Should I Kill Astrid with the Blade of Woe in Skyrim? A Definitive Guide
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The decision to kill Astrid, the enigmatic leader of the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim, using the Blade of Woe, is a pivotal one that significantly alters your game experience. There isn’t a universally “right” answer; it depends entirely on your roleplaying preferences and desired gameplay. Killing Astrid immediately locks you out of the Dark Brotherhood questline and initiates the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” quest. You will no longer be able to join them and benefit from their perks, quests, and unique items, including the fully realized Dark Brotherhood storyline. However, if your character abhors assassination and embraces a more heroic path, destroying the Dark Brotherhood provides a morally justifiable alternative. The Blade of Woe itself can be obtained later in the regular Dark Brotherhood questline, making it unnecessary to kill Astrid early to acquire it.
The Consequences of Astrid’s Demise
Killing Astrid sets in motion a chain of events that dramatically reshapes your Skyrim experience. Let’s delve into the immediate and long-term consequences:
- Initiation of “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” Quest: This quest tasks you with eliminating every member of the Dark Brotherhood, effectively purging them from Skyrim.
- Loss of Dark Brotherhood Content: You forfeit access to numerous unique quests, valuable rewards (armor, weapons, spells), and the rich, character-driven narrative of the Dark Brotherhood storyline. You’ll miss out on leveling up your assassination skills within the Brotherhood’s framework.
- Shift in Gameplay Style: Your character’s path veers away from stealth and assassination towards a more direct, potentially righteous, form of combat. Your reputation will increase among the general populace, but you won’t gain any favor within the criminal underworld.
- Acquiring the Blade of Woe: You can loot the Blade of Woe from Astrid’s corpse, though it becomes available later in the Dark Brotherhood questline regardless. However, you would miss out on some of the stronger enchantments it could have at later levels.
- Rewards for Destruction: Upon completing “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!,” you receive a modest reward in gold from Commander Maro (or his superior, if Maro is deceased). This reward is significantly less than what you would earn throughout the Dark Brotherhood questline.
Moral Considerations
The morality of killing Astrid hinges on your personal interpretation of the game world.
- For the Righteous Hero: If you are playing a character who opposes all forms of evil, killing Astrid and destroying the Dark Brotherhood is a morally consistent choice. You are actively removing a group of murderers from Skyrim.
- For the Pragmatic Adventurer: If you prioritize personal gain and enjoy morally ambiguous choices, joining the Dark Brotherhood might be more appealing. The rewards and unique experiences it offers can outweigh the moral implications.
- For the Reformed Villain: A compelling roleplaying opportunity arises with a character who joins the Dark Brotherhood, only to later turn against them, driven by guilt or a change of heart. Killing Astrid would mark a turning point, signifying a commitment to redemption.
The Blade of Woe: Is it Worth the Sacrifice?
The Blade of Woe is a powerful dagger that can be obtained in multiple ways:
- Killing Astrid Early: Looting it from her corpse during “With Friends Like These…”
- Pickpocketing Astrid: A very difficult but technically possible method.
- Completing the Dark Brotherhood Questline: Receiving it as a reward during the quest “Death Incarnate” towards the end of the story.
While powerful, the Blade of Woe isn’t exclusively tied to killing Astrid early. You can acquire it later without sacrificing the entire Dark Brotherhood questline. Additionally, other daggers, particularly those from the Dawnguard DLC (like the Dragonbone Dagger), can rival or even surpass the Blade of Woe in terms of damage output.
The Games Learning Society emphasizes the importance of understanding game mechanics and making informed decisions. This extends to understanding the consequences of your actions within a game world, allowing you to tailor your experience to your desired playstyle. GamesLearningSociety.org supports research and understanding of complex gameplay.
Choosing Your Path: A Summary
Ultimately, the decision to kill Astrid with the Blade of Woe is a personal one. Consider the following:
- Your character’s morality: Does your character condone assassination?
- Your desired gameplay experience: Do you want to experience the Dark Brotherhood storyline?
- Your priorities: Are you more interested in unique rewards and quests or in upholding a strict moral code?
- The Blade of Woe’s importance to you: Are you set on obtaining it immediately, or are you willing to wait?
By carefully weighing these factors, you can make an informed decision that enhances your Skyrim experience and aligns with your desired roleplaying style.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I still get the Blade of Woe if I don’t kill Astrid immediately?
Yes! You will receive the Blade of Woe as a reward during the quest “Death Incarnate” towards the end of the normal Dark Brotherhood questline. This makes it unnecessary to kill her early for the sake of acquiring the dagger.
2. What happens if I destroy the Dark Brotherhood?
If you destroy the Dark Brotherhood, you receive a small gold reward from a member of the Penitus Oculatus. You also gain the satisfaction of eliminating a group of assassins from Skyrim, but you miss out on the entire Dark Brotherhood questline and its associated rewards.
3. Is the Blade of Woe the best dagger in Skyrim?
The Blade of Woe has a high base damage and absorbs health, but other daggers, especially from the Dawnguard DLC like the Dragonbone Dagger, can be equivalent or even more powerful, depending on enchantments and skill levels.
4. Can I join the Dark Brotherhood after killing Astrid?
No. Killing Astrid immediately locks you out of the Dark Brotherhood questline. You will be directed to destroy them instead.
5. Why does Astrid betray you?
Astrid’s betrayal is motivated by a desire to maintain control of the Dark Brotherhood. She fears that the Dragonborn, as the Listener, will usurp her leadership position. She uses herself for the contract.
6. Is it better to join the Dark Brotherhood or destroy them?
It depends on your character’s morality and desired gameplay experience. Joining the Dark Brotherhood offers unique quests, rewards, and a compelling storyline. Destroying them aligns with a more heroic path.
7. Can I marry Astrid in Skyrim?
No. Without mods, Astrid is not a marriageable NPC in Skyrim.
8. What are the benefits of joining the Dark Brotherhood?
The benefits include unique quests, access to powerful weapons and armor (including the Shrouded Armor set), useful spells, the ability to summon an assassin, and a thrilling, morally ambiguous storyline.
9. Who is the hardest enemy to kill in Skyrim?
There are a variety of powerful enemies in Skyrim, but Dragon Priests, especially those encountered in Dragonborn DLC, are generally considered some of the most challenging due to their magical abilities and resistance to many forms of damage.
10. What is the “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” quest like?
The “Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!” quest involves infiltrating the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary and eliminating all its members. It is a challenging combat-focused quest with a straightforward objective.
11. Does killing Astrid affect the rest of the game?
Killing Astrid primarily affects your access to the Dark Brotherhood questline. It doesn’t have major repercussions on other storylines or factions within Skyrim.
12. Can I resurrect Astrid after killing her?
Without the use of mods, Astrid cannot be resurrected in the standard game.
13. What happens if I ignore Astrid and go straight to Volunruud?
You can go to Volunruud before speaking to Astrid, but the related quest, “With Friends Like These…” won’t properly start until you interact with her. The loot in Amaund’s chamber will be there regardless.
14. Is it possible to become the leader of the Dark Brotherhood?
Yes. By completing the Dark Brotherhood questline, you eventually become the de facto leader, though the title is more implied than formally bestowed.
15. What are some good alternatives to the Blade of Woe?
Good alternatives include the Dragonbone Dagger (from the Dawnguard DLC), a well-enchanted glass dagger, or a dragon scale dagger with a strong poison enchantment. For more information on game mechanics and strategic choices, check out the Games Learning Society website.