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Mastering the Arcane: Your Guide to Enchanting Expertise in Skyrim

So, you want to become a master enchanter in Skyrim? Excellent choice! Enchanting is arguably one of the most powerful skills in the game, allowing you to create incredibly potent gear. The key question is: who can train you to level 100 Enchanting? In Skyrim, you cannot be trained to level 100. Trainers only offer training up to a certain level, and you must level the skill the rest of the way on your own. However, by following the advice and tips in this article, you’ll be an expert in no time! The key is to combine trainer lessons with your own experimentation and diligent practice to maximize your effectiveness in the field.

Skyrim’s Enchanting Trainers: Your First Steps

While no single NPC can take you all the way to Enchanting 100, several key trainers can significantly boost your initial progress and provide valuable insights. Utilizing these trainers efficiently is crucial for a swift and effective journey to becoming a master enchanter.

Sergius Turrianus: Located within the College of Winterhold, Sergius is an Expert-level trainer. You can find him wandering the Hall of Elements or the Hall of Countenance. He’s an excellent choice for getting your Enchanting skill off the ground.
Hamal: Hamal, residing in Markarth at the Temple of Dibella, is a Master-level trainer. However, she only becomes available for training after completing “The Heart of Dibella” quest. Hamal can train you up to Enchanting level 90.
Neloth: If you own the Dragonborn DLC, Neloth, a Telvanni wizard in Tel Mithryn on Solstheim, is another Master-level trainer. He can also train you up to level 90.

Leveling Up Beyond Training

After reaching the maximum training level from these masters, you must rely on your own skill and knowledge to reach the coveted Enchanting level 100. The following strategies are essential for this final push:

Crafting and Enchanting: This is your bread and butter. Crafting items, especially with the Smithing skill, provides materials to enchant. Iron Daggers or Dwarven Bows are popular choices due to their cheap material cost. Enchanting these crafted items is the core of leveling your skill.
Enchantment Selection: Certain enchantments grant more experience than others. Fortify Sneak, Fortify Carry Weight, Paralyze, and Banish Daedra are known to provide higher experience gains. Experiment to see which works best for you and your available soul gems.
Soul Gems: Larger soul gems filled with powerful souls are essential for creating stronger enchantments and gaining more experience. Grand Soul Gems, especially when filled with a Grand Soul, are highly sought after.
Boosting Experience Gain: Utilize any bonuses that increase your experience gain. Activating the Mage Stone and being Well Rested will significantly accelerate your progress.
Selling Enchanted Gear: After enchanting your crafted items, sell them to vendors to recoup your losses and fund future crafting endeavors. Riverwood Trader and Warmaiden’s in Whiterun are decent starting points.

Mastering Enchanting: Key Strategies

To truly master Enchanting, consider the following tips and strategies:

Enchanting Perks: Invest in the Enchanting skill tree! Perks like Enchanter (5/5), Insightful Enchanter, Corpus Enchanter, Extra Effect, and Soul Squeezer/Syphon are crucial for creating more potent enchantments and maximizing your skill gains.
The Extra Effect Perk: The Extra Effect perk is arguably the most powerful perk in the Enchanting tree. It allows you to place two enchantments on a single item, greatly enhancing its power and your experience gain.
Ahzidal’s Armor: If you have the Dragonborn DLC, collecting and wearing all four pieces of Ahzidal’s armor grants the Ahzidal’s Genius ability, which increases your Enchanting skill by 10 points.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Enchanting in Skyrim

Here are some frequently asked questions to further expand your knowledge about enchanting. Remember that persistence and experimentation are key to mastering this powerful skill! Understanding the intricacies of enchanting will allow you to craft unique and potent items, turning you into a truly formidable force in Skyrim.

1. What gives the most Enchanting XP in Skyrim?

Enchantments like Fortify Sneak, Fortify Carry Weight, Paralyze, and Banish Daedra typically grant the most experience. The specific item enchanted is less important than the enchantment itself.

2. What is the fastest way to level Enchanting in Skyrim?

Crafting items like Iron Daggers or Dwarven Bows in bulk, then enchanting them with high-experience enchantments, is the fastest way to level Enchanting. Don’t forget to utilize experience bonuses like the Mage Stone and Well Rested buff.

3. Where can I find Grand Soul Gems?

Grand Soul Gems can be found in various locations throughout Skyrim, including dungeons, tombs, and sold by vendors. Black Soul Gems, created with the Black Star or Azura’s Star, can trap human souls, always resulting in a Grand Soul.

4. What is the best soul to use for enchanting?

A Grand Soul is the best soul to use for most enchantments, as it provides the highest magnitude and duration. However, for weapons, using the Black Star or Azura’s Star can be more convenient since they are reusable.

5. Does the Soul Trap enchantment level Enchanting?

No, casting the Soul Trap spell or using a weapon with the Soul Trap enchantment does not directly level your Enchanting skill. It only fills soul gems, which are then used for enchanting.

6. How many bookshelves do I need for max enchanting?

This question is related to Minecraft enchanting, not Skyrim. In Skyrim, bookshelves do not affect the strength of enchantments.

7. Can I enchant items with Fortify Alchemy to create stronger potions?

Yes! Enchanting items with Fortify Alchemy allows you to create more potent potions, which can then be used to further enhance your character.

8. What is the highest possible Enchanting skill level?

The natural maximum skill level is 100. However, you can temporarily boost your Enchanting skill above 100 using enchantments, potions, and abilities.

9. What is the best item to enchant for leveling?

Iron Daggers and Dwarven Bows are excellent choices due to their low material cost and ease of crafting. The enchantment used is more crucial than the item itself.

10. How do I get the Extra Effect perk?

You need to reach Enchanting skill level 100 and invest a perk point in the Extra Effect perk in the Enchanting skill tree.

11. Does increasing my Smithing skill help with Enchanting?

While Smithing doesn’t directly boost Enchanting, it provides a steady supply of items to enchant, making it an indirectly helpful skill to level alongside Enchanting.

12. What is the best standing stone for Enchanting?

The Mage Stone is the best standing stone for leveling Enchanting, as it grants a 20% bonus to experience gained in all magic skills, including Enchanting.

13. Where can I find an Arcane Enchanter early in the game?

An Arcane Enchanter can be found in Farengar Secret-Fire’s lab in Dragonsreach in Whiterun.

14. Is Enchanting a good way to make money in Skyrim?

Yes! Enchanting valuable items and selling them is a profitable way to make money in Skyrim.

15. How does the Games Learning Society relate to Skyrim?

The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores the educational potential of games. While they may not directly study Skyrim, the complex systems and skill progression within the game demonstrate how gameplay can be used to learn and master skills, a core concept explored by the Games Learning Society.

Enchanting is a rewarding and powerful skill to master in Skyrim. Use these tips, tricks, and trainer locations to achieve your goal of becoming a master enchanter! Good luck, and may your enchantments always be potent.

Who can teach Enchanting to 100?