Is there level scaling in Skyrim?

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martinX3X

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#1 martinX3X
Member since 2009 • 4488 Posts

Hi. There's this frost troll that I'm trying to kill but I'm simply not strong enough. I heard in oblivion that whenever you level up, all the other creatures level up too. Does that mean no matter how hard I train, I can never kill this frost troll?

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Wasdie

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#2 Wasdie  Moderator
Member since 2003 • 53622 Posts

From my knowledge there is a slight level scaling mechanism in the game but it's not to the extent of Oblivion. You'll find monsters and areas in the world that you can't go or beat because they are just higher level than you. You'll need to level up your character and get better gear.

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mrbojangles25

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#3 mrbojangles25
Member since 2005 • 60727 Posts

I think so, but its not all that noticeable.

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brandojones

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#4 brandojones
Member since 2005 • 3103 Posts

You can use the command animal shout.

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martinX3X

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#6 martinX3X
Member since 2009 • 4488 Posts

You can use the command animal shout.

brandojones
does that actually work on trolls?
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Maroxad

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#8 Maroxad
Member since 2007 • 25273 Posts

I believe the dragons and some areas are level scaled.But it is nowhere near the mess of level scaling that was Oblivoin or lesser extent of Fallout 3's.

In my long list of Skyrim complaints, level scaling is so far not one of them.

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IcyToasters

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#9 IcyToasters
Member since 2007 • 12476 Posts

So far it seems to be slightly scaled but some enemies are tougher than others. Apprentice mages and such are really strong to face up close when your around level 10, I assume because your just into a lot of "Apprentice" level stuff. Trolls, giants, mammoths, dragons, etc. are all badasses.

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Avenger1324

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#10 Avenger1324
Member since 2007 • 16344 Posts
I'd held off getting this at release to wait for player reviews and opinions - this was one of my concerns, and it looks like it shouldn't be a problem. don't mind there being a little bit of scaling, but I do want areas that will kill you if you enter too early in order to keep higher level items for higher level players.
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cyborg100000

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#11 cyborg100000
Member since 2005 • 2905 Posts

They say it's the same as New Vegas, which pretty much had level scaling; even at level 30 Deathclaw's were very tough to kill without the sniper and it's perks.

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cyborg100000

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#12 cyborg100000
Member since 2005 • 2905 Posts

They say it's the same as New Vegas, which pretty much had level scaling; even at level 30 Deathclaw's were very tough to kill without the sniper and it's perks.

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Phoenix534

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#13 Phoenix534
Member since 2008 • 17774 Posts

Yes, but it's almost unnoticable. To directly answer your question, if you level up you will mess that troll up. I that exact problem and a few hours later I completely destroyed it.

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brandojones

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#14 brandojones
Member since 2005 • 3103 Posts

[QUOTE="brandojones"]

You can use the command animal shout.

martinX3X

does that actually work on trolls?

Yes, it does.

See, friendly troll :P:

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martinX3X

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#15 martinX3X
Member since 2009 • 4488 Posts

[QUOTE="martinX3X"][QUOTE="brandojones"]

You can use the command animal shout.

brandojones

does that actually work on trolls?

Yes, it does.

See, friendly troll :P:

thats awesome! so basically i have exactly one minute to beat the living crap out of it until it comes back to it's senses.

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Johnny_Rock

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#16 Johnny_Rock
Member since 2002 • 40314 Posts

Level scaling? Tell that to the giant I stumbled on that one shot killed me!

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spittis

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#18 spittis
Member since 2005 • 1875 Posts
If there is level scaling you won't notice it. Prepare to get your as.s handed to you now and then if you like exploring a lot :P And save often.
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KalDurenik

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#19 KalDurenik
Member since 2004 • 3736 Posts

Level scaling? Tell that to the giant I stumbled on that one shot killed me!

Johnny_Rock
Giants >>>>> Dragon in strength. All you have to do is avoid getting hit and you can kill them easily but in pure "umh" in their attacks yeah Giants win :P
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Iantheone

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#20 Iantheone
Member since 2007 • 8242 Posts
Stuff levels up with you, but as you level up weaker things become easier. At the beginning of the game I couldnt kill spider, now I stomp all over them
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Johnny_Rock

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#21 Johnny_Rock
Member since 2002 • 40314 Posts

[QUOTE="Johnny_Rock"]

Level scaling? Tell that to the giant I stumbled on that one shot killed me!

