Can the Dragonborn Fly in Skyrim? Unveiling the Truth Behind Flight in the Realm of Dragons
The short answer is: No, the Dragonborn in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim cannot naturally fly in the base game. While you wield the power of a Dragonborn, absorbing dragon souls and using their shouts, you don’t possess innate wings or the ability to take to the skies unaided. However, the Skyrim universe is vast and full of secrets. Let’s delve deeper into the nuanced ways the Dragonborn can experience flight, both through game mechanics and lore.
Unlocking the Illusion of Flight
While true, unfettered flight isn’t available from the start, there are several ways to simulate or temporarily experience aerial travel:
Dragon Riding through the Dragonborn DLC
The most significant avenue for “flight” comes with the Dragonborn DLC. By mastering the “Bend Will” Shout, you can tame and ride dragons. This isn’t complete control, however. You can issue basic commands, directing the dragon where to go and who to attack, but the overall flight path is largely determined by the dragon’s AI. It’s a thrilling experience nonetheless, giving you a unique perspective of Skyrim’s landscape.
Vampire Lord Form
If you embrace the path of a vampire, becoming a Vampire Lord through the Dawnguard DLC offers a different kind of flight. In Vampire Lord form, you can use a special “hover” ability that allows you to quickly move short distances in the air. It’s more of a boosted jump than actual flight, but it’s effective for traversing terrain and engaging in combat. Holding down the left bumper has the Vampire Lord flap its wings and fly-sprint, and the effect can be sustained for a relatively long time.
Exploiting Game Mechanics and Mods
The resourceful players within the Skyrim community have discovered or created a multitude of methods to circumvent the game’s limitations. These include:
- Potion stacking and glitches: Certain combinations of potions and terrain glitches can propel the player character into the air, creating the illusion of flight. These methods are often unstable and not intended by the developers.
- Mods: The modding community for Skyrim is extremely active. Countless mods exist that grant the Dragonborn the ability to fly, ranging from simple spells that propel you upwards to complex systems that simulate realistic dragon wings. Consider exploring the work done by the Games Learning Society to delve deeper into how gaming communities like the Skyrim modding community promote learning. Explore more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Lore and the Dragonborn’s Potential
While not explicitly granting flight in the game, the lore of the Dragonborn implies a deeper connection to dragons and the Thu’um (the language of dragons). It’s conceivable that a Dragonborn could, in theory, learn a shout powerful enough to grant flight. This concept is left open for interpretation, enriching the mystique surrounding the Dragonborn’s abilities.
The Case of Miraak
Miraak, the main antagonist of the Dragonborn DLC, serves as an example of a Dragonborn who attained immense power. While the game doesn’t show him flying independently, his mastery of the Thu’um and connection to Hermaeus Mora suggest he could potentially possess abilities beyond the Dragonborn’s standard skillset.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Flight and the Dragonborn
1. Can the Dragonborn turn into a dragon in Skyrim?
No, the player character in Skyrim has always been the Dragonborn, but they could never actually become a dragon without the aid of mods.
2. Why can’t I control my dragon completely while riding in Skyrim?
You cannot directly control the dragon while riding, but can give it certain instructions. Unlocking the third word of the Bend Will shout starts the final quest of the Dragonborn main questline, in which you’re likely to ride your first dragon. The AI governs most of the dragon’s movements.
3. Is there a levitation spell in Skyrim like in Morrowind?
No. There used to be a levitation spell in Morrowind as the world map was completely open. However after Oblivion, cities were placed in separate walled cells. So to prevent glitches levitation had to be removed from the game for TES IV: Oblivion and was never brought back.
4. What is the weakest dragon in Skyrim?
Brown Dragon. These dragons are only level 10 and can only use frost or fire breath, making them fairly basic and easy to battle with. Even better, though, in a pinch, they’re even easier to evade. These are easily the weakest dragons in the game.
5. Can you fly in Vampire Lord form in Skyrim?
When walking – a state changed by clicking the left analogue stick – the Vampire lord swipes with its clawed hands. Holding down the left bumper has the Vampire Lord flap its wings and fly-sprint, and the effect can be sustained for a relatively long time. It’s more of a hover and dash than true flight.
6. Do Dragonborn ever get wings in the lore?
However, mostly all Dragonborn have wings, with the exception of some Wingless that are born that lack them. However, this lore is referring to Dragonborn from the Dungeons & Dragons universe.
7. Who is stronger: The Last Dragonborn or Miraak?
In terms of lore and gameplay mechanics, the Last Dragonborn is generally considered the more powerful of the two. The Last Dragonborn can absorb dragon souls and defeat Miraak in his own realm.
8. What race is Miraak?
Miraak is a Nord, and this doesn’t come as too much of a surprise since he served the dragons in ancient times.
9. How do you unlock the Invisibility spell in Skyrim?
Once the Dragonborn has adequately leveled their Illusion Skill, they can check with Drevis for obtaining the Invisibility spell. In the rare case he doesn’t have the Skyrim Expert spellbook, use “wait” for 48 in-game hours for him to refresh his stock.
10. Can Dragonborn be any race in Skyrim?
Yes, any of the playable races in Skyrim can be the Dragonborn. Race has no impact on your ability to fulfill the Dragonborn prophecy.
11. Is it possible to permanently ride a dragon after completing the Dragonborn DLC?
Yes, after completing the Dragonborn DLC and fully unlocking the Bend Will Shout, you can summon and ride dragons at will in most outdoor areas.
12. Are there any console commands to enable flight in Skyrim?
Yes, using the “tcl” command in the console allows you to toggle collision, essentially letting you walk through the air. However, this is more of a debug tool than true flight.
13. What limitations are there to riding dragons in the Dragonborn DLC?
You cannot control the dragon with precise movements. Your commands are limited to directing it towards targets and initiating attacks. You cannot land or dismount mid-air, and dragons may refuse to fly in certain areas.
14. Are there shouts that can give the Dragonborn a temporary boost or leap in the air?
While not granting true flight, the Whirlwind Sprint Shout provides a quick burst of speed and momentum, allowing you to cover large distances quickly, including upwards.
15. Can you use the Aetherial Crown to have two Standing Stones active at once in Skyrim?
Yes, you can use the Aetherial Crown to have two Standing Stones active at once. The Aetherial Crown is acquired during the Lost to the Ages questline, which begins by reading the book “The Aetherium Wars”.