Does the Soul Gem Matter When Enchanting? A Skyrim Enchanter’s Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
Yes, absolutely! The soul gem used in enchanting definitely matters in Skyrim. While the gem type itself (Petty, Lesser, Common, Greater, Grand, Black) doesn’t inherently dictate the kind of enchantment you can apply, it critically influences the strength or potency of the enchantment. Think of it like this: the soul gem is the battery powering your magic. A bigger battery (Grand Soul) provides more juice than a tiny one (Petty Soul), resulting in a more powerful effect. So choosing the correct one is imperative to maximizing the potential of the enchantments on the player’s equipment.
Soul Gems and Enchanting: A Deeper Dive
Let’s break down the nuances of soul gems and their impact on the enchanting process in Skyrim. Understanding this is key to becoming a master enchanter and crafting gear that will make you a force to be reckoned with.
Soul Size and Enchantment Strength
As we touched on, the size of the soul trapped within the gem is paramount. The hierarchy is as follows, from weakest to strongest:
- Petty Souls: Produce the weakest enchantments. Ideal for practicing and leveling up early on, but not for end-game gear.
- Lesser Souls: Slightly better than Petty, but still significantly weaker than higher-tier options.
- Common Souls: A decent middle ground. Usable for some mid-game enchantments, but still outclassed by Grand and Black Souls.
- Greater Souls: A noticeable jump in power. Worth using for enchantments you want to be reasonably effective.
- Grand Souls: The highest tier for white (non-humanoid) souls. Provides the most potent enchantments possible from creatures.
- Black Souls: Functionally equivalent to Grand Souls in terms of enchantment power but can trap human and mer souls.
Remember: A Grand Soul in a Grand Soul Gem will always yield a more powerful enchantment than a Petty Soul in a Petty Soul Gem, all other factors being equal.
Factors Influencing Enchantment Potency
While the soul gem is a critical component, it’s not the only factor influencing the final strength of your enchantment. Here’s a broader look at what matters:
- Enchanting Skill Level: Your Enchanting skill level directly impacts the strength of all enchantments you create. The higher your skill, the more potent your enchantments will be, regardless of the soul gem used.
- Enchanting Perks: Investing in the Enchanting skill tree unlocks perks that significantly boost enchantment power. Perks like “Enchanter,” “Fire Enchanter,” and “Soul Squeezer” are invaluable.
- Fortify Enchanting Potions: These potions temporarily increase your Enchanting skill, resulting in stronger enchantments. They are particularly useful when crafting your most important pieces of gear.
- Enchanting Skill Bonuses: Specific items, like apparel enchanted with “Fortify Enchanting”, further increase your enchanting skill.
The Black Soul Gem: Morality and Mechanics
The Black Soul Gem is a unique and controversial item in the Elder Scrolls universe. Unlike regular soul gems, it can trap the souls of humans and mer. This is considered a dark practice, as it essentially condemns these souls to eternal servitude.
Mechanically, a Black Soul Gem with a Grand Soul is equivalent to a regular Grand Soul Gem. The only difference is the type of soul it contains. If the player is interested in the ethical impact of gaming and games-based learning, they should check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Azura’s Star and the Black Star: Reusable Soul Gems
Azura’s Star (and its Daedric artifact counterpart, the Black Star) are unique soul gems that are not consumed upon use. They are essentially reusable Grand Soul Gems. The Black Star, however, can only trap Black Souls. These artifacts are incredibly valuable for their convenience and resourcefulness.
Enchanting: FAQs
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions to further clarify the nuances of enchanting in Skyrim:
1. What is the best soul gem for enchanting in Skyrim?
Generally, Grand Soul Gems (filled with Grand Souls) or Black Soul Gems (filled with human or mer souls) are considered the best for their potency. Azura’s Star and the Black Star are also excellent choices due to their reusability.
2. Are Black Soul Gems inherently better than Grand Soul Gems?
No. A Black Soul Gem with a Grand Soul offers the same enchantment strength as a Grand Soul Gem with a Grand Soul. The key difference is the type of soul that can be trapped.
3. Does the type of creature soul I use affect the specific enchantment?
No. The type of creature soul only affects the strength of the enchantment, not its nature. A Mammoth soul won’t give you a different kind of fire enchantment compared to a Mudcrab Soul, it will only yield a weaker fire enchantment.
4. Can I use a smaller soul gem to trap a larger soul?
No. A soul can only be trapped in a soul gem large enough to contain it. A Petty Soul Gem, for instance, can only hold Petty Souls. If you try to trap a larger soul, the gem will remain empty.
5. Do soul gems stack in my inventory?
No. Soul Gems will not stack in your inventory when they contain Souls.
6. What happens if I break a soul gem in Skyrim?
If you break a soul gem, the trapped soul is released. This doesn’t have any major in-game consequences for most creatures.
7. Does my race affect my enchanting abilities?
No. Race does not provide any direct bonuses to enchanting. However, High Elves (Altmer) start with +50 Magicka, which can be helpful for replenishing Magicka while enchanting.
8. What Stone affects Enchanting skill the most?
The Mage Stone is the best for leveling the Enchanting skill early on, offering a 20% experience boost. Later, the Lover Stone provides a 15% boost to all skills, including Enchanting.
9. Can I enchant items without any soul gems?
No. Soul gems are an essential ingredient for enchanting. You cannot enchant items without them.
10. Does the item I enchant affect the resulting enchantment strength?
No, the type of item being enchanted does not directly affect the enchantment strength. However, some items may have unique slots or properties that affect the types of enchantments that can be applied.
11. Is there a limit to how many enchantments I can put on an item?
Normally, you can only apply one enchantment to an item (unless you have the Extra Effect perk). By reaching Level 100 in Enchanting and acquiring the “Extra Effect” perk you can enchant the same item twice.
12. What is the best method for leveling enchanting quickly?
Crafting and enchanting Iron Daggers or Dwarven Bows, especially with the Mage Stone active, is a very efficient method. Disenchanting is also a helpful method, but will only work if you have items to disenchant.
13. Can I remove an enchantment from an item?
No. Once an item is enchanted, the enchantment cannot be removed or changed, with the exception of using glitches or mods.
14. What are the best items to disenchant?
Any item with a unique enchantment that you haven’t learned yet. Items with common enchantments, like Fortify Carry Weight or Fortify Magicka, are generally good choices.
15. How do I capture souls in soul gems?
You need the Soul Trap spell or an enchanted weapon with the Soul Trap enchantment. Cast the spell on a creature or hit it with the enchanted weapon before it dies. The soul will then be trapped in an empty soul gem in your inventory (provided the gem is large enough to hold the soul).
By mastering the art of soul trapping and understanding the nuances of soul gems, you can unlock the full potential of enchanting in Skyrim and create legendary gear that will aid you on your adventures. Good luck, Enchanter!