[X] My Assistant

[taeksosin]

For another thing, well .... I have arthritis issues. I can't keep my arms at keyboard-and-mouse height for as many hours as I would LIKE to spend playing games. But I can hold my Xbox controller in my lap.

#1stWorldOldPeopleProblems (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

In all seriousness, I prefer my mouse and keyboard for gaming with, and will go out of my way to get a PC copy of something that is on multiple platforms if the PC version isn't completely neutered by consolification. That being said, I do have a wrist rest for both my keyboard and mouse, 'cause, well, my hands like to turn into claws if I muck about for more than an hour or two.

[All4BigGuns]

I believe my Xbox 360 Wired controller works fine for Skyrim. I am sure it does for FO3 and FNV.

Well, I'm not quite doing that. I bought a SteelSeries controller recently. Works good so far on the roms (as I said only thing I got on this machine other than SWTOR, which I know it won't work on).

[_Pax._]

Hmm, if you can map the correct buttons to the pad, from what the game expects, you should be fine.

[All4BigGuns]

Now if only SWTOR and other similar games would make it so that those could be used. So very cumbersome having to use two input devices when one will do.

[KarmaInferno]

I use a mouse, keyboard, and Nostromo controller. The mouse gives unparalleled precision for the games that need it, and has 11 buttons by itself. The Nostromo you more or less just rest your hand on - 16 keys, D-pad, scroll wheel, and shift button (multiplying the 16 other buttons to 48) all at your fingertips without moving your hand. No contortions required.

The keyboard is mostly for typing rather than control.





-k

[Tanegar]

16 keys, D-pad, scroll wheel, and shift button (multiplying the 16 other buttons to 48)

Aroo? How does one Shift key turn 16 others into 48?

[_Pax._]

Aroo? How does one Shift key turn 16 others into 48?

I had a Nostromo years ago.

The one key cycles between multiple shift states - Red, Yellow, Blue, IIRC. So if it's in red, one click brings you to yellow. Two more bring you through blue and back into red.

I use a mouse, keyboard, and Nostromo controller. The mouse gives unparalleled precision for the games that need it, and has 11 buttons by itself. The Nostromo you more or less just rest your hand on - 16 keys, D-pad, scroll wheel, and shift button (multiplying the 16 other buttons to 48) all at your fingertips without moving your hand. No contortions required.

Of course, the vast majority of games simply don't need that many buttons at all, period.

Take Dishonored. 1-8 keys for selecting various powers or off-hand weapons/devices. C to enter/leave stealth, spacebar to jump, shift to sprint. WASD to move. R and T to use health/mana potions. F to interact. Q and E to lean. Right or left click to use Main or Off-hand abilities. Left control for a nonlethal choke/takedown.

...

That's it. Twenty three controls, plus mouselook. Twenty-four, if you include "escape" to access the game menu.

Well within the limits of a gamepad.

[StealthSigma]

So I just picked up all three official DLC from steam (Dawnguard, Hearthfire, Dragonborn).

I started a new character to experience these DLC....

I've... unfortunately... gotten wrapped up in Hearthfire and building my first home, Lakeview Manor in northern Falkreath. Since it has a nice view and pretty good climate I decided to go with the "family" options for the wings (Bedroom, Kitchen, Storage). I intend to make Heljarchen Hall or Windstad Manor into the mage home with the Library, Enchanter's Tower, and Alchemist's Tower, with the last three options (Armory, Trophy Room, Greenhouse(?)) comprising my last manor.

Now, I've not gone through the wing furnishings for the Library, Enchanter's Tower, Alchemist's Tower, Armory, Trophy Room, or Greenhouse (because I haven't yet assessed which manor is getting those wings), but I have a pretty comprehensive total list of materials so far. I've also subtracted what I've build so far so it's not accurate if you're wondering the total material count. I'm also ignoring x3 of each amulet in order to build the nine's shrine in each of your cellars. Iron/Corundum Ingot includes the total needed to make all the nails/fittings/locks/hinges.

