry. This shall be rectified and the questions answered.

1) I hate fighting giants. I probably could now, but I had bad experiences in the early game and generally don't bother with them. I would rather raid a barrow.

2)If there are only two, sneak in and open up with arrows. If there are more, sneak into the room and find some way to move up to their level of elevation and then engage.

3) Ohdeargodspampotions. Then Shout them away and run, unless I still have some Ice Wraith Bane left, in which case I may try to fight.

4) In this instance I might try out the Call of Valor shout; I haven't used it before but somebody to keep the toughie occupied while I maul the squishies would be very handy. Probably going to end up consuming lots of potions until I win unless there's a chief and more mages on their way in.

 

[Randomperson9999999]

keep on power attacking if not dead by the time my energy is gone i shoot flames at them if not dead by that i run away

 

[damocles23]

Two hand goodness. Mostly Axe but if i find a good sword or hammer i'll use it.

 

[Torrasque]

I avoid the Giant. I avoid all the Giants. They are cool dudes, minding their business and their mammoths. They also help me kill Dragons on a regular basis, so why the hell would I pick a fight with one?

Because they drop awesome furs, lots of gold, and other loots that are awesome to sell/use?
I got my current Ebony shield from a Giant!

 

[Zhukov]

1. Go around him or sneak past. He's not bothering anyone, no need for violence.

2. Sneak in and backstab with dagger if possible. Otherwise, sneak attacks with a bow. If they rush me, pull duel daggers, trigger elemental fury (shout) and commence slicing. Retreat to corridor if available. Use circle of protection scroll if shit goes south.

3. Health potion(s). Then slice or bow as required.

4. Quickload button? Okay, okay... duel daggers, berserk rage (orc), elemental fury (shout). Commence high-speed anger-fuelled duel-shanking. Guzzle potions as required.

 

[Torrasque]

Edit: Just read through this and saw how many people don't kill Giants. Why? They're probably one of the funnest things to kill in Skyrim. What level are you guys at? Fair enough at lower levels, as it is like taking on a brick wall with your head I suppose.

I know dude. I am at lvl 24 with my Paladin, and they are the only challenge I have in the game right now (except getting 3 frost trolls at once...)
If I get two, I use my sprint shout and bow, but if I get one, it turns into a game of "how lucky do I feel with my shield bash?"

 

[Jandau]

I avoid the Giant. I avoid all the Giants. They are cool dudes, minding their business and their mammoths. They also help me kill Dragons on a regular basis, so why the hell would I pick a fight with one?

Because they drop awesome furs, lots of gold, and other loots that are awesome to sell/use?
I got my current Ebony shield from a Giant!

I've got more money than I can spend and my maxed out smithing ensures that everything that drops is nothing but vendor trash. Why would I use Ebony when I have a full Legendary Dragonplate/Dragonscale?

 

[masticina]

Yes, its another Skyrim thread. Deal with it.

You come across a giant on a highway. He sees you, but does not attack you since you are about 100 yards away. He WILL attack you if you get close, but you can both go on your merry way without having to engage in hostilities.

I mostly leave them be unless I have to deal with them! For certain for instance but hunting them down for toenails.. I don't see myself doing that easily

You are in a crypt where you can hear several undead walking around near you. You know there are at least 2, but there could be 5 for as well as you know. You do not know the type of undead, or how tough they are, just that they are undead (since that is all you have encountered thus far). You enter the room they are in, and see they have the elevation advantage, but have not detected you yet.

Very situational depending on the type of undead I probably would first go sniper but after I am found switch to magic. Yeah I am sneaky until I am found out then watch me glitter..I mean sparkle! Undead react better on fire though!

Having just killed a challenging dragon, your health and magick is low. You stand still for a couple seconds waiting for your mana to replenish itself so you can heal, but are attacked by a frost mountain cat and 2 ice wraiths.

.. yeah I probably am dead. Maybe with luck I can survive one frost mountain cat but a gang like that... yeah.. where was my last autosave again? Though I might try to survive.. I got lydia at my side after all!

You are sneaking around in a fortress, trying to get the stealth bonus on a particularly tough bandit. Just as you are about to strike, one of the bandits sees you and all 12+ bandits in the fortress are alerted to your presence. Your escape route is cut off, and you are in a medium sized room with 2 ways out. The tough bandit you were about to strike down turns and attacks you right away, and you see the other 2 bandits in the room are a mage and an archer.

Oooh if I was a fighter then.. well I am not I guess I have to use my brains pretty good here. Using my position to position the though bandit between me and the Mage. Mages are stupid that way to cast spells right at their own. Using all my guile and speed as an sneaky assasin I go for light weapons that are fast. And hopefully I can get the archer and mage to do the job for me!

 

[BlackSaint09]

I sneak up on them summon my bow(before im close to anyone ofc) and then just shoot them in the back.
If im in close combat i summon my dremora lord and my trusty summoned sword and just kill them like that.

 

[Torrasque]

I avoid the Giant. I avoid all the Giants. They are cool dudes, minding their business and their mammoths. They also help me kill Dragons on a regular basis, so why the hell would I pick a fight with one?

Because they drop awesome furs, lots of gold, and other loots that are awesome to sell/use?
I got my current Ebony shield from a Giant!

I've got more money than I can spend and my maxed out smithing ensures that everything that drops is nothing but vendor trash. Why would I use Ebony when I have a full Legendary Dragonplate/Dragonscale?

Nevermind then, lol. Not all of us are completely loaded.
I usually just kill stuff for the lulz. Besides that, I always like having more money. I completely looted every single Oblivion gate in Oblivion, and had 1.5M when I got around to closing the Great gate.