Does Marriage Do Anything in Skyrim? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, marriage in Skyrim does offer several benefits, albeit somewhat limited. Getting hitched provides a place to live with your spouse, a daily income of 100 gold, a daily home-cooked meal, and a temporary regeneration boost after sleeping near your spouse. While not a game-changer, marriage provides practical advantages for your Dragonborn, adding a touch of domesticity to their adventurous life.

Benefits of Tying the Knot

Marriage in Skyrim isn’t just for roleplaying purposes; it has tangible gameplay benefits that can aid your character’s journey. Here’s a breakdown of what you gain by saying “I do”:

• Shared Living Space: Marriage allows you to establish a shared home with your spouse. This could be a house you already own, a property your spouse owned before the marriage, or even a newly built home through the Hearthfire DLC. This provides a safe place to store your loot, rest, and generally escape the dangers of Skyrim.

• Daily Income (100 Gold): Every 24 in-game hours, you can ask your spouse for their share of the shop’s profits. They run a small trading post, earning you a reliable 100 gold daily. While not a massive sum, it’s a consistent income stream that adds up over time, especially in the early game.

• Home-Cooked Meal: Once a day, you can request a home-cooked meal from your spouse. This meal provides a temporary boost to your stamina, health, and magicka regeneration. It’s a useful buff, particularly before tackling a challenging dungeon or boss fight.

• “Lover’s Comfort” Bonus: Sleeping in the same house as your spouse grants you the “Lover’s Comfort” bonus, which is a temporary increase to skill learning speed. This can be invaluable for quickly leveling up skills you’re trying to master.

• Potential Follower: Many marriageable NPCs are also potential followers. Having a spouse who is also a capable fighter can be a significant asset, especially in the early to mid-game. Some spouses, like Aela the Huntress or Mjoll the Lioness, are exceptionally strong combatants.

Limitations of the Marriage System

While the benefits are present, the marriage system in Skyrim isn’t without its limitations.

• Lack of Depth: The interactions with your spouse are fairly repetitive and lack depth. The dialogue options are limited, and there’s not much to do besides asking for money and meals.

• No Divorce: Once you’re married, you’re committed for life, or until death do you part, literally. There’s no in-game mechanic for divorce. The only way to end the marriage is to kill your spouse, which carries significant moral implications and potential in-game consequences.

• No Children (Vanilla Game): In the base game, you cannot have children with your spouse. You can adopt children if you own a suitable home and have the Hearthfire DLC, but the children are not biologically related to your Dragonborn.

• Static Income: The 100 gold daily income remains constant throughout the game, making it less significant in the later stages when you’re likely earning much more through quests and looting.

Choosing Your Spouse

Choosing the right spouse is important, as it impacts where you live and who you have as a companion. Consider these factors:

• Personality: Do you want a spouse who aligns with your character’s moral compass? Some spouses, like Mjoll the Lioness, are staunchly good-aligned, while others are more pragmatic or even morally ambiguous.

• Skills and Abilities: If you want a spouse who can also be a follower, consider their combat skills and abilities. Some spouses are better suited for melee combat, while others excel at archery or magic.

• Home Location: If you marry someone who owns a property, you’ll have the option to move in with them. This can be a convenient way to acquire a free home, especially in the early game.

Skyrim Marriage FAQs

Is there a way to divorce in Skyrim?

No, there is no way to divorce in Skyrim without using mods on PC. Marriage is a permanent commitment. The only way to end a marriage in the unmodded game is the unfortunate and drastic measure of killing your spouse.

Can you marry more than once in Skyrim?

No, you can only marry one person in Skyrim per playthrough, without the use of mods. Once you’re married, you’re committed for the duration of the game.

What happens if your spouse dies in Skyrim?

If your spouse dies, they are permanently gone from the game. You will receive an inheritance, but you cannot remarry. Their inventory and any benefits they provided, such as the daily income, will be lost.

Can you have children with your spouse in Skyrim?

In the vanilla version of Skyrim, you cannot have biological children with your spouse. However, if you have the Hearthfire DLC, you can adopt children from orphanages.

Do all spouses give you 100 gold per day?

Yes, regardless of who you marry, they will all open a shop and provide you with 100 gold per day.

Is it possible to marry a Jarl in Skyrim?

No, it is not possible to marry any of the Jarls in Skyrim. They are not eligible marriage candidates.

Does your spouse’s race matter in Skyrim?

No, your spouse’s race doesn’t significantly impact gameplay. The benefits of marriage are the same regardless of their race. The only difference is their appearance and any racial bonuses they may have if they are also a follower.

Can you marry someone of the same gender in Skyrim?

Yes, Skyrim allows same-sex marriage. The marriage system is gender-agnostic.

Who is the “best” spouse to marry in Skyrim?

The “best” spouse is subjective and depends on your priorities. Aela the Huntress is a popular choice due to her combat prowess and strong personality. Mjoll the Lioness is a good choice for those who prefer a virtuous companion. Ysolda offers access to Whiterun early on and potential roleplaying opportunities with the Khajiit caravans.

Do I need to wear the Amulet of Mara to get married?

Yes, you need to wear the Amulet of Mara to signal your availability for marriage. You can obtain the amulet by completing a quest for Maramal in Riften.

What happens after you get married in Skyrim?

After the marriage ceremony, you and your spouse will decide where to live. You can choose to live in your house, their house, or a new home built with the Hearthfire DLC. Your spouse will then open a shop and provide you with daily income and a home-cooked meal.

Does the location of your home affect anything?

The location of your home can affect convenience. Living in a city offers easy access to shops, trainers, and quest givers. Living in a more remote location can provide peace and quiet, but requires more travel.

Can your spouse be killed by enemies?

Yes, your spouse can be killed by enemies if they are following you or if their home is attacked. It’s important to protect your spouse to avoid losing them permanently.

Does marrying someone affect their original questlines?

In some cases, marrying someone can affect their original questlines. For example, marrying a member of the Thieves Guild might make certain missions more complicated. Consider the potential consequences before marrying a character heavily involved in a faction.

Is there a limit to how many adopted children you can have?

Yes, if you have the Hearthfire DLC you can adopt a maximum of two children. You must also have a home with enough beds and storage to accommodate them.

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