Unlocking Nocturnal’s Secrets: Choosing Your Nightingale Power in Skyrim

The question every fledgling Nightingale asks themselves: which Nightingale power is the best? The answer, like so many things in Skyrim, isn’t a simple one. It depends entirely on your playstyle, your character build, and how you intend to utilize your newfound abilities. However, to get straight to the point, there isn’t one that is inherently superior. Each has its place and shines in specific situations.

• Agent of Shadow (Crescent Moon): Grants invisibility for 120 seconds while sneaking.
• Agent of Subterfuge (Half Moon): Causes nearby enemies to fight each other for 30 seconds.
• Agent of Strife (Full Moon): Allows you to drain life from a target.

Let’s dive deep into each power, explore its strengths and weaknesses, and help you make an informed decision worthy of Nocturnal herself.

Agent of Shadow: The Silent Phantom

This power is arguably the most straightforward. Two full minutes of invisibility while sneaking? Sounds amazing, right? Well, it is. Agent of Shadow is perfect for characters who rely heavily on stealth. Think assassins, thieves (naturally), and anyone who wants to avoid combat altogether.

The Strengths of Shadow:

• Extended Invisibility: Two minutes is a long time in Skyrim. You can traverse entire dungeons without being detected, pickpocket entire towns, or position yourself perfectly for a devastating sneak attack.
• Reduced Detection: Makes you incredibly difficult to detect, even for enemies with high perception.
• Versatility: Useful in virtually any situation where stealth is desired.

The Weaknesses of Shadow:

• Requires Sneaking: The invisibility only works while you’re actively sneaking. Stop sneaking, and poof, you’re visible again.
• Redundancy: As the provided article snippet notes, invisibility potions and spells already exist. A skilled alchemist or mage can achieve similar results.
• Doesn’t Address Combat Directly: If you get caught, you’re still vulnerable.

Who Should Choose Shadow?

• Dedicated Stealth Builds: Characters who have invested heavily in the Sneak skill tree and prefer a non-confrontational approach.
• Roleplayers: Those who want to truly embody the shadowy nature of the Nightingales.
• Players Who Dislike Combat: Stealth can be used to bypass entire encounters.

Agent of Subterfuge: The Master Manipulator

Agent of Subterfuge is a more nuanced power. Instead of making yourself invisible, you turn your enemies against each other. This is pure chaos magic, perfect for disrupting combat and creating opportunities.

The Strengths of Subterfuge:

• Crowd Control: Excellent for large groups of enemies. Turning them against each other buys you valuable time to escape, heal, or focus on a specific target.
• Tactical Advantage: Can completely change the flow of battle. Watch as bandits tear each other apart while you calmly line up a shot.
• Unique Effect: There aren’t many ways to achieve this specific effect in Skyrim.

The Weaknesses of Subterfuge:

• Limited Duration: 30 seconds is a relatively short time.
• Unreliable: Some enemies may be resistant to the effect. Powerful single enemies may not be affected at all, which can be a disaster if you’re surrounded by weaker ones.
• Situational: Less effective against single, powerful enemies.

Who Should Choose Subterfuge?

• Players Who Enjoy Tactical Combat: Those who like to manipulate the battlefield to their advantage.
• Characters Who Struggle With Crowds: This power can turn a disadvantageous situation into an opportunity.
• Those Who Like Causing Chaos: Let’s be honest, it’s fun to watch enemies beat each other up.

Agent of Strife: The Life-Draining Vampire

Agent of Strife is the most directly combat-oriented power. It allows you to drain life from a target, damaging them while simultaneously healing yourself. This is a powerful tool for survivability.

The Strengths of Strife:

• Sustain: Provides valuable healing in combat.
• Damage: Deals damage to the target, making it a potent offensive ability.
• Simplicity: Straightforward and easy to use. Point, click, drain.

The Weaknesses of Strife:

• Range: Likely has a limited range, forcing you to be close to your target.
• Vulnerability: Casting takes time, leaving you vulnerable to attack.
• Less Effective at Higher Levels: As you level up and acquire better gear, the amount of health drained may become less significant.

Who Should Choose Strife?

• Melee-Focused Characters: Those who are constantly in close combat and need sustain.
• Characters Who Lack Healing Options: This power provides a reliable source of healing, regardless of your other skills.
• Players Who Prefer Direct Combat: If you like to face your enemies head-on, this is the power for you.

Making Your Decision

Ultimately, the best Nightingale power is the one that best complements your character and playstyle. Consider the following:

• Your Skills: Do you specialize in stealth, combat, or magic?
• Your Gear: What armor and weapons are you using?
• Your Difficulty Setting: On higher difficulty settings, survivability becomes more important.
• Your Roleplaying Preferences: Do you want to be a silent assassin, a cunning manipulator, or a life-draining warrior?

Experimentation is key. You can always change your power later, so don’t be afraid to try them all out and see which one feels the best for you. Embrace the shadows, manipulate your foes, or drain their life force. The choice is yours, Nightingale.

This information may be interesting for people who like to learn through games. Be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more on this!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Nightingale Powers

1. Can I change my Nightingale power after I choose it?

Yes! You can change your Nightingale power at the Twilight Sepulcher near Falkreath. Simply return to the Sepulcher and interact with the Ebonmere.

2. How often can I use my Nightingale power?

Each Nightingale power can be used once per day.

3. Does my level affect the strength of my Nightingale power?

No, the strength of the power does not scale with your level. The effects are fixed based on the chosen ability.

4. Is Nightingale Armor good for stealth?

Yes, Nightingale Armor is excellent for stealth. Its enchantments enhance stamina and frost resistance, which benefits sneaky characters.

5. Can I get Nightingale Armor without joining the Nightingales?

No, the Nightingale Armor is exclusively obtained during the Thieves Guild questline when you become a Nightingale.

6. What level should I be to get the best Nightingale Armor?

Wait until you reach level 32 before starting the “Trinity Restored” quest to receive the highest-level version of the Nightingale Armor.

7. Is Nightingale Armor light or heavy armor?

Nightingale Armor is light armor, favoring stealth and mobility.

8. Is the Nightingale Bow better than a Daedric Bow?

At its highest level, the Nightingale Bow is comparable to a Daedric Bow. However, a player-crafted Daedric Bow with high Enchanting and Smithing skills can surpass it.

9. What are the enchantments on the Nightingale Armor?

The enchantments on the Nightingale Armor fortify stamina and resist frost.

10. How do I temper (upgrade) Nightingale Armor?

You need void salts and the Arcane Blacksmith perk to temper Nightingale Armor.

11. Is the Guild Master armor better than the Nightingale Armor?

Aesthetically, that’s a personal choice. Functionally, the Guild Master armor is slightly stronger in armor rating, and its enchantments are more thief-oriented.

12. Can you keep the Skeleton Key?

Yes, you can keep the Skeleton Key, but you must leave the “Darkness Returns” quest incomplete. This prevents you from becoming the Guildmaster of the Thieves Guild.

13. How do I use my Nightingale powers?

Use them like Dragon Shouts. Assign the power to your shout button (usually Z on PC) and press it to activate.

14. Is it worth becoming the Master of the Thieves Guild?

Yes, becoming Master of the Thieves Guild is worth the effort. The rewards are significant and enhance the thief playstyle.

15. What is the rarest armor in Skyrim besides the Nightingale set?

Some of the rarest armors include Aetherium Equipment, Konahrik, Ahzidal’s Armor, and Auriel’s Shield.