When it comes to long-lasting games that truly have stood the test of time, Skyrim is the one to beat. Even now, in 2021, over 9 years after its initial release, the game has a solid player base, with more and more joining every day.
In this breakdown, we will go over the Special Edition of the game and how to best start your adventure from its beginning. If you’ve only just picked up the game for the first time or a seasoned vet looking to start your next save file, you’re in the right place.
One quick note before we begin. While this is geared primarily for the Special Edition of the game, if you have the original version, many of these tips will work just as well, so don’t feel too left out if one or two things are a bit different.
Step 1: Character Creation
As we start the game off, you’ll be introduced to the opening cutscene telling you briefly about the world as well as your first meeting with the game’s major antagonist, Alduin. During this time, you will also go about creating your character.
In the Elder Scrolls: Skyrim game, there are numerous different races to choose from, each with its own unique and specific abilities to consider:
- The Altmer, or High Elf, are a race of Elves that hail from the Summerset Isles and are strong in all Magic schools, with exceptional ability in Illusion Magic. In addition to the standard Healing and Flames Spells, they also know the Illusion Spell, Fury (Enemies level 6 and below attack anything nearby for 30 seconds) and have a +50 to their Magicka. They have the unique racial power “Highborn,” which regenerates 25% of their maximum Magicka per second for 60 seconds upon activation once per day.
- The Argonian are a reptilian race that originates from Black Marsh. They are high in stealth skills with an increase in their Lockpicking ability. They have a 50% resistance to various diseases and have the passive ability to breathe underwater. Their unique daily power is known as “Histskin,” which allows them to regenerate their health 10xs faster than normal for 60 seconds.
- The Bosmer, or Wood Elf, is the second race of Elves, originating from Valenwood. They are innately high in stealth skills, excelling in Archery. Like Argonians, they have a 50% resistance to diseases as well as 50% Poison Resistance. Their unique daily ability is known as “Command Animal” and allows them to turn any surrounding animal into an ally for 60 seconds.
- The Breton, also known somewhat as a Half-Elf, is of human and elven lineage and is said to come from High Rock. They are high in both Magical and Speech skills, with a particular showing towards Conjuration Spells. All Bretons start with the Conjure Familiar spell, which creates an ethereal wolf that will fight alongside them for up to 60 seconds. They have a 25% resistance to Magic and have the daily unique racial ability known as “Dragonskin,” which, when activated, absorbs 50% of all magic and spell attacks for 60 seconds.
- The Dunmer, or Dark Elves, is from Morrowind and is skilled in both stealths and magic, being particularly gifted in Destruction Spells. They can cast Sparks (a Novice-level Destruction spell that makes 8 points of shock damage to both health and Magicka per second) and have a 50% resistance to fire. Their daily racial ability is known as “Ancestor’s Wrath” and surrounds them in a fire for 60 seconds.
- The Imperial is a human race that is from Cyrodiil. They are equally skilled in both combat as well as magic, specifically excelling in Restoration Magic. Once a day, they can use their unique racial ability, “Voice of the Emperor,” to Calm nearby people for 30 seconds, which causes enemies up to level 9 to stop fighting. Also, Imperials are innately able to find more gold than any of the other races.
- The Khajiit are a beast race of cat people that originate from Elsweyr. They are a very stealthy race with a particular focus being put on the Sneak skill. They have a +15 to their Base Unarmed attack damage and have the racial ability, “Night Eye,” to improve their Night Vision for 60 seconds.
- The Nord is the second human race and is native to Skyrim. They are warriors and smiths at heart with increased ability in using Two-Handed Weapons. They have a 50% resistance to frost damage and have the racial ability known as “Battle Cry,” which Frightens level 9 and below enemies for 30 seconds once per day.
- The Orc, or Orsimer, is a race of conflicting origin and classification. Some regard them as a potential variant of Elves, while others view them as merely Beastfolk. Regardless, they are from High Rock and Orsinium and are warriors and mercenaries at heart, particularly capable of using Heavy Armor. Unlike the other races, Orcs can freely enter Orc Camps without becoming blood-kin and have the unique racial ability to activate “Berserker Rage” (doubles physical damage dealt while halving all damage received for 60 seconds) once per day.
- The Redguard is the final human class and is from Hammerfell. Like the other human races, they are skilled in combat, having a high level in One-Handed combat. They have 50% Poison Resistance and can perform “Adrenaline Rush” (regenerates stamina 10xs faster than normal for 60 seconds) once per day.
Each race has its strengths and weaknesses and should be considered base on what type of start you want to have. Elves like the Altmer and Bosmer are very much magically inclined, while Beastfolk like Argonians and Khajiit are stealth-based. All Humans and Orc races are good warrior options as well.
Keep in mind that, while all races can eventually become as good as you want them to be, if you are looking to start the game off in the best way, consider picking a race that matches what you are looking to excel in right away.