Bear Pelt (10), Clay (84), Corundum Ingot (73), Deer Hide (15), Dragon Bone (3), Dragon Scales (3), Ebony Ingot (6), Flawless Amethyst (3), Flawless Sapphire (3), Glass (42), Goat Hide (4), Goat Horns (53), Gold Ingot (9), Grand Soul Gem (3), Hinge (157), Horker Tusks ( 8 ), Iron Fittings (193), Iron Ingot (559), Large Antlers (19), Leather Strip (114), Locks (70), Mudcrab Chitin (10), Nails (984), Orichalcum Ingot (6), Quarried Stone (324), Quicksilver Ingot (9), Refined Malachite (6), Refined Moonstone (9), Sabre Cat Pelt (3), Sabre Cat Snow Pelt (9), Sabre Cat Tooth (24), Sawn Log (675), Silver Ingot (12), Slaughter Fish Scales (24), Small Antlers (3), Steel Ingots (114), Straw (28), Wolf Pelt (10).

The items that really concern me about gathering are the Corundum/Iron/Steel Ingots (that's a boatload of iron ore), Goat Horns (honestly, who kills goats?), grand soul gems (they need to value at 500 or they don't work), and Sawn Logs (think about how long it takes to gather just 10 sawn logs) and multiply that by 68).

[Tiralee]

It was a pretty general consensus by the PC modding community that the "official" skyrim manor was a bug-ridden POS - so many other people have made really nice mods it was a bit disappointing to see something so...plebian.

And the estimated supply count is way off - it seems to change depending on what build you go for, regardless of stated requirements.

Because I used an established character, the only thing I had to shop for were goat horns - I just dropped in at the local sawmill for the wood and just dragged everything else I'd accumulated to the site.

But as us x-boxers, etc, are at the whim of the developers, while the glorious PC master race cackle while eating sweetrolls and having fine wines poured into their mouths by exotic slaves...sigh.

Still - I do like the Dwarven Anchient Forge quest and the domain of that orb daedric prince is pretty...screwed up:) (Best use of a Daedric Prince's realm since whats-his-name-the-insane.) Give your kids some real weapons - makes combat-training in the cellar a lot more fun when an 8-year old is wielding Mazune's Razor, or something similar:)

PS: The "Kill anyone"mods are really, really good - worthwile buying the Game and a PC big enough to run it happily. That brat who insults you at Whitewater? He might accidently go for a midnight dive off of a cliff to be torn apart by hungry giant skeevers. Ulric's being a dick? Kill him, his generals, his cooks...and let the Legion walk in to a charnal house with you having a picnic on a pyramid of bodies. (Most Kill mods are a bit weak, but some have put in an "Awe meter" where your reputation as being an unstoppable force in the service of death gets you pant's wetting respect from the peasents.)

-Tir

Oh, we're moving after 9 years, so it's insane here, ta all:)

[CanRay]

Someone stole my sweetroll...

[ShadowDragon8685]

The Guards in Skyrim are huge cunts. They taunt you, "awwww, did someone steal your sweet roll?" but Talos help you if you nick a sweet-roll from them. They will throw down over that shit, and run your ass through.

[CanRay]

The Guards in Skyrim are huge cunts. They taunt you, "awwww, did someone steal your sweet roll?" but Talos help you if you nick a sweet-roll from them. They will throw down over that shit, and run your ass through.

I hate how they can't recognize me despite the epicness of my adventures!

[ShadowDragon8685]

I hate how they can't recognize me despite the epicness of my adventures!

That's kind of handy in some builds, though. If you're known throughout the land as the sneak-theif female khajiit dragonborn, they're going to watch you like hawks when you show in their territory...

But yeah, it can be very "Dude, where's my respect?" at times, when they can, in the same breath almost, praise you for killing a dragon and warn you to keep your light fingers to yourself. Oh, and you're the Thane.

[Mach_Ten]

Someone stole my sweetroll...

