NEW FEATURES

• Legendary difficulty setting
• Legendary Skills – Skills of 100 can be made Legendary. This will reset the skill to 15, return its Perks and allow the skill to affect leveling again. This effectively removes the overall level cap.

Bug fixes after the break…

• General memory and stability improvements
• Fixed issue with quest scripts that were not shutting down properly
• Companions will equip better weapons and armor if given to them
• Fixed rare issue where player is unable to learn the Clear Skies shout during “The Throat of the World”
• Fixed rare instance where Alduin would become invincible during “Alduin’s Bane”
• Fixed a rare issue where player could become stuck in Night Mother’s coffin during “Death Incarnate”
• Fixed rare issue where protected companions could be killed from poison damage
• Fixed rare issue with certain ash piles left from resurrected NPCs not clearing properly
• Fixed rare issue with NPCs and creatures respawning improperly after player fast travels
• Fixed rare crash when entering Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary
• Fixed rare crash when entering a player owned home
• Random dragon attacks will no longer occur during “Battle for Whiterun”
• Fixed a rare crash when attempting to save your game during “Waking Nightmare”
• Fixed issue where “Glory of the Undead” would not start properly if player is in combat with Eorlund Gray-Mane
• The white phial is no longer consumed if given to a follower
• If player marries Aela, the “Totem of Hircine” quest will be available
• Unused briar hearts can be dropped after finishing “The White Phial”
• Fixed issue with paying off a crime against the Companions that prevented player from getting Companions quests properly
• Thieves Guild caches are now properly enabled in the appropriate cities
• The Dragon Infusion perk now works properly when taking Esbern’s Potion
• Cragslane Cave properly resets if player receives a radiant quest to clear it out
• Fixed rare issue with bounty quest objectives not properly clearing after completion
• Gallus’ Encoded Journal is no longer a quest item after completing the Thieves Guild
• In “No Stone Unturned” Vex will now accept Unusual Gems if you’ve collected them all before starting the quest
• Vekel the Man now gives rewards for completing “Toying with The Dead”
• Fixed rare issue with being unable to turn in stolen items in “The Litany of Larceny”
• Fixed issue with followers becoming over-encumbered after being repeatedly rehired
• Fixed rare issue with visiting Kynesgrove on horseback not progressing “A Blade in the Dark” properly
• Fixed issue with receiving a duplicate radiant quest from a Jarl
• Fixed conflict with clearing Driftshade Sanctuary before starting “Trouble in Skyrim”
• Fixed issue with using shouts while in jail and having guards unlock the jail cell
• Fixed rare issue with quest NPCs not properly moving to quest locations
• Fixed issue with NPCs not selling master level spells
• Fixed rare issue where player gets control locked outside the Thalmor Embassy at the start of “Diplomatic Immunity”
• Fixed rare issue with disappearing containers after upgrades in player owned house
• Fixed issue with being erroneously attacked while as a werewolf during “Ill Met By Moonlight”
• The Ebony Blade is now only improved by two handed perks
• Locked door to Proudspire Manor can now be unlocked by proper key
• Fixed issue with merchants not receiving the proper additional gold with the Investor perk
• Fixed a rare issue where the player would be unable to learn a word after leaving for several days during “The Way of The Voice”
• The Nord Hero Bow can now be improved
• The Purity perk no longer requires the Experimenter perk
• Fixed rare instance where Lovers Comfort would not be applied properly
• If you approach Frostmere Crypt from the north, “The Pale Lady” will start properly
• Fixed rare issue where player could be prevented from speaking with Atub to start “The Cursed Tribe”
• Fixed rare issue where a dragon could appear in the Mind of a Madman realm and kill the player
• Fixed instance where player could get stuck in Japhet’s Folly
• Fixed rare instances where Arngeir would not teach Whirlwind Sprint
• Fixed issue with “Ill Met By Moonlight” if Sinding dies before the quest starts
• Gharol can now properly train up to level 75
• Fixed conflict with visiting The Karthspire before starting “Alduin’s Wall”
• Reduced the instance of random dragon attacks after fast traveling post main quest
• Recruited Blades now have appropriate dialogue while at Sky Haven Temple
• Fixed rare issue where an incorrect dungeon could appear as a location during “Totems of Hircine”
• Fixed rare instance in “Fetch me that Book” where books found before getting the quest would not be properly recognized
• Fixed rare issue with traveling to Thalmor Embassy with companions during “Diplomatic Immunity”
• Fixed issues with Matching Set perk not working properly with certain pieces of armor
• Fixed issues with Custom Fit perk not working properly with certain pieces of armor
• Fixed issue with NPC dying in a bear trap blocking progress in “Time of My Need”
• Fixed rare issue with swinging door becoming stuck and blocking an entrance in Volunruud
• Imperial Light Armor can now be crafted
• Fixed issue with “Vald’s Debt” where Vald was not leveled properly
• Fixed issue with Vilkas not giving proper greeting after completing “Battle for Whiterun”
• Fixed issue with respawning actors that were raised by using the Ritual Stone power
• Fixed issue with the Ancient Knowledge perk not calculating properly
• The Palace of Kings now has patrolling guards on upper floors
• Reduce percentage chance of getting a werewolf loading screen while player is a werewolf
• Pantea’s flute is no longer a quest item after completing “Pantea’s Flute”
• Placing an unread Oghma Infinium on a bookshelf in the player’s house no longer allows the book to be reused again
• Adjusted dialogue priority to improve chances of hearing more combat dialogue from certain NPC enemies
• Fixed issue with falling damage on high difficulty levels
• Fixed bad collision on certain clutter objects
• Fixed rare instance of couriers who would appear only dressed in a hat

