Learn about item enchantment side effects in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, including Soul Binding, Item Deteriorates, and User Takes Damage.
Soul Bound
If you have a filled soul gem, you may add it to your item. This will often add both positive and negative effects to your item, and the effects added reflect the creature that was channeled into the item. You can purchase filled soul gems from certain guilds, or you can trap your own if you have an empty soul gem and the soul trap spell. If the item ever breaks, the soul of the creature will be released and will attack you.
Item Deteriorates
This effect causes items to deteriorate all the time, in sunlight, or in holy places. The decay only takes place while you are holding the item. The cost for this enchantment ranges from 500 to 3000 gold. If you need to go to a temple, unequip the item to prevent damage.
User takes Damage
This effect causes damage in sunlight or holy places. You will only be hurt if you are holding the item in the chosen environment. If the item is to be used in dungeons, which are neither holy or in sunlight, then this won't hurt you. The cost for this enchantment is 6000 gold, and it frees up 1000 points of enchantment. This effect can be applied multiple times to the same item.
Health Leech
This effect causes the item to hurt you each time you use it, or if you go too long without using it, unless used daily/weekly. This only functions while you are wearing the item. The costs for this enchantment are 200, 500, or 4000 gold. Putting 'Whenever Used' on a weapon is a bad idea.
Bad Reactions from
This effect makes it harder to use your language skills on Animals, Humanoids, or Daedra. The cost for this enchantment ranges from 80 to 120 gold.
Extra Weight
This effect increases the weight of the item fourfold. This is always in effect, and the weight is changed permanently. The cost for this enchantment is 100 gold. This is a bad idea to use on weapons and armor.
Weakens Armor
This effect decreases the armor rating of each piece of armor you wear by 5 points, to a minimum of zero. The cost for this enchantment is 700 gold.
Bad Rep with
This effect makes you unpopular with the selected faction: Commoners, Merchants, Scholars, Nobility, Underworld, or All. This only functions while you are wearing the item. The cost for this enchantment ranges from 1000 to 5000 gold.
- To avoid item damage from deterioration or user damage, unequip the item before entering sunlight or holy places.
- The 'User takes Damage' side effect can be beneficial as it frees up enchantment points and can be applied multiple times.
- Be cautious with 'Health Leech' on weapons, as it can be detrimental.
- 'Extra Weight' is generally not recommended for weapons and armor due to the significant increase in weight.
- 'Bad Rep with' effects only apply while the item is equipped.
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