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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

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Welcome to Skyrim, Dragonborn. In this massive open-world RPG from Bethesda Game Studios, you'll carve out your destiny in a land teetering on the brink of civil war, all while an ancient evil—the dragons—returns to threaten Tamriel. You'll explore a vast, snowy wilderness, master powerful Shouts, delve into ancient ruins, and choose your path through a sprawling main quest and countless side adventures. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or just stepping into the frozen north for the first time, Skyrim offers an unparalleled sense of freedom.

This guide is your essential companion to conquering the wilds of Skyrim. We'll walk you through everything from character creation and the intricacies of skill-building to completing the main questline, including critical missions like 'Bleak Falls Barrow' and 'Alduin's Wall.' We also cover the extensive DLC quests, help you unlock every Shout, and provide strategies for defeating formidable foes. Get ready to become the ultimate hero of the north, and don't miss a single secret along the way.

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Learn about The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim with this introduction guide. This guide will help you tackle the massive game in full.

Welcome to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim! This guide is designed to help you navigate the vastness of the game. If this is your first Elder Scrolls game, you're in for an enjoyable experience.

Tips
  • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a massive game.
  • This guide aims to help you tackle it in full.

RACES [02.00.00]

Discover the unique bonuses, powers, and abilities of each race in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Make the best choice for your Dragonborn!

Alright, Dragonborn! Picking your race in Skyrim is a big deal, and it's not just about looks. Each one comes with special bonuses and abilities that can really shape how you play. Let's break down what each race brings to the table so you can make the best choice for your adventure.

What's Covered:

  • Racial skill bonuses
  • Unique racial powers
  • Innate racial abilities
  • Lore and background on each race

Argonian [02.01.00]

These reptilian folks from the Black Marsh are masters of survival, both on land and in water. Years of defending their homeland have made them experts in guerrilla tactics, and they've developed natural immunities to diseases and poisons. They might seem reserved, but they're fiercely loyal to their friends.

Bonus Skills:

  • +10 Lockpicking
  • +5 Pickpocket
  • +5 Sneak
  • +5 Light Armor
  • +5 Alteration
  • +5 Restoration

Power: Hitskin - Regenerate health 10 times faster for 60 seconds.

Racial Abilities:

  • 50% Disease Resistance
  • Underwater Breathing

Breton [02.02.00]

Hailing from High Rock, Bretons are human descendants with a strong Aldmeri (Elven) bloodline, making them natural spellcasters. While they might not be the strongest physically, their affinity for magic and resistance to magical energies is second to none. They're intelligent, willful, and often seen as passionate and poetic.

Bonus Skills:

  • +10 Conjuration
  • +5 Illusion
  • +5 Speech
  • +5 Alchemy
  • +5 Alteration
  • +5 Restoration

Power: Dragonskin - Absorb 50% of Magicka from incoming spells for 60 seconds.

Racial Abilities:

  • 25% Magic Resistance

Dark Elf (Dunmer) [02.03.00]

Originally from Morrowind, these dark-skinned elves are known for their fiery nature and innate magical talents. They possess a natural resistance to fire and can unleash a powerful flame cloak to fend off close-range attackers.

Bonus Skills:

  • +10 Destruction
  • +5 Illusion
  • +5 Sneak
  • +5 Alchemy
  • +5 Alteration
  • +5 Light Armor

Power: Ancestor's Wrath - Creates a Flame Cloak that does 10 damage to nearby foes for 60 seconds.

Racial Abilities:

  • 50% Fire Resistance

WALKTHROUGH [03.00.00]

Follow this detailed walkthrough for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim to escape Helgen, choosing between Ralof or Hadvar, looting essential gear, and overcoming enemies.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    After the opening scene, follow Ralof to the Keep.
  2. 2
    Enter Helgen Keep, loot Gunjar's body, and equip his gear.
  3. 3
    Ambush and slay the entering Imperials with Ralof.
  4. 4
    Loot the [HELGEN KEEP KEY] from the Imperial Captain.
  5. 5
    Head through the corridor to find chests, one containing another [HELGEN KEEP KEY].
  6. 6
    Open the gate and find [FOOD] amongst containers.
  7. 7
    Proceed down the steps and fight two Imperial Soldiers, searching for [POTIONS], [FOOD], and [INGREDIENTS].
  8. 8
    Search [BARRELS] before the hallway for minor [POTIONS] to complete an optional objective.
  9. 9
    In the dungeon, aid the Torturer and his assistant against Stormcloak Soldiers.
  10. 10
    Pick the lock to the cage to find [SPELL TOME: SPARKS] and gold near a dead mage.
  11. 11
    In the large cell, find an [IRON SHIELD] if needed.
  12. 12
    Pick up the [KNAPSACK] with [LOCKPICKS].
  13. 13
    Proceed down the hallway, picking locks on cells. Find a [SKELETON] and [COIN PURSE] in one cell.
  14. 14
    In the large open room, kill Imperial Soldiers. Use the spell Flames on oil to defeat the second wave.
  15. 15
    Use the [LEVER] to control the drawbridge.
  16. 16
    After crossing, jump down where the bridge collapsed to find a [SKELETON] and [COIN PURSE].
  17. 17
    Meet Ralof and find another [COIN PURSE] near a skeleton.
  18. 18
    In the next room, deal with Frostbite Spiders.
  19. 19
    Past the spiders, encounter a Bear. Sneak by or pick it off from a distance.
  20. 20
    Exit to Skyrim. The quest completes, and [BEFORE THE STORM] begins.