The full quencher:

Achievements:

Outlander – Arrive on Solstheim (20 G)
Raven Rock Owner – Own a house in Raven Rock (20 G)
Solstheim Explorer – Discover 30 Locations on the island of Soltheim (30 G)
The Temple of Knowledge – Complete “The Temple of Miraak” (20 G)
The Path of Knowledge – Complete “The Path of Knowledge” (20 G)
At the Summit of Apocrypha – Complete “At the Summit of Apocrypha (40 G)
Hidden Knowledge – Learn the secrets of 5 Black Books (40 G)
Stalhrim Crafter – Craft an item out of Stalhrim (20 G)
Dragon Aspect – Learn all 3 words of Dragon Aspect (20 G)
DragonRider – Tame and Ride 5 dragons (20 G)

New Shouts:

Cyclone – creates a small tornado (that is pretty funny to use)
Bend Will – force a dragon to fight with you.
Dragon Riding – player hasn’t gotten to this one yet.
Dragon Aspect – creates the dragon armor from trailer and gives stronger shouts, stronger melee attacks and summon Ancient Dragonborn to fight with you when you get low on health. Can only be used once per day.
Battle Fury – like Elemental Fury but for NPCs

Start of the DLC:

Cultists of Miraak are searching for the false dragonborn (you), and when they find you they attempt to kill you. Assuming you kill them first, you find a note on them that tells you what they are doing and where they came from. You find their boat docked at Windhelm and proceed to Solstheim.

You don’t have to complete the main quest to start the DLC, but the character of Miraak has different dialogue if you have already killed Alduin.

The size of Solstheim is about equal to the reach and has its own seperate map.

Player is about 30+ hours in and not finished yet, though said one could probably rush through the main quest in 10 hours.

New Locations added:

(Hubs): Raven Rock (can buy a player home there), Tel Mithryn (can buy a player home there as well), Skaal Village (follower is from here + is a new marraige candidate)
(Imperial Forts): Fort Frostmoth, Ashfallow Citadel, Highpoint Tower
(Shacks): Hrodulf’s House, Abandoned Lodge
(Caves): Frostmoon Crag (home to werewolf pack that you can talk with if you are one), Bristleback Cave, Castel Karstaag Caverns & Ruins, Glacial Cave, Benkongerike, Frossel, Hrothmun’s Barrow
(Landmarks): Brodir Grove, Altar of Thrond, Stalhrim Source, Horker Island (Island of Lord Tusk)
(Nordic Ruins): Kolbjorn Barrow (quest to help excavate), Bloodskaal Barrow, Vaholok’s Tomb, Gyldenhul Barrow.
(Dwemer Ruins): Nchardak, Kagrumez, Fahlbtharz
(All-Maker Stones): Earth Stone, Watern Stone, Wind Stone, Beast Stone, Sun Stone
(Others): Northshore Landing Dock, Old Attius Farm, Snowclad Ruins, Headwaters of Harstrad, Moesring Pass, Bujold’s Retreat, Haknir’s Shoal, Saering’s Watch, Thirsk Mead Hall, Broken Tusk Mine, Damphall Mine, & Miraak’s Temple.
(In Skyrim): Last Vigil

New Creatures & Baddies:

Werebears – no word on whether the player can become one yet, but all have been hostile so far. They transform into the bear after being near them a short time.
The Morag Tong – They seem to act more like Silver Hand encounters where you fight against them a bit and have random encounters of them. No ability to join with them so far. Hostile Dunmer in Morag Tong armor.
Serpent-like creature – Player won’t describe this excactly, though says one is pictured in the trailer and won’t give its exact name either.
Lurkers – Extremely tough and frustrating enemies with plenty of health and dish out a lot of damage. Good challenge. About the size of giants and they are creatures that have ‘slipped’ into Tamriel from H. Mora’s realm.
Ash Spawn – officially mentioned and pictured in Bethesda’s releases.
Rieklings – officially mentioned and pictured in Bethesda’s releases.
New Dragon types encountered.
New Dwemer automation – a walking dwarven ballista.

New Weapons & Armor:

Deathbrand Armor – similar to stalhrim
Two Unique Scimitars you can get by the end of the quests
Bonemold Armor – Officially mentioned by Bethesda (heavy armor)
Chitin Armor – Officially mentioned by Bethesda (possibly a light armor)
Stalhrim Weapons and armor – Again, officially mentioned (many of these you can glimpse in the trailer and screenshots)
Carved Nordic Armor & Weapons – a heavy armor
Spears – I know there are some waiting for info on spears, but Bad News: Only the Reiklings have used them so far and if the player picks them up, they go into inventory as arrows.
Morag Tong Armor – another light armor you can get off of attackers.
New Thieves Guild Armor – though said to just be a non-buggy Linwe’s Armor.
Robes – Telvanni Robes and Miraak’s Robes

New Spells/Enchantments:

Poison Rune
Whirlwind Cloak
Ash Shell – lets you encase enemies in ash (paralyze) or slow them down with damage.
Waterwalking – back in enchantment and potion form
A new Ring that allows resurrected creatures to explode into frost and fire damage.
Staff Enchanting
New Active Effect – from H. Mora’s realm you can find a book that lets you choose from three active effects: Mora’s Mercy, Mora’s Wrath and Mora’s Agony. You can return to the realm and choose a new effect if you want to replace it (sounds like a similar thing to the effect Parthurnax gives you, or the one you receive for the Nightengale quest) There are five books total, with three options per book, you can get five effects in all supposedly.
New Summoning power – player doesn’t want to spoil what it is, but says it’s cool.
Summon Spells – 3 mentioned:Ash Guardian, Ash Spawn, Seeker

Other Notes:

Bethesda did a great job with Hermaeus Mora’s Realm. Twisting Hallways, walls with many books, a dark twisted look. HM is an integral part of the DLC.

There is one quest that involved Thalmor, you can scare them off of Solstheim.

All the great Dunmer houses exist, Hlallu is shunned due to its ties with the Empire, Redoran is the primary house on Solstheim, Telvani doesn’t have a big presence. The Tribunal still exists, though not in the form shown in Morrowind. And you get a chance to join house Telvanni and get a home in a gaint mushroom.

And last some random short comments mentioned: Delvin Mallory is Sapphire’s Uncle (you will meet her father/his brother), Burnt Spriggans, Captain Falx Carius, Gratian Caerullius, King of the Little People, Mind Control, Serpents, Telvani Master Neloth.

