Survival mode

[Jys nogals grot lol]

I started playing Skyrim 3 days ago. I'm a level 13 Imperial running one handed sword and shield with 60% skills set into health. I started out playing on survival mode but then started to do some research to find out how other people play Skyrim. I have the SE and not interested in modding. I dont know if i should play on survival it just feels like such a hassle. But then again if i dont play on survival mode it kinda feels like im cheating lol. i have a horse, should i just stick with it until i get really annoyed and then turn it off? Kinda confused to the point that i dont even play the game anymore and just watch videos on youtube

[NecroMaster]

2 days into my first survival run.

It’s fun so far but I’m starting to wish I didn’t pick the one character I had that’s a pacifist.

[steventirey]

Survival Mode was not something that came with the game originally. It was added on later, and given away to everyone for free. It is Creation Club content. Don't feel like you have to use it - the game wasn't designed with it in mind after all.

Survival Mode isn't hard. It doesn't add all that much. If anything, it is just annoying.

[hawklaser]

Originally posted by DarkerHands:

I dont know if i should play on survival it just feels like such a hassle. But then again if i dont play on survival mode it kinda feels like im cheating lol. i have a horse, should i just stick with it until i get really annoyed and then turn it off? Kinda confused to the point that i dont even play the game anymore and just watch videos on youtube

Skyrim didn't initially release with a survival mode, so the game wasn't originally designed with it in mind. Think the creation that added it, came about around the time some of the earlier survival games took off.

If you are not enjoying it, go ahead and turn it off.

Things becoming a hassle, is almost an inherent thing to the Survival genre. I have yet to come across one that remained fun long term, as there is almost always a point where get established enough that the survival mechanics tip from being a challenge into becoming a chore.

[NecroMaster]

Originally posted by steventirey:

Survival Mode was not something that came with the game originally. It was added on later, and given away to everyone for free. It is Creation Club content. Don't feel like you have to use it - the game wasn't designed with it in mind after all.

Survival Mode isn't hard. It doesn't add all that much. If anything, it is just annoying.

I kind of like it it adds to the immersion.

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by DarkerHands:

But then again if i dont play on survival mode it kinda feels like im cheating lol.

Game was created without Survival mode.... survival mode is a CC mod that is merely a few years old, so not using is most definitely not cheating.

Playing Survival mode if you are not enjoying is however is rather silly thing to do, it's a game, therefore meant to be fun, playing a game in a way that is not fun is counterproductive on so many levels.

[Fitness Lauch]

Originally posted by hawklaser:

as there is almost always a point where get established enough that the survival mechanics tip from being a challenge into becoming a chore.

Pretty much my experience as well. Early game is a bit more challenging with survival mode but during the mid game it turns into a chore and walking simulator. There's a lot of backtracking for quests, horses are in my opinion too slow and and there aren't enough carriages in the game. You really notice that survival mode was an afterthought and that the game wasn't created with it in mind.

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by Fitness Lauch:

You really notice that survival mode was an afterthought and that the game wasn't created with it in mind.

No, Survival mode isn't beven an afterthought, it's a CC mod that has been foisted upon us, I don't take that point of view with most of them, but definitely with survival...

[DeathStroke]

tbh being restricted from fast travel and having to worry about the cold makes for a much more interesting experience. you miss out on a lot of random encounters out in the wild if you dont do the walking yourself , and it will take long time to find many of the more obscure locations if you are just fast traveling from main citys back an forth , plus at the end of the day Skyrim really doesnt have that much depth as an RPG apart from exploring , so you'll get more life out of a playthrough this way. Survival mode really doesnt make things that difficult. Food is literally everywhere.

[Jys nogals grot lol]

Originally posted by DeathStroke:

tbh being restricted from fast travel and having to worry about the cold makes for a much more interesting experience. you miss out on a lot of random encounters out in the wild if you dont do the walking yourself , and it will take long time to find many of the more obscure locations if you are just fast traveling from main citys back an forth , plus at the end of the day Skyrim really doesnt have that much depth as an RPG apart from exploring , so you'll get more life out of a playthrough this way. Survival mode really doesnt make things that difficult. Food is literally everywhere.

