How to Put Multiple Enchantments on One Item in Skyrim

The ability to imbue your gear with multiple enchantments in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is a game-changer, transforming you from a fledgling adventurer into a formidable force. It allows you to stack beneficial effects, significantly boosting your combat prowess, crafting skills, and survivability. But achieving this power isn’t immediately obvious.

The answer to how to put multiple enchantments on one item in Skyrim is: You need to unlock the ‘Extra Effect’ perk in the Enchanting skill tree. This perk, located at the very top of the tree and requiring an Enchanting skill of 100, is the key to dual-enchanting items. Once you have this perk, when you go to an enchanting table, you’ll be able to select two enchantments to apply to a single piece of equipment.

The Path to Dual Enchanting: A Comprehensive Guide

Earning the ‘Extra Effect’ perk requires dedication to the art of enchanting. Here’s a breakdown of the journey:

1. Leveling Your Enchanting Skill

The cornerstone of dual enchanting is reaching an Enchanting skill level of 100. This can be achieved through several methods, but the most efficient involves:

• Enchanting items: This is the primary way to level the skill. The experience gained is based on the item’s value, which is directly tied to the soul gem used and the enchantment applied. Higher-level enchantments and grand soul gems yield more experience.
• Disenchanting items: While you only learn the enchantment once, disenchanting rare and powerful magical items can quickly boost your skill level early on.
• Training: Visit enchanting trainers, such as Sergius Turrianus at the College of Winterhold or Neloth in Tel Mithryn (Dragonborn DLC), to purchase training levels. This is capped per level, so use it strategically.
• Skill books: Reading Enchanting skill books scattered throughout Skyrim provides a one-time boost to your skill.

2. Choosing the Right Enchantments

Not all enchantments are created equal. Consider your playstyle and prioritize enchantments that complement your build. For example:

• Warriors: Focus on weapon damage enchantments (e.g., Fire Damage, Shock Damage, Absorb Health) and armor enchantments that increase health, stamina, or resistances.
• Mages: Prioritize enchantments that reduce spell costs (e.g., Fortify Magicka, Fortify Destruction) and increase magicka regeneration.
• Thieves: Focus on enchantments that improve sneaking (e.g., Fortify Sneak, Muffle) and lockpicking.

3. Understanding Soul Gems

Soul gems power your enchantments. The larger the soul gem, the stronger the enchantment.

• Petty Soul Gems: Used for weaker enchantments and early-game leveling.
• Lesser Soul Gems: Slightly more potent than Petty.
• Common Soul Gems: A good middle ground for intermediate enchantments.
• Greater Soul Gems: Offer a significant power boost to enchantments.
• Grand Soul Gems: The most powerful soul gems, allowing for the strongest possible enchantments. Black Soul Gems can hold human souls, considered the most powerful for enchanting.

4. Choosing the Right Equipment

The type of equipment you enchant also matters. Some enchantments are more effective on certain items. For instance, weapon enchantments are obviously best on weapons, while fortify carry weight enchantments can only be placed on armor, necklaces and rings.

5. Allocating Perk Points Wisely

Navigating the Enchanting skill tree efficiently is crucial. Prioritize perks that boost enchantment strength and duration before investing in the ‘Extra Effect’ perk. Perks like ‘Enchanter (5/5)’ and ‘Insightful Enchanter’ are especially useful.

6. Mastering the Enchanting Table

Enchanting tables are found throughout Skyrim, typically in mage guilds, shops, and even some homes. Interacting with the table opens the enchanting interface, where you can select an item, an enchantment, and a soul gem to create enchanted equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Enchanting

1. What happens if I try to put the same enchantment on an item twice?

The game prevents you from applying the same enchantment to an item twice. For example, you cannot have two “Fortify Magicka” enchantments on the same ring. This limitation encourages you to explore different enchantment combinations.

2. Does the potency of an enchantment affect the experience gained?

Yes, the potency of the enchantment directly impacts the experience gained. Using higher-level soul gems and more powerful enchantments results in faster leveling.

3. Are there any unique items that can’t be disenchanted?

Yes, certain unique items with predetermined enchantments cannot be disenchanted. These are typically quest rewards or artifacts.

4. How can I find rare enchantments?

Rare enchantments can be found on items dropped by enemies, sold by merchants, or located in specific areas. Explore dungeons, complete quests, and visit various shops to expand your repertoire of enchantments.

5. Can I improve existing enchantments on an item?

No, you cannot improve existing enchantments. Once an item is enchanted, its enchantments are permanent. The only way to get better enchantments is to create new items with stronger enchantments.

6. Does my race affect my Enchanting skill?

No, your race does not directly affect your Enchanting skill. However, some races have starting skill bonuses that might provide a slight advantage at the beginning of the game.

7. What is the ‘Soul Siphon’ perk, and is it useful?

The ‘Soul Siphon’ perk allows you to replenish soul gems by killing creatures with weapons that have the soul trap enchantment. It’s extremely useful for keeping a steady supply of charged soul gems, reducing the need to constantly buy or find them.

8. Can I disenchant items added by mods?

Yes, if the mods are designed to allow it. Many mods add new items and enchantments that can be disenchanted, adding even more customization to your game. However, some mods may restrict disenchanting specific items.

9. Does the size of the item (e.g., dagger vs. greatsword) affect the enchantment potency?

No, the size of the item does not affect the enchantment potency. The potency is solely determined by the enchantment itself and the soul gem used.

10. Are there any glitches related to enchanting?

While glitches can occur, most have been patched. However, certain mods might introduce new glitches or exploits. Always be mindful of the mods you install and their potential impact on gameplay.

11. How can I make the most powerful enchantments possible?

To achieve maximum enchantment potency:

• Reach Enchanting skill level 100.
• Utilize the ‘Enchanter (5/5)’ perk.
• Use a Grand Soul Gem or Black Soul Gem.
• Consider wearing equipment with Fortify Enchanting effects while enchanting (crafted using the Alchemy skill).

12. What are the best enchantments for early game?

Early game, focus on enchantments that improve survivability and resource management:

• Fortify Health: Increases your maximum health.
• Fortify Stamina: Increases your maximum stamina.
• Fortify Magicka: Increases your maximum magicka.
• Fortify Carry Weight: Allows you to carry more items.

13. Can followers use enchanted items effectively?

Yes, followers can benefit significantly from enchanted items. Equip them with enchanted weapons and armor to improve their combat effectiveness. However, some enchantments are more effective on followers than others.

14. Is enchanting useful for making money?

Yes, enchanting is an excellent way to generate income. Enchanted items are generally worth more than unenchanted items, and the right enchantments can significantly increase their value.

15. Does using the Restoration Potion exploit work for enchanting?

The Restoration Potion exploit, which involves creating increasingly powerful potions to boost skills, no longer functions in most versions of Skyrim. Patches have fixed this exploit, so you’ll need to level your Enchanting skill through legitimate means.

By mastering the art of enchanting and unlocking the ‘Extra Effect’ perk, you can create truly powerful gear in Skyrim and become a legendary adventurer. Happy enchanting!