A new quest you can start if you are level 81: Ebony Warrior

Thanks, TheOutHouse.

The Premium Edition will be released across platforms, and will set you back $77.57 (EUR 59.99)

It includes:

· Copy of the game

· Map of the world

· Exclusive Empire emblem t-shirt

· The Infernal (or Hell, as it directly translates) City: An Elder Scrolls Novel

· Six concept art postcards

· A bonus disc containing background materials, trailers, walkthroughs, five songs and an 600-page strategy guide e-book. (Only for PC)

The info was made available by Amazon.de, which also pinned the game down for a December 7th release in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – it’s unclear if the U.S. will be given the same release date.

For reference, we’re also embedding some code, and some file names.

A sample of code:
$Crafting_$DLC2ArmorBonemold BONEMOLD
$Crafting_$DLC2ArmorChitin CHITIN
$Crafting_$DLC2ArmorNordic NORDIC
$Crafting_$DLC2ArmorStalhrim STALHRIM
$Dragonborn Quests Completed Dragonborn Quests Completed
$DRAGONBORN_ESMName Dragonborn
$DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT_PS3 DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT

Files regarding dragons:
Update.bsa\meshes\animationsetdatasinglefile.txt
DragonMountedDualMagic.txt
DragonMountedDualStaff.txt
DragonMountedMLhSolo.txt
DragonMountedMLhStaff.txt
DragonMountedMRhSolo.txt
DragonMountedMRhSolo_ShieldOrTorch.txt
DragonMountedMRhStaff.txt

“We’ve never blamed anyone or anything,” Hines said. “It’s our problem, and it’s on us to solve it.”

He later went on to add that neither Dawnguard nor Hearthfire are stable enough to release on the platform.

“The performance isn’t good enough in all cases,” he added. “For most folks, it’d be fine. For some, it wouldn’t be.”

To remind you folks, Pete Hines is the gentleman who also said this, prior to Skyrim’s rocky launch on both consoles.

“Yes, PS3 and 360 have reached a good place of parity….framerate, fidelity, etc. The PS3 version is getting a ton of attention”

Bethesda does not admit defeat, because, definitely, it can’t be the console’s fault. Their Gamebryo engine has proven time and again with the Fallout games, and now with Skyrim, that it needs vast upgrades and it doesn’t feel like a current-gen engine anymore. Almost a year later, Playstation 3 players, myself included, still can’t play the game because of huge bugs (sometimes related to core quests, requiring you to start over again and throw all these hours down the drain) and performance issues.

Responding on twitter to fans asking about the status of Hearthfire PS3, Bethesda’s Peter Hines said, “We’re still on it. Will share update when I have one.”

When asked why the long delay, Hines added: “The performance isn’t good enough in all cases. For most folks, it’d be fine. For some, it wouldn’t be.”

Later on an irate fan raged at Hines, demanding that he stops using Sony and PS3 as an excuse for Bethesda’s incompetence, to which his response was: “We’ve never blamed anyone or anything. It’s our problem, and it’s on us to solve it.”

All I’ll say to PS3 fans is don’t hold your breathe on this one. It may never be released on PS3.

Oh, and by the way. The DLC is now available on PC, via Steam, for $4.99.

Also leaked was a description of the upcoming expansion:

Hearthfire™, the next official game-add on for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim®, has arrived. For the first time in the Elder Scrolls universe, purchase land and build your own home from the ground up – from a simple one-room cottage to a sprawling compound complete with armory, alchemy laboratory, trophy room, and more! With Hearthfire, the possibilities of what you can build are endless.”

Aside from home-building being a feature, Hearthfire’s story may focus on necromancy and spiritual possession. The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages describes Hearth Fire as the name of a month in the Tamriel calender. Upon first glance this is of little importance, however, one of the holidays is Tales and Tallows which occurs the 3rd of the month.