Yeah thats true, well atleast for the majority of the 40 hours ive played so far, ive had survival mode on. I understand its a mechanic that we were given to us that we can disable literally in a matter of seconds - but even what ive just said bothers me, cause its ruins the immersion for me. You can force block yourself from disabling survival mode when beginning a playthrough yes, but the mere fact that the option is there available for you to interact with while playing ruins it for me. i dont really know how to explain it. Like i feel i want to play Skyrim how most people play Skyrim because of fomo lol. And also with Christmas coming up. It makes me feel that im not alone

[Jys nogals grot lol]

Originally posted by NecroMaster:

2 days into my first survival run.

It’s fun so far but I’m starting to wish I didn’t pick the one character I had that’s a pacifist.

what do you mean? i know that Nords have cold res right?

[Varanus]

Originally posted by Fitness Lauch:

Originally posted by hawklaser:

as there is almost always a point where get established enough that the survival mechanics tip from being a challenge into becoming a chore.

Pretty much my experience as well. Early game is a bit more challenging with survival mode but during the mid game it turns into a chore and walking simulator. There's a lot of backtracking for quests, horses are in my opinion too slow and and there aren't enough carriages in the game. You really notice that survival mode was an afterthought and that the game wasn't created with it in mind.

To be fair, thats how most survival modes in games go. Especially the first time doing it.
Its the early game that gets you. But then you eventually get established enough that you negate all the challenge that survival brings, and all thats left is the inconveniences.
And then subsequent playthroughs, you likely know what you need to prioritize, and so that transition from challenging to tedium comes around quicker and quicker. Until eventually, you find your perfect routine, and the challenge just doesnt exist anymore.
Happened to me in both FO4 and Subnautica.

[Despiser]

Originally posted by DarkerHands:

I started playing Skyrim 3 days ago. I'm a level 13 Imperial running one handed sword and shield with 60% skills set into health. I started out playing on survival mode but then started to do some research to find out how other people play Skyrim. I have the SE and not interested in modding. I dont know if i should play on survival it just feels like such a hassle. But then again if i dont play on survival mode it kinda feels like im cheating lol. i have a horse, should i just stick with it until i get really annoyed and then turn it off? Kinda confused to the point that i dont even play the game anymore and just watch videos on youtube

I recommend anything that makes the game harder. Survival mode has 2 benefits:
1. It makes otherwise useless items useful and
2. It makes you think and plan where and how you traverse the land.
This can impact the game significantly by putting you in situations where you decide to turn back and regroup or forge ahead since you cannot fast travel relying on carts only.
The game is inherently easy. For me I cannot imagine playing with anything less than legendary and survival options. As a mage, I also have to make do with lesser spells if I choose to proceed while finding ways to deal with diminished health, stamina or magic. It all depends where I'm going and what difficulties lay ahead.

[worm_master]

Only thing putting me of survival is lack if FT, yes yes, I know i could MOD it in, but don't wanna mess with MODDING.

[Luminary]

If you want to add a little role play and immersion, survival mode is great and can add a lot to the game. You get more random encounters along the way, you now have a reason to have multiple bases/homes. It suddenly makes sense to have a companion or multiple companions. if you want a bit of role play, it's helpful... Lets say that you are going somewehere and you get attacked by vampires, that may be a good into to dawngaurd. Or you get attacked by the thalmor, that may be a good reason to join the storm cloaks.

For me I stop at level 30 because it no longer makes sense. I also stop of I become a companion, because I can turn into a beast or if I become a vampire.

it can be fun

[NecroMaster]

Originally posted by DarkerHands:

Originally posted by NecroMaster:

2 days into my first survival run.

It’s fun so far but I’m starting to wish I didn’t pick the one character I had that’s a pacifist.

what do you mean? i know that Nords have cold res right?

My character is a high elf.