How to Cheat Weight in Skyrim: Mastering Carry Capacity with Console Commands & More

Cheating weight in Skyrim boils down to a few key methods, primarily utilizing the console commands available on the PC version of the game. The most straightforward approach is to use the command player.modav carryweight [amount] or player.forceav carryweight [amount]. player.modav adds to your existing carry weight, whereas player.forceav sets your carry weight to the specified amount, overwriting any existing bonuses. Another simple method is to use God Mode with the tgm command. This command grants infinite carry weight along with other Godlike powers. These commands bypass the intended game mechanics, allowing you to haul as much loot as your heart desires without being encumbered.

Understanding Skyrim’s Carry Weight System

Before diving into the methods to bypass the weight limit, it’s important to understand how the system functions. The base carry weight in Skyrim is 300. This can be increased by leveling up and allocating points to Stamina, with each point adding 5 to your maximum carry weight. Certain perks, enchantments, and standing stones can also contribute to this value. When you exceed your carry weight limit, your character becomes encumbered, significantly slowing down your movement speed and preventing you from fast traveling. This is where the temptation to cheat often arises, especially when exploring dungeons overflowing with valuable loot!

The Power of Console Commands (PC Only)

Console commands are the most direct way to manipulate your character’s carry weight. To access the console, press the tilde key (~) on your keyboard. This will bring up a text input field where you can enter the commands.

Modifying Carry Weight with player.modav

The player.modav carryweight [amount] command is additive. It adds the specified amount to your current carry weight. For example, if your current carry weight is 300 and you enter player.modav carryweight 5000, your new carry weight will be 5300. This is generally preferred for smaller adjustments. This command is seen as a temporary change in your weight, so if you remove any armor or weapons, the weight will not be automatically reduced.

Forcing Carry Weight with player.forceav

The player.forceav carryweight [amount] command sets your carry weight to the specified amount, regardless of your current weight or any existing bonuses. If you enter player.forceav carryweight 8000, your carry weight will become 8000, regardless of your race, stamina, or other modifiers. This method is useful for completely bypassing the weight limit.

Going God Mode with tgm

The tgm command toggles God Mode. In addition to making you invincible, God Mode also grants infinite carry weight. This is the simplest and most extreme solution, allowing you to carry an unlimited amount of items without any penalty. Be warned that using tgm also grants infinite magicka and stamina, making the game significantly easier.

Alternatives to Console Commands (All Platforms)

While console commands are exclusive to the PC version, there are other methods to manage or alleviate carry weight issues on all platforms.

Investing in Stamina

Each time you level up, you have the option to increase your Stamina. Increasing Stamina directly increases your carry weight by 5 points. This is the most legitimate method of increasing your carry capacity and avoids any “cheating” accusations.

The Steed Stone

The Steed Stone, located east of Solitude, grants the “Steed Stone” blessing. This blessing increases your carry weight by 100 and makes equipped armor weigh nothing. This is a significant boost, especially early in the game.

Fortify Carry Weight Enchantments

You can learn the “Fortify Carry Weight” enchantment by disenchanting items that have it (random loot or vendor purchases). Once learned, you can apply this enchantment to apparel and jewelry to further increase your carry weight. The strength of the enchantment depends on your Enchanting skill and any perks you’ve invested in.

The Extra Pockets Perk

In the Pickpocket skill tree, there’s a perk called “Extra Pockets”. This perk, requiring a Pickpocket skill of 50, permanently increases your carry weight by 100. This is a worthwhile investment if you plan on developing your Pickpocket skill.

Followers

Followers can be incredibly useful for carrying excess loot. You can instruct them to pick up items, effectively doubling your carrying capacity. However, followers also have a weight limit, so be mindful of their capacity. Lydia is often the first follower players will acquire. She has no weight limit if told to pick up items, so the items will be added to her inventory, however, you have to tell her to pick them up. If she obtains the items from containers or picks them up inside merchant zones, then they will be marked as stolen.

Horses

Horses allow you to move at full speed and fast travel even when you are over your weight limit.

Carry Weight Mods

For console players and those seeking a more balanced solution on PC, there are numerous mods available that alter carry weight. These mods can range from simply increasing the base carry weight to adding new items or abilities that affect it. These mods can be found on platforms like Bethesda.net and Nexus Mods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I get banned for using console commands in Skyrim?

No, you cannot be banned for using console commands in the single-player campaign of Skyrim. Console commands are a built-in feature of the game and are intended for player use.

2. How do I find the item ID for an item to give myself more of it?

To find an item ID, use the command help [item name] 4 in the console. This will list all items with that name and their corresponding IDs. Then use the player.additem [item ID] [quantity] command to add the item to your inventory.

3. Does increasing Stamina indefinitely lead to infinite carry weight?

While increasing Stamina directly increases carry weight, there is a soft cap on how high your attributes can go, which may prevent achieving a truly infinite carry weight through this method alone. However, it can still significantly increase your carrying capacity.

4. Will using console commands disable achievements?

No, using console commands does not disable achievements in Skyrim on PC. You can freely use commands without affecting your ability to earn achievements.

5. How can I reset my carry weight back to normal after using console commands?

To reset your carry weight, use the command player.forceav carryweight 300 (or whatever your base carry weight should be, considering any stamina bonuses). This will set your carry weight back to the default value.

6. Can I use console commands on the Special Edition of Skyrim?

Yes, console commands work the same way in the Special Edition of Skyrim as they do in the original version. The method for accessing and using them remains unchanged.

7. Are there any negative consequences to using God Mode?

Using God Mode makes the game significantly easier, removing the challenge of combat and resource management. While there are no technical negative consequences, it can detract from the overall gameplay experience for some players.

8. How do carry weight mods work on consoles?

Carry weight mods on consoles are typically downloaded and installed through the in-game mod menu (requires a Bethesda.net account). Once installed, the mod will alter the game’s mechanics, such as increasing the base carry weight or adding new items/abilities related to carry capacity.

9. Can I make a follower carry an unlimited amount of items?

While followers have a weight limit, there are glitches that can allow you to bypass it. Telling Lydia or other followers to pick up items off the ground or out of containers bypasses their weight limit. Be careful because these items can be considered stolen.

10. How does the Steed Stone affect encumbrance?

The Steed Stone blessing increases your carry weight by 100 and makes equipped armor weigh nothing. This effectively reduces your overall encumbrance, allowing you to carry more items without being slowed down.

11. Is there a carry weight spell in Skyrim?

Yes, there are spells like “Burden” and “Feather” (via mods) that temporarily increase or decrease a target’s carry weight. The “Fortify Carry Weight” enchantment also provides a similar effect when applied to armor or jewelry.

12. What’s the difference between modav and forceav in console commands?

modav adds to the existing attribute value, while forceav sets the attribute value to a specific number, overwriting any previous value. Use modav for incremental changes and forceav for absolute adjustments.

13. Where can I find the Steed Stone?

The Steed Stone is located east of Solitude, in the snowy mountain region. It’s marked on the map with a stone symbol once discovered.

14. Can I marry Serana if she is a vampire, and how does it affect carry weight?

The article states that it is impossible to marry someone like Serana, who is already a vampire. This is, however, made possible with fan-created mods. She has no affect on carry weight.

15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming?

You can find a lot more information about the educational aspects of gaming at the Games Learning Society website. They explore the intersection of games, learning, and education at GamesLearningSociety.org.