I like, love perhaps, all the hidden stuff in the game. I am so tired of games that reveal every secret, hand hold every part of the game, etc. I like that it is layered and complicated.
I haven't played since all the patches and content updates. I created a Tiefling when that was released but got distracted and the game was still too fresh.
Also, now that I know the story and am used to the timers, I am playing in a much more relaxed fashion, worrying less about getting everything done right away or focusing on the main story. I am finding tons of things I either missed before or were added later in patch, content update, or DLC.
My first time through I played on easy mode as I am not big on too much micro-management of potions, scrolls, and buffs so my game tends to be hard even on easy since I tend to just use long-term buffs (1 minute or longer ones). However, I am playing on challenging this round (and still not using many buffs) and enjoying it - even though I have had to frequently leave some place to return later as I get my ass handed to me. Only things I adjusted were quality of life - remove negative effects on full rest and carry weight doesn't effect speed, both settings in the game itself. Both those options I can manage disabled but it just adds extra tedium to the game for me, so no point.
Really enjoying myself and looking forward each night to my little window of play time. I also enjoy the modding - not to cheat as that would ruin the game for me - but to make the game more into my world, even if small touches. Like I made Thrynn permanently "large" size, with its penalties to stealth, dexterity, and AC, but with its perks to strength, damage and reach. Thrynn is a hired mercenary - Mad Dog Barbarian with leopard as the animal.
But my main use is the visual adjustments mod so I can force the default look of the outfits (which is a visual only thing) to what I want. I can also hide the HUD and rotate the camera and zoom in/out more (but fog of war is the same). Plus I got some new textures for some weapons and outfits.
The other thing I like is the complexity of character building. While my main character, Wulver, does not have an ideal build, I was really able to pinpoint what I wanted.
He is also my first dual-class type in ages … like since I played Baldurs Gate games. I tend to like "pure" builds versus splitting them up. Nor do I like power builds. I focus first on RP then survivablility (although I do balance both in as I also want to be able to survive).
WULVER BLACKFUR
Race: Tiefling (general background since in his lore he is a chaos Tiefling)
Stats: STR 10, DEX 18, CON 14, INT 12, WIS 16, CH 12
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Main Skills: Mobility, Trickery, Stealth, Perception, Persuasion (I get min 4 points per level but it alternates due to formula on int bonus and his rogue class)
Combat Focus: Everything is about dual wielding daggers. Any perk, talent, spell, etc., relating to improving combat around having two daggers is what I take. Secondary is the bow.
Magic Focus: Long term buffs, counter spells, healing. If I wanted combat magic I would play a single class wizard or sorcerer (I played a Sylvan Sorcerer the first time to level 17).
Primary Class (max of 16 levels): Sacred Huntsmaster, follows Desna (loosely). Wolf is the "boon" companion.
Secondary Class (4 levels max due to animal companion issue): Rogue Knife Master, extra damage range (1d8) with daggers, improved skill options/points, some nice early rogue bonuses. He won't have a ton of sneak attack but with weapon finesse for damage and attack on his dexterity (which will be 22 by level 16) is nice.
Because of his Sacred Huntsmaster team perk ability he works in tandem with his animal and Thrynn and his animal all side by side. I hope to get some nice synergy going there.
Overall more of an RP build that reflects Wulvers "Skyrim" heritage but also fits his overall lore as a planes walker and chaos Tiefling. Oh and I updated his portraits to fit a bit better:
As usual I tend to go all-out when I really like a game and dig in extensively to my characters personality, history, lore, and so on. It adds so much depth to the game for me and the character in general. Helps pull me in tighter to the game and seeing my character as really "there" in the world.
EDIT: Wulver and Team. Big guy in front is Thrynn (based on Skyrim Thrynn). Wulver is the one in the back right with the red tail
His wolf is actually a Worg (RP anyhow, used the visual adjustment mod to use the worg body but still a wolf companion).
EDIT: One other build I want to do, for Varnhold play through since that is a different character, is a Sorcerer whose Tiefling background is Infernal or Abyss (as then you don't get the -2 charisma) BUT for his Sorcerer bloodline take celestial. He will be part infernal and part celestial which will be fun. A tiefling with horns, tail, and wings. With some devil and angel abilities. Should be interesting. Perhaps something that looks like this, which is the character portrait I started to make for him in Skyrim this week:
