Skyrim Weight Inaccuracies

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pffh

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Oct 10, 2008
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lacktheknack said:
For the same reason that Bioware didn't properly check the ramifications of Tali's sweat composition... because only terrifying die-hard fans actually care.
Wait, what? I'm pretty sure I'm going to regret this but please elaborate.
 

craftomega

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May 4, 2011
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Jordi said:
craftomega said:
This is only one example because i dont want to bore you guys (might be to late for some). Now im sure someone is going to say "To help balance the game" or some crap like that; I call bull shit on that.
Would you care to explain why? I mean, presumably you mention this counterargument to your thesis with the goal of preemptively discrediting it, but then you mention no reason whatsoever for why it isn't a valid argument.

I'm actually kind of with you. I like (certain kinds of) realism in a game like this, and I wonder the same thing you do. The thing is: I can't really imagine it being for any other reason than game balance. I guess it's possible that all of the developers are completely ignorant of this information and they didn't bother looking it up, but this seems very unlikely to me in such a huge production. Furthermore, I've heard this criticism before in other Elder Scrolls games, so I'm sure the devs did too. It's hard to imagine something like this not happening on purpose.

How exactly it affects game balance, I don't know. I'm curious too.
Well how would making armor weight less then weapons balance the game? I guess you could make the argument that it prevents you from carring around a crap load of weapons... but there is really no point in doing that thice there is no durrability. I just cant seem to find a good reason, other then what Trevor Thomas said
During Bethesda's MASSIVE effort to dumb-down TES they changed 'Encumbrance' to 'Weight'.
 

hazabaza1

Want Skyrim. Want. Do want.
Nov 26, 2008
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binnsyboy said:
hazabaza1 said:
A wizard did it.
But seriously just wait for a mod or something.
I want to see what kind of OCD maniac makes that.
Pretty sure Oblivion had a mod like that. At least one that changes what things weigh, maybe not accurately though.
 

Argtee

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Oct 31, 2009
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...it's a game.

Why would this bother anyone? A sword's weight can't be historically inaccurate, but cat people and magic is allowed?

I lol'd at this thread. I really did.
 

Scrustle

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Apr 30, 2011
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You do realise you are talking about a game in which quicksilver and ebony are solid metals and some of the most powerful armour that you can get are made of glass and internal organs...
 

lacktheknack

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Jan 19, 2009
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pffh said:
lacktheknack said:
For the same reason that Bioware didn't properly check the ramifications of Tali's sweat composition... because only terrifying die-hard fans actually care.
Wait, what? I'm pretty sure I'm going to regret this but please elaborate.
http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/128/index/4786509/70

Fifth post.

Yes, that just happened.

EDIT: Actually, just have the whole post.

Thundertactics:

A while ago, I created thesis on Clan Zorah regarding quarian sweat, etc. I'll post it here with some post-scriptum edits and abridging, it was created over the course of approximately 40 minutes. In several posts.

It started off as an analysis of Tali's sweat, trying to figure out what it'd smell and taste like. I quickly realised that most scents originate from bacteria, which would be minimal to non-existant for quarians.
The next best thing, would be urea. Urea is essential for the metabolism of mammals, and also a bonding agent (For say, p-cresol and o-cresol, two odor chemicals found in sweat. Though these likely aren't available to quarians), and it, and residues of the amino acids and chemicals used in its production are excreted through many different ways. Urine, sweat, etc.
This thesis assumes quarians are anything like mammals back on earth and have a digestive system at least remotely similar to theirs.

---

One of the main components of sweat, urea, is not affected by chirality, it cannot have a mirrored/dextro version:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Urea.png/150px-Urea.png

The scent it is associated with is derrived from residues of ammonia excreted along with it, which is a by-product of the production of urea.

Now, here's the deal, urea requires a ton of amino acids in order to be produced (levo amino acids, obviously), a short summary from Wikipedia:
<quote=Wikipedia>Urea is synthesized in the body of many organisms as part of the urea cycle, either from the oxidation of amino acids or from ammonia. In this cycle, amino groups donated by ammonia and L-aspartate are converted to urea, while L-ornithine, citrulline, L-argininosuccinate, and L-arginine act as intermediates

Hence, this could result in a significantly different smell and composure of both her sweat, and other urea based excretions.

The urea cycle:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Urea_cycle_2.png

You see that "Arg" thing right below Urea on the urea cycle? Yeah, it stands for L-Arginine, you can get the dextro version through a largely similar cycle. It's an extremely mild neuro-toxic, pretty much a relaxing drug, a depressant, though excessive usage would actually result in additional stimulations, a stimulant.

A member of Clan Zorah, Troodon80, claims to have had personal experience with the substance as a depressant, and states that it is, in fact, addictive.

Additionally, the dextro version of "Asp" (stands for L-Aspartate), in order for it to be soluble like it's levo counterpart, it would likely bond with sodium, resulting in Sodium D-Aspartate, which is a natural performance enhancer, it massively increases the human body's production of testostorone, also resulting in an increased libido.

Finally, Orn, stands for L-ornithine. This amino acid allows for the disposal of excess nitrogen.
Dextro version of this is largely similar in role, except for the fact that it is far more prone to create a hydrogen bond. (Including with molecules like ammonia, NH3)
Hence, it would demobilize the ammonia and eliminate the odor eminated from the production of urea to quite an extent.

So, so far, we can tell that Tali would not smell nearly as bad as those filthy humans, her sweat's a drug and a natural performance enhancer.

As for additional odors , that would be determined by MHC's and pheromones, which are too large and complex to even consider estimating with the limited knowledge we have at this time. Though the production of MHC's is also a key component of our immunesystem, so they might be considerably less common for quarians. (They might even have something completely different altogether)is time. Though the production of MHC's is also a key component of our immunesystem, so they might be considerably less common for quarians. (They might even have something completely different altogether)
---

Remember, this is largely speculation, and I am by no means an expert, merely an enthusiastic amateur, so if you think there's anything you can change or debunk of my theory, be my guest. I'd be eager to learn.

But if you do agree, here's a question for ya': Licking Tali or licking Thane? >_>
 
Mar 9, 2010
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craftomega said:
Why did Bethdasoft purposfully make the weights on items historicly Inaccurate? I honestly cannot see a good reason for it.
Because it's a fucking game. Bethesda need to balance the game and if all you can carry is a sword and 3 arrows then you've made a broken game. They aren't talentless hacks who throw away every idea because they just can't be bothered to follow them. You are the first person to have complained about the weight being wrong.

To be blunt you're just being pedantic.
 

lacktheknack

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Combustion Kevin said:
it's because they dont use those wimpy 4 lb sword in SKYRIM.
everything's heavier here, it's a nord thing.
Viking swords are legendarily light...
 

Apollo45

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Jan 30, 2011
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Because the Dovahkiin needs to use significantly heavier weaponry than usual to slay dragons. You ever tried stabbing a dragon with a normal sword? Let me tell you, the weapon bounces right off their scales.
 

Phlakes

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Mar 25, 2010
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...The fuck?

...Did you really go to the trouble to cross reference the weights of real life medieval equipment with Skyrim's weight system?

Do you really not have anything better to do? And why the hell does it matter that leather armor is heavier than a sword? Actually, I can answer that. It doesn't. At all. In any way.

EDIT: And I don't mean any offense, this just confuses me very much.
 

Peteron

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Oct 9, 2009
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craftomega said:
Just some flame protection first; Skyrim is a great game, and Bethdasoft can make there game how ever they like, all im asking is why they are doing stuff blantly wrong.

Ok its time for a history lesson about medevil europe.

Wikipidea
The longsword (of which stems the variation called the bastard sword) is a type of European sword designed for two-handed use, current during the late medieval and Renaissance periods, approximately 1350 to 1550 (with early and late use reaching into the 13th and 17th centuries).

Longswords have long cruciform hilts with grips over 10 to 15 cm length (providing room for two hands). Straight double-edged blades are often over 1 m to 1.2 m (40" to 48") length, and weigh typically between 1.2 and 1.8 kg (2½ to 4 lb), with light specimens just below 1 kg (2.2 lb), and heavy specimens just above 2 kg (4½ lb).
Ok you see how much the average long sword weighs; at max 4½ lb. Yet in Skyrim a normal sword weighs 9 Skyrim Weight (Sw). Yet leather armor weights 6 Sw and that is for your torso and legs. But in reality Leather armor weights about 15-25 pounds. So how why does the sword weight more in Skyrim.

Iron Sword 4½ lb : 9Sw
Leather armor 15-25 lb : 6Sw

This is only one example because i dont want to bore you guys (might be to late for some). Now im sure someone is going to say "To help balance the game" or some crap like that; I call bull shit on that.

So now after that lesson, my question. Why did Bethdasoft purposfully make the weights on items historicly Inaccurate? I honestly cannot see a good reason for it.



See me next time on HOW TO SWING A SWORD. How all the weapons in skyrim are being swong in mollases.
Who cares? Theres no such thing as Reptile men, elves, Khajiit, etc. Its not a game meant to be realistic, and I don't play games based on how realistic they are. Call of Duty for example, has it so that you heal within seconds of being shot. Don't like it, don't play it.
 

YawningAngel

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Dec 22, 2010
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harmonic said:
MY only beef with weight in Skyrim is...

Animal pelts versus Leather. Apparently the law of conservation of matter and energy doesn't apply to Mundus.
Curing agents. Also it clearly doesn't, you can use magic to summon things.
 

Honey Badger

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Dec 2, 2011
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Well obviously the smiths enchant the armor to be lighter, but keep weapons heavy to give some momentum to your sword swing.
 

maddawg IAJI

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Feb 12, 2009
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You are aware the game also features the ability to fling fireballs, morphing gods, Dragons, Giants and the occasional cat and lizard person right?

Reality got thrown out the door several weeks ago.
 

craftomega

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May 4, 2011
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Phlakes said:
...The fuck?

...Did you really go to the trouble to cross reference the weights of real life medieval equipment with Skyrim's weight system?

Do you really not have anything better to do? And why the hell does it matter that leather armor is heavier than a sword? Actually, I can answer that. It doesn't. At all. In any way.

EDIT: And I don't mean any offense, this just confuses me very much.
Yes i did; but I am also a medevil weapons buff, so I know all of this by heart. I just wanted to make the numbers look more ligit.