Following Hadvar:

  1. Hadvar frees you and tasks you with finding gear.
  2. Search the [WARDEN'S CHEST] and equip found gear. Note the [HELGEN KEEP KEY].
  3. Search another [CHEST] for a helmet.
  4. Follow Hadvar to the main entraceway and kill the Stormcloaks who draw weapons.
  5. Head into the cellar, slay two Stormcloaks, and search the barrel and shelves for [POTIONS].
  6. Follow Hadvar to the torture room, kill Stormcloaks, and search the Knapsack for [LOCKPICKS].
  7. Open cages, especially the one with the dead mage, to find [SPELL TOME: SPARKS].
  8. In the northeast corner, find an [IRON SHIELD] and [IRON MACE].
  9. Move down the halls, search prison cells to increase Lockpicking, and find a Skeleton with a coin purse.
  10. In the watery room, strike down attacking Stormcloaks. Use the Spell: Flames on oil to defeat reinforcements.
  11. Move towards the bridge and use the [LEVER] to lower it.
  12. As you cross, the bridge collapses. Jump down where it collapsed to find a [SKELETON] and [COIN PURSE].
  13. Meet Hadvar and find another [COIN PURSE] near a skeleton.
  14. In the next room, deal with Frostbite Spiders.
Tips
  • Looting Gunjar's body and the chests provides essential starting equipment and the Helgen Keep Key.
  • The Spell Tome: Sparks is found in a locked cage in the dungeon, requiring lockpicking.
  • Using the oil slicks on the ground with the Flames spell is an effective way to deal with groups of enemies.
  • The choice between following Ralof or Hadvar leads to slightly different dialogue and enemy types but the overall path through Helgen is similar.
  • Escape from Helgen
  • Start of the main questline
  • Experience and loot gathered during the escape

THE COMPANIONS QUESTS [04.00.00]

Walkthrough for all Companions quests in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, including Take Up Arms, Animal Extermination, Hired Muscle, and more. Learn objectives and rewards.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Take Up Arms: Speak to Kodlak Whitemane in Jorrvaskr to join The Companions. Train with Vilkas using melee attacks. Take Vilkas's sword to Eorlund for sharpening. Deliver Aela's shield to her. Farkas will then escort you to your quarters.
  2. 2
    Animal Extermination: Speak to Aela for work. Travel to the indicated location and kill the hostile animal within. Retrieve its pelt and return to Aela.
  3. 3
    Animal Extermination Part 2: Ask Aela for work. She will send you to clear out a nearby animal den. Eliminate all animals in the area and return to Aela.
  4. 4
    Hired Muscle: Speak to Farkas for work. Locate the troublemaker and challenge them to a brawl. Defeat them using only fists (do not kill them). Return to Farkas.
  5. 5
    Trouble in Skyrim: Speak to Farkas for work. He will assign you to eliminate the leader of a group at a specific location. Travel to the location, kill the leader (and any other assailants), and return to Farkas.
  6. 6
    Family Heirloom: Speak to Skjor or Vilkas. They will task you with retrieving a missing family heirloom from a designated location, often found within a chest. Return the heirloom to Skjor or Vilkas.
  7. 7
    Escaped Criminal: Skjor or Vilkas will inform you of a fugitive. Hunt down the criminal in the specified area, kill them, and deal with any additional resistance. Return to Skjor or Vilkas.
  8. 8
    Rescue Mission: Skjor or Vilkas will assign you to rescue a random victim from a random location. Travel to the location, rescue the victim, and return them to the quest giver.
Tips
  • Melee combat is required for the training portion of 'Take Up Arms'.
  • For 'Hired Muscle', ensure you only use fists to incapacitate the target, do not kill them.
  • For 'Trouble in Skyrim', while only the leader needs to be killed, clearing out all enemies is recommended.

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