Can You Wear Stolen Clothes in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you absolutely can wear stolen clothes in Skyrim. There are, however, some important caveats and mechanics you need to understand to avoid unwanted attention from the guards and to maximize your profit from your ill-gotten gains. Let’s dive into the world of stealing, wearing, and fencing clothes in the vast, immersive world of Skyrim.
Understanding Stolen Items in Skyrim
Identifying Stolen Items
The first thing to understand is how Skyrim identifies stolen items. Any item that belongs to an NPC (Non-Player Character) within the game world is considered “owned.” If you take an owned item without permission (i.e., without buying it from a merchant or looting it from an enemy), it becomes marked as “stolen” in your inventory.
Stolen items are easily identifiable because their names are displayed in red text when you view them in your inventory or in containers. This red tag serves as a warning – guards will react differently to you if they suspect you have stolen goods.
The Consequences of Wearing Stolen Clothes
Simply wearing stolen clothes doesn’t automatically trigger a guard response. The key factor is whether you have a bounty in the hold (region) where you are. If you have a bounty and a guard stops you, they may search you. If they find stolen items, including clothes, they will take action.
That action usually involves:
- Confiscating the stolen items: The guards will take the stolen clothing from you, reducing your inventory and possibly depriving you of valuable or enchanted items.
- Adding to your bounty: The value of the stolen items will be added to your existing bounty, making it more expensive to clear your name.
- Imprisonment: If your bounty is high enough, the guards will attempt to arrest you. You can choose to resist, pay the fine, or go to jail.
Bypassing the System
While wearing stolen clothes has its risks, there are ways to mitigate them:
- Avoiding Guards: The most straightforward way to avoid trouble is to simply avoid guards altogether. This is especially important if you have a bounty.
- Paying Off Your Bounty: If you have a bounty, paying it off at the local guardhouse will clear your name and allow you to wear your stolen clothes without fear of confiscation.
- The Thieves Guild: Joining the Thieves Guild offers various perks, including the ability to bribe guards to ignore your crimes. This can be a significant advantage for characters who frequently engage in theft.
- Persuasion: Sometimes, when confronted by a guard, you can use your Speech skill to persuade them to look the other way. This requires a high Speech skill and a bit of luck.
Making the Most of Stolen Clothes
Selling Stolen Items
You can’t sell stolen items to regular merchants. They won’t touch them with a ten-foot pole. Instead, you need to find a fence. Fences are merchants who specialize in buying and selling stolen goods.
The best-known fence in Skyrim is Tonilia, located in the Ragged Flagon within the Riften Ratway. She’s available after you’ve joined the Thieves Guild. As you progress through the Thieves Guild questline, Tonilia’s available gold for transactions increases, making her an increasingly valuable resource for offloading your stolen loot.
Removing the “Stolen” Tag
There are a few ways to remove the “stolen” tag from items:
- The Thieves Guild Fence: By investing in the “Fence” perk in the Speech skill tree and working with Delvin Mallory within the Thieves Guild, you can unlock merchants around Skyrim who will buy your stolen items and remove the stolen tag. This is a late-game option, but it’s incredibly useful for laundering large quantities of stolen goods.
- Follower Method: This method involves placing the stolen items in a container, instructing a follower to take the items from the container, and then trading with the follower to retrieve the items. In some cases, this removes the stolen tag, but the success of this method can vary.
- Mods: Numerous mods are available that make removing the stolen tag easier, or even prevent items from being marked as stolen in the first place. If you’re playing on PC or console with mod support, this can be a convenient option.
The Value of Stealing Clothes
Stealing clothes might seem like a trivial pursuit, but it can be surprisingly lucrative, especially early in the game. Here’s why:
- Accessibility: Clothes are often readily available in shops and homes. They don’t require high-level skills or lockpicking to acquire.
- Lightweight: Clothing typically weighs very little, allowing you to carry a large quantity of stolen items without becoming encumbered.
- Enchantments: Some clothing items are enchanted, making them even more valuable. Stolen enchanted robes, for example, can be a significant source of income.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can guards tell if I’m wearing stolen clothes just by looking at me?
No. Guards can only determine if you have stolen items if they search you, which usually only happens if you have a bounty or commit a crime in their presence.
2. Does wearing stolen clothes increase my chances of getting caught stealing other items?
No. Wearing stolen clothes has no effect on your ability to pickpocket or steal other items. Your success depends on your Sneak skill, the visibility of your character, and the weight of the item you are trying to steal.
3. If I’m a Thane of a hold, can I wear stolen clothes without consequence?
Being a Thane grants you some privileges, but it doesn’t make you immune to the law. You can still be arrested for possessing stolen items, even in your own hold.
4. Can I give stolen clothes to my spouse or children?
Yes, you can give stolen clothes to your spouse or children. However, if the guards search them and find stolen items, they will still be subject to the same consequences as you.
5. Does the “Light Fingers” perk in the Pickpocket skill tree help with wearing stolen clothes?
The “Light Fingers” perk increases your chance of successfully pickpocketing items. It doesn’t directly affect your ability to wear stolen clothes without being caught.
6. Can I store stolen clothes in my house?
Yes, you can store stolen clothes in containers within your house. The “stolen” tag will remain on the items, but they will be safe from being confiscated by guards unless you are arrested while at home.
7. If I enchant stolen clothes, does that remove the “stolen” tag?
No. Enchanting stolen clothes does not remove the “stolen” tag. The item will still be considered stolen, even if it has been enchanted.
8. Can I sell stolen clothes to Khajiit caravans?
Yes, you can sell stolen clothes to Khajiit caravans. Khajiit traders are known for being less scrupulous than regular merchants and are often willing to buy stolen goods.
9. Does being a vampire affect my ability to wear stolen clothes?
Being a vampire has no direct effect on your ability to wear stolen clothes. However, as a vampire, you may be more likely to engage in criminal activities, which could increase your chances of being caught with stolen items.
10. Can I use stolen clothes for crafting?
You can use stolen clothes for crafting if the recipe calls for them. However, the crafted item will not automatically become “unstolen.” It will still retain the “stolen” tag if the original ingredient was stolen.
11. What happens if I die while wearing stolen clothes?
If you die while wearing stolen clothes, the items will remain in your inventory when you respawn. However, if you are arrested after respawning, the guards may confiscate the stolen items.
12. Can I drop stolen clothes on the ground to avoid getting caught?
Yes, you can drop stolen clothes on the ground to avoid getting caught. However, if the guards see you dropping the items, they may become suspicious and investigate.
13. Do mannequins in my house display the “stolen” tag on stolen clothes?
Yes, mannequins will display the “stolen” tag on stolen clothes placed on them.
14. Is there a way to permanently remove the “stolen” tag from all items at once?
Without using mods or exploits, there is no way to permanently remove the “stolen” tag from all items at once. The “Fence” perk in the Speech tree is the closest you get to removing the stolen tag from items.
15. Does the difficulty level of the game affect my ability to wear stolen clothes?
No, the difficulty level of the game does not affect your ability to wear stolen clothes. The consequences of being caught with stolen items remain the same regardless of the difficulty setting.
Stealing is a core mechanic in Skyrim, and understanding how it works is crucial for any aspiring thief or adventurer. While wearing stolen clothes might seem like a minor detail, it’s just one aspect of the complex and engaging world that Bethesda has created. Remember to weigh the risks and rewards, and use your cunning to avoid getting caught.
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