Escaping Helgen
After you’ve chosen your character’s race, you’ll play through the opening level escaping Helgen and Alduin. You’ll choose between either joining up with the Imperials or the Stormcloaks (Hadvar or Ralof, respectively). Neither choice is set in stone, and you can change your mind later if you choose to switch sides, so it doesn’t matter which side you initially go with.
From this point on, simply fight your way through the keep, tunnels, and caves before escaping Helgen entirely. Try to focus on using your preferred weapon of choice (Magicka, Archery, One-Handed, or Two-Handed) and look out for things that have any level of value. It isn’t vitally important that you move through the place super methodically as there isn’t anything particularly valuable in the area, to begin with.
Heading to Riverwood
Now is where the journey begins. Once you’ve officially fled Helgen, either Hadvar or Ralof will prompt you to follow them to Riverwood to meet their friend and restock. Don’t waste your time. While we will eventually get to Riverwood, we’ll want to make a few pitstops beforehand.
First Stop: Bandit Camp
Your first stop before getting to Riverwood will be a small bandit camp along the route. As you follow either Hadvar or Ralof towards the town, after about 10-15 seconds, you’ll want to turn left and keep straight for a few paces until you pass a trunk covered in mushrooms and a short cliff.
Right underneath that cliff is the bandit camp that 3 Bandits occupy. Kill them with your preferred method of combat and loot their camp and corpses entirely. You must do as one of the 3 will have “Treasure Map I” on their person. You’ll need to have at least opened the treasure map for the game to set the location, meaning that even if you go to its actual location, if you haven’t opened the map at least once, the treasure will not be there. Inside the camp, you’ll also find a Skill Book that will increase one of your stats as well as some Enchanted Black Robes. You’ll want to carry all of these things as they are worth a fair amount of gold.
Shrine of Talos
After finishing up at the camp, you’re next going to head down to the main road before making a left. You’ll then briefly follow the road, walking straight, until walking up a small hill between two trees. There, you’ll find the Shrine of Talos along with numerous corpses.
If you want to, you can get a blessing from the shrine, which will cure all diseases and reduce your cool-down time between Shouts by 20%. You cannot cure the late stages of Vampirism or Lycanthropy, but you can cure the early stages if a vampire ever attacks you.
Whether you get the shrine blessing at this stage is up to you as, at this point, there isn’t all that much benefit. Instead, you’ll want to loot all the corpses at the shrine, particularly the Thalmor’s corpse. There, you’ll get the Hooded Thalmor Robes, the Thalmor Boots, Thalmor Glove, and a randomized Enchanted Item. Even if you don’t like any of these items for personal use, they sell fairly high and are worth it simply for the potential gold.
Finding the Guardian Stones
After clearing out the shrine, you’ll head back to the main road towards Riverwood. Keep following the path until you find 3 large pillar-like stones off to the side. These are known as the Guardian Stones and will actively give you a boosting effect based on their nature. They consist of the Warrior Stone, Mage Stone, and the Thief Stone.
- The Warrior Stone helps level up combat-based skills 20% faster than normal:
- Block
- Heavy Armor
- One-Handed
- Smithing
- Two-Handed
- The Mage Stone helps level up magic-based skills 20% faster than normal:
- Alteration
- Conjuration
- Destruction
- Enchanting
- Illusion
- Restoration
- The Thief Stone helps level up stealth-based skills 20% faster than normal:
- Archery
- Alchemy
- Light Armor
- Lockpicking
- Pickpocket
- Sneak
- Speech
As you can only use one stone at a time, you’ll want to choose the one that you’ll be basing your combat style off of.
A word of advice, if you want the best results in the game overall, consider choosing either the Warrior or the Mage Stone. Unless you are going for an entirely Mage-based character, both Blacksmithing and Enchanting are invaluable skills to advance as quickly as possible. Both will result in you crafting powerful items that can sell for quite a bit of gold at their higher levels.
Raiding the Hunter’s Camp
Immediately after choosing your preferred stone, continue behind the three stones and down the small hill. There, you’ll find a Hunter camping along the river. He is selling various pieces of hides and pelts as well as a few food items. If you are looking to increase your Blacksmithing skill, consider purchasing his hides and pelts. The Hunter won’t have a large amount of money, so don’t expect to sell any of your items for any real profit.
Instead, what you’re going to do is Lockpick the chest and take all the items. This is especially important if you’re looking to use a two-handed weapon as an Iron Greatsword in the chest. There are also around 57 Gold Pieces and a few other valuable items. You won’t be able to sell any of the other items at this time, but you can still wear/craft with them.
The Hunter will not do much more than complain at you stealing his stuff, but you can kill and loot his body if you’re so inclined. If not, let’s get on to Riverwood.
