Powerful undead who once served the Dragon Cult, Dragon Priests rank among Skyrim's most difficult enemies. Armed with high resistances and powerful spells, battling them is a challenge for every player—but the rewards are often worth it. Each Dragon Priest wears a mask bearing his name and offering a powerful enchantment.
These effects range from simple stat boosts to near-godlike properties. Players may find masks to be more or less helpful depending on their play style, main skills, and armor preferences. However, some Dragon Priest masks have more practical applications than others. From worst to best, here's a list of every Dragon Priest mask in Skyrim and their effects.
Updated November 3, 2021 by Demaris Oxman: Even ten years after its initial release, Skyrim remains among the world's most popular fantasy RPGs. Players old and new are always looking to optimize their gear — and when it comes to armor, the game's Dragon Priest masks are among the most powerful around. Though some are better than others, each has its uses for different builds. Thus, this article has been updated to include quick instructions to finding each mask.
13 Morokei
Found during the College of Winterhold questline and boasting a 100% magicka regeneration increase, Morokei looks pretty appealing to mages. However, the single-effect enchantment pales in comparison to some of the other Dragon Priest masks. Additionally, its armor rating is by far the lowest of any mask, at a measly 5 points.
Plenty of items provide a Regenerate Magicka boost, usually with additional effects as well. The Archmage's Robes, for example, bear the same effect as Morokei in addition to +50 magicka and reduced casting cost for all spells.
How To Obtain It
During the College of Winterhold quest "The Staff of Magnus," players will make their way through Labyrinthian, encountering Morokei at the end. Slay the two shades sealing him within his forcefield, and do battle with the Dragon Priest. The Dragonborn can then loot the mask, along with the quest's titular staff, from his body.
12 Miraak
For such a formidable foe, Miraak's Dragon Priest mask is a little disappointing. Increasing the wearer's magicka by 40-70 points, it can certainly be useful; however, like Morokei, this enchantment is far from unique.
That doesn't mean Miraak's mask is inconsequential. It manifests as either light or heavy armor, depending on which of the player's skills is higher. Both the light and heavy versions boast the highest armor rating of any headgear of their type. However, unlike every other mask, Miraak cannot be improved through smithing, rendering this distinction moot.
How To Obtain It
During the final quest in the Dragonborn storyline, "At The Summit Of Apocrypha," the Dragonborn will battle Miraak in Hermaeus Mora's realm. At the end of this grueling fight, they can loot the mask from Miraak's body, in addition to several other pieces of unique gear.
11 Rahgot
Found in the ancient tomb of Forelhost, Rahgot provides the Dragonborn with an additional 70 points of stamina. Like all Dragon Priest masks in the heavy armor class (except for Miraak and Konahrik), Rahgot boasts the same armor rating as a Daedric helmet.
The enchantment is nothing to sneeze at, and can be extremely useful for power attackers, archers, or any heavy-armored character. Yet, like Morokei, Rahgot's single effect is a bit of a letdown compared to some of the other mask enchantments.
How To Obtain It
Upon arriving at Forelhost, an Altmer named Captain Valmir will charge the player with bringing back a weapon from inside the tomb. This begins the quest "Siege on the Dragon Cult," during which the Dragonborn must fight Rahgot and can retrieve his mask.
10 Hevnoraak
Whether it's crippling Rockjoint or a chaurus' acid attack, disease and poison can cripple the Dragonborn in tough fights. Hevnoraak prevents both, giving players two less things to worry about as they pick their way through trap-filled crypts.
For players strong enough to defeat a Dragon Priest, though, disease and poison usually aren't huge concerns. Potions of Cure Disease are cheap, while poisons can be weathered with high HP. However, this mask can be useful when playing through Dawnguard, for those who wish to avoid Sanguinaire Vampiris.
How To Obtain It
Upon arriving at the ruin of Valthume, players will speak to a shade named Valdar, who enlists the Dragonborn's help in completing a ritual. This begins the quest "Evil in Waiting." For the ritual, the player must collect three vessels around the ruin, empty their contents, and sit upon a throne. Valdar then awakens Hevnoraak, and the Dragonborn can fight the Priest to loot his mask from his corpse.
9 Vokun
This mask decreases the cost of Alteration, Conjuration, and Illusion spells by 20%. As such, it can prove useful for mages — but mages generally don't favor heavy armor. In fact, many Alteration users prefer the Mage Armor perk, making protection spells like Stoneflesh up to three times as powerful if the caster wears no armor.
Battlemage-style wizards may find this piece of heavy headgear useful; however, such builds tend to favor Destruction over other magics. Thus, while Vokun bears helpful enchantments, its utility is limited based on play style.
How To Obtain It
In the High Gate Ruins, a Nord named Anska will ask for the Dragonborn's help retrieving a scroll. In order to complete this objective, they must defeat the Dragon Priest Vokun, who will drop his mask upon death. They can then find the quest's scroll behind his coffin.
8 Zahkriisos
The Dragon Priest Masks of Solstheim bear similar effects, but for different elements. In his attack spells as well as his mask's enchantments, Zahkriisos focuses on shock. His mask provides a 50% resistance to this element, while increasing all shock damage by 25% — including damage done by weapon enchantments.
Since shock spells consume the most magicka of the Destruction elements, Zahkriisos helps give mages an extra bang for their buck. However, shock is the least common magic encountered in Skyrim, making shock resistance less useful than fire or frost.