KalDurenik

Giants >>>>> Dragon in strength. All you have to do is avoid getting hit and you can kill them easily but in pure "umh" in their attacks yeah Giants win :P

I was getting a couple of wolves off of my horse and he just walked up behind me. By the time I realized he was there... dead. :(

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nd5000

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#22 nd5000
Member since 2010 • 97 Posts

You may find this of interest, copied from The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Wiki page:

Enemy Leveling System

Many criticized Oblivion's system of leveling enemies, as many hours were spent fighting enemies that were just too strong to take on, and only grew stronger as you leveled up. In Skyrim, this is replaced with a system that is similar to the one in Fallout 3. The level of enemies is determined both by location and level. There will be places with foes you just aren't strong enough to beat at level 1. Upon entering a dungeon in Skyrim the players level will be saved/locked into position. In other words the enemies will be similiar to the level the player is when he/she first enters the dungeon. In the event of entering the dungeon later the player should find, (assuming the player has leveled up since their last visit to it) that they can more efficiently rid of the foes within the dungeon. This is due in part by the fact that the foes remained the level that the player was when he/she first entered the dungeon. Obviously there will be some location where enemies will be stronger and some where they will be easier, especially places that the main quest go through.

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KHAndAnime

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#23 KHAndAnime
Member since 2009 • 17565 Posts
Lots of level scaling aside from certain monsters. The scaling makes the enemies *incredibly* easy unless you fight higher-tiered enemies or you crank the difficult to max.
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mrbojangles25

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#24 mrbojangles25
Member since 2005 • 60727 Posts

So far it seems to be slightly scaled but some enemies are tougher than others. Apprentice mages and such are really strong to face up close when your around level 10, I assume because your just into a lot of "Apprentice" level stuff. Trolls, giants, mammoths, dragons, etc. are all badasses.

IcyToasters

lol yeah, giants especially. I tried to attack one (with a dagger, no less...) and I ended up getting swatted 500 feet in the air. A bug? Possibly, but it seemed appropriate lol

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mrbojangles25

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#25 mrbojangles25
Member since 2005 • 60727 Posts

[QUOTE="nd5000"]

You may find this of interest, copied from The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Wiki page:

Enemy Leveling System

Many criticized Oblivion's system of leveling enemies, as many hours were spent fighting enemies that were just too strong to take on, and only grew stronger as you leveled up.

wait, what? I thought it was the opposite

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Code135

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#26 Code135
Member since 2005 • 892 Posts

Skyrim scaling is OK in my opinion. The problem is the hitbox sometimes is a bit ... unfair towards the player.

As for the strenght of them monsters: Giants > Mammoths ( couse in some cases you have to fight both a mammoth and his owner the giant ) > Dragons > trolls ... So much for dragons being the bringers of "End time". Them Giants pack such a punch even with 145 armor and improved block and heavy armor can't help much :shock:

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Elann2008

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#27 Elann2008
Member since 2007 • 33028 Posts

You may find this of interest, copied from The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Wiki page:

Enemy Leveling System

Many criticized Oblivion's system of leveling enemies, as many hours were spent fighting enemies that were just too strong to take on, and only grew stronger as you leveled up. In Skyrim, this is replaced with a system that is similar to the one in Fallout 3. The level of enemies is determined both by location and level. There will be places with foes you just aren't strong enough to beat at level 1. Upon entering a dungeon in Skyrim the players level will be saved/locked into position. In other words the enemies will be similiar to the level the player is when he/she first enters the dungeon. In the event of entering the dungeon later the player should find, (assuming the player has leveled up since their last visit to it) that they can more efficiently rid of the foes within the dungeon. This is due in part by the fact that the foes remained the level that the player was when he/she first entered the dungeon. Obviously there will be some location where enemies will be stronger and some where they will be easier, especially places that the main quest go through.

nd5000

Exactly this. I was slaughtered by two bears in Honeybrew Cave (i think that was the name). I level up 2-3 times I think, came back and CRUSHED them. I shield bashed them back to Oblivion. Haha! So yeah, it locks on the level scale when you FIRST entered that area. Come back a few levels later and you'll be able to match up nicely if not dominate completely.

