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How to Max Out Speech in Skyrim: A Silver-Tongued Dragonborn’s Guide

So, you want to be the most persuasive Dragonborn this side of the Throat of the World? You’re tired of forking over hard-earned gold and want to talk your way into, and out of, anything? Then you’ve come to the right place! Maxing out your Speech skill in Skyrim is a worthwhile endeavor, unlocking better prices, easier quests, and the satisfaction of getting exactly what you want through the power of your words. The quickest way to reach Speech 100 is to combine training with Speech trainers, reading speech skill books, trading with merchants while wearing Fortify Speech enchantments and potions, and utilizing the Persuade/Intimidate options in dialogue whenever possible. With the right strategies, you’ll be charming (or intimidating) your way through Skyrim in no time!

The Core Strategies: From Novice to Orator

Mastering Speech in Skyrim isn’t just about clicking dialogue options; it’s about understanding the mechanics and employing efficient strategies. Let’s break down the most effective methods:

1. The Power of Persuasion (and Intimidation!)

Don’t underestimate the value of a well-placed word! Successfully using the Persuade, Intimidate, and Bribe options in conversations grants a substantial boost to your Speech skill. Seek out opportunities to use these options, even if the outcome is uncertain. Remember: you gain skill experience whether you succeed or fail, so don’t be afraid to take a shot. The hardest speech check in Skyrim is convincing Faralda to let you join the College of Winterhold without a test, so keep that in mind as you level up.

2. Trading Tactics: The Merchant’s Gambit

Trading is a core component of Speech leveling. The key is to buy and sell items with a high base value.

Base Value is King: The experience you gain is directly tied to the base value of the items you’re trading. Look for expensive weapons, armor, and jewelry.
The Sweet Spot: The best strategy involves finding an item with a high base value that a merchant also has ample gold to purchase. This allows you to make repeated transactions.
Fortify Speech is Essential: Invest in Fortify Speech enchantments and potions. These increase your haggling ability, minimizing the gold lost with each transaction. Look for items “of Haggling” for enchantments.
Trainer-Merchants are Gold: Look for Speech trainers who also sell items. Train first, then buy your money back using the training cost. This is an efficient, though expensive, way to level.

3. Training Your Tongue: Finding the Right Teachers

Seek out Speech trainers across Skyrim. Here’s where to find them:

Adept Level: Revyn Sadri in Windhelm (inside Sadri’s Used Wares) and Dro’marash with Khajiit Caravans.
Expert Level: Ogmund in Markarth (at the Silver-Blood Inn).
Master Level: You can find someone at the Bards College in Solitude.

Remember to train as often as possible (usually a maximum of five times per level) to maximize your gains. Train until you level, then level up, and then train again. You can train up to level 90 with trainers!

4. The Written Word: Speech Skill Books

Reading skill books grants a permanent increase to your Speech skill. Here are a few to look out for:

A Dance in Fire, Vol. 2
A Dance in Fire, Vol. 6
Biography of the Wolf Queen
King Olaf’s Verse
The Buying Game

Explore libraries, dungeons, and homes to find these valuable texts. One mod gives you 100 Speech XP the first time you read books.

5. The Thief Stone and Blessings: Small But Significant

The Thief Stone increases the rate at which thief skills (including Speech) level up by 20%. Also, the Blessing of Dibella will increase your speechcraft by 10pts for 7 hours. It’s a useful early boost.

Optimizing Your Speech Leveling: Tips and Tricks

Early Game Focus: Prioritize Speech early in the game. The earlier you start leveling it, the more benefits you’ll reap in terms of better prices and quest outcomes.
Alchemy Synergies: Crafting potions of Fortify Persuasion or Fortify Barter can significantly enhance your trading efficiency. The ingredients are often readily available.
Money Management: Invest your gold wisely. Focus on training and high-value items for trading, rather than frivolous purchases.
Embrace the Gray Areas: Don’t shy away from using Intimidation when it’s appropriate. Sometimes, a little fear goes a long way.
Faction Benefits: Completing certain quests or joining specific factions can unlock unique dialogue options that grant Speech experience.
Khajiit Caravans: Besides Dro’marash’s training, the Khajiit caravans are good sources for purchasing expensive items you can then sell back for Speech skill gains.

Speech Perks: Worth the Investment?

The Speech skill tree offers a variety of perks, some more useful than others. Here’s a brief overview:

Haggling: Increases buying and selling prices. A must-have for maximizing profits.
Allure: Improves prices with the opposite sex. Useful depending on your character’s gender and play style.
Merchant: Allows you to sell any item to any merchant. Highly valuable for inventory management.
Investor: Allows you to invest in shops, increasing their gold reserves. Enhances your trading capacity.
Fence: Allows you to sell stolen goods to any merchant. Essential for thieves and assassins.
Master Trader: Increases merchant gold reserves. The ultimate trading perk.

While some argue that you can get by without investing perks in gold since it’s easy to acquire, certain Speech perks, like Merchant and Investor, can significantly streamline your trading and make it easier to level Speech further.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the command for Speech 100 in Skyrim?

The command is player.setav speechcraft 100. Remember that using console commands can disable achievements.

2. Is the Speech perk worth it in Skyrim?

Yes, particularly the Haggling, Merchant, and Investor perks. They significantly improve your ability to make money and manage your inventory. While you can persuade people without perks if your skill is high enough, the perks make it easier and more reliable.

3. How do you skill Speech in Skyrim?

You level Speech by successfully using Persuade, Intimidate, and Bribe options, trading with merchants, training with Speech trainers, and reading Speech skill books. The amount of experience you gain is based on the base value of the items you’re trading.

4. Where can I train my speech in Skyrim?

Revyn Sadri in Windhelm (Adept)
Dro’marash with Khajiit Caravans (Adept)
Ogmund in Markarth (Expert)
A trainer at the Bards College in Solitude (Master)

5. What is the hardest speech check in Skyrim?

Convincing Faralda to let you join the College of Winterhold without taking a test. It’s the only speech check at that difficulty level.

6. What Stone increases speech in Skyrim?

The Thief Stone increases the rate at which Speech (and other thief skills) levels up by 20%.

7. Does reading books in Skyrim increase speech?

Yes, reading Speech skill books grants a permanent increase to your Speech skill.

8. What potions increase speech in Skyrim?

Potions with the Fortify Speech effect, often called Elixir of Glibness.

9. Does selling items in Skyrim increase Speech?

Yes, trading with merchants increases your Speech skill. The amount of experience is based on the base value of the items.

10. How important is Speech in Skyrim?

Speech is important for getting better prices, persuading NPCs in quests, and accessing new dialogue options. It improves your overall Skyrim experience.

11. What is the blessing for Speech in Skyrim?

The Blessing of Dibella will increase your speechcraft by 10pts for 7 hours.

12. What is the easiest 100 in Skyrim?

Sneak is often considered the easiest skill to reach 100, followed by alchemy and smithing, but Speech is also quite achievable with efficient training and trading.

13. Who can improve Speech in Skyrim?

Revyn Sadri, Dro’marash, Ogmund, and a trainer at the Bards College in Solitude.

14. How can I improve my real-life Speech?

Read books like The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie or Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo. Studying or practicing Games-based learning can also improve your speech. You can find more information on the Games Learning Society website: GamesLearningSociety.org.

15. How do you get Sapphire to talk in Skyrim?

You need to speak to Shadr first and offer to help with his debt. Then, find Sapphire at The Bee and Barb. If your Speech skill is high enough, you can persuade her to forgive the debt.

By combining these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a master of Speech in Skyrim. Good luck, and may your words be as sharp as your steel!

How do you max out speech in Skyrim?