Yup. I've concluded Skyrim's leveling system advances so fast, it's not possible to do all of what I want to do on a single character without maxing out early. In fact, it's going take three:
- First was archer and sneak thief completed the Civil War as a Stormcloak, Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild (mostly, thanks to a glitch). (DONE)
- A one-handed, Alteration and Illusion master, for the main quest and College of Winterhold. (In progress.)
- A two-handed brawler for Companions and the Civil War as an Imperial. (Next in line.)
Each romps through a healthy smattering of side quests, which is making not only the characters, but the content they touch unique.
I just got through Mzulft a short time ago, and it's sounding like Labyrinthian is up next. Can't wait, I've heard it's a great dungeon, certainly the outside is mammoth.
Alis came into her own in Mzulft. Spotting dead Falmer was enough to get me to grind Illusion up three levels using Muffle (about 10 consecutive casts) to level 50 so I could use Frenzy. Shortly after, I gave Alis a title: the Puppet Master.
I knew what Frenzy would do, but I hadn't considered how I could use it in conjunction with Calm. My first encounter with a Falmer (aside from the ones that slaughtered me and sent me out of a previous dungeon asap) was with a lone one, which had me wondering how to incorporate Frenzy into the mix. That would just turn them on
me.
So, I hit the guy with Calm and walked past him, where I found a second Falmer around the corner. That's who I tagged with Frenzy, and then led him back to his now very mellow buddy, whom he assaulted as I ran past. I sit back and watch the brawl, and slay the victor in a couple of blows.
Later, I do the same to those giant Chorus bugs (which can kill me one on one). The best encounter was with a high level Falmer, who Frenzy would not work on. But it worked on the Stalker and two regular Falmers around him, resulting in a four way brawl. I sit far back and toss spells in as appropriate to keep it going. In the end there's just a Falmer left who I smack down and carry on my way.
I'm now going to take a break from the College quest line (after I return 100 freaking lbs of Dwarven cogs) and advance the main quest. I'm a bit nervous about my strategy for Dragons; I might have to resort to a bit of Conjuration so as to distract them. My combat is good enough that if they get close I can do formidable damage.
Those bandits that were one-shotting me earlier are going to tear their buddies a new one.