Has Anyone Ever Completed Everything in Skyrim? The Ultimate Completionist’s Guide

The short answer is: probably not, at least not in a truly definitive sense. While many players, including the Reddit user DiJGit mentioned in the prompt, have dedicated hundreds of hours to achieving near-total completion, the very nature of Skyrim makes a 100% run incredibly difficult, if not impossible. The existence of radiant quests, which are procedurally generated and virtually endless, means there’s always something new to do. Furthermore, the definition of “everything” is subjective. Does it include obtaining every possible item variation? Maxing out every skill on one character? Exploring every nook and cranny of the map? These are all questions that make pinning down a true 100% completion incredibly challenging. Let’s delve deeper into why this is the case and explore the nuances of Skyrim completionism.

The Illusion of Completion in Skyrim

Skyrim is an open-world RPG renowned for its immense scale and freedom. This freedom, however, comes at a cost for the completionist. Unlike games with clear-cut objectives and finite content, Skyrim throws you into a living, breathing world with countless side quests, factions, and hidden secrets.

• Radiant Quests: The Infinite Loop: These quests are generated by the game’s Radiant AI system. They are designed to populate the world with dynamic content, meaning you’ll never truly “run out” of things to do. While individually simple, they are potentially infinite, making them a major obstacle to 100% completion.
• The Subjectivity of “Everything”: What constitutes “everything” in Skyrim? Does it mean completing every questline, including the radiant ones? Collecting every unique item, even slight variations? Maxing out all skills and perks on a single character? The definition is often personal and arbitrary.
• Glitches and Bugs: Let’s not forget the infamous Skyrim bugs. While many are charmingly quirky, some can prevent quest completion or item acquisition, potentially derailing a perfect run.

Defining Completion for Yourself

Given the challenges, most players focus on achieving a personal definition of completion. This might involve:

• Completing all major questlines: Main quest, Civil War, Guild questlines (Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, Companions, College of Winterhold).
• Finishing all Daedric quests: Collecting all Daedric artifacts.
• Exploring all map locations: Discovering all named locations on the map.
• Collecting unique items: Obtaining all unique weapons, armor, and other items.
• Achieving a high character level: Reaching a high level, often 81 or above, to unlock all perks.

Even these goals can be incredibly time-consuming, requiring hundreds of hours of gameplay.

Achieving Near-Total Completion: Strategies and Tips

While true 100% completion might be a myth, achieving near-total completion is definitely possible with dedication and planning. Here are some tips:

• Plan your character build: Optimize your skills and perks for efficiency in combat, crafting, and exploration.
• Use a checklist: Create a list of all quests, items, and locations you want to complete or discover.
• Consult online resources: Utilize wikis, guides, and forums for information and tips.
• Manage your inventory: Keep track of what you have and what you need to collect.
• Be patient: Skyrim is a vast game, and completion requires time and dedication.
• Utilize fast travel: Save time by using fast travel to move between locations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Skyrim Completion

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide additional valuable information.

1. What is considered the hardest quest in Skyrim?

The Ebony Warrior quest is widely considered the most challenging, as it pits you against a powerful opponent at a high level. No Stone Unturned, requiring the collection of all Stones of Barenziah, is also notoriously time-consuming.

2. What is the longest quest in Skyrim?

Elder Knowledge, a main quest that involves venturing into Blackreach, is often cited as one of the longest due to its extensive dungeon crawl and multiple objectives.

3. How long does it take to complete the main quest in Skyrim?

Focusing solely on the main quest can take around 30-40 hours.

4. How long does it take to complete every quest in Skyrim (excluding radiant quests)?

Completing all unique, non-radiant quests could take anywhere from 100 to 200+ hours, depending on your pace and playstyle.

5. Is there a level cap in Skyrim?

Officially, there is no level cap. However, before the 1.9 patch, the maximum level achievable was 81 due to skill limitations. Now, you can level infinitely by making skills legendary.

6. What happens after you reach level 100 in a skill?

You can make the skill “Legendary,” resetting it to level 15 and refunding all perk points spent on it. This allows you to continue leveling up and earning perk points indefinitely.

7. What is the best race in Skyrim for a completionist run?

There isn’t a single “best” race, but High Elves (Altmer) are useful for mage-focused playthroughs due to their magicka bonus, while Orcs are beneficial for warrior builds thanks to their Berserker ability. Ultimately, race choice is a matter of personal preference.

8. Can you beat Skyrim by killing everyone?

No. Essential NPCs, including children, cannot be killed. Even if you kill every other NPC, the game will not end.

9. What does Alduin mean?

Alduin is of Old English origin, meaning “noble” or “wise friend,” ironically, given his role as the World-Eater.

10. How does Skyrim generate radiant quests?

Radiant quests are generated by the game’s Radiant AI system, which responds to your actions and the state of the game world. These quests are designed to keep the world populated with dynamic content.

11. Is Skyrim a “deep” game?

Yes, Skyrim offers a deep and immersive experience due to its extensive lore, intricate questlines, detailed world, and freedom of choice. It supports a wide range of player styles and offers countless opportunities for exploration and role-playing. For a deeper understanding of games and their impact, consider exploring resources from the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

12. How big is the map of Skyrim?

Skyrim’s explorable area is approximately 14.3 square miles.

13. What is the rarest achievement in Skyrim?

The Legend achievement, which requires defeating a Legendary Dragon, is often cited as the rarest due to the high level required for Legendary Dragons to spawn (level 78).

14. Is Skyrim Legendary difficulty too hard?

Legendary difficulty significantly increases enemy damage and health, making it very challenging. It can be frustrating for some players, but rewarding for those seeking a greater challenge.

15. What is the saddest quest in Skyrim?

Mourning Never Comes can be considered one of the saddest, particularly if you choose to kill Nilsine Shatter-Shield, leading to her mother’s suicide.

Conclusion: The Never-Ending Quest

Ultimately, the quest to “complete” Skyrim is a personal one. While true 100% completion may be unattainable due to radiant quests and the subjective nature of “everything,” striving for near-total completion can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Embrace the freedom of the game, set your own goals, and enjoy the journey through the vast and immersive world of Skyrim. The important thing is to have fun and create your own unique story within the game.