I got Morrowind last January and failed spectacularly in a couple of hours and gave up. So here I am a year and a half later and I am trying it again and getting my butt kicked again. I started playing TES with Oblivion and it was my first cRPG ever. I kind of svcked at first, but I was able to muddle through it and eventually finish the main quest, the mages guild and several side quests with my first character. I played a couple of more characters in Oblivion and got really, really good at it. (This was a couple of years ago...2009 I think?) I then got Fallout 3 and rocked at that too and then Skyrim and again I knew how to play the game so I am really good at it. There was no learning curve to either of those games since they play so similar to Oblivion. Morrowind though, the learning curve is really steep for me. I was able to complete one little quest for the mages guild just fine and then went on the first mission of the main quest. It's the same place I quit 18 months ago. The mage on the bridge to the Dwemer ruins picks his teeth with my character. I'm trying to play a pure mage just like I played in Oblivion and in Skyrim (where being a pure mage works just great for me), but this guy takes me down in two spells. I am able to heal once and then he takes me out right after that. I know I need to buy spells like spell absorption (or maybe calm), but I don't have enough money and I have no idea where to find an easy place to make easy money. I guess I should probably lower the difficulty until I learn the game better.

Does anyone have any tips on what spells are essential to a low level pure mage in this game? (Low level mind you...no huge spells that I can't afford to buy or cast yet.) Are there any really easy caves or dungeons to clear out so I can make some money to buy these spells? (Really easy, like filled with rats easy...remember my svckatude at the game.) If there aren't any easy dungeons near Balmora to clear out, does anyone know of any other easy ways to make money early, early in the game? Is there any place that I can buy mage robes (preferably enchanted) since my mage is still wearing his prison clothes? Any other tips? Anything? I really want to play Morrowind.

Have you joined the mage's guild? They can be a decent source for the first few quests(Ajira will give you potions, but you can sell them)

Have you cosidered starting with a warrior character? Combat oriented classes are easiest in Morrowind, while mages can be tricky for newcomers.
Remember to keep your Faituge bar as high as possible, it has impact on nearly everyting you do in the game, form casting spells, hitting with sword, brewing potions and even persuasuin.
Aside form that, what Lvl are you? What ere your skills, items and spells?

Yes I joined the mages guild and completed the first quest for it. Are the next few quests in the mages guild just as easy as the first one? Or do they get harder? I was surprised how hard the first quest in the main quest has been for me. I mean the player is going to be a low level when going against that mage on the way to the Dwemer ruins. It's sad how much I svck against him.

I'm a level one...I just started the game last night. I made sure my fatigue bar was full so I wouldn't fail at spell casting too much (something I learned last year when I asked for help on here ^^). I have one physical shield spell, a restore health spell and a couple of elemental damage on touch spells (fire and frost). I don't have any summons yet and no money to buy any. I'm an Altmer which was probably a bad, bad choice since they are weak to magic, but they are my favorite race to play. I would really rather not play a warrior...so I don't know about that.

Is there any way to avoid the mage's spells? In Oblivion and Skyrim I can move out of the way of most spells and just not get hit, but the movement in Morrowind is so slow I was unable to avoid getting hit just by moving out of the way. I assume this means that moving to avoid getting hit doesn't work in Morrowind? So I have to rely on spells and other factors instead? What makes your character avoid getting hit in Morrowind? The mage summoned a skeleton and was casting spells at me at the same time and I was getting hit every time.

Welcome!
Each of the Mage’s guildhouses has a chest filled with items like potions and scrolls that you can have for free. If you join the Fighter’s guild, most of these guildhouses have one too. If you collect up all the free stuff and sell it wisely you can get about 5000 in coin.
Your Blades contact in Balmora knows some other Blades that give you free items too. Visit them all. You can sell what you don’t need.
Alchemy is the primo way to turn cheap ingredients into expensive potions you can sell. In addition, there’s a little trick you can do with a pool of lava and a “Summon Golden Saint” spell.
Mainly, its best to explore and find all the stuff that makes life easier. Use the Guild Guide and just visit every town and talk to the NPC’s. There are shrines that grant really good spells that are right in Vivec.
The best advice I can give is for you to go to Nalcarya in Balmora and buy a Recall potion and a Mark potion. Go somewhere really safe, like a temple and drink the Mark potion. Now whenever you are in a near death situation, just right click to call up your inventory menu (and freeze action) and take the Recall potion. This will instantly whisk you away to your chosen place of safety. Good luck!

