» Sat Dec 17, 2011 12:25 am Disclaimer (the original inb4): I know there are other enchanting threads. Yes, I could have posted this in reply to any one of countless using search. However if I did then not only will the thread drop off the list to be replaced with numerous new Enchanting threads anyways, but also there would likely be old arguments brought back up and anything I have to say could end up easily over-looked and ignored buried in bigger discussions. Yah it's a little self centered, but my overall reply to new topic ratio is ridiculous so I don't really care :foodndrink:
Also, while I will avoid any spoilers, I will be discussing the capabilties of Enchanting when fully leveled and fully specced, so if you want to discover what Enchanting can do on your own... then yes, you should take it and stop reading now
Ok so why should you take Enchanting?
One reason would be if your a relatively inexperienced gamer. Of the 3 crafting tree's it is easily the most powerful, namely because you can enchant crafting gear for the other 2 forms which allow you to both greatly improve weapons/armor and craft potions as if you had 5/5 of the first perk (when you skill them up as well. But power leveling Enchanting usually involves enchanting crafted daggers... which levels smithing. And even low skill no perk alchemy gear lets you make quality potions.)
You can also craft sets of gear with it to greatly improve just about anything you want to do. Sneaking, lockpicking, pick-pocketing, weapon damage, completely free spells, any attribute boost, max any resistance. Now you can't do everything with 1 set of gear, but whatever you want to do, you can have a set of gear that covers it.
That also makes Enchanting good for people who want to experiment with perks... since your enchanted gear can easily make up for any badly used perk slots and even allow for more play-styles then you have a right too.
Essentially, it lets you create the Everything character. The guy that can, with leveled up skills, use any playstyle in the game effectively.
Additionally, you can just use enchanting to help make money. Without spending any perks on it and just enchanting smithed daggers or found weapons you can turn a hefty profit. Money isn't particularly a problem in Skyrim anyways... but if you want an easy way to "print money" then simply collecting souls and enchanting weapons before you sell them is something you may want to consider.
Now obviously this sounds a bit over powered.... and honestly... it is.
This has also caused a LOT of debate from players who think it should be nerfed but I think there is an easier solution. Don't use it.
Hear me out... I have characters that do and don't use Enchanting, for different reasons. My first character uses it because... well I was curious what I could do with it :spotted owl: I was lucky because this was my first, and thus experimental character. I'm even new to TES (though hardly RPG's or even Bethesda) so I really didn't know how to invest in my character. As a result his build ended up extremely unfocused with multiple poorly spent perk points that I wouldn't end up using the majority of the time. Enchanting saved my character... now my spread thin perks can all be put to use with a few gear swaps.
Another character I have I plan on taking it because I'm intentionally restricting her to a very weak, early type of armor that also doesn't have any good drops out in the world to use. So Enchanting is going to make up for an intentional weakness. I'm considering it for my pure mage character since, honestly, destruction doesn't scale. I haven't decided though... I think I might enjoy the challenge and the mage quest robes are great anyways
On my numerous other characters.... I've decided to forgo enchanting perks. Quite honestly I want to experience the thrill of finding a great drop... or getting lucky at a store with a great buy. Enchanting lets you design the perfect gear you want, but removes the old excitement of loot hunting. It also removes a lot of challenge from the game.
In short (aka tl:dr;) Enchanting is the games crutch. The hopeless character fixer. The do everything character. The customize your gear to your hearts content.
If you do not desire a game that is made easy, or without a dependence on loot, then simply don't take it... Enjoy the looting experience and revel in your finds.
The great thing about this game is that you get to play it how you like :wink_smile:
