@Anunya I have been reading this list in one of your later blog posts you mention utilising Experience mod however you haven't really given a suggestion or recommendation, through possibly an example of the kind of values, which you are using in the config file for it.

Also worth considering for a future playthrough and/or blog story, if you aren't already utilising try Equipment Durability System (just make sure that you add Devious Devices etc - to non-breakable list).

2 hours ago, KLongad Sirtup said:

@Anunya I have been reading this list in one of your later blog posts you mention utilising Experience mod however you haven't really given a suggestion or recommendation, through possibly an example of the kind of values, which you are using in the config file for it.

 

Also worth considering for a future playthrough and/or blog story, if you aren't already utilising try Equipment Durability System (just make sure that you add Devious Devices etc - to non-breakable list).

I don't think I've touched the Experience mod for more than a year, so I'd have to look up if I changed the settings from the default because I honestly don't remember.

And yeah the Equipment Durability System looks interesting. I've downloaded it, but haven't played around with or really looked at it yet. The main feature I'm hoping it has is an ability to repair/ maintain gear before it breaks.

6 hours ago, Anunya said:

I don't think I've touched the Experience mod for more than a year, so I'd have to look up if I changed the settings from the default because I honestly don't remember.

 

And yeah the Equipment Durability System looks interesting. I've downloaded it, but haven't played around with or really looked at it yet. The main feature I'm hoping it has is an ability to repair/ maintain gear before it breaks.

Yes. Please go and look up the Experience mod configuration info for your settings. Please update this blog entry with the details in a spoiler so people can read it if they wish.

5 hours ago, KLongad Sirtup said:

 

Yes. Please go and look up the Experience mod configuration info for your settings.

Turns out it's an easy answer: there's no MCM for the experience related mods and I have not messed around with any console commands or anything. I'm using whatever it is out of the box.

So I'm using Experience and Experience - Slower Levelling as is.

For Immersive Spell Learning, I've cranked the time factor up to max (300%), and I also have Rarer Spell Tomes SE and No Starting Spells. Other than the time factor for ISL, I haven't changed anything from the default install. I played around with Spell Research at one point, but found it too tedious and frustrating in actual gameplay. I also had Really Expensive Spell Tomes, but the cost scale was too massive for my game (and also had the reverse effect that finding a single spellbook would be a massive windfall).

How does ISL cranked up to 300% interact with Devious Followers? In my experience even at just 100% time it made learning higher-level spells often significantly expensive because the DF still expects to be paid while you're spending time with the notes. Wondering if 300% discourages you from experimenting with spell builds.

Experience does have a config file that you have to tweak outside the game. For me I turned down all XP by 50%. I like the speed of leveling that results from this setting, but it also makes Devious Followers easier because DF costs only really starts spiraling out of control at higher levels. I also use the Uncapper to change health/magicka/stamina gain per level to just 5 instead of 10, which also works in adding to that "weak girl" experience.

6 hours ago, Buridan said:

How does ISL cranked up to 300% interact with Devious Followers? In my experience even at just 100% time it made learning higher-level spells often significantly expensive because the DF still expects to be paid while you're spending time with the notes. Wondering if 300% discourages you from experimenting with spell builds.

The way it has turned out for me so far is that - combined with with Rarer Spell Tomes - every time I saw a spell tome I might be interested in I bought it. Typically, that ended up driving me deeper into DFC debt. The first few times I used the game, but once Maer switched to gold control it just became "can I borrow some money?"/ "sure we'll just add it to the talley" (or wiping out all the profits from a successful dungeon run or alchemy inventory clearance). I really think Rarer Spell Tomes added a lot to that dynamic (and definitely lowered the scope for experimenting with builds). The question were always "can I afford this?".... "when will I have time to learn it?"... "is there some other spell I'll study later instead?"... and "but if I don't buy this now I don't know when I'll get the chance to get it next time." It meant that sometimes I invested effort in less optimal spells - like Bound Hunting Knife and Repel Rain and whatever the Novice level summon melee weapon spell is - because I had nothing else available.

In terms of learning spells, it definitely forced me to prioritize which spells Maer learned (of the ones I got access to). It was very much a "grab an hour here and there in between running around to satisfy Master's whims" and learning even a Novice spell like Lesser Ward or Flames felt like a potentially game changing accomplishment (once I found them, which took a while) which played out over a couple of game days or longer... followed by experimenting with exactly how much it powered Maer up given all the other debuffs in play.

Meanwhile, Apprentice level spells like Flame Atronach and the various Bolt spells takes several days of concentrated study (I use RND so Maer needs to eat and sleep and so on), and at least a week or two if busy with serving other people's needs. Maer hasn't gotten to Adept level yet (or even near them), but I feel like if she manages to get there it might be an end game state for the play-through. Alternately, I'll adjust some settings (I typically change some settings after a major plot development).

I'm not sure how far you've read yet, but the next part pertains to events in Maer 12 & Maer 13, so I've spoiler blocked it just in case you haven't got that far and want to let the story unfold chronologically:

6 hours ago, Buridan said:

 

Experience does have a config file that you have to tweak outside the game. For me I turned down all XP by 50%. I like the speed of leveling that results from this setting, but it also makes Devious Followers easier because DF costs only really starts spiraling out of control at higher levels. I also use the Uncapper to change health/magicka/stamina gain per level to just 5 instead of 10, which also works in adding to that "weak girl" experience.

Yeah, thanks for pointing that out. I've looked at it a bit now and I am considering my next play through already (of course, isn't that always the case). I might try out a "no XP stuck at Level 1" play through (maybe while trying out The Ancient Profession). Or maybe some other skewed set-up like a thief one with XP only from thief related things.

Part of me just wants to do another Maer play through, but with a different configuration of "it's hard for you, poor girl" mods and settings, and part of me wants to try something different (warrior play through, actual dragon born play through, thief play through, stuck at level 1 play through... who knows)

Some good ideas there, though, thank you

Interesting dynamic with Rarer Spell Tomes, I hadn't even thought of that!

12 hours ago, Anunya said:

I might try out a "no XP stuck at Level 1" play through (maybe while trying out The Ancient Profession).

One thing to consider with this method is that this might actually make the game easier since (by default at least) enemies scale with your level, and level 1 enemies are weaker compared to you (f.e. a basic bandit having only 35 HP vs your 100 HP).

1 hour ago, Buridan said:

Interesting dynamic with Rarer Spell Tomes, I hadn't even thought of that!

 

 

One thing to consider with this method is that this might actually make the game easier since (by default at least) enemies scale with your level, and level 1 enemies are weaker compared to you (f.e. a basic bandit having only 35 HP vs your 100 HP).

That's a good point. Personally I haven't felt particularly powerful at the lowest levels, but then again levelling up is pretty fast. Maybe I just haven't noticed.

On the other hand, if you're dealing with a fixed level it may be easier to adjust all the other variables and debuffs to get the relative power levels you're looking for.