Should You Hoard or Highball? A Skyrim Looting Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The eternal question for any Dragonborn venturing across the snowy peaks and draugr-infested dungeons of Skyrim is: Should you take everything? The short answer? Absolutely not. While the allure of filling your pockets with every loose septim, rusty sword, and questionable ingredient might seem appealing at first, it quickly becomes a burden, hindering your progress and turning you into a walking, over-encumbered loot pinata. Let’s delve into the depths of Skyrim’s economics and inventory management to understand why strategic looting is the key to a successful and enjoyable playthrough.
The Weight of the World (and Your Inventory)
Skyrim, unlike some games, isn’t designed for you to vacuum up every single item. Your carry weight is a finite resource. Exceeding this limit results in over-encumbrance, slowing you to a snail’s pace and preventing you from fast traveling. This means spending precious time waddling back to town, constantly micro-managing your inventory, and missing out on the adventuring and questing that truly make Skyrim shine.
Think of it this way: every iron dagger you grab is one less potion or piece of valuable armor you can carry. The goal isn’t to become the richest person in Skyrim, but to become the most powerful Dragonborn. Strategic looting is about maximizing your efficiency and profit, not collecting every single item the game throws at you.
The Art of the Pickpocket (and the Smart Loot)
So, what should you take? Here’s a breakdown of items that are generally worth your precious carry weight:
- Ingots: While raw ore might seem tempting, especially early on, ingots are where the real value lies. They’re lighter and sell for more than their ore counterparts. They’re also essential for crafting and upgrading your own gear, making them an invaluable resource throughout the game. Never leave ingots behind!
- Jewelry: Rings, necklaces, and other jeweled items are consistently good for their weight-to-value ratio. They don’t weigh much and can fetch a decent price from merchants. They can also be used in Enchanting.
- Enchanted Items: Enchanted weapons and armor are typically worth significantly more than their unenchanted counterparts. Even if you don’t plan to use them, they can be sold for a good profit or disenchanted to learn new enchantments.
- Potions: Potions, especially those with useful effects like healing, fortification, or curing diseases, are essential for survival. They’re lightweight and can save your life in a pinch.
- Scrolls: Scrolls, like potions, can provide useful effects for minimal weight. They’re particularly useful if you’re playing a character who doesn’t focus on magic, as they allow you to cast spells without spending magicka.
- Rare Ingredients: Some alchemical ingredients are rare and valuable. Keep an eye out for things like Jarrin Root, Daedra Hearts, and Nirnroot, as they can be used to create powerful potions.
- Quest Items: Obviously, never leave behind quest items. These are essential for progressing through the game’s various storylines.
- Gold: This is money in its purest form. Grab any loose gold you find, especially in dungeons and ruins. Every little bit helps!
What to Leave Behind (and Why)
Now, let’s talk about the items you should generally avoid:
- Basic Weapons and Armor: Iron daggers, hide armor, and other common items are rarely worth the carry weight. They sell for very little, and you’ll quickly outgrow them.
- Ores: As mentioned earlier, ores are heavier and less valuable than ingots. Unless you desperately need them for crafting, leave them be.
- Food: Most food items have minimal value and offer only minor buffs. They’re generally not worth the carry weight unless you’re playing a survival-focused build.
- Heavy, Low-Value Items: Items like tankards, pots, and other mundane objects are simply not worth the effort. They weigh a lot and sell for next to nothing.
- Stolen Goods (Early Game): While stealing can be tempting, early on it’s often not worth the risk or the hassle of finding a fence. Focus on legitimate sources of income first.
Sell As You Go: The Merchant’s Golden Rule
Don’t wait until your inventory is bursting at the seams to sell your loot. Sell as you go. Regularly visit merchants in towns and cities to offload your unwanted items. This frees up carry weight, allows you to reinvest in potions and supplies, and keeps your gold flowing.
Remember that each merchant has a limited amount of gold. If you’re trying to sell a large quantity of items, you may need to visit multiple merchants or wait for their gold to replenish.
The Thief’s Dilemma: Stealing and its Consequences
Stealing in Skyrim can be a tempting way to acquire valuable items, but it comes with risks. If you’re caught, you’ll incur a bounty and guards will attempt to arrest you. Furthermore, stolen items can only be sold to Thieves Guild merchants (fences), which limits your options for selling them.
