Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Bucket Videos

We've got to hand it to Bethesda, they made one spectacular game with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Even though we've finished the game for our own review, there are still hundreds of hours left of quests and exploration. Since Skyrim only released today there's a good chance that most of the weekend will be devoted to creating a unique story of your very own, but some videos that have made their way online show that the game's vast systems of law and morality can be easily circumvented. Provided that you've got enough buckets.

The feature that has been touted as one of the most revolutionary by the game's developers is Skyrim's Radiant Story System, using any number of variables to create and change possible quests as the player impacts the world. Kill a quest-giver? His brother can step in to provide you with that mission, but use it to extract revenge. Take a quest that will negatively impact a neighboring town? Expect to make a few enemies next time you visit. The whole world changes based on decisions the player makes, which Bethesda says provides players with an infinite number of quests.

It should already be obvious why public acts are just as important as those that can be carried out in secret, and luckily a few fans have unlocked one of the ways that anonymity can be implemented: buckets. They may just be made of wood and iron, but placing one atop a NPC's head doesn't just completely blind them, but makes them totally oblivious to what's happening around them.

We can't even begin to wonder how many doors this opens, but players should start experimenting with these makeshift 'privacy helmets' immediately. All forms of petty theft and even jaw-dropping executions can be committed in a roomful of characters if enough buckets are nearby.

Have a look, but be warned that this footage is from an M-rated game:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt5aUdijAN8

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PG2CPSxE_0

While hilarious and demanding of experimentation, we don't think many players will be using this particular strategy regularly. Besides the fact that it doesn't unlock an achievement,  it really does break the strong narrative and atmosphere that Skyrim is going for. Don't get us wrong, we'll absolutely be on the look-out for buckets in high-profile areas, but petty thieving doesn't seem to fit the heroic and threatening persona of the game's protagonist.

But if any of you know of some specific treasures or characters that can be manipulated using nearby buckets, please leave them in the comments (spoiler free obviously).

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is available now for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

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