Have you interrogated the slaves and grape peelers ? there was a tubby little shifty eyed bastard hiding behind my watercooled PC farm with mine !

he's back on navel lint duty !

[StealthSigma]

I hate how they can't recognize me despite the epicness of my adventures!

And that is why being a Vampire Lord is awesome.

Also the reason why becoming the Grey Fox in Oblivion is awesome.

--

It was a pretty general consensus by the PC modding community that the "official" skyrim manor was a bug-ridden POS - so many other people have made really nice mods it was a bit disappointing to see something so...plebian.

Perhaps. Is there a comparable mod provided by the modding community? I know there's plenty of home mods but you get to work with what they give you. The advantage to Hearthfire is that you have a variable house with variable furnishings so you can be as sparse or crowded as you like.

And the estimated supply count is way off - it seems to change depending on what build you go for, regardless of stated requirements.

No. My estimate, if anything, is well under what materials are needed. I believe you're misunderstanding my count. The estimate is the total bill of materials to fully construct and furnish three manors while using all 9 wing options. The bill of materials that I listed is slightly over what is needed for a single 3 wing manor since it includes the build/furnishing materials for the small house, main hall, and cellar of the other two sites (not including the remaining 6 wing options).

Using http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Hearthfire as a guide on material costs....

Materials - Hidden in spoiler to avoid long post

[ Spoiler ]

Small House Layout - 30 Nails, 17 Sawn Logs, 14 Quarried Stone, 4 Clay, 2 Hinges, 1 Iron Fitting, 1 Lock (6 Iron Ingots, 1 Corundum Ingot)
Small House Furnishing - 20 Nails, 11 Sawn Logs, 4 Iron Fittings, 4 Leather Strips, 2 Goat Horns, 2 Iron Ingots, 2 Straw, 1 Glass, 1 Hinge, 1 Quarried Stone (6.5 Iron Ingots)
Main Hall Layout (including cellar) - 85 Nails, 55 Sawn Logs, 86 Quarried Stone, 16 Clay, 2 Hinges, 1 Iron Fittings, 1 Lock (11.5 Iron Ingots, 1 Corundum Ingot)
Main Hall Entry Furnishing - 15 Nails, 11 Sawn Logs, 5 Iron Fittings, 6 Leather Strips, 4 Sabre Cat Teeth, 1 Goat Horn, 2 Deer Hides, 2 Glass, 2 Hinges, 2 Large Antlers, 1 Bear Pelt, 1 Sabre Cat Pelt, 1 Sabre Cat Snow Pelt, 1 Wolf Pelt (11.2 Iron Ingots) [Some of the furnishings overlap with small house, but I think I excluded them properly]
Main Hall South Room Furnishing - 43 Nails, 27 Sawn logs, 7 Hinges, 6 Iron Fittings, 6 Iron Ingots, 5 Leather Strips, 5 quarried stone, 4 Glass, 4 Slaughterfish Scales, 2 Horker Tusks, 2 locks, 2 Mudcrab Chitin, 1 Deer Hide, 1 Goat Hide, 1 Gold Ingot, 1 Grand Soul Gem, 1 Large Antlers, 1 Quicksilver Ingot, 1 Refined Moonstone (15.8 Iron Ingots, 2 Corundum Ingots)
Main Hall North Room (1st Level) - 26 Nails, 16 Sawn logs, 5 Iron Ingots, 5 Iron Fittings, 4 Slaughterfish Scales, 3 Steel Ingots, 2 Hinges, 2 Leather Strips, 1 glass, 1 Large Antlers, 1 Lock (9.6 Iron Ingots, 1 Corundum Ingot
Main Hall North Room (2nd Level) - 56 Nails, 33 Sawn logs, 12 Leather Strips, 10 Iron Fittings, 8 Hinges, 6 Goat Horns, 4 Glass, 4 Straw, 2 Iron Ingots, 2 Sabre Cat Teeth, 2 Wolf Pelts, 1 Deer Hide, 1 Large Antlers, 1 Lock, 1 Sabre Cat Snow Pelt (20.6 Iron Ingots, 1 Corundum Ingot)
Main Hall Cellar - 36 Sawn logs, 33 Nails, 30 Steel Ingots, 19 Iron Fittings, 17 Hinges, 17 quarried Stone, 13 Iron Ingots, 13 Locks, 8 Clay, 8 Leather Strips, 5 Goat Horns, 4 Straw, 2 Bear Pelts, 2 Sabre Cat Teeth, 1 Deer Hide, 1 glass, 1 Large Antlers, 1 Sabre Cat Snow Pelt, 1 Small Antlers (43.8 Iron Ingots, 13 Corundum Ingots)
Main Hall Cellar Shrines - 9 Amulets of the Divines (1 of each type), 4 Silver Ingots, 3 Iron Ingots, 3 Steel Ingots, 2 Ebony Ingots, 2 gold ingots, 2 Orichalcum Ingots, 2 Quicksilver ingots, 2 Refined Malachite, 2 Refined Moonstone, 1 Corundum Ingot, 1 Dragon Bone, 1 Dragon Scales, 1 Flawless Amethyst, 1 Flawless Sapphire
Exterior Items - 7 Sawn Log, 5 Quarried Stone, 5 Nails, 6 Clay, 6 Iron Ingot, 3 Iron Fitting (2.5 Iron Ingots)

Total Materials - 3 Bear Pelts, 34 Clay, 1 Corundum Ingot, 5 Deer Hide, 1 Dragon Bone, 1 Dragon Scales, 2 Ebony Ingots, 1 Flawless Amethyst, 1 Flawless Sapphire, 13 Glass, 1 Goat Hide, 14 Goat Horns, 3 Gold Ingots, 1 Grand Soul Gem, 41 Hinges, 2 Horker Tusks, 54 Iron Fittings, 6 Large Antlers, 19 Locks, 37 Leather Strips, 2 Mudcrab Chitin, 313 Nails, 2 Orichalcum Ingots, 128 Quarried Stone, 3 Quicksilver Ingots, 2 Refined Malachite, 3 Refined Moonstone, 1 Sabre Cat Pelt, 3 Sabre Cat Snow Pelts, 8 Sabre Cat Teeth, 213 Sawn Logs, 4 Silver Ingots, 8 Slaughterfish Scales, 1 Small Antler, 36 Steel Ingots, 10 Straw, 3 Wolf Pelts. You'll need an extra 126 Iron Ingots and 19 Corundum Ingots to craft all the necessary Hinges, Iron Fittings, Locks, and Nails.

Now, that doesn't include any of the 9 wing options or the external item that is unique to each of the three sites and that is the bill of materials for one single site.

So what are the costs to build and full furnish each wing, which I consider it perfectly acceptable to construct each wing once.

[ Spoiler ]

