Do Legendary Skills Level Faster in Skyrim? A Deep Dive
The short answer is: not exactly. While turning a skill Legendary in Skyrim doesn’t inherently make it level faster in the purest sense, the impact on your overall character progression and gameplay experience is more nuanced. It resets the skill to 15 (or the base racial skill level if it’s higher) and refunds all perk points invested in that tree, allowing it to contribute to your character level again. Whether that feels faster depends on various factors, including your character level, chosen skills, and playstyle. This article will break down the complexities of Legendary skills and answer frequently asked questions to help you understand the system better.
The Truth About Legendary Skills and Leveling Speed
Making a skill Legendary doesn’t inject a magical boost into its experience gain. It simply provides an opportunity to earn more experience overall by reinvesting in that skill. Think of it this way: If you were level 81 with several skills maxed, those skills cease contributing to your character level. Resetting them via the Legendary function reopens that avenue of experience gain.
However, the amount of experience needed to level a skill from 15 to, say, 40 is significantly less than leveling it from 80 to 100. So, in the short term, leveling the Legendary skill feels faster. But as that skill approaches 100 again, the leveling speed will be similar to its previous non-Legendary state.
Furthermore, some skills level more efficiently than others. Combat skills, for example, might level slightly faster in Legendary mode because the increased difficulty (especially on higher difficulty settings) forces you to use them more frequently. Meanwhile, passive skills or those that require specific resources (like Smithing) might feel slower.
Ultimately, the perceived speed of leveling Legendary skills is subjective and tied to your specific gameplay. It’s a tool to extend progression, not an inherent speed boost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Legendary Skills
1. What exactly does it mean to make a skill Legendary?
Making a skill Legendary resets it to level 15 (or your race’s starting skill level, if higher) and refunds all perk points invested in that skill tree. This allows that skill to contribute to your character level again.
2. Is there a level requirement to make a skill Legendary?
Yes. You must reach level 100 in a skill before you can make it Legendary. The option appears in the skill menu once you’ve maxed it out.
3. How do I make a skill Legendary in Skyrim?
Simply open your skills menu, select the skill you wish to make Legendary, and press the corresponding button/key displayed at the bottom of the screen (usually “X” on Xbox or “Square” on PlayStation).
4. What are the benefits of making a skill Legendary?
The main benefit is extending your character’s leveling potential. Once you reach level 100 in several skills, your character level stagnates. Making skills Legendary allows you to continue leveling and earning perk points without resorting to skills you don’t enjoy using.
5. 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, provided you reach level 100 in that skill again.
6. Does making a skill Legendary make the game harder?
Initially, yes. Resetting a skill like One-Handed to level 15 will significantly reduce your damage output until you level it up again. This can make combat more challenging, especially at higher difficulty settings. However, as you reinvest in the skill, you’ll regain your former power and potentially surpass it with new perk combinations.
7. What happens to my gear that boosts a skill if I make it Legendary?
Your gear still provides the same bonuses to the skill, even if it’s at a lower level. For instance, if you have armor that adds +20 to Archery, you will still receive that +20 bonus, even if your Archery skill is only at level 15 after becoming Legendary. This can help mitigate the initial power loss.
8. Which skills should I prioritize making Legendary?
This depends on your playstyle. Focus on skills you use frequently and enjoy leveling. Combat skills like One-Handed, Two-Handed, Archery, Destruction, or skills pivotal to your character’s build like Sneak or Alchemy are good candidates.
9. Does the difficulty setting affect how quickly Legendary skills level up?
Yes. Higher difficulty settings increase the damage you take and decrease the damage you deal. This forces you to use combat skills more often, potentially leading to faster leveling for those skills. However, it also makes the initial period after making a skill Legendary more challenging.
10. What’s the best way to level up a Legendary skill quickly?
This depends on the skill. For combat skills, fight challenging enemies. For magic skills, repeatedly cast spells (even on harmless targets). For crafting skills, create items. Using trainers is also a viable, albeit expensive, option. Exploiting skill leveling glitches is possible but generally discouraged for a balanced gameplay experience.
11. Can skills go over 100 in Skyrim, even after becoming Legendary?
Yes. Skills can exceed 100 through enchantments, potions, and other temporary buffs. This applies even after making a skill Legendary. For example, if your Smithing skill is at 100 and you wear gear that provides +25 Smithing, your effective Smithing level will be 125.
12. Is it possible to max out all skills in Skyrim?
Yes. While it requires significant time and effort, it is possible to raise all 18 skills to 100.
13. Will making a skill Legendary remove my perks from other skill trees?
No. Making a skill Legendary only affects that specific skill tree. Your perks in other skills remain untouched.
14. What happens to skill-based quest requirements after making a skill Legendary?
This is something to consider. Some quests require a certain skill level to initiate or complete. If you make a skill Legendary and drop below that threshold, you may need to re-level the skill to progress the quest.
15. Should I make my skills Legendary?
Ultimately, the decision to make a skill Legendary is a matter of personal preference. If you’re seeking to extend your character’s progression, experiment with different builds, or simply want to revisit a favorite skill, then making it Legendary is a great option. If you’re content with your current power level and don’t need more perk points, there’s no compelling reason to do so.
Beyond Leveling: The Strategic Value of Legendary Skills
While the speed of leveling Legendary skills is debatable, their strategic value is undeniable. They allow you to:
- Respecialize Your Character: Refunded perk points can be reinvested in other skills, allowing you to adapt your build to new challenges or playstyles.
- Explore Different Perk Combinations: Experiment with different perk choices within the same skill tree to discover new synergies and optimize your character.
- Continue Character Progression: Even after reaching high levels, you can continue to earn perk points and enhance your character’s abilities.
- Refine Your Favorite Skills: Revisit skills you enjoy and perfect your mastery of them.
Conclusion: Legendary Skills – A Tool for Extended Enjoyment
Legendary skills don’t magically level faster, but they do provide a valuable tool for extending your Skyrim experience. They offer a way to continue character progression, experiment with different builds, and refine your favorite skills. Understanding the nuances of the Legendary system can empower you to make informed decisions about your character’s development and maximize your enjoyment of the game. Games offer unique learning opportunities for learners of all ages. To learn more, visit the Games Learning Society website.