It goes without saying that The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is one of the most legendary games of all time, and one need only look at its legacy to understand why this is the case. Bethesda Studios definitely met the hype — and more — after releasing a title that is widely considered by many to be one of the greatest open-world games of all time.
The game has been released on pretty much every system imaginable, so more and more gamers are able to try out a game that has attained such critical and commercial acclaim over the past decade. That being said, people who are just trying out an Elder Scrolls game could possibly be overwhelmed with the sheer number of options at their disposal. So, keeping this in mind, here are a few tips for these beginners, so that their start isn't all that rocky.
Updated May 17, 2022, by Ritwik Mitra: It would be impossible to talk about some of the greatest western RPGs ever made without mentioning the revolutionary title that is Skyrim. The game is nothing short of an absolute masterpiece that fans of massive open worlds and emergent storylines will have a great time with. Each nook and cranny of Skyrim hides something interesting that will take players by surprise time and time again. Since a lot of beginners are bound to get into the game due to its immense popularity, here are some tips to keep in mind so that the game gets less frustrating and more enjoyable.
25 Use The Environment To Your Advantage
Skyrim's environments are fun to roam around in, but these surroundings can also turn into a player's ally during tough times. After all, most areas are full of booby traps and instant death pits where players need to be quite wary while moving around.
Players with great environmental awareness can use these traps to their advantage. Causing an enemy to trigger a trap themselves or just pushing them off a cliff with a well-placed shot never ceases to be entertaining.
24 Encounter Dragons In Open And Clear Environments
Dragon fights are some of the biggest and most enjoyable fights in Skyrim. However, there are times when these fights can be frustrating, especially if a dragon simply refuses to land.
If a dragon is hovering around for too long, then players should move to an environment with open spaces. Areas that are too rocky or covered with foliage will prevent a dragon from making a clear landing.
23 Shouts Are Great Fun, Use Them Often
Another new addition in Skyrim is the introduction of Dragon Shouts, which can be used by the chosen protagonist. They are great additions to a player's arsenal, with each Dragon Shout having a unique function of its own.
Dragon Shouts are a ton of fun to use, but it's understandable if certain players end up forgetting about this mechanic. Making a conscious effort to use these Shouts in battle can turn the combat of Skyrim into a fun mess.
22 Move Items To Isolated Spaces To Steal Them Easily
Thievery will probably be the first criminal act that most players will engage with in Skyrim. After all, it's just too easy to hoard items and sell them off for valuable gold. However, some valuable items are almost always in the view of other people who will report the player for stealing.
What a lot of players might not realize though is that it is actually possible to move items around without risking the ire of their owners. With this simple act, players can move items away from the prying eyes of NPCs and place them in a secluded spot, followed by quick and stealthy theft.
21 Check Certain Items In Your Inventory To Reveal Clues
Skyrim was the first game in the series that let players check out a 3D model of certain items in their inventory. While this seemed like nothing more than a gimmick, it can actually be used to solve certain puzzles.
Certain items have clues on them that can only be accessed after checking out the item in the player's inventory. It's a simple yet neat inclusion that makes puzzle-solving a ton of fun in the game.
20 Form A Unique Story
Most players in Skyrim might be obsessed with following the most optimum path to their quest, regardless of what their personal preferences are. This can prove to be a detriment to enjoying the game, however.
Instead of worrying about external pressure, players should just play the game as they see fit. Everything from the quests they accomplish to the route they take on the world map should be decided by them only, and anybody else who says otherwise should be ignored.
19 Read Books To Increase Skills
There are several books present across the world of Skyrim that add to the lore of the game. However, some of these books are more than just entertaining side stories or history lessons.
Some books can go so far as to increase a player's skill as well, which can prove to be a huge help in increasing stats with little to no input. These books are few and far between in the world of Skyrim, and players should try and find as many of these books as possible in order to increase their overall skill levels.
18 Make The Most Of Standing Stones
There are several Standing Stones present across the world of Skyrim that offer a wide variety of buffs and benefits. It goes without saying that utilizing these stones can be a huge help for players who are just starting out.
Some stones offer passive buffs, while others help players learn skills faster. Each and every one of these perks is useful for beginners who want to ease themselves into the game instead of being constantly killed by the threats they see traversing the lands of Skyrim.
17 Don't Ignore The Main Plot For Too Long
While Skyrim's story might not be its biggest draw at all, that doesn't mean that beginners should ignore it outright. Regardless of the quality of the quest, there's no denying that it allows for some of the more memorable moments in the game.
