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ColleenG

When in doubt, follow the fox.
Most of us have expressed a preference to do the major quests at high levels, and we've discussed how we diddle around (heh) until about level 60 plus or minus before we get serious.

After watching my 12 year old play (he breaks ALL the rules, dammit!) I'm wondering what quests would be good/fun at low levels. He completed the thieves guild questline by LEVEL 8 and Joined Dawnguard and became a vampire right at level 10.

Has anyone challenged themselves to do a major questline right out of Helgen? Which would you recommend?
 

imaginepageant

Slytherin Alumni
I don't know if I'm the exception, but I never just mess around until I reach a high level. I join whatever faction I plan on joining fairly early, by level ten or so (I usually do Bleak Falls after Helgen for the experience and gold from Lucan). The one time I played through Dawnguard, I started as soon as it opened at level ten. The characters I've gotten past level forty have all done multiple factions and questlines. I couldn't imagine waiting that late to even start the big stuff.

Really, any questlines can be fun at lower levels. Dawnguard can be hard early on (unless you're playing a build specifically to fight vampires), but it's doable. Otherwise, if you're having trouble with any, just turn your difficulty level down until you acclimate yourself. Don't feel that you have to limit yourself!

I'd suggest starting with quests that will get you good gear (I usually decide what weapons and armor I want for my character and go right after it), or helpful bonuses (for example, The Book of Love quest rewards you with a permanent boost to your magic resistance).
 

Wishmaker1234

Speaker to the Dazed
It's been a while since I have played, but what is the advantage of doing major questlines at higher levels?
 

LotusEater

I brake for blue butterflies
If by fun you mean challenging then I would recommend Dragonborn DLC at lv5. Ash spawn will kick your ass.
 

Thepointman

Member
Most of us have expressed a preference to do the major quests at high levels, and we've discussed how we diddle around (heh) until about level 60 plus or minus before we get serious.

60? yikes, can't imagine waiting that long before I dug into the meat of the game. I usually find myself drifting off at the 40ish mark as by that point I have my skills (that I actually plan to use) maxed and perked, more gold than I have stuff to spend it on and many of the game's side quests and main quests done. Only route to go from there would be just to sit in a corner somewhere and grind skills to boost my level up, never been too interested in that admittedly.
 

LotusEater

I brake for blue butterflies
Most of us have expressed a preference to do the major quests at high levels, and we've discussed how we diddle around (heh) until about level 60 plus or minus before we get serious.

60? yikes, can't imagine waiting that long before I dug into the meat of the game. I usually find myself drifting off at the 40ish mark as by that point I have my skills (that I actually plan to use) maxed and perked, more gold than I have stuff to spend it on and many of the game's side quests and main quests done. Only route to go from there would be just to sit in a corner somewhere and grind skills to boost my level up, never been too interested in that admittedly.



You just have to plan in advance. It's extremely easy to avoid the main story lines while still advancing organically (as in no grinding) to lv60++. I do it every playthrough. There are a ton of secondary/minor quests and storylines availableacross Skyrim, especially if you talk to a lot of NPC's. Just clearing out Blackreach for the Return to Roots quest will net you plenty of levels.
 

imaginepageant

Slytherin Alumni
It's been a while since I have played, but what is the advantage of doing major questlines at higher levels?

Some unique weapons and armor, like the Nightingale set, have stronger enchantments if you get them at higher levels versus lower levels.

Otherwise, I assume the "advantage" is that you're skilled up and perked out and will have less of a challenge defeating enemies. To me, that's not an advantage at all, because taking the challenge out of a game also takes the enjoyment out of it.
 

W'rkncacnter

Mister Freeze
I don't think I've ever had a character reach level 60. At the same time, I usually work myself up to level 10 on the plains of Whiterun before starting anything major.
 

Daelon DuLac

How do you backstab a Dragon?
Most of us have expressed a preference to do the major quests at high levels, and we've discussed how we diddle around (heh) until about level 60 plus or minus before we get serious.

