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Just out of curiosity, which view do you play in Skyrim? Do you prefer first person or third person, or do you mix it up? Why do you prefer that particular view?

I ask because I traditionally played these games in first person, and it wasn't until Oblivion introduced horses that I started switching to third player. I've tried both for this edition of TES, and I find I prefer third person Skyrim. It gives me a nice advantage point to see all around me, which is something I've missed out on - nothing like seeing your enemies all around you! But I think it's also a greater way to view my character in the world at large. You get a much bigger feel of the environment in that view, I think. The only time I switch to first person is when I'm doing archery (although, given my sloppy skills, I don't suppose it would make much of a difference - hah!).

But those special camera angles of your death blows really do look awesome in first person...

I largely use first person for exploring and for combat. However, I regularly examine my character in 3rd, and usually I go into third person as I walk on roads. Dunno why. It seems appropriate.

I use third person for exploring, in cities, etc. If I want a closer view on either of those occasions, I use the first person mode. I really only go full-out first person when in combat, and like you, especially when using an archer character. When decorating, I also use first person. Third person is my favorite, though . . I like to see my character, and regularly view them in between combat instances!

I voted first person since I only every zoom out to get a good look at my character and see if my new armor looks as good as I think.

For the first time in my TES gaming career I actually like using Third person
But I still use a mix of both depending on my Character's 'class'

• Pure Warrior: Always third
• Magic/Melee: First for long range attacks and third for close combat
• Pure Mage: First for everything except Dragon fights or using Cloak spells offensively
• Marksman: Always first
• Assassin: Third except for long range bow shots

The Loner wrote:...I only ever zoom out to get a good look at my character and see if my new armor looks as good as I think.

Pretty much this. I'll also use third-person every once in a while when I'm sneaking around in a dungeon, usually when I'm crouched near an enemy so I can see how much I stand out from my surroundings and wonder "How can you not see me, guy?"

I do a mix of both, but its probably 80% 1st Pers and 20% 3rd Pers.

3rd Person when above ground, 1st person while underground.

First person for ranged combat and non-hostile environments (in town, at home, trading with vendors, crafting, etc.), third person everywhere else.

I use mostly third person, cos my characters always look awesome. The only times I switch to first is for combat, trading (nothing worse than accidentally stealing something) or if I'm sneaking with a drawn bow.

I only use Third Person while travelling. For combat, talking, etc I use First Person

When it matters (that is in combat) 1st person is the way to go. 3rd person view and crosshair aiming don't go well together for me.

Anyway, those on the PC can get a better overview of their surroundings in 1st person by messing with the "fov" console command.
The default field of view is 65 degrees and a bit to narrow for my taste. Using 90 is a lot better imho.

First person is supreme. I'm usually in first person except when I'm admiring my character, taking screenshots or auto-walking.

I love the sneaking animation and i feel awesome when doing the large scale civil war battles in 3rd person with my 2h Orc. So on my sneaking character(s), I'm trying to get used to shooting arrows in 3rd person. I like to see that my character ia undetected by barely being able to see them myself.

I'm surprised by all the replies for first person combat. I find it horrific; at least in third I can see who's all about me and where they've run off to. I'll have to try it out to see what I'm missing!

Avron the S'wit wrote:I'm surprised by all the replies for first person combat. I find it horrific; at least in third I can see who's all about me and where they've run off to. I'll have to try it out to see what I'm missing!

When I'm in wide open spaces (especially against wolves), I find myself in third person combat quite often. I have this same problem, but when you're going through a linear dungeon, it isn't that bad . . anywhere else, it's not fun. When I use my thief (archer), I use the compass a lot to see where my enemies are going.

Abel wrote:I only use Third Person while travelling. For combat, talking, etc I use First Person

Same here.

A mix of everything.

When I'm talking to NPC's, or when stealing, or when fighting with some enemies, or when inside dungeons = First person view.
When I'm around the wilds, outside, fighting large amounts of monsters, etc = Third person view.

It depends.

I use third whenever looking around corners, and first when I close in for the kill.

And that's what the PC Master race has tfc 1 for.

Okay, somebody has to say it; it might as well be me. Aren't we mislabeling "3rd person" view? As I understand it, it's technically 2nd person view, in that it's the viewpoint from the audience, which is who we are on this side of the screen.

Evil-i wrote:Okay, somebody has to say it; it might as well be me. Aren't we mislabeling "3rd person" view? As I understand it, it's technically 2nd person view, in that it's the viewpoint from the audience, which is who we are on this side of the screen.

No we're not.
If the dragonborn is beating up a bandit then:
1st person view is watching though the eyes of the dragonborn.
2nd person view is watching though the eyes of the bandit.
3rd person view is watching though the eyes of a bystander.
Playing in 2nd person view would be very confusing, don't you think

The same language logic applies when you are talking about a business transaction. A "3rd party" is someone who is not the buyer nor the seller.

I would absolutely love to play the game is second person and just watch as a total b.a came charging towards me.

I play in almost exclusively 3rd, the only times that I play in first is when I have to make a really hard shot with a bow. I dunno why, there is just something about the screen bouncing up and down when running that gives me some form of motion sickness.

I'm used to 1st person but I also like 3rd.