XP: what constitutes 'Leveling Up'??

[rexpiscator]

I see that there is no XP for killing an enemy, just using the Skill. I Level Up and get a Skill Point to enhance the many Skills. I see where holding back applying the Skill Point to the Skills until the correct Level allows you to chart your path through the Skills.
Does Smelting advance the Smithing Skill any?
Does Cooking the various Recipes advance any Skill? Or is it just to get a increased Buff from Food consumption?
What exactly gets you XP?!? Beyond using the Skill in combat and smithing and alchemy, etc...?

I have a small Insane Clown Posse working at the moment and let me tell you, I dislike the chap that helps with the Vampire Hunt. Always fighting me when in close quarters/dungeons and he takes Friendly Fire from me or my other Follower. I let them clear the wandering encounters and sometimes they help with some bigger targets. Vampire Helper is totally lame and I just can't kill him, merely utilizing his skills until he runs in fear, lol. I'll keep him around until I've discovered most of the map...;).

[Silent Protagonist]

here is a mod that you actually get xp from clearing dungeons and completing quests (and a small .ini tweak) can get xp from kills as well read it and see if you want it:

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/17751

[Rez Elwin]

I do not think smelting gives any xp in smihing, I have a mod that changes that but in vanilla I am pretty sure it doesn't, and cooking does nothing.

Nothing gives you xp beyond a skill increase, the higher the skill the more xp you get. Unless you get the mod posted, kills, quests, exploration, none of that matters towards xp and levels, it is all about the skills.

[MysticMalevolence]

https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Skills
Visit each skill's page to see what grants experience for it.

No, cooking does not contribute to any skill. It's a fluff feature.

[RadCon One]

Originally posted by Rez Elwin:

I do not think smelting gives any xp in smihing, I have a mod that changes that but in vanilla I am pretty sure it doesn't, and cooking does nothing.

Nothing gives you xp beyond a skill increase, the higher the skill the more xp you get. Unless you get the mod posted, kills, quests, exploration, none of that matters towards xp and levels, it is all about the skills.

You are correct, in vanilla smelting does not give xp, and neither does mining, or tanning. a number of mods fix that though, and I personally recommend one of these:

Ars Metallica: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/321

or

Complete Crafting Overhaul: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/28608

[alexander_dougherty]

There are several mods that give XP for smelting. I use one that gives XP for smelting and tanning leather for smithing and cooking gives xp for alchemy.

Just don't ask me what it's called

[rexpiscator]

Thanks so much for the links....not MODing the game at all, can see how all the shortcomings get fixed by the Community...ahem.

That wiki page is the best!! Esssplains it all to this absolute newcomer to Elder Scrolls, never played before but have FO4...

[smr1957]

rexpiscator, if you are new to Skyrim, you may want to take a look at this, as well. It explains some of the basic points, without getting too involved:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1868336179
(Link from the pinned topic, Helpful Links and References, Section 1, General Information)

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by rexpiscator:

Thanks so much for the links....not MODing the game at all, can see how all the shortcomings get fixed by the Community...ahem.

That wiki page is the best!! Esssplains it all to this absolute newcomer to Elder Scrolls, never played before but have FO4...

Sorry but I loaded my mods a while ago, and haven't been playing it recently, because I needed a quick break from it.

If I Load it up again I'll get the mod and tell you.

[Vlad 254]

Originally posted by smr1957:

rexpiscator, if you are new to Skyrim, you may want to take a look at this, as well. It explains some of the basic points, without getting too involved:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1868336179
(Link from the pinned topic, Helpful Links and References, Section 1, General Information)

This is great smr, and well done. I added it to my Links Section in my guide.

[DrNewcenstein]

In practice, cooking should not add to alchemy, as there's no real "Science" to it. Yes, you end up with a basic stat buff from the end-result, but so does eating a ham sammich; it gives your body fuel to function. Actual alchemical potions give you more because they're focused, like energy drinks or protein shakes or a line of coke.

Smelting is simply melting ore. It's a menial task. Put ore in smelter, get it hot, pour it into a mold. There's literally no skill involved. Combining various ores to make mixed ingots would actually require skill, but you can't do that (as far as I recall).

Tanning I could see taking some degree of skill, as you have to know how much you can scrape without making it too thin.

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by alexander_dougherty:

There are several mods that give XP for smelting. I use one that gives XP for smelting and tanning leather for smithing and cooking gives xp for alchemy.

Have checked, it's H.A.S.T.E.

Tried to get a link, but the english version has been deleted.

[RadCon One]

Originally posted by DrNewcenstein:

Smelting is simply melting ore. It's a menial task. Put ore in smelter, get it hot, pour it into a mold. There's literally no skill involved. Combining various ores to make mixed ingots would actually require skill, but you can't do that (as far as I recall).

Not true, you have to have knowledge of the melting point and any extra processes that are required to be taken (removal of contaminants, extra elements that need to be added, etc.), how quickly to let it cool (yes, this does matter, and is a very important thing), and how thick to make the bar (also matters, but mainly for the previous step), . It isn't just "shove metal into hot thingy and pull out".

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by DrNewcenstein:

In practice, cooking should not add to alchemy, as there's no real "Science" to it. Yes, you end up with a basic stat buff from the end-result, but so does eating a ham sammich; it gives your body fuel to function. Actual alchemical potions give you more because they're focused, like energy drinks or protein shakes or a line of coke.

You clearly know nothing about cooking, you need to know what methods to cook ingredients and at what temperatures (may only be a strong or a weak heat, but do it wrong and either the flavours don't come out or they turn bitter/sour), what to use as a marinade and for long.

Also most herbal remedies in medieval times where done by the person doing the cooking, because historically they were intertwined. Very few cooks knew nothing about medicine. Medicinal herbs and cooking herbs were usually one and the same, although some medicinal ingredients were poisonous.

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by Entropy:

Originally posted by DrNewcenstein:

Smelting is simply melting ore. It's a menial task. Put ore in smelter, get it hot, pour it into a mold. There's literally no skill involved. Combining various ores to make mixed ingots would actually require skill, but you can't do that (as far as I recall).

Not true, you have to have knowledge of the melting point and any extra processes that are required to be taken (removal of contaminants, extra elements that need to be added, etc.), how quickly to let it cool (yes, this does matter, and is a very important thing), and how thick to make the bar (also matters, but mainly for the previous step), . It isn't just "shove metal into hot thingy and pull out".

True, too hot and you burn the metal instead of just moulding it, too cold and it's likely to shatter if you try working with it.

[DrNewcenstein]

If you're talking gourmet meals or doing it as a profession, then yes, the concern for flavor is important. You're cooking for basic survival in Skyrim. Meat and vegetables in a pot, animal chunks on a spit over a fire, baked goods in an oven (which should require more skill than meat and potatoes, but then, I don't recall being able to use an oven in vanilla Skyrim unless you're an NPC).
Hence, only basic benefits to cooking food, and no skill increase because no skill is used.

I don't recall being able to combine alchemical ingredients with the cooking spit, or any extra benefit in doing so, and even making the potage for the fake Emperor is simply a multiple choice, no wrong way to do it minigame.

Smelting in Skyrim as an action is a simplified process, yes. There's no extra work like firing the forge, drenching, hammering, or the grindstone or workbench (and yes, even those are simplified).

However, all such actions in Skyrim are simplified and largely there for atmosphere. Tempering weapons and armor provide basic benefits, but you still cannot just stab someone or beat them in the face with a hammer and call it done. People with arrows in their eye sockets will still attack you.

You get a max of 3 berries off a bush large enough to hold 30 good ones.