When Bethesda released The Elder Scrolls: Arena, its sequel The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall became just as much of a hit. Now taking place in the province of High Rock, players embark on a quest to solve the murder of the King of Daggerfall and prevent the ancient golden Numidium from falling into the wrong hands. Now possessing a deeper story compared to the original Arena title, Daggerfall became one of the more memorable The Elder Scrolls titles for fans.
As such, finally being able to play Daggerfall for free via Steam can be a breath of fresh air for those who’ve always wanted to try the classic RPG. However, those who are just completely new to the title might feel overwhelmed with all the things they could do in the game. Just how could players maximize their experience in Daggerfall?
8 Skip Preset Classes, Create One Instead
Similar to Arena, Daggerfall still offers players the opportunity to select premade classes based on both conventional and unique blends of skills. However, players should opt not to choose any of these classes as they’re built poorly and don’t work well in the context of the game’s mechanics. Instead, players may want to create their own class in order to build exactly the character they need. When players get near the end of the Character Creator, they will be assigned an Attribute Roll. They can reroll this as much as they please.
To do this, players need to pick “Custom” from the Class Selection dialogue during character creation to create a fully-custom class. Attributes-wise, players are advised to begin with Strength and Speed at 75, with Intelligence of at least 50. That way, players have optimal speed, physical attacking power, and Magicka supply. Other Attributes don’t seem to affect the game in a big way, so they can be altered in the way players wish.
7 Optimize Starting Skills For Mechanics
Similar to the Attributes, it may help players to realize that there are Skills in the game that may help them work with the game’s mechanics more efficiently. In that regard, players need to prioritize certain Primary, Major, and Minor Skills to fully optimize their Daggerfall experience. At its core, players need to choose Stealth, Destruction, and a Long Blade or Blunt Weapon as their primaries. That way, they can play as archetypal warrior, rogue, and mage without too much difficulty.
In terms of Major Skills, it could help to choose another weapon skill, Restoration, and Running. This will boost the player’s overall movement speed and give access to basic healing. For Minor Skills, Mercantile can help with bargains, Dodging for defense, and extra magical stuff from Alteration, Thaumaturgy, Illusion, and Mysticism.
6 Pay Attention To Extra Character Details
Unlike most sequels that focus primarily on Attributes and Skills, Daggerfall does offer unique character “traits” that players can tinker with for both character and some mechanical effects. For instance, it may be recommended for Advantages to be set as expertise in the primary weapon type as well as “Increased Magery” to boost spell capacity. Likewise, Disadvantages could be set to Disease and Poison, so players have an easier time getting specific potions to counter these ailments.
With regards to Background, players should select their own to experiment with extra bonuses from the game. By the time the game asks questions, players should then choose “Quicksilver” as a nickname for their Running Skill, their primary weapon for their weapon use, Destruction or Restoration regarding magic use, weapons regarding gifts, and “Resisting Poisons” or “Resisting Disease” when mentioning frail health.
5 The Mouse Is A Friend
Whereas the other Elder Scrolls games will have players attack with a click of the mouse, Daggerfall tried to be more creative on the immersion front. By the time players get into the game, they may want to alter the Controls. Under the Mouse setting, press Mouse Look so the game performs more similarly to other modern Bethesda titles.
Not only that, but players need to remember that this time around, Daggerfall needs players to literally swing with the mouse in order to swing the sword. Bottom-Top is the easiest but weakest to do, whereas Top-Bottom is the strongest but hardest to pull off. Diagonals are stronger but much harder to connect. In turn, players are recommended to practice the neutral Horizontal direction slice instead.
4 Manipulate Distance In Combat
Given the rather primitive graphics and processing power the game uses, it’s no wonder combat can get a bit slow for players used to more fast-paced modern FPS titles. However, they can actually use this to their advantage in combat. As players notice, enemies have to walk towards them first and then stand before making an attack. It’s when enemies do this “combat pose” that players can quickly pace two steps backward and make enemies lose their momentum.
Players can use this attack method to their advantage. For instance, since creatures need to pause on corners before turning, players can lure them to corners and attack while they’re stuck. In open spaces, players can outpace an enemy and then strafe to its side while maintaining eye contact, making it easier to attack them safely.
3 Get Access To Spells ASAP
The reason why it’s recommended for players to take Destruction and Restoration as part of their Primary and Major Skills is for easier access to the Mages Guild. When entering a major city like Aldingwall or Chesterwark, players can press the “R” and “Loiter A While” to make sure they’re in the area between 6:00 and 11:00, which is the time Mages Guilds are open in cities.
Inside the Guild, most NPCs are more than willing to help players enroll in the faction should they have an existing magic specialization. Once enrolled, it’s recommended that players make spells with certain effects for various situations: Heal Health (healing), Open (unlocks), Recall (teleportation), Free Action (anti-paralysis), Levitation (access to high spaces), and Water Walking plus Water Breathing (safe swimming).
2 Join A Faction
Aside from the Mages Guild, it’s also recommended for players to join a faction or a Guild in order to access special benefits. Existing Guilds in the game include the aforementioned Mages Guild, the Fighters Guild, a Thieves Guild, the Dark Brotherhood, and multiple Knightly Orders and Temples. It’s imperative players at least join these factions and do their quests and fight various monsters, as they provide reputation and room for advancement in their rank.
Perks inside a Guild include specialized training on skills, allowing players to advance them much faster. Players who want access to more higher-tier items can benefit from joining a Guild and doing their quests.
1 Plan For Quests Properly
Much of the game’s activities outside the main quest involve doing quests for Guilds. And unfortunately, there may be situations where dungeons prove to be too difficult that players may unnecessarily have to restart the game. To avoid these setbacks, players can follow practical "dungeoneering" protocols before embarking on dungeons.
For instance, players may want to buy a wagon from the general store, allowing them to store 750kg outside the dungeon exit. Afterward, it’s recommended to clear a space of monsters in order for players to have a safe location to use the Regenerate spell. It’s either in this area or in the Mages Guild where players may want to cast Recall before entering the dungeon, which gives them a handy exit in case of danger.
Players can now access The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall for free via Steam.