You CAN dodge spells. Just be sure to be quite far form the enemy and remember that they fire spells with "defelction", ie if you're moving right, the spell will fire right of you, and if you stop moving after he shot, if will just pass by your char. Can be tricky with the mentoined low speed, but a bit of practise and you'll avoid most spells.

Good starting cave is the one near Seyda Neen, just near Strider port. It's like a test cave, if you can defeat enemies with lvl 1 character, you chould be ok afterwards.

OK, I have to go grocery shopping so I will be gone for a couple of hours. When I get back I will try to get some supplies from the guild chests to sell (I guess I have to take the bug to the other cities with guilds in them). I will also try to clear out the cave in Seyda Neen and then I will go back to the mage and see if I can dodge his spells. I guess I'll have to run up to him afterward if I can since my spells are on touch (I haven't seen any target spells on sale that I can afford yet, but I will keep a look out). Do people in the mage's guild sell spells or clothes? I will try to see if there are other magic shops in the other cities I suppose.

If you do the quests in seyda neen you should get enough money to buy fireball which is also sold there if memory serves.

First, the contact in Balmora where you deliver the package will tell you to get some experience before coming back for "orders". You obviously don't have that experience yet, and are having trouble on the bridge. MW not only allows you to "think outside the box", it strongly favors it. You COULD just find another way across other than using the bridge, or you could wait a while until you're ready to deal with the old white-haired dude on the other side (which might also help you survive against whoever or whatever you meet when you get to the site). The game starts out VERY hard, especially if you rush straight in and try to fight stuff that's 5-10 levels above you, but gets a lot easier as it goes, until you're the toughest thing on the island; there's risk and reward.

Pure Mages are a tough way to start in Morrowind (and tougher in the expansions), although a "semi-magic user" can be relatively easy and powerful. As in real life, the more you learn, the more options open up to you, and you're still blissfully unaware of the vast majority of them.

Incidentally, the next couple of MG quests from Ajira are also fairly simple, then you move on and they get a lot tougher. You might try to "test" your character's abilities by tackling the cave near the Seyda Neen silt strider, which is relatively "survivable" for most characters even at a low level. That should at least partially address the starting funds issues. Trying it with a pure Mage as a new player is still potentially tough, though. There are dozens of "exploits" for making money, but you either have to check the "Hints, Cheats, and Spoilers section or else learn them by exploring and trying things.

How good are you at illusion? try getting a spell that has paralyze on it(preferable ranged). If you hit the mage with it he will freeze and give you some time to cast some destruction spells at him.
Here's a link to where you can find people who sell a paralyze spells http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Illusion_Spells#Paralyze

Did you take the Atronach sign? I think it is a must with Altmer. Anyway, I think you need some target spells so you can stay out of melee range. The basic 2-20 damage ones are magicka efficient although I would have a custom one with an area effect like in 25' or so to clear out tombs from a distance.

edit: There are several artifacts that can really help Altmers but that's a hint topic. Ask in the hint forum if you'd like a guide to picking them up.

Take it slower at the start. Stay in Seyda Neen for awhile. IIRC, the game assigns you a spell or two at the beginning. Arrille the merchant in Seyda Neen sells both potions and spells.

P.S.: At least for me, it's hard to answer your question in this forum because you're asking for tips, and I don't want to spoil things for you. If you find yourself really wanting tips, the Tips section seems to be a more appropriate place to ask for that. The downside being that the tips may be too spoilerish.

Well I finished the rest of the quests for Ajira with no problem. Then I went to Seyda Neen to try to find this easy cave a couple of people mentioned on here. Was it called Addamartus (or something like that...), because if that was it...well. I was able to kill the first person I came across, but then there was another mage and nope...he kicked my ass. Over and over and over again. I was able to dodge his fireballs at first, but then he runs up to me and that is it. I guess I'm just not cut out to play this game.