Alchemist's Tower - 9 Clay, 3 Glass, 7 Goat Horns, 14 Hinges, 15 Iron Fittings, 7 Iron Ingots, 7 Locks, 1 Leather Strip, 2 Mudcrab Chitin, 68 Nails, 16 Quarried Stone, 1 Quicksilver Ingot, 44 Sawn Logs, 6 Steel Ingots (35.8 Iron Ingots, 7 Corundum Ingots)
Armory - 1 Bear Pelt, 3 Clay, 6 Glass, 9 Goat Horns, 14 Hinges, 2 Horker Tusks, 28 Iron Fittings, 4 Iron Ingots, 4 Locks, 8 Leather Strips, 77 Nails, 26 Quarried Stone, 1 Sabre Cat Pelt, 2 Sabre Cat Teeth, 62 Sawn Log, 4 Straw, 1 Wolf Pelt (46.7 Iron Ingots, 4 Corundum Ingots)
Bedrooms - 1 Bear Pelt, 2 Glass, 2 Goat Horns, 16 Hinges, 13 Iron Fittings, 2 Iron Ingots, 7 Locks, 10 Leather Strips, 2 Mudcrab Chitin, 74 Nails, 18 Quarried Stone, 52 Sawn Logs, 3 Steel Ingots, 4 Straw (35.4 Iron Ingots, 7 Corundum Ingots)
Enchanter's Tower - 9 Clay, 3 Glass, 1 Goat Hide, 1 Gold Ingot, 1 Grand Soul Gem, 12 Hinges, 10 Iron Fittings, 5 Iron Ingots, 5 Locks, 1 Leather Strip, 56 Nails, 17 Quarried Stone, 1 Refined Moonstone, 41 Sawn Logs (26.6 Iron Ingots, 5 Corundum Ingots)
Greenhouse - 21 Clay, 6 Glass, 2 Goat Hide, 6 Goat Horns, 10 Hinges, 14 Iron Fittings, 4 Iron Ingots, 2 Locks, 4 Leather Strips, 4 Mudcrab Chitin, 76 Nails, 20 Quarried Stone, 50 Sawn Logs (28.6 Iron Ingots, 2 Corundum Ingots)
Kitchen - 5 Clay, 7 Goat Horns, 4 Hinges, 2 Horker Tusks, 12 Iron Fittings, 9 Iron ngots, 1 Large Antler, 2 Locks, 2 Leather Strips, 54 Nails, 21 Quarried Stone, 38 Sawn Logs (21.4 Iron Ingots, 2 Corundum Ingots)
Library - 9 Clay, 7 Goat Horns, 10 Hinges, 7 Iron Fittings, 2 Iron Ingots, 5 Locks, 78 Nails, 16 Quarried Stone, 47 Sawn Logs (24.8 Iron Ingots, 5 Corundum Ingots)
Storage Room - 3 Clay, 4 Glass, 1 Goat Hide, 2 Goat Horns, 27 Hinges, 17 Iron Fittings, 5 Iron Ingots, 12 Locks, 3 Leather Strips, 2 Mudcrab Chitin, 79 Nails, 18 Quarried Stone, 55 Sawn Logs, 3 Steel Ingots, 1 Wolf Pelt (50.4 Iron Ingots, 12 Corundum ingots )
Trophy Room - 13 Clay, 1 Glass, 1 Goat Hide, 4 Goat Horns, 7 Hinges, 2 Horker Tusks, 9 Iron Fittings, 2 Iron Ingots, 3 Locks, 2 Leather Strips, 50 Nails, 21 Quarried Stone, 42 Sawn Log (20.5 Iron Ingots, 1 Corundum ingots) [Does not include materials for constructing trophies on bases]
Apiary/Fish Hatchery/Grain Mill - 2 Iron Fittings, 5 Nails, 5 Quarried Stone, 7 Sawn Logs, 2 Straw (2.5 Iron Ingots)

Constructing all that requires 2 Bear Pelts, 75 Clay, 25 Glass, 5 Goat Hides, 44 Goat Horns, 1 Gold Ingot, 1 Grand Soul Gem, 114 Hinges, 6 Horker Tusks, 127 Iron Fittings, 40 Iron Ingots, 1 Large Antler, 47 Locks, 31 Leather Strips, 10 Mudcrab Chitin, 617 Nails, 178 Quarried Stone, 1 Quicksilver Ingot, 1 Refined Moonstone, 1 Sabre Cat Pelt, 2 Sabre Cat Teeth, 438 Sawn Logs, 12 Steel Ingots, 10 Straw, and 2 Wolf Pelts. You need 350 Iron Ingots and 47 Corundum Ingots to build the Hinges, Iron Fittings, Locks, and Nails.

So the grand total material bill to build everything?

