UESP Forums

I'd like to make an effective custom class, while ensuring that I get the full modifiers at each level up. But where do I allocate my skills?

I plan to play something similar to a Spellsword, using magic and blades. I understand the math and how max out the modifiers. But what I can't decide is where to put the skills I actually plan on using: 1) As misc skills so I can use them freely without screwing up my modifiers, or 2) As major/minor skills so they are strong enough to be effective.

I played to level 5 a couple years ago with blade and magic skills as major/minors, but it was a pain in butt. I'd be in some dungeon and suddenly find myself near to leveling, and I'd have to switch to an axe and heavy armor (or some other misc skills) so I wouldn't level up. It would be tedious to play the whole game this way. What's the point of having my preferred skills as majors if I'm not even using them half the time?

So I'm toying with a build that fills up the major and minor categories with my junk skills (eg, hand-to-hand, sneak, marksman). With magic and blades as misc, I can use them without worrying about when they'll accidentally level me. But does that leave me too weak? What's the point of maxing out the modifiers if my skills are super weak?

So I'd appreciate some help. I just don't have the experience to know how these choices play out in the long run. I'm also having trouble finding guides or threads that discuss this, so if you can recommend some, that's great too.

Thanks very much.

There is pretty much as many different approaches to it as it is players,one thing you mention seem to be common,in picking your used skills outside of minor/major it is easier to controll your levelling.
Definetely keep them out of majors unless it is restoration is how I often do it my self,restoration is so hard to level anyway so that one benefits a lot to have in major or at least in minor with favoured attribute.

Favoured attributes is ok to have for skills that matters for you regardless where they are put,in the long run imho since they "pay" out during your whole game,and which those are depends on what kind of character I play, sneaks= agility and maybe speed or luck, fighters= endurance,strenght, mages= intelligence,willpower,and people interaction= personality.
Illusionists also benefits from personality btw.

No easy answer,from my pow it depends how I intend to play,and how hard I want it to be,obviously easier at the beginning to pick majors for the most used skills and favoured attributes to go with it,that probably get you lower maximum level though,always fun to max that but the trouble is that it pays later in game.

There's no reason to limit yourself to one class. You can train all of your abilities (or almost all) to a high level. Intelligence is a must-have. You need it for enchanting, alchemy and magic in general. Enchanting, alchemy and magic are extremely useful in the game. Much more useful than being able to swing a claymore. You'll also need strength to carry your armor and your potions. Go either light armor or heavy armor. Light if you want to travel light, and heavy if you need that extra bit of protection and don't mind the added weight. Then comes endurance. You have to live long enough to use your magic items.

Willpower is kind of useful, but you don't really need to focus on it that much. It helps you cast spells, but not as important as intelligence.

Agility, luck, personality and speed are not that important. Agility is used to dodge and hit targets, but if you're a magic use, who cares? Just levitate and set your enemies on fire. Speed is nice to have if you travel by walking, but that's really the only time it's important. Just boost it with alchemy when you need it. Personality is totally useless since you can get around needing it and money is easy to get in Morrowind anyway. While luck affects everything you do, it's too much trouble to level it and it doesn't seem worth it until later in the game if you have points to spare.

You know, in the two replies I've found here, are so many things I disagree with... as well as in the Author's start.

Morrowind is a wonderful game, and one of its brilliant characteristics is, it's very difficult to control. Trying to build a perfect character is almost impossible. The common concept of games is simply 1+1+1=3, meaning that when you do this and that, then you get those... but Morrowind suddenly puts it to =4.

There are mods you might like, but I'm not going to give them. Do find the joy in walking around the map, do find the reward in difficulty of Morrowind.

And, Inkling, welcome to the Forum. A visit to Welcomes and Goodbyes may well be worthy.