How To Stop Guards From Being Hostile in Skyrim
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The ever-immersive world of Skyrim can be a fickle mistress. One moment you’re hailed as the Dragonborn, the next you’re being chased through the streets by guards yelling about your crimes. Dealing with hostile guards in Skyrim is a common issue, but thankfully, there are several ways to resolve it. The quickest way to stop them from attacking is usually to yield (sheathe your weapon). However, if that doesn’t work, you’ll need to address the underlying cause, which typically involves paying off your bounty, serving jail time, or using your skills to talk your way out of the situation. This article will walk you through the various methods to de-escalate the situation and regain the guards’ favor, along with essential tips to prevent future incidents.
Understanding Why Guards Are Hostile
Before you can fix the problem, you need to understand why the guards are after you. The primary reason is having a bounty in that hold (region). Bounties are accrued by committing crimes such as theft, assault, murder, and other illegal activities. A simple way to check if you have a bounty is to approach a guard. They’ll usually inform you of your crimes right away. If they immediately attack, it means they won’t listen and you’ll need to explore alternative solutions.
It is important to remember that each hold has its own bounty system. Committing a crime in Whiterun will only affect your standing with the Whiterun guard, and other holds such as Solitude will not be affected unless the crime was witnessed and reported to them. Also, if you are wearing faction armor, like that of the Stormcloaks or Imperials, the guards of the hold that opposes that faction will naturally be hostile towards you.
Methods to Pacify Hostile Guards
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the different methods you can use to stop the guards from being hostile:
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Yielding: The first and simplest method is to sheathe your weapon or fists. This indicates that you’re not looking for a fight. Guards may still approach you, but they’ll usually give you a chance to explain yourself. Press the button you use to draw your weapon again to sheathe it. If they accept your yield, they will approach you to discuss your crimes.
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Paying Your Bounty: This is the most straightforward solution. If a guard stops you and informs you of your crimes, you’ll usually be given the option to pay off your bounty. The cost depends on the severity of your crimes. This wipes your slate clean in that hold.
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Serving Jail Time: If you can’t afford to pay your bounty, you can choose to serve time in jail. The length of your sentence depends on the amount of your bounty and your skills. Serving jail time will reduce your skill levels as you lose progress in skills you use often.
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Using Persuasion (Speech Skill): If you have a high enough Speech skill, you might be able to persuade the guards to let you go. This option appears during the dialogue. This relies on luck, but the higher your Speech skill, the better your chances of success. Having perks that enhance your Speech skill significantly increases your odds.
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Using Bribes (Speech Skill): Another option that relies on your Speech skill is to bribe the guards. This allows you to pay a reduced amount of your bounty to walk free. Like persuasion, the success rate depends on your Speech skill level.
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Being a Thane: If you are a Thane of the hold, guards may be more lenient towards you. Depending on the specific situation and how well you are regarded, it may cause them to overlook minor offenses entirely.
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Exploiting Glitches: While not recommended, some players have reported success with glitches, such as using a Calm spell or leaving the hold and returning after several in-game days. These methods aren’t reliable and might not work consistently.
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Fighting Your Way Out: This is the least desirable option, as it will only increase your bounty and potentially lead to your death. However, if you’re strong enough, you can kill all the guards in the immediate area. Keep in mind that more guards will eventually arrive. This method can be considered if you are particularly strong and well-equipped.
Preventing Future Hostilities
Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to avoid getting on the wrong side of the law in Skyrim:
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Be Mindful of Your Actions: Avoid stealing in plain sight, attacking innocent NPCs, and trespassing on private property.
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Save Frequently: This allows you to reload a previous save if you accidentally commit a crime.
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Pay Attention to Witnesses: If you do commit a crime, try to eliminate any witnesses. If no one sees you, you won’t get a bounty.
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Travel at Night: This reduces the likelihood of being seen committing crimes.
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Wear a Hood: If you are part of the Thieves Guild, wearing a hood can reduce your bounty from a theft.
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Invest in the Speech Skill: Perks that improve your Speech skill can help you talk your way out of trouble or get better deals with merchants.
