Cronic restarter, eh? Me too. I swear I've started 100+ characters. Never got past balmora with most though.

<font color = mediumspringgreen>Very good question. I have the 65 starting in Endurance, and thought to pump it to at least 70. But how much is that worth (i.e., what does it buy you)?

More generally, does anyone have numeric insight into the effect of:

Endurance (and other attributes), on Fatigue.

Agility, on chance to hit or be hit?

Strength, on longsword and ranged weapon damage?

Longsword, on longsword damage and chance to hit?

Marksmanship, on ranged weapon damage and chance to hit?

"Distance to target," on chance to hit with ranged weapon?

Block, on chance to block?

Acrobatics, on jump height (up and down)

Athletics, (and whatever else) on running speed? Combat action speed?

Sneak, on pickpockting ability?

Security (and pick quality), on lock picking ability?

</font>

Well, Morrowind doesn't have an open system like D&D where you can look at your numbers and calculate the outcome by yourself. Instead, things happen "behind the scenes" here so to speak.

I do believe, though, that the chance (or risk if you like) of getting hit by an enemy is something like; (the opponents combat skill (which you don't really know)) - (Agility/4) - (Luck/8). The armor rating instead determines how much damage that is absorbed by the armour IF you get hit.

[ 11-17-2005, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: Stratos ]

As Stratos has stated, all the number crunching goes on behind the scenes. Before long, you'll develop a "feel" for the odds. And you'll certainly know when the odds are against you. But i can tell you this:

Your attribute scores are the HIGHEST factor used when calculating the sums. If you have an Athletics skill of 100 and a Speed attribute of 10, you'll still be walking along at snail's pace. Skill ratings are still important, but they're second to attributes. 1st Level Gods have been milking this since day one.

With a Security of 50+ and a master's lock pick, you should be able to open locks of 100 with repeated use. But don't forget intelligence +. ;)

Distance to target has no bearing on damage or chance to hit when using ranged weapons.

As for the Endurance question, I'll soon reach 70 in that stat and will see how much it'll effect my HP gain per level. I'm currently gaining 7 HP/level with my Endurance of 67, and I would guess I'll gain an additional one at 70.

When it comes to the shield question I found this; the armor skill of your shield type don't seem to increase when you successfully block. I was certain that it would but perhaps they've changed it in some patch.

Heh, I also figured out (or rather remembered) that H2H can harm all enemies that requires magickal weapon to do so. You can kill Daedra and ghosts with your bare hands.

*Caves in to the pressure of this thread and boots up Morrowind*

I just want you all to know that you're responsible for me getting no sleep tonight. Shame on you!

Yes. Come over to the darkside. [img]graemlins/evillaughter2.gif[/img]

I must say that this thread seems to have interests piqued across the board. Why is that? In helping NobleNick to enjoy this great game, have we reminded ourselves of why we enjoy it so?

[img]graemlins/saywhat.gif[/img]

Wow. That's deep, man.

I was helping too... ;)

And that was deep. Very deep...

And NobleNick, to make your journeys easier, look in the Suran Gaurd tower under the bed and the Balmora Eastern tower on top of a closet...

<font color = mediumspringgreen>Glad you guys see it that way. I'm beginning to blush a bit at how many posts are in this "newbie question" thread. I keep thinking I'll just start a new thread; but every question I come up with seems to belong here! And in keeping with the theme of noob questions....

I had been salivating over the Grand Master's Mortar and Pestle that lists for 4000 at Nalcarya's in Balmora. Finally saved up enough to get it. Bribed her to mid 90's and bought it for all the cash I had (about 1950). Then, since I was broke and had nothing better to do, I decided to see if she would buy it back for more than I had paid. Sure enough, her initial offer was MORE than she had sold it to me for! And, of course, I bid her up... and bought it back... and, well, to make a long story short: I walked in with about 1950 gold, and left with about 2700 gold, a GM Mortar & Pestal, a Masters' Retort, a Master's Alembic, a Master's Calcinator, about 4 earned levels in Merchantile, and Nalcarya's undying adoration.

Pumped up with this success, I went over to the pawn shop and did the same type of thing to get back some of the Dwemer coins that I had unloaded there. And, sure enough, the Balmora bookseller and Mage Guild Alchemist are also susceptible to my prince charming. Now, every trip back to Balmora includes a round of fleecing the merchants. Then use the cash to buy 10 to 20 advancements in anything I want. Make a short teleport to Vivec to test out the new skills; and rinse & repeat.

So, QUESTION #1: I know that what I am doing has *GOT* to be extremely cheesy, at the very least; but is this a bug? If not, why should you brave all the dangers of the cold and dark Dwemer ruins for 3 lousy cogs that net you 90 gold, when you can just make the rounds of friendly Balmora and pull down an easy 2000 from merchants who bow in deference as you enter their shops and kiss your feet as you leave?

Made it to Vivec; and am trying to get the armorer's contract. Tried to pick the door lock in sneak mode; but got caught. Surprisingly, he did not assault me (I remember that everyone reacted quite violently when I tried to pick the chest lock at Fatleg's); but the Ordinator wanted me to pay a 9 gold fine. So, QUESTION #2: In general, if I get caught picking door locks, is it just a fine (and lose your stolen goods)? It doesn't even affect the proprietor's attitude towards you? If so, I figure I'll drop all my stolen goodies, pick the door lock, turn myself in and pay the laughable 9 gold, and then pick my stuff up and carry on with my devious plans.</font>

[ 11-21-2005, 10:22 AM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]