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Born_Lucky

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#28 Born_Lucky
Member since 2003 • 1730 Posts

So . . . if you go everywhere at level 1, the whole game will be locked for a level 1 player?

That would mean you probably wouldn't have to get past level 5, to destroy everything in the game.

Or am I not understanding the leveling system?

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IcyToasters

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#29 IcyToasters
Member since 2007 • 12476 Posts

[QUOTE="IcyToasters"]

So far it seems to be slightly scaled but some enemies are tougher than others. Apprentice mages and such are really strong to face up close when your around level 10, I assume because your just into a lot of "Apprentice" level stuff. Trolls, giants, mammoths, dragons, etc. are all badasses.

mrbojangles25

lol yeah, giants especially. I tried to attack one (with a dagger, no less...) and I ended up getting swatted 500 feet in the air. A bug? Possibly, but it seemed appropriate lol


I actually beat my first giant yesterday. I got hit once and had to reload a save; I flew pretty much 500 feet up in the air too :lol:

Fighting giants and trolls are some of the most fun things I've done so far. Trolls seem really territorial and won't enter water, and fighting giants is timing your 'dodging' and taking time. I could watch the trolls freak out all day.
Dodging giants is awesome because the 'shockwave' makes your screen shake and your health bar pops up when it's not a direct hit.

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#30 bonafidetk
Member since 2004 • 3911 Posts
I think there are lots of enemies / areas than have a minimum level and after you reach that level they scale with you for a while until they reach their own max level.
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Makari

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#31 Makari
Member since 2003 • 15250 Posts

So . . . if you go everywhere at level 1, the whole game will be locked for a level 1 player?

That would mean you probably wouldn't have to get past level 5, to destroy everything in the game.

Or am I not understanding the leveling system?

Born_Lucky
No, I think it's limited scaling, as in the enemies will fall within a 'range' of sorts. If you take on some creatures at level 1, you WILL get rocked, save the monster AI getting abused somehow. :) My guy's level 10ish, and giants will pretty much 2-hit KO me (one hit does 60-90% of my hp, not sure if blocking helps or not because I'm always running away when I get hit :D)
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#32 lucfonzy
Member since 2008 • 1835 Posts
[QUOTE="Johnny_Rock"]

Level scaling? Tell that to the giant I stumbled on that one shot killed me!

KalDurenik
Giants >>>>> Dragon in strength. All you have to do is avoid getting hit and you can kill them easily but in pure "umh" in their attacks yeah Giants win :P

I made this mistake :P I thought "I've taken down four dragons!! There's a giant over there!! LETS GO!" and he literally stood on me and I died XD
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deactivated-6127ced9bcba0

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#33 deactivated-6127ced9bcba0
Member since 2006 • 31700 Posts

If you can't handle something, it's because you didn't level up your character properly. This game is very unforgiving when it comes to what you put your perks into.

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Elann2008

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#34 Elann2008
Member since 2007 • 33028 Posts

So . . . if you go everywhere at level 1, the whole game will be locked for a level 1 player?

That would mean you probably wouldn't have to get past level 5, to destroy everything in the game.

Or am I not understanding the leveling system?

Born_Lucky
No, it doesn't really work that way.
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James00715

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#35 James00715
Member since 2003 • 2484 Posts

I think powerleveling will still cause problems. You can spam Illusion spells, Sneak behind someone for hours, etc. All these raise skills and eventually your level as well. So enemies could potentially be balanced for a level 30 character, but your actual combat skills are equal to a level 1 character. At least this time the enemies are locked at the level you encounter them. That way you can slowly level up combat skills and eventually get to the point of beating those enemies. I still wonder if there is a better way though.

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ghostofzabis

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#36 ghostofzabis
Member since 2005 • 2601 Posts

There is. It is pretty noticeable if you level up a bit to lv.25~35 THEN start the main quest... Got a ice troll in bleaks fall barrow maze blocking the way...