That's a tricky one to test given that you're in the cloaks standard damage range when you're meleeing, but I worked out a way to do it (was never really bothered to try, it isn't something I rely on) - get a really tough enemy like a mammoth, work out how much damage you do with a weak weapon (say a dagger with no 1h perks) over 30 seconds, then work out how much a cloak does over the same time. Then attack with the cloak on for 30 seconds, see if you do more damage than those 2 combined.
That's a tricky one to test given that you're in the cloaks standard damage range when you're meleeing, but I worked out a way to do it (was never really bothered to try, it isn't something I rely on) - get a really tough enemy like a mammoth, work out how much damage you do with a weak weapon (say a dagger with no 1h perks) over 30 seconds, then work out how much a cloak does over the same time. Then attack with the cloak on for 30 seconds, see if you do more damage than those 2 combined.
Just a question, I'm not sure if you know this since the way you worded the Smithing line, but Smithing and improving Armor-rating on your gauntlets doesn't make your unarmed attacks damage more, it's only the base armor rating that counts!
Just a question, I'm not sure if you know this since the way you worded the Smithing line, but Smithing and improving Armor-rating on your gauntlets doesn't make your unarmed attacks damage more, it's only the base armor rating that counts!
Two handed weapons are the way to go Ponts!
I've tried it myself and a two handed weapon will swing outside the range of your cloak (if you single cast it), enemies don't 'light up' with elemental damage which leads me to think that perhaps people (including myself) have been mistaken over a cloaks ability to imbue your weapon...
Your idea is also obviously correct though mate!
"Nikolaj!!!!"
Two handed weapons are the way to go Ponts!
I've tried it myself and a two handed weapon will swing outside the range of your cloak (if you single cast it), enemies don't 'light up' with elemental damage which leads me to think that perhaps people (including myself) have been mistaken over a cloaks ability to imbue your weapon...
Your idea is also obviously correct though mate!
"Nikolaj!!!!"
Got bored and decided to test it myself (sorry Nikolaj). Disabled the combat AI and set myself up on Master with an Iron Dagger (no perks), Lightning Cloak (Augmented Shock 1 or 2, can't remember) and a now-willing giant.
Over 30 seconds, I delivered 97.84 damage with my dagger
With Lightning Cloak, I dealt 100.55 damage.
With both at the same time, I delivered a total of 197.92 damage.
The damage over 30 seconds with the Lightning Cloak and Dagger combined is 198.39 - a very minor difference coming from purely observational error.
Got bored and decided to test it myself (sorry Nikolaj). Disabled the combat AI and set myself up on Master with an Iron Dagger (no perks), Lightning Cloak (Augmented Shock 1 or 2, can't remember) and a now-willing giant.
Over 30 seconds, I delivered 97.84 damage with my dagger
With Lightning Cloak, I dealt 100.55 damage.
With both at the same time, I delivered a total of 197.92 damage.
The damage over 30 seconds with the Lightning Cloak and Dagger combined is 198.39 - a very minor difference coming from purely observational error.
Yeah, I thought as much after playing around with two handers!
It's clearly like an optical illusion for players.
Wiki Quote on flame cloak...
Flame Cloak is an Adept level Destruction spell which surrounds the caster in a wall of fire. If an enemy hits or gets too close to the caster that enemy is set on fire for 8 points of damage. Also if Flame Cloak is active, its damage is applied to the Dragonborn's melee damage.
EDIT: In reality it's just the cloaks normal damage that's being added...
EDIT: Perhaps people got confused by this in Skyrims early days, doesn't flame cloak make an enemy slightly more vulnerable to all damage the same as all fire spells...
Yeah, I thought as much after playing around with two handers!
It's clearly like an optical illusion for players.
Wiki Quote on flame cloak...
Flame Cloak is an Adept level Destruction spell which surrounds the caster in a wall of fire. If an enemy hits or gets too close to the caster that enemy is set on fire for 8 points of damage. Also if Flame Cloak is active, its damage is applied to the Dragonborn's melee damage.
EDIT: In reality it's just the cloaks normal damage that's being added...
EDIT: Perhaps people got confused by this in Skyrims early days, doesn't flame cloak make an enemy slightly more vulnerable to all damage the same as all fire spells...
I'd say people got confused with the cloak effect going onto their whole body (including the weapon). I'll give it a quick try with flame cloak now, see if there's any difference
I'd say people got confused with the cloak effect going onto their whole body (including the weapon). I'll give it a quick try with flame cloak now, see if there's any difference