After watching my 12 year old play (he breaks ALL the rules, dammit!) I'm wondering what quests would be good/fun at low levels. He completed the thieves guild questline by LEVEL 8 and Joined Dawnguard and became a vampire right at level 10.

Has anyone challenged themselves to do a major questline right out of Helgen? Which would you recommend?
I like the Markarth quests. Challenging, but not too bad and you get some good stuff.
 

Wildroses

Well-Known Member
Just clearing out Blackreach for the Return to Roots quest will net you plenty of levels.

Interestingly I just did this at level 7-11 right now with an Argonian Conjuror. Initially this was supposed to be a dead is dead character, but I threw that rule out the window when I realised just how much fun it was running around Blackreach at low levels with Marcurio and a flame atronauch. I had a blast and only died three times.

To get into Blackreach with that low level I used the Live Another Life mod and picked the necromancer in a secluded location, which puts you in Sinderion's Field Lab, raced the Dwarven Sphere and Falmer to an exit, then came back to the still opened lift with a follower and some decent spells. For those unable to access mods, I suspect going straight to Septimus Signus's outpost and starting Discerning the Transmundane should do it. Septimus won't set you to harvesting blood until you are above level 15, but the rest should be fine.
 

LotusEater

I brake for blue butterflies
Just clearing out Blackreach for the Return to Roots quest will net you plenty of levels.

Interestingly I just did this at level 7-11 right now with an Argonian Conjuror. Initially this was supposed to be a dead is dead character, but I threw that rule out the window when I realised just how much fun it was running around Blackreach at low levels with Marcurio and a flame atronauch. I had a blast and only died three times.

To get into Blackreach with that low level I used the Live Another Life mod and picked the necromancer in a secluded location, which puts you in Sinderion's Field Lab, raced the Dwarven Sphere and Falmer to an exit, then came back to the still opened lift with a follower and some decent spells. For those unable to access mods, I suspect going straight to Septimus Signus's outpost and starting Discerning the Transmundane should do it. Septimus won't set you to harvesting blood until you are above level 15, but the rest should be fine.


The thing I love about Blackreach is that the first few times I went there I vowed to never return. It was so confusing and seemed so desolate but after a few times running the Return to Roots quest I started to see that there is a really nice flow once you get used to navigating it. Now it's one of my favorite places. Same with Forgotten Vale. I love that place.
 

The Honorable Gidian Diva of Sass

Sahrot Vahlok Spaan. Bahnahgaar. Minion #88!
Staff member
I used to do the main questline right out of the gate. I think my fastest time was like 3 or 4 hours, idk. But it was hard as fu**ing nails! Draugr deathlords before level 15 ;-;

SO many deaths...
 

The Honorable Gidian Diva of Sass

Sahrot Vahlok Spaan. Bahnahgaar. Minion #88!
Staff member
Just clearing out Blackreach for the Return to Roots quest will net you plenty of levels.

Interestingly I just did this at level 7-11 right now with an Argonian Conjuror. Initially this was supposed to be a dead is dead character, but I threw that rule out the window when I realised just how much fun it was running around Blackreach at low levels with Marcurio and a flame atronauch. I had a blast and only died three times.

To get into Blackreach with that low level I used the Live Another Life mod and picked the necromancer in a secluded location, which puts you in Sinderion's Field Lab, raced the Dwarven Sphere and Falmer to an exit, then came back to the still opened lift with a follower and some decent spells. For those unable to access mods, I suspect going straight to Septimus Signus's outpost and starting Discerning the Transmundane should do it. Septimus won't set you to harvesting blood until you are above level 15, but the rest should be fine.


The thing I love about Blackreach is that the first few times I went there I vowed to never return. It was so confusing and seemed so desolate but after a few times running the Return to Roots quest I started to see that there is a really nice flow once you get used to navigating it. Now it's one of my favorite places. Same with Forgotten Vale. I love that place.
I had that experience with the Soul Cairn I got lost there once for like three rl days. Was hell, but I now know the place like the back of my hand. (Just like Dark Souls. Fu**ing casuls don't have any skills... I'M TALKING TO YOU SKIES, YOU WIMP ;) :p)
 

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