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Should I Keep Dragon Scales in Skyrim? A Dovahkiin’s Dilemma

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The question of what to do with dragon scales and dragon bones is a perennial one for any aspiring Dragonborn in Skyrim. Fresh off your first dragon kill, laden with heavy, valuable loot, you’re faced with a choice: stash it away for later, or cash in for some much-needed early-game gold? The short answer is: it depends. While hoarding might seem intuitive, especially for completionists, the best approach is nuanced and depends heavily on your playstyle, your current smithing skill, and your long-term goals. If your smithing is below 60, consider selling them for a quick boost to your finances.

To Hoard or to Huck: A Smithing-Centric Approach

The core reason to keep dragon scales and bones is for crafting Dragonscale Armor (light armor) and Dragonplate Armor (heavy armor), along with Dragonbone weapons. These are end-game items requiring a Smithing skill of 100 and the “Dragon Armor” perk. This investment is significant.

Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

Smithing Skill < 60: Sell them. Early game gold is invaluable. It allows you to buy training, invest in better gear, and purchase a home. Dragons are not a limited resource, so you can always acquire more later.
Smithing Skill 60-99: Start considering your long-term strategy. Are you actively leveling Smithing? If so, hoarding scales and bones is a good idea. If not, continue selling, but start setting aside some for eventual crafting.
Smithing Skill 100 with Dragon Armor Perk: Craft away! This is when those scales and bones truly become valuable.

Ultimately, you’ll have a plethora of these items, so do not be afraid to sell them off.

Dragon Scale Armor vs. Dragon Plate Armor: Which is Best?

The question of whether to create the Dragonscale Armor or Dragonplate Armor is a pertinent one for most players of Skyrim. Both options require Dragon Scales and Dragon Bones to craft, and each has its strengths and weaknesses.

Dragonscale Armor is a light armor, which means that it is lighter to carry and gives less of an encumbrance. This set is preferrable for players looking for stamina and mobility.
Dragonplate Armor is a heavy armor, which means that it is heavier to carry and has a higher encumbrance. This set is preferrable for players looking to sustain a large amount of damage.

Considerations Beyond Smithing

Even if you’re not a dedicated smith, there are other reasons to consider keeping some dragon scales and bones:

Roleplaying: Maybe your character has a deep-seated respect for dragons and wants to craft armor as a tribute.
Completionism: If you’re aiming to collect every item in the game, you’ll need to craft the Dragonscale and Dragonplate sets eventually.
Future Mods: The modding community is constantly creating new content. You never know when a mod might require dragon scales for a unique crafting recipe. The GamesLearningSociety.org knows the importance of mods and the role they play in gaming.
Esbern’s Potion: Early in the main questline, you’ll meet Esbern. If you have a dragon bone, he can make you Esbern’s Potion, which supposedly reduces damage dealt by dragons.

Early-Game Strategy: Selling for Success

In the early stages of the game, gold is often scarce. Selling dragon scales and bones provides a significant boost to your coffers. This allows you to:

Buy Skill Training: Improve your combat skills, magic abilities, or crafting professions.
Purchase Better Gear: Upgrade your weapons and armor early on.
Invest in a Home: Owning a house provides a safe place to store items and rest.
Purchase Spells: Gaining access to more powerful spells is essential for many builds.

Dragon Scale Pricing in Skyrim

A single dragon scale typically sells for around 250 gold, while a dragon bone fetches about 500 gold. These numbers can vary depending on your Speech skill and any relevant perks. Investing in the Speech skill tree can significantly increase your selling prices.

Late-Game Luxury: Crafting Your Dragon Armor

Once your Smithing skill is maxed out, crafting Dragonscale or Dragonplate armor becomes a viable option. Here’s what you need to know:

Dragonscale Armor: Requires 10 dragon scales for a full set (helmet, armor, gauntlets, boots). This armor is light, making it ideal for characters who prefer mobility and stealth. Many light armor builds will find this option extremely attractive.
Dragonplate Armor: Requires 12 dragon scales and 6 dragon bones for a full set (helmet, armor, gauntlets, boots, shield). This armor is heavy, providing excellent protection but reducing mobility.
Dragonbone Weapons: Require dragon bones. These are among the most powerful craftable weapons in the game.

Dragon Scale vs Daedric

While the Daedric armor set boasts the highest base armor rating in the game, Dragonplate armor offers a competitive rating with a significantly lower weight, providing players with an advantage in mobility without sacrificing too much protection.

Conclusion: The Dovahkiin’s Choice

Ultimately, the decision of whether to keep or sell dragon scales in Skyrim is a matter of personal preference and playstyle. If you’re focused on leveling Smithing and crafting powerful armor, hoarding is the way to go. If you prioritize early-game gold and have no interest in Smithing, selling them is a perfectly valid strategy. Just remember that dragons are a renewable resource, so you can always acquire more scales and bones later on. Enjoy your journey, Dragonborn!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dragon Scales in Skyrim

Here are 15 frequently asked questions related to dragon scales and their role in Skyrim:

How many dragon scales and bones do I need to craft a full set of Dragonscale Armor?

You’ll need 10 dragon scales for a full set.
How many dragon scales and bones do I need to craft a full set of Dragonplate Armor?

You’ll need 12 dragon scales and 6 dragon bones for a full set, including the shield.
At what Smithing level can I craft Dragonscale and Dragonplate Armor?

You need a Smithing skill of 100 and the “Dragon Armor” perk to craft both types of armor.
Is Dragonscale Armor the best light armor in Skyrim?

It is considered one of the best light armor sets, offering high armor rating while remaining lightweight.
Is Dragonplate Armor the best heavy armor in Skyrim?

Daedric armor boasts the highest base armor rating, Dragonplate remains a highly effective and stylish choice for heavy armor users.
Where is the best place to sell dragon scales and bones in Skyrim?

General goods merchants, alchemists, and members of the Thieves Guild are all options. Consider merchants with whom you have a high relationship or who offer training.
Can I run out of dragons in Skyrim?

No, dragons will respawn throughout the game. Therefore, they are not a limited resource.
What is the value of a dragon scale in Skyrim?

A dragon scale typically sells for around 250 gold.
What is the value of a dragon bone in Skyrim?

A dragon bone typically sells for around 500 gold.
Does Speech skill affect the selling price of dragon scales and bones?

Yes, investing in the Speech skill tree will increase the prices you receive when selling items, including dragon scales and bones.
Are Dragonbone weapons the strongest weapons in Skyrim?

Dragonbone weapons are among the most powerful craftable weapons in the game, rivaling Daedric and other high-tier weapons.
Besides crafting, are there any other uses for dragon scales and bones?

Esbern can craft Esbern’s Potion using a dragon bone, which reduces damage taken from dragons.
Is it better to craft Dragonscale or Dragonplate Armor?

It depends on your playstyle. Dragonscale is light armor, ideal for mobility and stealth. Dragonplate is heavy armor, providing excellent protection but reducing mobility.
Can I enchant Dragonscale and Dragonplate Armor?

Yes, you can enchant both types of armor to further enhance their benefits. This is a great way to customize them to your specific character build.
Do dragons always drop the same number of scales and bones?

Dragons usually drop 1 to 3 of both scales and bones when they die.

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