In the early game, stealing is generally not a reliable way to make money. The risk of getting caught outweighs the potential reward. However, as you level up your Sneak skill and gain access to better fences, stealing can become a more viable option.
Inventory Management Mastery
Effective inventory management is crucial for successful looting. Here are a few tips:
- Prioritize: Regularly assess your inventory and discard items that are no longer useful or valuable.
- Use Followers: Your followers can carry a significant amount of weight for you. Equip them with items you don’t need immediately but want to keep.
- Invest in Carry Weight: As you level up, consider investing points in Stamina. This increases your carry weight, allowing you to carry more loot.
- Get a Horse: A horse can significantly increase your carrying capacity. You can store items on your horse, allowing you to transport more loot between locations.
- Own a House: Owning a house provides a safe place to store your items. You can use chests and containers to organize your loot and keep it safe from thieves.
Looting for the Long Haul
Ultimately, whether or not you “take everything” in Skyrim depends on your playstyle and goals. But focusing on high-value items and strategic inventory management will make your adventuring experience more efficient and enjoyable. So go forth, Dragonborn, and loot responsibly!
Skyrim Looting: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is money really not an issue in Skyrim?
Yes and no. Early on, money can be tight. However, as you progress and complete quests, money becomes less of a concern. The real limitation is often merchant gold. Merchants only have a certain amount of gold available to trade, so you may need to visit multiple merchants to sell all your loot.
2. Are there any skills that improve my ability to carry more items?
Yes, investing in Stamina increases your maximum carry weight. There are also perks in the Heavy Armor skill tree that reduce the weight of equipped heavy armor. There are also Standing Stones such as the Steed Stone, which can increase your carry weight.
3. Can I improve the amount of gold merchants have to trade?
Yes, there are perks in the Speech skill tree that increase merchant gold. There are also ways to join the Thieves Guild, and build up the fences’ gold.
4. Is it worth investing in the Pickpocket skill?
Pickpocket can be useful, but it’s not essential. It allows you to steal items, plant items, and even poison enemies. However, it’s risky, and you can easily get caught.
5. Should I sell enchanted items or disenchant them?
This depends on your needs. If you need money, sell them. However, disenchanting them allows you to learn new enchantments, which can be extremely valuable for crafting powerful gear.
6. What are the best places to find valuable loot?
Dungeons, ruins, and caves are the best places to find valuable loot. Look for chests, corpses, and hidden areas. Certain radiant quests for the Thieves Guild allow you to loot particularly wealthy houses.
7. Can my house be robbed in Skyrim?
No, your house cannot be robbed. Items stored in your house are safe.
8. What happens if I get caught stealing?
If you’re caught stealing, you’ll incur a bounty. Guards will attempt to arrest you. You can pay the bounty, go to jail, or resist arrest.
9. Is there a limit to how high my skills can level?
Yes, skills can be leveled to 100. Once all skills are at 100, the character level maxes out.
10. Is it possible to completely avoid combat in Skyrim?
While challenging, it’s possible to play a mostly non-combat character. Focus on skills like Sneak, Speech, and Alchemy to avoid direct confrontation.
11. What is the most powerful weapon in Skyrim?
The most powerful weapon depends on your build and playstyle. However, Auriel’s Bow is widely considered one of the best weapons in the game. The Nightingale Bow is another popular choice.
12. Can I get married in Skyrim?
Yes, you can get married in Skyrim. To do so, you need to acquire an Amulet of Mara and speak to a potential spouse.
13. Is there a way to reset my skills in Skyrim?
Yes, with the Dragonborn DLC, you can reset your skill trees by spending a Dragon Soul.
14. What is the hardest quest in Skyrim?
Many players consider “No Stone Unturned” to be one of the most challenging quests. It involves finding all 24 Stones of Barenziah, which are scattered throughout Skyrim.
15. Where can I learn more about the game design and learning aspects of Skyrim?
You can find information and research on the game design and learning aspects of Skyrim on the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The Games Learning Society fosters research and collaboration on how games can be used for learning.
Final Thoughts
Remember, Skyrim is about creating your own story. Hoarding every item might seem appealing initially, but strategic looting will ultimately lead to a more rewarding and immersive experience. So, choose your loot wisely, Dragonborn, and carve your own legend in the snowy lands of Skyrim!