In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, there are plenty of ways to dispatch an enemy. One favored method among assassins is the use of poison. Concoctions of the Damage Health variety are some of the most useful, capable of putting an enemy down in seconds. All pale in comparison, however, to one poison in particular.
Longtime players are probably familiar with Jarrin Root. It's an extremely rare ingredient; only a single sample is obtainable without the use of exploits. In the hands of a master alchemist, Jarrin Root is capable of producing the most lethal poison in the game. Only a maximum of two can be crafted through normal means, so use them wisely!
Maxing Out The Alchemy Skill
The first and most basic step of this journey will take the longest. To get the most out of this lethal brew, one must hone their Alchemy skill to perfection. A higher Alchemy rating results in deadlier poisons, so be sure to achieve a base score of 100 in that particular skill.
Check out this helpful guide for tips on maxing out Alchemy. Keep brewing potions, visiting trainers, reading skill books, etc. Your dedication to the craft will be rewarded once you hit that coveted 100 rating. Throughout this process, make sure to grab these perks......
Essential Alchemy Perks
There's more a player can do besides raising their Alchemy skill. Along the way, it's imperative to grab these essential perks to ensure this deadly poison is as effective as possible. They are:
- Alchemist (All 5 Levels)
- Poisoner
There are 5 ranks to the Alchemist perk. Each one grants a boost to the strength of one's potions and poisons. The final level of this perk makes brewed poisons twice as strong. In addition, the Poisoner perk grants a +25% boost to the effectiveness of brewed poisons. Grab all 6 of these perks on your way to the top of the skill.
Equip The Right Gear
After players have learned everything there is to know about Alchemy, it's time to acquire the proper gear. Enchanted clothing items grant additional bonuses. In this case, the player will want to equip at least four articles of clothing that possess the Fortify Alchemy enchantment.
These can be a combination of hoods, helmets, gauntlets, or gloves. Jewelry items, such as rings, necklaces, and circlets, will also work. Each of these four items should have a +25% Fortify Alchemy bonus. When worn together, the stacked bonuses provide a +100% to the Alchemy skill, making brewed poisons even more effective.
Collecting The Ingredients
Now that everything is in place, it's time to start brewing. Jarrin Root can actually be combined with several different ingredients, but there's one combination in particular that bestows the greatest effects. The proper mixture looks like this:
- Jarrin Root + Blisterwort + Human Heart
This combination of ingredients produces a five-effect poison, namely Damage Health, Damage Magicka, Damage Magicka Regeneration, Damage Stamina, and Frenzy. An enemy will essentially become crazed and nearly crippled by these combined effects.
Where To Find The Ingredients
- Jarrin Root - Given automatically to the player when starting the Dark Brotherhood quest, "To Kill an Empire." (Note: Don't use the Jarrin Root to poison the Emperor. Save it).
- Blitsterwort - Purchased in alchemy shops, such as Arcadia's Cauldron. Also found in caves.
- Human Heart - Easiest location is the Aretino Residence in Windhelm.
The Final Product
With those ingredients in hand, visit an Alchemy Table and combine the three ingredients. The final product will be a Damage Health poison that can inflict tens of thousands of damage points, along with tertiary harm inflicted on the victim's Stamina and Magicka.
Want to make Alduin or the Ebony Warrior look like chumps? Coat this poison on your favored weapon and watch their health drain to nothing! This poison can only be used twice, so pick your enemies carefully.
How To Duplicate The Poison
It's been mentioned previously that only a maximum of two samples of this colossal Damage Health poison can be crafted. Players who have the Sinderion's Serendipity perk have a 25% chance of duplicating a brewed potion/poison at the Alchemy Table. This is the only legitimate method of acquiring two samples of this poison. Sinderion's Serendipity is gained by completing "A Return to Your Roots."
Of course, more unscrupulous players can easily duplicate this poison through the use of console commands on the PC. If that route is chosen, nothing can stop the player from becoming an unstoppable killing machine. On the other hand, a lot of hard work went into crafting the most lethal poison in the game. Why not enjoy it a bit longer?