From the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages:

No other holiday divides the people of Tamriel like the 3rd of Hearth Fire. A few of the oldest, more superstitious men and women do not speak all day long for fear that the evil spirits of the dead will enter their bodies. Most citizens enjoy the holiday, calling it Tales and Tallows, but even the most lighthearted avoid dark streets, for everyone knows the dead do walk tonight. Only the Mages Guild completely thrives on this day. In celebration of the oldest magical science, necromancy, all magical items are half price today.”

In regards to the home building features, I am happy that they’re adding this feature, but since this already exists in the form of mods, I hope they have much more planned. As for Tales and Tallows, with Halloween steadily approaching it would be a perfect time to have a quest-line focused on necromancy.

Thoughts on the rumors? Comment below!

To refresh your memories, the DLC has gone live on Xbox 360, but had a 30-day exclusivity. After it ended, there was no word from Bethesda, and the DLC finally became available for PC several days later. The Playstation 3 crowd, however, has to wait even more, since Bethesda cited “performance issues” to be the reason it hasn’t gone live yet.

Patch 1.7 for the PS3 will also include patch 1.6, which was never released on the console, unlike the other platforms.

We are not satisfied yet with Dawnguard’s performance on the PS3. We would like for everyone to have a chance to play Dawnguard, but we aren’t going to release it for PS3 knowing that some people’s experience in Skyrim will be worse. We do everything we can to have our content available to all; from our free updates, to user mods, to paid DLC. We’re as disappointed as our fans when that isn’t the case, but we’ll continue to push for that reality.

New changes include:

– General memory and stability optimizations
– Fixed crash related to new water shaders
– Fixed rare crash related to dragon landings
– Using vampiric grip and swimming no longer prevents swimming animation from playing afterwards

The changes will be the same on PS3 and Xbox 360. Also, when the update hits Xbox 360, it’ll include the following fixes for Kinect:

– Fixed logic error with loading screens from add-ons (Xbox 360)

– Improved recognition with Kinect voice commands (Xbox 360)

– Kinect-enabled dragon language shouts for French, German, Italian and Spanish work properly (Xbox 360)

- Fixed issue with Dawnguard Kinect-enabled dragon shouts for French, German, Italian and Spanish (Xbox 360)

Particularly, the tweets were as shown below:

eldarmark ‏@eldarmark

@DCDeacon Wait, so is there any particular reason why #Dawnguard for PC/PS3 was canceled? 360 version too buggy? Didn’t sell? #Skyrim

Xbox 360 had a 30-day exclusivity for it, but the days passed, and Bethesda was silent on the matter whether the DLC would ever come to the other platforms at all. Now, fans can rest assured the DLC is not lost, and it’s probably on its way.

“We have not announced Dawnguard for any other platform, nor given a timeline for any such news. If we have news, I promise I’d tell you,” Bethesda’s marketing head, Pete Hines said through twitter.

The consensus was once one month had past, the exclusivity to Xbox 360 would be over, hence a PS3/PC release, but nothing’s manifested and Bethesda is blocked from talking about it because of contract stipulations.

PS3 owners in the meantime will have to make do with patch 1.7 which adds optimization for memory and stability, and patch 1.06 content to PS3. It also means PS3 gamers will finally get features like mounted combat.

This means PlayStation 3 gamers who own Skyrim will finally get features like mounted combat.

Bethesda hasn’t announced a release date for the final version of patch 1.07, but has asked PC fans to join the beta and share feedback.

Patch Notes:

– General memory and stability optimizations

– Fixed crash related to new water shaders

- Fixed rare crash related to dragon landings

– Fixed logic error with loading screens from add-ons (Xbox 360)

– Using vampiric grip and swimming no longer prevents swimming animation from playing afterwards

– Improved recognition with Kinect voice commands (Xbox 360)

– Kinect-enabled dragon language shouts for French, German, Italian and Spanish work properly (Xbox 360)

– Fixed issue with Dawnguard Kinect-enabled dragon shouts for French, German, Italian and Spanish (Xbox 360)

The Dawnguard DLC sees Vam Harkon return to power. He’s trying to use the Elder Scrolls to “end the sun itself,” Bethesda says.

OXM has an extensive breakdown of the pack, have a read here. Buy it through here for 1600 MS Points.