This makes it important to focus on the main plot whenever possible so that players don't lose sight of what's important. Of course, players have full liberty to do whatever they want, but completely the main questline is recommended so that there's some purpose present in the actions of the player.
16 There's No Need To Abuse The Leveling System
Most beginners might notice tips urging them absolutely destroy the leveling system of Skyrim through Smithing or any other exploit. However, given how the player is bound to increase their levels over time, this act isn't recommended in the slightest.
After all, players should brave the dangers of Skyrim for themselves before gradually leveling up their skills. Slowly putting up a fight against creatures that were absolutely destroying them otherwise is an extremely satisfying moment that shows how far the player has come... and that too on their own merit!
15 Getting Gold Is Top Priority
The first and foremost thing to be noted in Skyrim is that the player can take and sell pretty much anything at their disposal. Near the start of the game when money is a pressing requirement, it becomes imperative to abuse this system and clear out merchants so that monetary problems don't come in the way of the player's enjoyment.
Whether this is done by looting bandit caves or stealing from innocents, rest assured that the end result will more than make up for the moral ramifications of the player's actions.
14 Don't Be Reckless
That being said, raiding and stealing can only be done to an extent. After a point, the player needs to ensure that they don't end up falling prey to their own greed.
A great example of this is the Giants. While it might seem tantalizing to take on these massive enemies and loot everything they possess, keep in mind that lower-level players will be wiped out in one shot from these imposing foes.
13 Quicksave Regularly
That being said, there's no denying the fact that people should definitely experience everything in Skyrim at least once before settling upon the safest course of action. That is part of the magic, after all.
Make sure to quicksave before heading towards certain doom. This can even include exploring dangerous locations in general, especially at lower levels. There's no greater frustration than losing progress because of a poorly thought-out decision, or a highly challenging enemy ambush that came out of nowhere.
12 Stealth Is One Of The Best Skills
Thankfully, not every combat encounter needs to be faced head-on — a player who wants to be silent but deadly can do the same by abusing Skyrim's stealth system.
The fact that most people end up becoming a stealth archer a few hours into their playthrough is a meme for all the right reasons. It's just way easier to wipe out scores of enemies without even revealing oneself.
11 Try Different Combat Styles
That being said, being a stealth archer isn't the only skill that should be at a player's disposal. Skyrim's combat isn't exactly its most engaging part, so players should try to maximize their fun by utilizing everything in their arsenal.
There are plenty of ways to fight whether it be in the form of dual-wielding weapons or a mix of magic and melee. There's enough diversity in Skyrim to satisfy fans who are hard to please in this department.
10 Explore Every Part Of The Map
Some might argue that exploring Skyrim early on might not be the greatest idea in the world, due to dangerous enemies. However, only by doing this will the player actually grow and fall in love with Skyrim.
Even if there is anything in the world that is level-gated, rest assured that the player will have ample time to come back to these spots. In doing so, they'll discover what they couldn't before.
9 Use Horses To Climb Steep Cliffs
There are times when players will be exploring the map, only to stumble upon a rather steep terrain. Such areas may simply not be traversable, regardless of how hard people try to jump their way through them.
In these moments, it's better to bring a horse that can traverse these cliffs with greater ease. Just keep in mind that one mistimed jump can lead to the player's doom. This is is why players are better off quicksaving frequently while trying to cross these treacherous steep cliffs.
8 Use (But Don't Abuse) The Fast Travel Mechanic
Exploring the map can be exhilarating. However, there are times when walking around can prove quite boring after a while.
Thankfully, this boredom can be averted by using the fast travel mechanic to quicken the pace of any main or side quests that the player might be in the middle of. Just remember that Skyrim is still a game that focuses on exploration. Abusing the fast travel mechanic can definitely take away from the overall experience.
7 Be Careful With Sprinting
While it's great to travel on a horse, most people would be traveling on foot in Skyrim. This makes it imperative to optimize foot travel and avoid getting frustrated with the limited speed of this movement.
There's a simple solution here — sprinting. However, this doesn't mean players should sprint mindlessly. Instead, players should stop their sprints right before the stamina bar depletes so that players can recover their stamina quickly. This allows them to start another sprint without wasting too much time.
6 Use Potions
Potions are the unsung hero of Skyrim. Glugging down one of these concoctions can provide a huge array of useful benefits.
While players might be more than familiar with the restorative Potions, one shouldn't ignore the wealth of other potions. These can help turn the tide of battle or get rid of any other pesky blockades in the player's way.