How to tell enemies from non-enemies when travelling? : V

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 10:24 am

So I hate getting jumped all the time when walking roads by figuring out someone is an enemy only when they attack me. Is there a way to identify bandits or otherwise bad intentions prior to the enemy always getting the surprise attack when I'm at close range? I'd like to use archery from a distance once in awhile.

How do you all tell enemies from potential conversation partners when traveling?

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 5:13 am

Detect Life spell.
It shows blue if friendly or red if enemy.

Though if it's too far away the enemies are blue as well so you might need to get somewhat close, around 30 to 50 meters maybe.

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:55 am

Well as far as I've seen the Non-Enemies seem to be moving along the road while bandits and thieves seem to be standing still next to the road.

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 5:30 am

So I hate getting jumped all the time when walking roads by figuring out someone is an enemy only when they attack me. Is there a way to identify bandits or otherwise bad intentions prior to the enemy always getting the surprise attack when I'm at close range? I'd like to use archery from a distance once in awhile.

How do you all tell enemies from potential conversation partners when traveling?

F5. Shoot them. Kill them. Decide if I should've done that. Decide "[censored] it, I'm Dovahkiin." Move on down the road.

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 5:17 am

Well as far as I've seen the Non-Enemies seem to be moving along the road while bandits and thieves seem to be standing still next to the road.

I've seen friendlies stand still too.

:cool:

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:26 am

So I hate getting jumped all the time when walking roads by figuring out someone is an enemy only when they attack me. Is there a way to identify bandits or otherwise bad intentions prior to the enemy always getting the surprise attack when I'm at close range? I'd like to use archery from a distance once in awhile.

How do you all tell enemies from potential conversation partners when traveling?

Word of advice, don't trust anyone when traveling along the roads. But lone wolves seems to be less likely to attack you than a group of people.

Also, if he/she has trashy clothes, they may well be bandits.

Edit: With "lone wolves" I meant people who are alone, not wolves that are alone

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:27 am

I just check out their outfits, and guess. Its worked out well for me so far. Though once I almost mistook a hunter for a bandit, and was close to planting an arrow in the back of her head.

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 8:46 am

Yeah I attacked a hunter by mistake once-= she was coming at me with an arrow notched and saying I wouldn't get away from her! She was talking to a rabbit I think.... after I shot her.

I will try the detect life spell...

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:24 am

I murdered a few hunters and some actually sent thugs from beyond the grave to take revenge on me (not kidding

)

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 8:30 am

check the compass at top of screen if they're red dots there enemy

» Sat Dec 10, 2011 11:47 pm

If they're wearing gold and black, or elven armor, they're enemies. Kill them on sight.

If they're wearing fur, kill them on sight.

If they're dancing, kill them on sight.

If they're not on a horse, kill them on sight.

If they're on a horse, kill them on sight.

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:08 pm

Why the hell does noone simply put the cursor above the person in question? You will see their NAMES!
Even if they stand in the distance! (dunn dun duuuunnnnn)

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 1:15 pm

Attack First ask questions later.

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 8:35 am

Ib the words of a webcomic "Kill em all!! Let the flames sort it out!"

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 5:06 am

So I hate getting jumped all the time when walking roads by figuring out someone is an enemy only when they attack me. Is there a way to identify bandits or otherwise bad intentions prior to the enemy always getting the surprise attack when I'm at close range? I'd like to use archery from a distance once in awhile.

How do you all tell enemies from potential conversation partners when traveling?

Stormcloak? Dead. Imperial? Dead. Smart mouth orcs, kats, elves, humans? Dead.

Thats about 70% of the population of Skyrim. I don't discriminate

Forgot about argonians in the Smart mouth area. lol

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 7:40 am

Lol, I got so fed up with this on my archer that at some point a guy was running up to me, and I shot him right in the face. He went on his knees, and I grabbed my daggers and started poking a bit. Only when he didn't die did I realize he was probably not a random bandit attacking me. Turns out it was the courier that brough the mysterious note from you-know-who. He was actually nice enough to stand up quite quickly after my assault and hand me the letter, happily telling me all he knew about it's origin. (which still wasn't much)

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:44 am

Lol, I got so fed up with this on my archer that at some point a guy was running up to me, and I shot him right in the face. He went on his knees, and I grabbed my daggers and started poking a bit. Only when he didn't die did I realize he was probably not a random bandit attacking me. Turns out it was the courier that brough the mysterious note from you-know-who. He was actually nice enough to stand up quite quickly after my assault and hand me the letter, happily telling me all he knew about it's origin. (which still wasn't much)

This is what I mean... sort of sick of this panicky [censored] I do in the game and hoping for a cure...

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 3:16 am

This is a real problem actually ... it's no issue for a melee character, because basically if the NPC turns hostile you can just wade in, kill him/her and probably trap his/her soul into the bargain, but with my stealth characters you more or less have to break stealth to find out if it's an enemy and then it can be difficult to re-establish it. I can use Detect Life with my Shadowmage (and there's a shout that does the same) but there's no way I'm going that deep into Alteration with a rogue.

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 6:28 am

The compass will have red dots if there are enemies you can see.

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 1:44 pm

for an archer try this: shoot an arrow close to them... not at them... close to them. Their reaction will tell if they are friendly or not.

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:26 am

Stenvar and I had been set upon by a couple of Vampires; we came across a hunter camp; I almost started swinging until I noticed a couple of the hunters relaxing in a hot spring.

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 12:37 am

The compass will have red dots if there are enemies you can see.

Doesn't the red dots appear only after they have become hostile to you? If they have yet to detect you I don't think the red dots appear. And this is about being able to identify before they detect you.

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 7:56 am

Yes they only appear as dots once actively hostile... which is too late...

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 8:10 am

for an archer try this: shoot an arrow close to them... not at them... close to them. Their reaction will tell if they are friendly or not.

while still blowing your cover, so if you are using sneak (which most archers are, I guess?) it's still far from perfect. Not an entirely bad suggestion though

» Sun Dec 11, 2011 2:42 am

while still blowing your cover, so if you are using sneak (which most archers are, I guess?) it's still far from perfect. Not an entirely bad suggestion though

It doesn't REALLY blow your cover, unless you shot he arrow near yourself. Generally the A.I will go and check where the arrow fell before looking around elsewhere and the stealth indicator will only open slightly, which will still give you the multiplier.