People keep saying take it slow. What exactly do you mean? What am I supposed to be doing if not adventuring, clearing out dungeons and helping people? I guess I am just frustrated because I don't remember Oblivion being this hard when I started to play it though I had never played a cRPG before in my life. Maybe it was and I just don't remember anymore. When I started Oblivion I just jumped right in and did the main quest...the same with Skyrim.

As for a paralyze spell...can I cast one of those at level 1? Also I don't want to do anything cheaty or exploitative to earn money or anything. Oh and I didn't take the Atronach Stone...stupid I know.

I would seriously consider restarting with Atronach, you haven't put that much time in yet. Here's what it will do: that mage will have half of his spells absorbed and you'll get the magicka from them. You'll take only half the damage and you'll have extra magicka to fight back. This makes an amazing difference in survivability.

edit: I know you're a new player who doesn't know all the tricks but an Altmer/Atronach with the right low level spells can easily dominate any situation that's likely to be encountered up to level 10 or so even without any "abuse" (which is a highly relative term to be sure)

Best advice I can can give ya is to level up ur spells. Just spend some time near a bed and just start casting spells and rest when ya outta mana. At the beginning ur gonna run inot two problems as a pure mage, one ur health and two ur spells not going thru. Spend time wandering around and killing critters, once ur comfortable with those then move up.

Oblivion u were given spells that always worked as long as u had the mana for it. Morrowind trys to be more realistic as in u have to work on ghe spells to get better at them instead of just reading a book and bam ur a master and can use it at anytime no matter what. The blade guy tells ya straight up to take it easy and learn and better urself. Thats what peoe are saying take it sllw, learn and better ur spells and ull ne good. Also for pure mage ya that birthsign is beastly and really helpful for new players.

Maybe Morrowind isn't for me then. I don't want to spend hours next to a bed casting the same spell over and over until I get proficient with it. I want to get out in the world and adventure and help people. I want to start on the main quest. I want to find out more about this Nerevarine that people keep talking about on the forums (yes, I know it is me ). I want to join Temples and Houses and Cults. I don't want to stand in one place and cast a spell. But it seems this game punishes you for wanting to just go out and play it.

Some people have said to stick to the cities and collect ingredients...which is OK I guess...but not why I wanted to play Morrowind. But then I have heard don't stray too far when collecting ingredients because then I might get to a place that is leveled too high for me. And obviously I would die since I can't even do what I guess are supposedly easy things.

Morrowind can be a really slow game. I've played it since 2005, yet my newest character, a warrior, after over 7 hours of playing, is still level 3. So it can indeed take a long while until things begin to go as you want.

You don't need to do that. As an Altmer, you'll start with 45 Destruction which is plenty to reliably cast basic spells. This is all you need to start out, I've done it many times. Don't give up but do restart as an Atronach, it's very important for an Altmer unless you're very experienced.

U dont have to do that sitting by the bed thing, thats just an easy way or whatever, was just giving a suggestion. The thing is in morrowind u start out as a reg joe and the mobs dont scale to ur level like oblivion and skyrim did. Your not on equal footing with most mobs when u get off the boat, u start off a lil weak and get stronger as u level up.

Its definetly not a game u can rush thru or maybe u can, I dont know but I know starting out im pretty weak and build myself up. I can get smashed by the ghosts and whatnot at low levels of I atk more than one, but just keep with it. U can do alot of what ur wanting to do right off but some areas ur gonna have to work for, it wont automatically be available at all times meaning sometimes u might just be to low in lvl or u might not have the rep or stats to aquire certain or finish certain quests. Just stick with it, learn the game its a bit different rules than ob and sky but its a wonderful game, but remember not everything is handed to ya right off the bat, some things ull have to put a lil time in but its really not that much time.

Also for the bedside thing, u usually do that for rp training excersizes before my toon goes to bed, normally dont even take a min to get thru my mana and I treat it like hes doing excersizes or mediating before he sleeps.

