Unlocking Skyrim’s True Potential: The Power of Legendary Skills
The point of making a skill Legendary in Skyrim is multifaceted, primarily serving as a mechanism to overcome the game’s level cap and to continue character progression beyond the initial limitations. Once a skill reaches 100, making it Legendary resets it to 15, refunds all perk points spent in that skill tree, and allows you to continue leveling that skill. This, in turn, enables you to continue leveling your overall character level and acquire more perk points, effectively allowing you to unlock all perks and achieve a much higher level than the initial cap of 81. The ability to focus on specific skills for leveling also helps tailored builds continue to develop without having to branch out.
Delving Deeper: Why Go Legendary?
Breaking the Level Barrier
Without the Legendary system, character progression effectively halts at level 81. This is because character levels are directly tied to skill levels. Once all skills are maxed out, there’s no way to gain further experience and thus, no way to level up. The Legendary system circumvents this limitation, opening the door to potentially limitless character development. You are no longer restricted to just level 81. The sky is the limit!
Perk Point Avalanche
Each time you make a skill Legendary, you regain all the perk points you invested in that skill tree. This allows you to reinvest those points into other skills or reallocate them within the same skill, tailoring your character build to your evolving playstyle. Over time, as you repeatedly level and Legendary skills, you amass a vast number of perk points, enabling you to acquire nearly all perks in the game – a feat impossible without this system. Think of it as a way to refund perk points and reallocate them to other skill trees.
Continuous Character Specialization
The Legendary system is invaluable for character builds that focus on specific playstyles. For example, a stealth-based character might want to focus solely on skills like Sneak, Pickpocket, Lockpicking, and Archery. By making these skills Legendary repeatedly, the character can continue to level up and gain perk points without having to invest in skills that don’t align with their preferred playstyle, such as Heavy Armor or Destruction Magic. This also makes it easier to level up against the challenges of the later game.
The Downside: A Temporary Setback
Making a skill Legendary does come with a temporary drawback: you’re effectively weakened in that skill for a period of time. Your formerly maxed-out Sneak skill, for instance, drops back down to 15, making stealth considerably more challenging until you level it up again. This can be especially difficult in the early stages of re-leveling, but the long-term benefits usually outweigh this temporary setback. Don’t be afraid of the brief weakness!
Strategic Skill Selection
Choosing which skills to make Legendary requires careful consideration. Skills that are easy to level, such as Alteration (using the Telekinesis spell) or Illusion (casting Muffle), are often good candidates. Skills that are critical to your character’s survival or combat effectiveness might be best left untouched until you’ve amassed enough perk points to comfortably compensate for the temporary reduction in power. Think about what is important to your character!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Legendary Skills
1. What happens when I make a skill Legendary?
Your skill level resets to 15, and all perk points invested in that skill tree are refunded. You can then re-level the skill and reallocate the refunded perk points.
2. How do I make a skill Legendary?
Once a skill reaches level 100, navigate to the Skills menu, select the maxed skill, and you’ll see a prompt to make it Legendary.
3. Is there a limit to how many times I can make a skill Legendary?
No, there is no known limit. You can make a skill Legendary as many times as you want, allowing for virtually unlimited character progression.
4. Does making a skill Legendary make the game harder?
Initially, yes. Your effectiveness in that skill will be reduced until you re-level it. However, the long-term benefits of increased character level and more perk points typically outweigh the temporary setback.
5. Which skills are best to make Legendary?
Skills that are relatively easy to level, such as Alteration, Illusion, and Alchemy, are good candidates. Consider skills you don’t rely on as much during combat as well.
6. Does making a skill Legendary remove the perks I had?
Yes, making a skill Legendary removes all perks within that skill tree, but it also refunds the perk points spent on them, allowing you to reallocate them.
7. What is the maximum character level in Skyrim with Legendary skills?
With the Legendary skill system, the theoretical maximum level is 252, which is the level required to unlock all perks.
8. Can I unlock all perks in Skyrim?
Yes, but only by utilizing the Legendary skill system. Without it, the number of perks obtainable is limited to 80, falling far short of the total number of available perks.
9. When should I make a skill Legendary?
Consider making a skill Legendary when it reaches 100 and you feel comfortable with temporarily reducing your effectiveness in that skill. It’s often best to do this with skills you can easily re-level.
10. Do skills level up faster after making them Legendary?
Not necessarily. Leveling speed depends on the skill and your playstyle. Some skills might level faster due to the ease of using them, while others might take longer.
11. Does making a skill Legendary affect my character’s base stats?
No, making a skill Legendary only affects the skill level and perk points within that specific skill tree. Your base stats remain unchanged.
12. Can I make crafting skills like Smithing or Enchanting Legendary?
Yes, you can make any skill Legendary, including crafting skills like Smithing, Enchanting, and Alchemy. This allows you to continue leveling your character by creating and improving items.
13. Does the difficulty setting affect how quickly I can re-level a Legendary skill?
Yes, playing on a higher difficulty setting generally provides more experience, leading to faster skill leveling, even for skills that have been made Legendary.
14. Are there any mods that affect the Legendary skill system?
Yes, numerous mods can alter the Legendary skill system, such as changing the level to which skills are reset or providing bonus experience for re-leveling.
15. Where can I learn more about how gaming impacts society?
The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) provides valuable resources and research on the intersection of gaming, learning, and societal impact. Explore their website to learn more about the positive impacts of gaming and how it can be used as an educational tool.
Mastering the Legendary Path
The Legendary skill system is a cornerstone of Skyrim’s endgame, allowing players to push their characters beyond the initial limits and achieve true mastery of the game. By carefully selecting which skills to make Legendary and strategically reallocating perk points, you can create an incredibly powerful and versatile character capable of tackling any challenge Skyrim throws your way. Embrace the grind, plan carefully, and you will conquer the Legendary path!