Troubleshooting Persistent Hostility
Sometimes, even after paying your bounty or serving jail time, guards might remain hostile. This could be due to a few reasons:
- Unpaid Bounties in Other Holds: Ensure you don’t have outstanding bounties in other holds. Travel to each hold and speak with the guards to check your status.
- Glitches and Bugs: Skyrim is known for its bugs. Try reloading an earlier save or restarting your game.
- Faction Affiliations: If you’re wearing armor from a faction that’s hostile to the hold (e.g., Stormcloak armor in Solitude), guards will remain hostile. Remove the offending armor.
- Vampirism or Lycanthropy: Guards and citizens can sometimes be hostile towards you if you are a Vampire. Be sure to feed to satiate your hunger. Lycanthropy is typically not a factor.
By understanding the reasons behind guard hostility and employing the methods described above, you can maintain a peaceful (or at least manageable) relationship with the law enforcement of Skyrim.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I know if I have a bounty in Skyrim?
The easiest way to find out is to approach a guard. If you have a bounty in that hold, they will usually approach you to discuss your crimes. Alternatively, committing a crime in front of a guard will usually lead to them trying to apprehend you.
2. Will guards attack me if I’m a vampire?
Guards can become hostile if you are a vampire and are not well-fed. When you’re in the later stages of vampirism, your appearance becomes more monstrous, and people will react negatively. Feed regularly to avoid this.
3. What happens if I refuse to pay my bounty?
If you refuse to pay your bounty, the guards will attempt to arrest you. You can choose to resist, which will lead to a fight, or you can surrender and be taken to jail.
4. Does serving jail time affect my skills?
Yes, serving jail time does affect your skills. You’ll lose progress in skills you’ve used recently, simulating the effect of not practicing those skills while imprisoned.
5. Can I bribe my way out of trouble even with a low Speech skill?
While a higher Speech skill improves your chances of success, it’s still possible to bribe guards with a lower skill. However, you’ll have a higher chance of failure. Save before attempting a bribe to avoid losing more gold if it fails.
6. What if the guards attack me on sight without saying anything?
If the guards attack you on sight without giving you a chance to yield, it could be due to a very high bounty, being a vampire in a late stage, or wearing faction armor that’s hostile to the hold. Check your status and armor and address any underlying issues.
7. How does being a Thane affect guard interactions?
Being a Thane can make guards more lenient towards you. They might overlook minor offenses or offer you a warning instead of arresting you. However, this isn’t a guaranteed immunity to the law.
8. Can followers get me in trouble with the guards?
Yes, your followers’ actions can lead to you getting a bounty. If your follower commits a crime and you are nearby, you may be held responsible. Be mindful of their behavior and avoid getting them involved in illegal activities.
9. What is the highest bounty I can accumulate in Skyrim?
There is no technically “highest” bounty. It can go arbitrarily high. However, once a bounty gets very large, it may become more difficult to pay off and you can become the target of bounty hunters.
10. Can I clear my bounty by joining the Thieves Guild?
Yes, joining the Thieves Guild allows you to periodically clear your bounty in certain holds by speaking with a specific NPC within the guild.
11. Does wearing a disguise help avoid detection when committing crimes?
No, wearing a disguise does not inherently help you avoid detection. The Skyrim guards are able to identify you by other factors aside from appearance. The exception is when you are a member of the Thieves Guild and wear a hood.
12. How do I become a Thane of a hold?
To become a Thane, you typically need to complete quests for the Jarl of the hold and perform acts of service for the citizens. This usually involves helping people with their problems and completing various objectives within the hold.
13. What is the point of serving jail time if it reduces my skills?
Serving jail time is a necessary consequence for committing crimes if you cannot afford or choose not to pay your bounty. It provides a means of clearing your record and avoiding further encounters with hostile guards.
14. Are there any mods that affect how guards behave?
Yes, there are numerous mods that can alter guard behavior. Some mods make guards more forgiving, while others make them more strict. It’s recommended to research any mods before installing them to ensure they align with your desired gameplay experience.
15. How can I prevent my bounty from increasing after killing a guard in self-defense?
If you kill a guard in self-defense, try to avoid witnesses. If no one sees you, your bounty won’t increase. However, this can be challenging, as guards often travel in groups. If possible, try to retreat and avoid further conflict.