Character progression in Morrowind is a deep and rewarding experience, centered around improving your skills and increasing your character's level. Unlike many RPGs, leveling up in Morrowind is not automatic upon completing quests; instead, it's a deliberate choice made at an inn or by resting, provided you've met the criteria. This system encourages strategic skill development and careful planning of your character's growth.
The Leveling System
Your character's level increases when you have raised the levels of your Major Skills by a total of 10 points. For example, if you have three major skills, and you've increased each by 3, 4, and 3 points respectively (totaling 10), you will be eligible to level up. Once eligible, you can choose to level up by resting in an inn or sleeping in a bed. This is where the strategic element comes in: you can choose when to level up, allowing you to maximize the attribute bonuses you receive.
Attribute Bonuses
Upon leveling up, you are presented with a screen where you can increase three of your character's attributes. The amount you can increase an attribute by is determined by how many of your Major Skills that are governed by that attribute you have increased since your last level-up. For instance, if you've increased your Strength-governed skills (like Long Blade and Blunt Weapon) by a total of 5 points since your last level-up, you'll have a greater chance to gain a bonus to Strength when you level up.
Maximizing Attribute Bonuses: To achieve the maximum possible bonus (typically +5) for an attribute, you need to have increased the relevant skills by at least 10 points since your last level-up. This encourages players to focus on specific skill sets for a period to achieve sificant attribute gains. For example, if you want to boost your Endurance, focus on skills like Spear, Heavy Armor, and Block, as these are governed by Endurance.
Skill Advancement
Skills increase through use. The more you use a particular skill (e.g., swinging a sword for Long Blade, casting a spell for Destruction, picking a lock for Security), the closer it gets to leveling up. Each skill has a rating from 0 to 100. Reaching certain thresholds within a skill can unlock new abilities or improve your success rate with related actions.
Synergy and Planning
Morrowind's leveling system rewards thoughtful character building. Consider the synergy between attributes and skills. A warrior will want to focus on Strength, Endurance, and Agility, while a mage will prioritize Intelligence, Willpower, and Personality. By carefully selecting your Major Skills and managing your level-ups, you can create a highly specialized and powerful character tailored to your playstyle. Don't be afraid to experiment with different skill combinations to discover unique character builds.