I'm currently playing on Master level, despite being nowhere close to the skill level required. Trying out an Orc 1H Mace/Shield user.

I just wanted to know just exactly what provokes those combat cutscenes, some kind of INSTAKILL DURRRR animation. You probably know what I'm talking about.

Basically, they trigger when you inflict the killing blow on the last enemy in the imediate area thats a threat (ie: Showing on the rader as a red dot)

Each one depends on certain circumstances, such as position to enemy and power attack used.

Example: A forward power attack with a two handed sword will do the impale animation. The same with a warhammer or axe will trigger the overhand smash.

Some such as the decapitations, can be unlocked via perks.

edit: It's sometimes difficult to trigger them when fighting mages. Especially ones that keep summoning things or raising zombies.


Also, some enemies such as Dragons may also have unique kill animations.

Basically, this is false. You can get them with other enemies around. You can get the same kind off of regular or power attacks. I'm not sure what causes them, I'm going off the assumption it's if you kill with a critical hit.

This is true or false based on your definition of 'immediate area'.
If you are standing adjacent to two different enemies you won't get a cutscene.
Using a sword with 9999 dmg and always power attacking (As a test), I get cutscenes just about every single attack where they are viable.

Your answer is here:

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1284157-a-major-bug-in-power-attack-code/page__gopid__19386290#entry19386290

Yeah, that doesn't prove anything? So the death blow on you was fancy, it was still a death blow from the moment the first hit landed.

These finishers are not limited to power attacks, whether that's by design or bug I don't know.

It would not land if the game didn't take away the control over my character from me. You can dodge, block all other attacks, but if the attack has enough power to kill you instantly the game decides you won't get the chance to avoid it. I call BS.