Disclaimer: I don't spend every second on the forums so sorry if there are already topics about this. Exit out before saying something stupid.

From playing Oblivion a few times, I've found that I like the "battle-mage" type class the most. I equipped my character with the standard heavy armor, sword and shield combo, but specialized in magic so that I could increase those skills a lot faster. I would have the D-Pad configured to have the crucial spells like a touch destruction, ranged destruction, detect life, etc, and could switch between all of the spells with ease. This allowed for a fluid combat experience where I didn't have to go to the menu to switch what spell I wanted to use every 5 seconds.

With all the details about how the combat system will work, I'm skeptical about how I can implement this style of gameplay. Two things really stuck out; dual wielders will not be able to block, and "up" on the d-pad now brings up an in game favorites menu where you can quickly select different spells or items.

In regards to magic use and blocking:
Will Skyrim still allow you to cast spells while having both hands used (i.e. sword and shield), or is it for certain that you have to designate an empty hand to spell casting?

In regards to the hot keys:
It's already be said there will be a favorites menu, but will the other directions on the D-pad be available for the traditional hotkey system?

If you have any insight on how this system could work, post it up!

It think hotkeys should work similar to New Vegas, with a twist. Hitting up would bring up another 8 hotkeys on the direction pad, well seven since hitting up cycles through the two sets of seven hot keys. This make sense to anyone? We would instead of having 8 directional hotkeys, 14 hotkeys, on two 'sets' toggled by hitting up.

The dpad is now used as a four way compass so I think we'll have to press another button to get into a "favorites" menu and then switch stuff from there.

Uhh... Not to sound rude, but you don't have to be on the forums every second to know this...

This information has been out for months, it's confirmed by Todd himself that you can only equip a spell to your hand, so your more dedicated to magic (which is a LOT better.)

Also, there is the search bar

As for the D-pad thing, I think you'll still be able to use it, not sure.

This is a good approach, I think Fable used it for one of their games and it worked out well



Wow, I didn't know that. Do you know will a compass contribute to the gameplay?

I knew there was a search bar, but i didn't feel like sifting through the 1000 results I got for "magic" especially when most of the results had nothing to do with what I wanted to know. Thanks for your input though

You need to equip a spell in your hand so you cant have both the spell and anything else in that hand.

Also you cant block if you have a spell in either hand as magic is concidered more offensive oriented this time around then most weapon combat styles and thus doesnt allow blocking.

In shoirt magic is VERY different this time and thus so are all hybrid characters.

Yea, I believe its been stated that the compass will be on the top of the screen this time in the center.