How To Obtain It
During the quest "The Final Descent" in Raven Rock, players will battle Zahkriisos in the final chamber of Bloodskal Barrow. This chamber can only be reached by using the Bloodskal Blade's power attacks to open the strange door in the tunnels beneath Raven Rock Mine.
7 Dukaan
Dukaan yields the same effect as Zahkriisos, but for frost instead of shock. Considering the stamina drain and maddening slowed movement of frost spells, as well as their frequency in the game, frost resistance can be highly advantageous.
Enemies weak to frost are rare in the frigid land of Skyrim; however, what with the damaging frost effects named above, the Augmented Frost effect can still come in handy. For mages or players with a frost-enchanted weapon, Dukaan provides an extra edge against foes who rely on stamina.
How To Obtain It
Dukaan lies in White Ridge Barrow on the northern half of Solstheim. Players must fight their way through this Nordic tomb before battling Dukaan and claiming his mask.
6 Ahzidal
The most menacing of the Solstheim Dragon Priests, Ahzidal's element is fire. His mask provides the same resistance and damage boost as the others do for their respective elements.
Fire is the most common Destruction element encountered. For many players, it's also the most dangerous, causing lingering damage and leaving the Dragonborn more vulnerable to attacks from weapons. Thus, fire is often the most useful resistance. Additionally, Ahzidal provides an advantage for vampires trying to offset their fire weakness, and for any player wielding Destruction magic or a flaming sword.
How To Obtain It
In the final stage of "Unearthed," the Dragonborn must delve into Kolbjorn Barrow and learn what has been corrupting the minds of the miners. This sinister force turns out to be Ahzidal, whom players must defeat in an incredibly difficult battle. He will drop his mask upon death.
5 Volsung
One of few masks in the Light Armor category, Volsung grants waterbreathing, 20% better prices, and a +20 increase to carry weight. Its enchantments are more situational than some others, but for players who love to pick up and sell off everything they see, it's handy to have around.
Along with Krosis, Volsung has the highest base armor rating of any light headgear in the base game, at 21 points. Meanwhile, a Dragonscale helmet, the highest-rated craftable light headgear, ranks at only 17.
How To Obtain It
Volsung can be fought at the summit of Volskygge, a Nordic ruin west of Solitude. Defeat him to loot his mask from his body.
4 Krosis
Obtaining this mask is no easy feat. Atop Shearpoint, the Dragonborn fights not only the Dragon Priest Krosis, but a leveled dragon as well. The battle, however, is well worth the reward: a mask bearing three highly useful enchantments.
Providing a 20% boost to alchemy, lockpicking, and archery, Krosis is indispensable to thieves. It is tied with Volsung for the highest armor rating of any light headgear, and can be upgraded with ever-plentiful iron ingots. All things considered, it's incredibly valuable for any light-armored character.
How To Obtain It
Players can fight Krosis at Shearpoint, a mountaintop dragon lair west of Windhelm and south of Dawnstar. A leveled dragon will appear here at the same time, making this battle extra challenging — but the reward is worth the effort.
3 Nahkriin
Mages are often characterized as fragile in fantasy RPGs, sacrificing defense for magical offense. This heavy-armor mask is incredibly beneficial for players looking to challenge that assumption. Nahkriin's enchantment boosts magicka by 50 points, while decreasing the cost of all Restoration and Destruction spells by 20%.
Like some others, Nahkriin's utility is a bit limited by play style, as few mages use heavy armor. However, for players looking to build a powerful battlemage, this mask is an indispensable piece of gear.
How To Obtain It
During the main quest "The World-Eater's Aerie," the Dragonborn travels to Skuldafn to find a portal to Sovngarde. This portal, however, is guarded by the Dragon Priest Nahkriin. Players cannot return to Skuldafn after stepping through the portal, so be sure to loot Nahkriin's mask before entering Sovngarde.
2 Otar
Made to be worn by powerful wizards, many of the Dragon Priest masks focus on enhancing magical abilities, and may not be as useful for players who don't focus on magic. Otar, on the other hand, is useful for any play style.
Providing a 30% resistance to fire, frost, and shock, this mask raises magical defenses in every area and can prove especially helpful when fighting other Dragon Priests. Most Dragon Priest masks appeal to specific builds; Otar, meanwhile is an invaluable asset for any heavy-armored Dragonborn.
How To Obtain It
Otar resides in the ruin of Ragnvald. Two ancient Nord heroes, Torsten and Saerak, guard him; the Dragonborn must defeat them and take the keys they hold in order to unlock Otar's tomb and battle the Dragon Priest. Otar's mask can then be looted from his corpse.
1 Konahrik
Konahrik is obtained a bit differently than the rest. After collecting all eight masks in the base game, the player must travel to Labyrinthian and place all the other masks on a unique shrine. Only then is Konahrik available.
If the player falls below 15% health, this mask has a 15% chance to cast Grand Healing and Flame Cloak, replenishing HP and damaging nearby enemies. Besides rendering the wearer near-immortal, it also includes a 3% chance to summon a spectral Dragon Priest ally. Lastly, Konahrik boasts the highest armor rating of any headgear in the base game.
How To Obtain It
Once the player has obtained Morokei, Rahgot, Hevnoraak, Vokun, Volsung, Krosis, Nahkriin, and Otar, head to Labyrinthian and enter the Bromjunaar Sanctuary east of the main entrance. Here, players will find a wooden mask. Equip it within the sanctuary, and the Dragonborn will be transported back in time. This is where they will find the Dragon Priest Shrine, on which they must place all the other masks listed above. This will reveal Konahrik, after which the player can retrieve all of their masks.