Welcome to Riverwood
After dealing with the hunter and his materials, you’re finally on your way to Riverwood. Kill and loot any enemies you meet along the way (likely a few wolves) before entering the town. While much of the story’s lore will begin here, we won’t be delving too deeply into that quite yet. Instead, you’re going to do a few quick tasks while here before heading out again (sorry if you thought you’d be here long).
Faendal, Sven, and The Letter
The first thing you’re going to do while in Riverwood is meet up with a guy named Faendal. He’s a Bosmer (i.e. Wood Elf) archer that is often around either the town’s entrance or around the mill. As a Wood Elf, he’s pretty distinct, so you’ll know him when you see him since most of the other inhabitants are humans.
Talking to Faendal, you’ll learn that he’s currently in a lover’s feud with a Nordic man named Sven for the love of a woman named Camilla. Hear him out, and he’ll ask you to deliver a fake letter to Camilla under the pretenses that it’s from Sven. The game will then give you the option of either delivering the fake message or telling Camilla the truth.
If you deliver the message, you’ll gain Faendal as a companion, while telling Camilla the truth will result in Sven being available as a companion. Overall, while lying is certainly a bit reprehensible, Faendal is considerably the better of the two. On top of a fun exploit option later, his stats are just better by comparison. And if you want to feel any better, you can talk to Sven first, and he’ll opt for the same quest only in reverse.
After suitably playing matchmaker, talk to Faendal, and he will agree to follow you as a companion.
Archery
Like I said earlier, Faendal is not only a better character in terms of stats and leveling, but he also has a cool exploit option for increasing your Archery level for virtually free.
After having him follow you as a companion, talk to him. He’ll have the option to train your Archery skill for roughly 260 Gold per lesson. If you don’t have the full amount, that’s fine. Just sell enough of the items you’ve acquired so that you meet the base amount. If you activated the Warrior Stone, now is a good time to consider increasing your Blacksmithing skill by forging leather armor or improving any leather or iron items.
Once you have the 260 Gold, talk to Faendal and pay for a single Archery lesson. This is important. Only do one lesson at a time. Even if you have enough for all five lessons, this method will be considerably cheaper and only take a few seconds longer.
After you do the one lesson, you’ll get out of the training option and ask to share his inventory with you. This is where the exploit comes in. As Faendal is a follower, you can share any items you have between one another. You can give him any items you don’t feel like carrying and weapons and armor that will increase his overall effectiveness while in combat. You can also take any items that he has, including any gold he has acquired.
I hope you get where I’m going with this.
After each lesson, go to his inventory and simply take back the 260 Gold before paying for it again. This will mean that you will level up your Archery skill 5 times for absolutely free, giving you a tremendous advantage in money and skill. Even if you aren’t planning to use Archery in the game, this exploit is good for the free skill points, as they will help your cumulative score in leveling up overall as well.
Collecting from Gerdur
Once you’ve leveled up your Archery from Faendal, follow the questline map marker to a woman named Gerdur. While she is part of the story’s main questline, you won’t be worrying about that right now. Instead, you’re going to ask her for supplies. She’ll then offer you several different foods, potions, drinks, and jewelry for free. Just take all of it and sell the items you don’t want.
Treasure Chest
Next on your list is to find that Treasure Chest from the Treasure Map we found earlier. If you haven’t looked at it yet, now is the time as it’s fairly close to Riverwood, actually appearing behind the town in an abandoned tree trunk.
While the chest will always be here (provided you’ve looked at the map), the contents will vary based on your level. In the beginning, the chest will have relatively few impressive items. If you decide to come back later, that same tree will hold considerably more valuable items to match your levels more effectively.
As you will come across more chests later in the game, having a high starting amount of gold is paramount at the beginning of the game, and so you should take all the materials.
Now let’s finish up with the last step so you’ll have started off the game in the best way.
Anise’s Cabin
Following up the hill from where you found the treasure, you’ll come across a small cabin in the woods with an elderly woman named Anise. If you talk to her, she’ll simply continue saying she’s just an old lady and doesn’t want trouble. What you are going to do is enter her home and find the trapdoor hidden beside her bed.
Once entering the trapdoor, you’ll find that this woman is indeed not “just” an old woman. In reality, she’s a member of a coven of witches. More to the point, however, is the numerous items available here. If you activated the Mage Stone, you’d be able to more quickly level up the Enchantment skill, increasing your overall ability. Similarly, she has numerous potions and poisons that are worth taking.
After taking all of her items, leave out of the cabin. There, you’ll find Anise ready to attack. You won’t be able to talk her down, so you might as well just kill and loot her body. Once you’ve done that, collect everything on the top level.
And with that, you’re done! You can now choose where you want to go and if you wish to follow the story. Skyrim is a game of nearly limitless adventures and quests to complete and go on. After following this guide, I hope you will start that journey in the best and most well-equipped way because of what was shared.
