Does the Ring of Hircine Count as a Daedric Artifact?
Yes, the Ring of Hircine definitively counts as a Daedric Artifact in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It’s a crucial item for players pursuing the coveted Oblivion Walker Achievement or trophy, awarded for collecting a specific number of Daedric artifacts during a single playthrough. Obtaining this ring requires completing the quest “Ill Met by Moonlight” initiated in Falkreath, offering a choice that impacts whether you receive the Ring of Hircine or the Savior’s Hide, both associated with the Daedric Prince Hircine. Understanding the mechanics and implications of this quest is essential for any aspiring artifact collector.
All About Hircine’s Artifacts
What is the Ring of Hircine?
The Ring of Hircine is a unique piece of jewelry bestowed upon mortals by the Daedric Prince of the Hunt, Hircine. Its primary function is to grant werewolves the ability to transform into their beast form an unlimited number of times per day. Normally, players can only transform once a day. This added flexibility makes it a valuable tool for werewolf characters, allowing them to embrace their bestial nature more frequently. It is important to know that it has no value for non-werewolves.
What is Savior’s Hide?
The Savior’s Hide is another artifact associated with Hircine, obtainable during the same quest, “Ill Met by Moonlight.” Unlike the Ring, the Savior’s Hide is a suit of light armor. It offers substantial magic resistance and poison resistance, making it a good choice for characters who are facing spellcasters and dealing with poisonous creatures, providing a strong defense against these threats.
The “Ill Met by Moonlight” Quest
The “Ill Met by Moonlight” quest begins in Falkreath. Players encounter a man named Mathies mourning his deceased daughter in the graveyard. He directs you to Sinding, a prisoner in the Falkreath jail who has been cursed by the Ring of Hircine. This quest involves Hircine and presents a choice that affects which artifact you will receive.
Choosing Your Reward
The player’s choice during “Ill Met by Moonlight” determines whether they obtain the Ring of Hircine or the Savior’s Hide.
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To obtain the Savior’s Hide: You must kill Sinding.
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To obtain the Ring of Hircine: You must help Sinding by hunting the hunters he was supposed to have killed and then receive Hircine’s blessing.
FAQs About the Ring of Hircine and Daedric Artifacts
1. Do I need all 15 Daedric Artifacts at once for the Oblivion Walker achievement?
Yes, the Oblivion Walker achievement requires you to collect the necessary Daedric artifacts within the same playthrough. This means you cannot get them across multiple games or characters. If you miss one, you must reload an earlier save or start a new game to be eligible for the achievement.
2. Does the Ring of Hircine work if you’re not a werewolf?
No, the Ring of Hircine only works if you are a werewolf. It grants additional transformations. It does not give a player the ability to transform into a werewolf on its own.
3. Which version of Azura’s Star counts as a Daedric Artifact?
Both Azura’s Star and The Black Star count as Daedric artifacts, depending on your choice during “The Black Star” quest. If you purify the star for Azura, you get Azura’s Star. If you take it to Nelacar, you get The Black Star.
4. Does the Ebony Blade count as a Daedric Artifact?
Yes, the Ebony Blade is a Daedric Artifact associated with the Daedric Prince Mephala. It is a unique two-handed sword with the ability to absorb health from those it strikes.
5. What happens if you defy Hircine during “Ill Met by Moonlight?”
Defying Hircine by assisting Sinding actually results in you still receiving the uncursed Ring of Hircine. He acknowledges your shift in the hunt and blesses you with the ring as a reward for your actions.
6. Is Sinding worth saving in the quest “Ill Met by Moonlight?”
Whether Sinding is “worth saving” depends on your preference. Killing him nets you the Savior’s Hide, while helping him grants you the Ring of Hircine. Both items count toward the Oblivion Walker achievement, so the choice is yours.
7. Is the Ring of the Moon better than the Ring of Hircine for werewolves?
The Ring of the Moon and the Ring of Hircine serve different purposes for werewolves. The Ring of the Moon enhances the duration of your werewolf howls, while the Ring of Hircine allows for more frequent transformations. The “better” ring depends on the player’s specific playstyle and priorities.
8. Does the Rueful Axe count as a Daedric Artifact?
No, the Rueful Axe does not count as a Daedric Artifact. Only the Masque of Clavicus Vile counts from that quest. If you aim for the Oblivion Walker achievement, you must choose the Masque.
9. What is considered the strongest Daedric Artifact?
The “strongest” Daedric Artifact is subjective and depends on the player’s build and playstyle. Some popular choices include the Masque of Clavicus Vile, The Black Star, and the Ebony Blade.
10. Is Hircine considered a “good” or “bad” Daedric Prince?
Hircine is generally considered one of the less overtly “evil” Daedric Princes. His sphere is the hunt, the wilderness, and the natural order of predator and prey, which is a necessary part of nature.
11. Can you uncurse the Ring of Hircine?
Yes, you can uncurse the Ring of Hircine by completing the “Ill Met by Moonlight” quest and siding with Sinding.
12. Should I get the Ring of Hircine before becoming a werewolf?
You can get the Ring of Hircine whether you are a werewolf or not. The ring does not make you a werewolf, however, it is useless unless you have lycanthropy.
13. Can you be cured of lycanthropy in Skyrim?
Yes, you can cure yourself of lycanthropy by completing the Companions questline. It is also possible to remove lycanthropy by becoming a Vampire Lord in the Dawnguard DLC.
14. Can you use the Ring of Hircine as a vampire?
No, the Ring of Hircine only functions for werewolves. It has no effect on vampires.
15. Is Dawnbreaker a Daedric Artifact?
Yes, Dawnbreaker is a Daedric Artifact given to the Dragonborn by the Daedric Prince Meridia. It is an effective weapon against undead enemies.
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