You need a little perspective, I think. Morrowind is a real deal RPG, and you need to think of it as such. You are some young pauper/prisoner/slave let loose in a foreign land because of forces and prophecies you don't understand. You're a nothing, a nobody, an utter loser when you start. You don't have anything but the rags on your back, and you think you can rush off into a Dwemer ruin within a week of arriving on the island? You need to build your character. Get some friends, get some money, get some skills, and get some equipment before you think about venturing off into a major ruin. Pick a weapon. Train in it. Pick a spell class. Train in it. Pick things that compliment the character build you chose at the start of the game - if you have high intelligence, focus on spell classes that play off intelligence. If you have high endurance, pick weapons/armor that play off that. Finding what you're good at and specializing in it heavily is the key to early game success. Well, that and takign your time. Spend your life in the towns for the first couple of levels. You probably don't want to be picking major fights below level 3-5, especially if you're a mage who can't take advantage of sujamma etc. Finally, embrace your inner thief. It's critical to getting the stuff/cash you need to get the training and spells you'll need.

Oh, and if worst comes to worst, you can always turn down the difficulty in the options menu for a little bit.

When I say go slow, I mean just that. Your char is essentially a baby starting out, and you need to remember that.

FWIW, somewhere in these forums you can find a link to a guide about what people coming from Oblivion to Morrowind should know. I'm sure one of the other posters can provide the link.

Important thing I think you need to get your head around is that that mage will always be that strength. At level 1 and level 20.

People do not level scale with you in Morrowind. Do other quests, do other things, and you will end up better than him.

Alright, I'll start again with the Atronach birthsign, but not tonight. I need a little break. Honestly though, if I really can't just jump in and start doing quests, I'm not sure this is the game for me. I personally don't like to just wander around collecting ingredients (I know a lot of people do and I don't begrudge them this at all). I like to be getting quests and then fulfilling them. That's the way I played Oblivion, Fallout 3, and Skyrim. Once I have a few quests under my belt THEN I might just wander around a bit, but never for long. I am just a type of person that likes the kind of focus that completing quests brings to my gameplay experience. If Morrowind is a game that I can't just jump right into and start questing...I don't know. I mean I totally understand a game having hard levels that a low level character shouldn't even try to look at without dying painfully, but the low level quests for the Guilds and the main quest and all...I just feel that a low level character should be able to start these. Otherwise what are you doing for the first five levels? Yes, I know...I could be talking to people in towns and gathering ingredients. I'm just not sure if that is for me though.

It's kind of like, if I shouldn't be running off to a Dwemer ruin right after arriving in Morrowind then why is that like the second step of the main quest?!

Why would you think your level 1 character is ready to jump right into the main quest?!? This isn't some linear first person shooter or adventure game. This is open world RPG. You need to get tougher before you start trying to crack open the biggest story line with the baddest enemies in the land. As I said earlier, you can do quests, you should just do guild quests (like EVERY NPC tells you to do - join a guild, it's a good source of money and training and manageable quests). Join the guilds in Balmora and do their quests. Join a Great House as well. If you don't like Balmora or House Hlaalu, move on to Ald Ruhn and check out that town and the House associated with it (or Sadrith Mora, which is best for mages but the toughest great house/part of the island to start a game in). Oh, and once again, unless you're role-playing a super-good-guy, get stealing. There's equipment to steal all over the place, money to be made via stealing, and thieves guild quests that will help reward you for your efforts. Joining the guilds and a great house will introduce so many other major story lines that you may find yourself forgetting about the 'main' quest for a while anyways. That's one of Morrowind's greatest strengths - the high quality of the other story lines in the game. Get into the world, don't try to get through it.

I personally dont gather ingrediants, that was only suggested because u said u had money problems. In the very first town, ull get 3 quests by hanging around town and talking with people. The guy that gives u the quest for ruin tells ya to go and do guild quests and get to know the world first. Start off with mage guild first and get stuff from the chest and go around town see if anyone got a job for ya to earn ya some more gold for spells and what noy. The guys basically warning ya because he says that if ur low levels.
If ya going for the mage route, think like a mage learn ya spells and save often. Try different techniques, most of the areas at starting point are pretty doable at lvl 2 and 3. Just try different tech and forget about being a rawrior. U rein death from a distance but are pretty puny close up until u get ur magic defs up. Just keep with it, have patience and feel the satisfaction that u brought a nobody and turned him her into a beast. Remember theres different ways to comete things and if ya got to, run like hell in that dungeon and dont fight the guys u think u cant beat, turn a different route and stay away from them, or just run in look and grab what ya need and run like hell.