The Absolute MOST Annoying Quest in Skyrim: No Stone Unturned (And Why!)

Let’s cut right to the chase: the single most annoying quest in Skyrim, the one that will have even the most patient Dragonborn tearing their hair out, is No Stone Unturned. While some quests are frustrating due to difficulty, glitches, or poor writing, No Stone Unturned earns its crown for sheer, unadulterated tedium. You’re tasked with finding 24 Stones of Barenziah, scattered across the entirety of Skyrim, with little to no direction. It is a massive scavenger hunt with no clear end, and the reward rarely feels worth the effort.

Why “No Stone Unturned” Is So Dreadfully Annoying

The annoyance stems from several factors:

• The Sheer Number: 24 stones is a LOT. And they aren’t conveniently located near each other. You’ll be fast-traveling across the map, repeatedly, to previously explored locations, only to find a tiny gem tucked away in some obscure corner.

• Lack of Direction: The initial quest provides vague hints at best. While you eventually get a quest marker from Vex in the Thieves Guild, it only leads you to the location, not the specific spot where the stone is hidden. This forces you to meticulously search every nook and cranny of massive dungeons and cities.

• The Locations: Some stones are located in areas heavily populated by enemies, requiring you to fight your way through hordes of bandits, draugr, or other threats just to reach the gem. This adds another layer of frustration on top of the already tedious search. Locations such as dungeons, are often filled with other quests that require even more time to complete.

• The Reward vs. the Effort: The reward for completing No Stone Unturned is the Crown of Barenziah, which, once reassembled, grants you a dramatically increased chance of finding gems in containers. While more gems are nice, the sheer amount of time investment required to obtain the crown rarely justifies the benefit. Many players find it more efficient to simply buy gems from vendors.

• It’s a Completionist Trap: For players striving for 100% completion, No Stone Unturned becomes a necessary evil. The allure of ticking off every quest on the list often outweighs the dread of the tedious hunt, leading many players to begrudgingly embark on this frustrating journey.

Beyond the Stones: Other Contenders for “Most Annoying”

While No Stone Unturned stands head and shoulders above the rest, other quests deserve an honorable (or perhaps, dishonorable) mention:

• Discerning the Transmundane: Involves gathering crimson nirnroot in the treacherous, and often visually confusing, underground cavern of Blackreach. The quest itself isn’t difficult, but Blackreach’s sheer size and disorienting layout make it a deeply unpleasant experience for many.

• A Return to Your Roots: Another nirnroot quest! This time, you’re gathering regular nirnroot, but the sheer volume required (30 in total) can make it feel like a tedious chore, especially since nirnroot isn’t the most common plant to stumble across.

• The Break of Dawn: While rewarding you with the powerful Dawnbreaker sword, this quest can be annoying due to its reliance on navigating a dungeon filled with shades and strategically placed light puzzles. The dialogue with Meridia can also become grating after repeated playthroughs.

• Lost to the Ages: It’s a lengthy questline centered around Aetherium Shards. While the lore is interesting, the shards are scattered across Skyrim, requiring extensive exploration and combat.

Is It Worth It? That Is the Question!

Ultimately, whether or not a quest is “worth it” is subjective. Some players enjoy the completionist aspect of finding all the Stones of Barenziah, while others find it to be a mind-numbing slog. If you’re a player who values efficiency and time management, you might want to skip No Stone Unturned entirely. However, if you’re a completionist with a lot of free time, it might be a challenge worth undertaking. But be warned: you have been told!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Annoying Skyrim Quests

1. Is there a way to track the Stones of Barenziah?

Not initially. Once you join the Thieves Guild and progress the main questline, you can speak to Vex who will then provide you with a quest marker.

2. Can I find the Stones of Barenziah before starting the quest?

Yes! The stones are present from the beginning of the game, so you can stumble upon them accidentally or intentionally seek them out before even joining the Thieves Guild.

3. Does the Unofficial Skyrim Patch fix any of the issues with “No Stone Unturned”?

The Unofficial Skyrim Patch addresses bugs and glitches associated with the quest but doesn’t fundamentally alter the tedious nature of the stone hunt.

4. What’s the best strategy for completing “No Stone Unturned”?

Use online resources (maps and guides) to pinpoint the exact locations of each stone. It will save you countless hours of aimless wandering.

5. Are there any mods that make “No Stone Unturned” less annoying?

Yes! Several mods add quest markers for each stone, making the hunt significantly easier. Some mods even streamline the quest or offer alternative ways to obtain the Crown of Barenziah. You can also learn more by joining the Games Learning Society to ask other players for strategies and tips.

6. What is the reward for finding all the Stones of Barenziah?

The reward is the reassembled Crown of Barenziah, which increases your chance of finding gems in containers.

7. Is the Crown of Barenziah worth the effort?

For most players, no. The increased gem drop rate is minimal compared to the time investment.

8. Which is worse: “No Stone Unturned” or “Discerning the Transmundane”?

“No Stone Unturned” is generally considered more annoying due to the sheer number of items to find and their scattered locations. “Discerning the Transmundane” is disliked because of the vastness and confusing environment that is Blackreach.

9. Are there any essential NPCs that I should avoid killing?

Yes! Killing certain NPCs can break quests or prevent you from accessing important locations. Avoid killing shopkeepers, quest givers, and characters marked as “essential.”

10. What are some easy skills to level up in Skyrim?

Smithing (crafting iron daggers), Alteration (using the “Telekinesis” spell on an object), and Archery (repeatedly shooting a high-health target) are relatively easy to level.

11. What are some of the hardest enemies to defeat in Skyrim?

Dragon Priests, the Ebony Warrior, and Legendary Dragons are among the most challenging enemies you’ll encounter.

12. Can you complete all quests in Skyrim in a single playthrough?

Yes, it is possible to complete nearly every quest in the game in a single playthrough.

13. What is the safest city in Skyrim?

Markarth is considered the safest city in Skyrim, as it’s the only city never attacked by Dragons.

14. Who is the most powerful character in Skyrim?

The Dragonborn is technically the most powerful character in Skyrim, after defeating Alduin.

15. Can you play as a villain in Skyrim?

Yes, you can certainly play as a villain by joining the Dark Brotherhood, Thieves Guild, and making morally questionable choices throughout the game. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to read more articles about playing Skyrim and other games.