11 Bear Pelts, 177 Clay, 3 Corundrum Ingot, 15 Deer Hides, 3 Dragon Bones, 3 Dragon Scales, 6 Ebony Ingots, 3 Flawless Amethyst, 3 Flawless Sapphires, 64 Glass, 8 Goat Hide, 86 Goat Horns, 10 Gold Ingots, 4 Grand Soul Gems, 237 Hinges, 12 Horker Tusks, 289 Iron Fittings, 133 Iron Ingots, 19 Large Antlers, 104 Locks, 142 Leather Strips, 16 Mudcrab Chitin, 1556 Nails, 6 Orichalcum Ingots, 562 Quarried Stone, 10 Quicksilver Ingots, 6 Refined Malachite, 10 Refined Moonstone, 4 Sabre Cat Pelts, 9 Sabre Cat Snow Pelts, 26 Sabre Cat Teeth, 1077 Sawn Logs, 12 Silver Ingots, 24 Slaughterfish Scales, 3 Small Antlers, 120 Steel Ingots, 11 Wold Pelts. You need 786 Iron Ingots and 104 Corundum Ingots to make the Hinges, Iron Fittings, Locks, and Nails.

Now, as I've said I will probably be selective with my furnishings but that's still a high cost with iron ingots/ore (for steel), corundum ingots/ore (for steel). The sawn logs will take a long time to harvest (108 cycles of the mill). 177 clay and 562 quarried stone are easy to gather since they have on site clay and stone pits that have a quantity of 4000 in them (that respawns) they just take time. Now, yes, you could pay your steward to furnish the home but then you end up with everything and it comes over time rather than on demand. So you can't be selective in what you furnish.

[X-Kalibur]

Still - I do like the Dwarven Anchient Forge quest and the domain of that orb daedric prince is pretty...screwed up:) (Best use of a Daedric Prince's realm since whats-his-name-the-insane.) Give your kids some real weapons - makes combat-training in the cellar a lot more fun when an 8-year old is wielding Mazune's Razor, or something similar:)

That would be Hermaeus Mora and yeah, they did a good job with his realm (the other prince you're thinking of being Sheogorath, the mad prince, although previously was, or rather is, Jyggalag, the daedric prince of order.)

[CanRay]

I tried to get into the game again, and just couldn't. With having finally played Fallout 3/New Vegas to death, I really need a new time eater...

[_Pax._]

I'm actually having the same problem, CanRay.

I picked up the new DLC, and started a new character - well, kind of had to, since allmy saves went poof when the old PC died - anyway, started a new character and .... it's just not grabbing me as much as it once did. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif)

[Mach_Ten]

for a cheap bit of retro time assassination, I've had a blast in "Legend of Grimrock"

I can't believe my quick search here returned no results, I can't be the first to suggest it, can I ?

[StealthSigma]

That would be Hermaeus Mora and yeah, they did a good job with his realm (the other prince you're thinking of being Sheogorath, the mad prince, although previously was, or rather is, Jyggalag, the daedric prince of order.)

Remember, Jyggalag and Sheogorath are two separate entities now. =)

Is Sheogorath even a Daedra?

[X-Kalibur]

Remember, Jyggalag and Sheogorath are two separate entities now. =)

Is Sheogorath even a Daedra?

After Shivering Isles? Hard to say. I suppose it's possible the Champion of Cyrodiil was elevated to the status of Daedric Prince, between stopping Jyggalag from the Greymarch and stopping Mehrunes Dagon.

[X-Kalibur]

I tried to get into the game again, and just couldn't. With having finally played Fallout 3/New Vegas to death, I really need a new time eater...

Honestly mods are the answer, at least for the PC version. Making it look better and overhauling good portions of the game end up making it eat hours of my time... just in playing with bits and pieces of mods. Last two weeks I spent I don't know how many hours trying out character concepts to level 20 - 25.

[_Pax._]

Mods don't always help, though. I've got a whole raftload of 'em, myself - largely graphics improvements, but also some Smithing/crafting related stuff.

[StealthSigma]

Barbas is a beast.

Just saying.

He's a temporary companion while the Clavicus Vile quest is active. It appears that only you can harm him. I sat back and watched him solo a Vampire Master, 2 Vampires, and 2 Fledgling Vampires all beating on him at the same time.

[silva]

So he is a cheater, not a beast.