Do Dragon Bodies Disappear in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide
The answer, my friend, is a resounding it depends. In the vast and often glitchy world of Skyrim, the fate of your dragon conquests is surprisingly complex. Generally, the dragon corpses are supposed to despawn, but thanks to the quirks of the game engine, that’s not always what happens.
In the ideal scenario, once you’ve looted your dragon bones and scales, and moved on to other adventures, the body should disappear after a certain amount of time. This is designed to prevent your game from getting bogged down by an endless accumulation of dragon skeletons scattered across the landscape. But Skyrim, in all its open-world glory, is far from perfect. Sometimes, those bony remains become permanent fixtures, a testament to your past victories… or a persistent eyesore.
Several factors can influence whether a dragon corpse disappears:
- Game Version and Patches: Older versions of Skyrim, especially on consoles, were notorious for having more persistent dragon corpses. Patches have addressed this to some extent, but the problem hasn’t been entirely eradicated.
- Location: Some locations seem more prone to retaining dragon corpses than others. Areas you frequent often are more likely to have them stick around.
- Glitches: Ah, the lifeblood of Skyrim! Sometimes, a glitch simply prevents a dragon corpse from despawning, no rhyme or reason.
- Mods: Mods can both cause and solve this issue. Some mods can interfere with the despawning process, while others offer tools to manually remove persistent bodies.
- Player Level: There’s some speculation that higher-level players experience more persistent dragon corpses, possibly due to the sheer number of dragons they’ve slain.
So, what can you do if you’re plagued by dragon skeletons cluttering your favorite scenic overlooks? Read on, adventurer!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Dragon Corpses in Skyrim
1. How long does it usually take for dragon bodies to disappear in Skyrim?
Generally, if the game is working as intended, dragon corpses should despawn within a few in-game days after you leave the area. Think of it as roughly equivalent to 72 in-game hours. However, the game’s fast-travel and cell-reset mechanics can sometimes affect this.
2. Is there a way to force dragon corpses to disappear on consoles?
Unfortunately, console players have fewer options. The best approach is to simply leave the area and not return for a considerable amount of in-game time. Try completing several other quests in distant locations. If that doesn’t work, you might be stuck with a permanent bony resident. Save often, just in case.
3. I’m on PC. How can I get rid of dragon corpses?
PC players have the advantage of the console command. Open the console (usually with the ~ key), click on the dragon corpse to select it, and type disable followed by enter. This will completely remove the skeleton from the game. If you wish to remove a group of corpses or objects at once, install the free mod “More Informative Console” and use the command purgecell. Remember to save before using console commands in case something goes wrong.
4. Will killing Alduin stop dragons from spawning, and thus, eliminate the dragon corpse problem?
No. Even after defeating Alduin, dragons will continue to spawn throughout Skyrim. The dragon threat is a persistent one, much to the chagrin of tidy homeowners across the province.
5. Do mods exist to manage dragon corpses?
Yes! Several mods on the Nexus Mods website can help you manage or even prevent the dragon corpse issue. Some mods automatically despawn dragon corpses after a shorter period, while others provide tools for manually removing them. Be sure to read the mod descriptions and compatibility notes carefully before installing anything.
6. Are certain types of dragons more likely to have their bodies stick around?
There’s no concrete evidence to suggest that the type of dragon affects whether its body despawns. However, some players report that named dragons or those encountered during specific quests are more likely to become permanent fixtures.
7. Can having too many saves cause dragon corpses to persist?
While it’s unlikely that the number of saves directly causes the problem, a bloated save file can sometimes lead to instability and unexpected behavior. It’s always a good idea to periodically clean up your save files to keep your game running smoothly.
8. Do dragon skeletons count towards the game’s object limit?
Yes, every object in the game world, including dragon skeletons, contributes to the game’s overall object limit. Exceeding this limit can lead to performance issues and even crashes. That’s why despawning is important – in theory, at least.
9. Will resurrecting a dragon with a mod then killing it again make the corpse disappear?
This is a gamble. It might work, as it essentially resets the dragon’s status in the game. However, it could also compound the problem and create an even more persistent dragon corpse. Save before attempting this!
10. If I ignore the main quest, will I encounter fewer dragons and therefore have fewer dragon corpses?
Not necessarily. While the main quest introduces dragons to the world, they will eventually start spawning regardless. You can delay the onset of dragon attacks by avoiding the main quest for a while, but they’ll eventually find you.
11. Can I use the Dead Thrall spell to get rid of a dragon corpse?
No, the Dead Thrall spell only works on humanoids. You can’t reanimate a dragon, sadly. Imagine the chaos!
12. Does the difficulty level affect whether dragon corpses despawn?
No, the difficulty level has no impact on the despawning of dragon corpses.
13. Are there any specific locations in Skyrim known for persistent dragon corpses?
Many players report that the Western Watchtower near Whiterun, the site of your first dragon encounter, is a notorious location for dragon skeletons that refuse to disappear. Other frequently visited areas are also prone to this issue.
14. If a dragon corpse is blocking a doorway or path, what can I do?
On PC, use the console command tcl to toggle collision. This allows you to walk through the dragon corpse and anything else that’s in your way. On consoles, you may have to find an alternate route or try nudging the dragon corpse with repeated attacks (this is rarely effective).
15. Does the Unrelenting Force shout move dragon corpses?
Yes, the Unrelenting Force shout can sometimes move dragon corpses, especially if you use a fully powered shout. This might help you reposition an inconveniently placed skeleton, but it won’t make it disappear.
Ultimately, dealing with dragon corpses in Skyrim is a matter of patience, a little luck, and perhaps a healthy dose of console commands (if you’re on PC). Embrace the glitches, appreciate the quirks, and remember that even a persistent dragon skeleton is a testament to your epic adventures in the land of the Nords.
And remember, learning about the underlying systems of games, even those that result in frustrating glitches, can be a learning experience in itself. Explore more about the educational aspects of gaming at the Games Learning Society and GamesLearningSociety.org. You might be surprised at how much you can learn from the digital worlds we inhabit.