...into modding. I've got the PS3 version of Skyrim and I'm thinking about getting the PC version so I can mod. I've got grand, ambitious plans. I've got a little programming experience. I've got a little hex editing experience. In short, I think I'll be able to pick up what I don't know. I just want to know what's (nearly) impossible.

The big question I have is: Can I consolidate skills? I was thinking about bringing the number of skills down to 6. Players (hypothetically) wouldn't be able to access the skills/perks menu; perks would either be racial or acquired thru books/trainers (and listed in the "active effects"). Also, I'd like to have some things dependent on skill level such as "If equipped with no armor, PC has (Sneak - 5) % to dodge melee/arrows"

In addition, I'd like to make crafting stations only accessible once the proper books are read/training is received. I'm thinking something like: Read book X = able to do alchemy @ skill level 50. Read book X && book Y: do alchemy @ skill level 75.

Another couple of things I'd like to do are:

Have 1 soul gem size, and have multiple gems filled by larger souls.

Food and Potions are unable to be consumed during combat.

IDK, I guess I'm just kind of testing the waters, but if anyone wants to, not do these things for me, but tell me if they are possible/easy, I would appreciate it. I'm trying to figure out how powerful the CK is. Thanks!

It certainly does sound like you have ambitious plans, which is always a good thing

RE: The big question - It's probably impossible to (truly) "consolidate" the skills down to 6. One of the few things that the skyrim engine is stubborn about is the skillsets. You cant reduce or increase the number of the skills. You can, however, completely change them (into a new type of skill with new perks, redesign how the skill trees look and how the perks function, etcetera). Using SKSE (a script extender) or by editing the swf files used by the skill menu, it's probably possible to block access to the skills menu altogether, though, if you want to go that route, and you would definitely be able to make your own set of skills, stop all the others from functioning, and get your skills to level however and in whatever way you want them to. You could also implement some kind of a menu/message system to display skill progress to the player if you don't want to use the vanilla skill menu. That said, this is all very tricky stuff, and will take a lot of learning, and some months of work. But doable? Yes. RE: the smaller stuff -

Very easy. (done with [hidden] perks in the CK)

Easy. (requires scripting)

Difficult, but certainly doable. (requires heavy scripting)

Also doable.

The CK really is quite powerful, particularly if you learn to script in papyrus and/or work with nif/dds files (if you plan to do anything visual). I think the huge number of amazing and extremely game-transformational mods out there is a testament to that. Modded Skyrim is a whole 'nother universe than plain jane Skyrim