How to Stop Guards from Pursuing You in Skyrim

So, you’ve found yourself on the wrong side of the law in Skyrim, and now the guards are hot on your tail. Don’t panic! There are several ways to get them off your back, ranging from simple solutions to more… creative approaches. The most direct way to stop guards from pursuing you is to sheathe your weapon. This signals that you’re not looking for a fight. If you have a bounty, they will then attempt to arrest you, offering options to pay the bounty, go to jail, or resist arrest. If you don’t have a bounty, putting your weapon away can de-escalate the situation and stop the pursuit. If all else fails, running and waiting can also work!

Understanding Why Guards Are After You

Before you can fix the problem, it’s important to understand why those pesky guards are chasing you. The most common reasons are:

• Bounty: You’ve committed a crime and have an outstanding bounty in that hold.
• Aggression: You may have accidentally attacked someone, and the guards witnessed it.
• Faction Aggression: If you’ve sided with the Volkihar Vampires, the Dawnguard will be hostile.
• Glitches: Sometimes, Skyrim’s notorious bugs can cause guards to become inexplicably hostile.

Methods to Stop the Pursuit

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to handle those guard encounters:

Surrender and Pay the Price

The most straightforward approach is to sheathe your weapon when approached by a guard. If you have a bounty, the guard will initiate a dialogue offering you the following options:

• Pay Bounty: This is the quickest way to clear your name. The amount will be deducted from your gold, and you’ll be free to go (after any stolen goods are confiscated, of course).
• Go to Jail: This option will see you transported to the local jail. You’ll lose some progress in your skills (depending on the length of your sentence) and any stolen items.
• Resist Arrest: Choosing this option will lead to a fight. Be prepared to face the consequences.

Talk Your Way Out of It (Sometimes)

Some races and skills offer unique dialogue options. If you’re an Orc, you can use your Blood-Kin status to avoid arrest in Orc strongholds. High speech skill can also unlock persuasion options, though they’re not always reliable.

Run and Hide

If you’re not ready to face the music, you can try to run away. Guards generally won’t pursue you far beyond the city walls. Utilize stealth, use cover, and consider fleeing into the water, as guards are less likely to follow you into deep water. After a few in-game days, the heat should die down, and you can return to pay your bounty or sneak back into the city.

Console Commands (PC Only)

If you’re playing on PC and encounter a persistent bug, you can use console commands. Open the console by pressing the ~ key, then try the following:

• player.paycrimegold 0 0 0: Pays off all bounties in all holds.
• tdetect: Toggles AI detection. This can help you avoid being detected while you sort things out.
• Click on the guard and type resetai: Resets the guard’s AI.

Warning: Using console commands can sometimes cause unintended consequences, so save your game beforehand.

Load a Previous Save

Sometimes, the easiest solution is to simply load a previous save. This is particularly useful if you suspect a glitch or if you’ve accidentally committed a crime you can’t afford to fix. Choose a save from before the incident occurred to completely avoid the situation.

Avoiding Future Conflicts

Prevention is better than cure. Here are some tips to avoid getting into trouble with the guards:

• Be mindful of your surroundings: Avoid committing crimes in populated areas or within sight of guards.
• Store stolen items: Before entering a city, stash any stolen goods in a safe location.
• Control your aggression: Be careful when engaging in combat, and avoid accidentally hitting innocent bystanders.
• Consider your faction alliances: Joining the Volkihar Vampires will make the Dawnguard hostile, and vice-versa.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to provide more clarity on dealing with hostile guards:

1. Why are guards attacking me in Skyrim without a bounty?

You might be attacked even without a bounty if you’re still considered “aggressive” after killing an NPC. The guards may have witnessed the act and are still hostile. Also, certain locations and quests can cause temporary hostility.

2. How long does it take for guards to stop pursuing you in Skyrim?

If you run away, guards will usually give up the chase after you’ve crossed city boundaries or remained out of sight for a short period. If you want the bounty to be forgotten, waiting 3 in-game days can allow the situation to cool down, but the bounty will still be there.

3. Is it better to pay the bounty or go to jail in Skyrim?

It depends on your priorities. Paying the bounty is faster and avoids skill loss, but you’ll lose the gold and any stolen items. Going to jail clears the bounty, but you’ll lose skill progress and any stolen goods.

4. Can I talk my way out of being arrested?

Sometimes, yes. A high speech skill can unlock persuasion options. Also, if you’re an Orc in an Orc stronghold, your Blood-Kin status will usually prevent arrest.

5. What happens if I resist arrest?

If you resist arrest, the guards will attack you. If you defeat them, more guards will appear. This can escalate quickly.

6. Will the guards ever forget about my crime?

Guards will stop actively pursuing you if you leave the area or hide. However, your bounty will remain until you pay it, go to jail, or use other means to clear it.

7. What do I do if I accidentally attacked a guard?

Sheathe your weapon immediately. If you have no bounty, they might stop attacking. If not, you’ll need to deal with the bounty through the usual methods.

8. How can I avoid getting a bounty in the first place?

Be mindful of your actions. Avoid stealing, attacking innocent people, or committing other crimes in public areas.

9. Are there any consequences for repeatedly going to jail?

Yes, you’ll repeatedly lose skill progress. It’s generally better to pay your bounty if you can afford it.

10. Can I bribe the guards?

No, bribing is not an option in the standard Skyrim game. Some mods might add this functionality.

11. What is the most effective way to escape the guards?

Using a combination of stealth, speed, and terrain is your best bet. Consider using invisibility potions or spells. Running into water can also be effective, as guards are less likely to follow you into deep water.

12. Will companions also be arrested if I have a bounty?

No, companions won’t be arrested. However, they will become hostile if you resist arrest and start fighting the guards.

13. Can I kill all the guards and get away with it?

While technically possible, killing all the guards in a city will have severe consequences. More guards will continuously spawn, making it nearly impossible to escape. It will also significantly impact your ability to interact with the city and its inhabitants.

14. What if the guards are attacking me even after I pay my bounty?

This could be a glitch. Try restarting the game, loading a previous save, or using console commands to reset the guard’s AI.

15. Does my race affect how guards treat me?

To some extent, yes. Orcs can use their Blood-Kin status in Orc strongholds. However, race generally doesn’t influence guard behavior outside of specific scenarios.

Skyrim is a vast and dynamic world, and encounters with the law are inevitable. By understanding the reasons behind guard hostility and employing the right strategies, you can navigate these situations and continue your adventures without constantly looking over your shoulder. For more insights into the gaming world and how games can contribute to learning and education, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Remember, even in Skyrim, a little bit of caution can go a long way!