i know that dragons won;t attack randomly until a certain item is find and given quest giver. do dragon attacks cease once the main quest line is done?

it seems if dawnguard isn't installed, vampires won't attack towns. when dawnguard is completed will vampires still attack towns?

will there be credit for casting spells like Flame Atronach conjour outside of battle? you know when red dots appear.

to get credit for casting spells that are meant for combat have to wait until seeing red dots?

1. no

2. yes

3. no

4 varies e.g. destructions spells, must hit targets and do damage, conjuration spells need a fight so to speak (red dot)

best to visit the http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Main_Page and read all about it

only thing about dawnguard dlc i hate, once you start ityou cant stop the random attacks unless you do the main quest, it really svcks cause sometimes they kill merchants and other important npcs. i found the attacks reduced when entering a city or town after 10 am when the sunlight is out.

I have to disagree wit the answer Brambleberry gave for 3, if a Red Dot appears any Conjure or Summons active does increase the Conjuration Skill.

For 4, I have found Alteration Spells can be cast before seeing an Opponent, and Alteration does level faster if a Player uses Thier most powerful Flesh Spell as soon as it is castable. Going from Oakflesh to Stoneflesh to Ironflesh makes a very noticable difference in how fast Alteration levels through normal Gameplay.

Ah I misunderstood the statement as I focused on the first part, that is "out of battle" if no battle then no red dots. One can cast summon spells all day and no leveling, but if red dots appear then yes you will level, but that would mean you are IN battle

P.S. To clarify in this context "in battle" simply means detected hence the red dots, it doesn't mean you have to be found or actually fighting.

thanks for the answers.

i have dawnguard but put it on a flash drive until i am ready. so dragons still attack after the main quest is done. going to be a long time before i start the main quest. at least the vampires at as bad as dragons.