The Absolute Worst Shouts in Skyrim: Dragonborn Duds
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 world of Skyrim is filled with powerful Dragon Shouts, ancient words of power that allow the Dragonborn to unleash devastating abilities. However, not all Shouts are created equal. While some are game-changers that can turn the tide of battle, others are… less impressive. The worst Shouts in Skyrim are situational at best, completely useless at worst, and often outclassed by other spells, abilities, or even just plain old weapon skills. This article will dive deep into those disappointing Dragonborn duds, exploring why they fall short and how to avoid wasting valuable dragon souls on unlocking them.
The Bottom of the Barrel: Shouts That Miss the Mark
Here’s a breakdown of the Shouts that consistently rank among the least useful in Skyrim, alongside reasons for their lack of effectiveness:
-
Kyne’s Peace: This Shout pacifies wild animals. While it sounds helpful in theory, Kyne’s Peace is severely limited. Its range is short, and it only affects animals, not hostile creatures like bandits or monsters. It is almost always more effective to use a bow and arrow to deal with wildlife or to simply sneak past. Furthermore, the spell Calm does the same thing, but without the cooldown time.
-
Animal Allegiance: While slightly more useful than Kyne’s Peace because it can call animals to fight for you, the animals summoned are generally weak and short-lived. The amount of time spent casting the shout and waiting for the animals to arrive could be spent effectively attacking enemies yourself.
-
Call Dragon: On paper, summoning Odahviing to fight for you sounds amazing. In practice, Call Dragon is restrictive. You can only use it outdoors, and Odahviing isn’t always the most reliable ally. He can get stuck in terrain or simply wander off, leaving you to fend for yourself. This is a later-game shout and is almost worthless because of its limitations.
-
Voice of the Emperor: This is a racial power, not a Shout, and exclusive to Imperials. It calms nearby people. This ability is highly situational and generally inferior to other crowd-control options. Given that it isn’t even a shout, it doesn’t improve with dragon souls and becomes less and less useful the longer you level up.
-
Frost Breath: While it does deal frost damage, Frost Breath is underwhelming compared to other offensive Shouts like Fire Breath or Unrelenting Force. Its damage is mediocre, and the freezing effect is inconsistent. Other frost spells are more reliable for applying slowing or freezing effects.
Why These Shouts Fail
Several factors contribute to the unpopularity of these Shouts:
-
Situational Usefulness: Many of these Shouts only work in very specific scenarios, making them impractical for general use.
-
Low Power: Their effects are often weak or easily replicated by other abilities, spells, or items.
-
Long Cooldowns: Even if the Shout’s effect is useful, its long cooldown makes it difficult to rely on in a pinch.
-
Better Alternatives: In almost every case, there are better ways to achieve the same result.
Avoiding Shout Regret
Here are some tips for choosing Shouts wisely:
-
Read the Descriptions Carefully: Understand exactly what a Shout does before investing dragon souls.
-
Experiment: Try out different Shouts to see which ones fit your playstyle.
-
Prioritize Versatility: Focus on Shouts that are useful in a variety of situations.
-
Consider Your Build: Choose Shouts that complement your character’s skills and abilities.
FAQs: Decoding Skyrim’s Shouts
1. Can any Shout be useful in the right situation?
Yes, even the “worst” Shouts can have niche uses. For example, Kyne’s Peace could be helpful for a low-level character trying to avoid aggressive animals. However, their limited utility and better alternatives generally make them poor choices.
2. Does upgrading a Shout make it significantly better?
Upgrading Shouts by finding additional Words of Power always improves their effectiveness. However, even fully upgraded, the weaker Shouts often remain less useful than more powerful Shouts with only one or two Words.
3. Are there any mods that improve the weaker Shouts?
Yes, many mods rebalance or overhaul Skyrim’s Shouts, making the less useful ones more viable. Searching for “Skyrim Shout Overhaul” on modding websites will yield numerous options.
4. Is it possible to respec Dragon Shouts in Skyrim?
Without mods, there is no way to respec dragon shouts. Once you use dragon souls, they cannot be refunded. Be sure you want the Shout before unlocking it!
5. What are some of the most powerful and versatile Shouts in Skyrim?
Unrelenting Force, Become Ethereal, Whirlwind Sprint, and Slow Time are consistently ranked among the best Shouts due to their broad applicability and powerful effects.
6. How do I find all the Words of Power for a specific Shout?
You can find Word Walls by exploring dungeons, following the main questline, or receiving quests from the Greybeards at High Hrothgar. Some locations are also revealed by reading special stone tablets.
7. Does my character’s level affect the power of Shouts?
No, the power of Shouts is determined by the number of Words of Power you have unlocked for that Shout. Your character’s level does not directly impact Shout effectiveness.
8. Can followers use Shouts?
No, followers in Skyrim cannot use Dragon Shouts. The Dragonborn is unique in their ability to harness this power.
9. Is there a limit to how many Shouts I can learn?
No, there is no limit to the number of Shouts you can learn in Skyrim. You can collect all 27 Shouts in the game.
10. Does the Dragonborn’s race affect their ability to use Shouts?
No, the Dragonborn’s race does not affect their ability to use Shouts. Any race can become Dragonborn and learn all the Shouts in the game.
11. What is the fastest way to recharge Shouts?
Wearing items with the “Fortify Shouts” enchantment reduces Shout cooldown times. The Amulet of Talos and blessing of Talos also reduce the cooldown of Shouts by 20% each, for a combined reduction of 40%.
12. Can I create my own Dragon Shouts?
While the Dragonborn can learn and master existing Shouts, they cannot create entirely new ones through gameplay. The creation of Shouts is a fundamental power tied to dragon souls and dragon language, which is not something the player can manipulate. As the article mentions, “Yes the dragon born or anyone that can shout can technically create a shout but they can’t just say some random words in the dragon tongue and it’s a shout.“
13. How important are Shouts to completing the main questline?
Shouts are essential for completing the main questline. Several quests require the use of specific Shouts to progress.
14. What are Dragon Souls, and how do I get them?
Dragon Souls are the energy absorbed from defeated dragons. They are required to unlock the power of new Words of Power for Dragon Shouts.
15. Where can I learn more about the lore and history of Dragon Shouts?
The Elder Scrolls wiki provides comprehensive information about the lore, history, and mechanics of Dragon Shouts. Additionally, exploring in-game books and interacting with characters like the Greybeards can offer valuable insights. To gain a broader understanding of how games are studied from different academic angles, it might be helpful to look at websites that promote game studies. One particular website is the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Ultimately, the best Shouts in Skyrim are those that fit your playstyle and help you overcome challenges. By carefully considering your options and understanding the limitations of the weaker Shouts, you can make the most of your Dragonborn powers and become a true master of the Voice.