"...I moved on and found a cave entrance, manned by a Redguard bandit.

I approached with my weapons out - an Iron war axe in one hand, and a flame spell in the other - and the bandit got his weapons out in response. He didn't attack though, he just warned me to stay away. His voice took me off-guard - it wasn't anything like the standard Oblivion Redguard voice. I was pleasantly surprised by the variation. I was going to back up and find a covered spot but I guess I must have got too close; he charged." - from SammutheGreat's Skyrim Experience.



From this, one can certainly see that enemy AI has greatly improved from Oblivion, that there are many enemies, including bandits, who won't attack on sight unless you come too close or you provoke them. But, other than that, I think this scenario raises some strong questions.

1. Would the bandit at this cave entrance attack you if you didn't have your weapons out?
We've seen what happens when the player comes across the Stormcloak guards leading a prisoner with their weapons out. People do not like it when you walk around with your weapon unsheathed. But, other than this, I am curious as to whether you could approach the bandit and enter into dialogue.

2. Can you change dispositions with some bandit groups in the Hold?
In Oblivion, there was an instance where you came across a bandit and had to pay a toll to pass. Once you paid, he didn't attack you, and I think you could even speak to him and raise his disposition to where he wouldn't attack you again, though my memory is sort of fuzzy on this aspect.
So, I wonder, if by stealing and killing and generally breaking the law and stuff, if you could sort of raise disposition with a bandit faction in the region/Hold. No, I don't think there would be a bandit guild questline (maybe but probably not), but this would certainly be good for those roleplayers such as myself, as they could have some kind of 'safe house' to go to when they are being pursued by guards/bounty hunters, and just perhaps a place they could call home.


Any thoughts? Have any of my speculations been confirmed?
Can you think of any other possibilities from Sammu's experience above?

I dont care what he has to say! I just want to hack him to pieces and 'confescate' His gold :whistling:

I hope you can join some bandits...I have always tried RPing a bandit since Oblivion for fun's sake....though it required many mods and was very thing in immersion. It would be nice but I don't hold my breath.

I'm greatly surprised by the bandit AI. We got quite a few reports on ambushes and the like, and this was a particularly interesting one. I bet he wouldn't try to negotiate if he had some friends with him.

First I would like to state that I'm extremely happy the AI has improved this much. And now my answers (mostly opinion based/hopes) to your two questions.

1) I'm sure if you sheate your weapon/don't draw a weapon in the first place, the bandit would ask you to move along. Something like, "I don't want any trouble, keep moving." But if you keep getting closer, he will get a bit agitated and attack you then. So maybe there will be bandits who don't want to fight, unless you provoke them first?
Which means you might not be able to enter dialogue with him, esp. if you draw to close. But it could be a possibility to ask him about what he's guarding, to which he replies vagues answers and plenty of, "That's for me to know, not you."

2) I think generalized NPC's (ones just named "Bandit" "Imperial Bandit" "Bosmer Bandit", etc.) aren't part of an actual faction you could raise disposition of, but maybe there are (I hope) a few minor "bad" factions you can assist. Like a small group of them hiding in the woods who will welcome you into their camp, but only if you've been proving yourself naughty in the Hold you're in. It would be neat to see, but I still like torching bandits. ^_^

Good questions though, 11/11/11 is so close but so far away...