What is the hardest quest in Skyrim?
Most players name the Ebony Warrior encounter from the Dragonborn DLC as the hardest fight in Skyrim. He only appears once you reach a high level, scales with you, and hits hard with both weapons and shouts. Other tough battles include Karstaag and Miraak in Dragonborn and Harkon in Dawnguard. If "hardest" means most tedious, collection quests like No Stone Unturned and A Return to Your Roots top the list.
The hardest fights
- The Ebony Warrior. A level-scaled warrior who comes looking for you when you reach a high level and challenges you at his camp. He has a lot of health, heavy armor and powerful shouts.
- Karstaag (Dragonborn). A frost giant boss on Solstheim summoned at Castle Karstaag; he summons ice wraiths and hits extremely hard.
- Miraak (Dragonborn). The final boss of the expansion, who heals himself by absorbing dragon souls during the fight.
- Legendary dragons. Appear at high levels and are tougher than anything in the main quest.
- Harkon (Dawnguard). The vampire lord at the end of Dawnguard, who drains health and summons allies.
The most tedious quests
- No Stone Unturned. Find all 24 Stones of Barenziah scattered across Skyrim. Missing one does not reset the quest, but finding the last few without a guide can take hours.
- A Return to Your Roots. Collect 30 Crimson Nirnroots in Blackreach, a huge, dangerous underground cavern.
- Lost to the Ages. A long dungeon-heavy quest through several Dwemer ruins to assemble the Aetherial Crown.
- Elder Knowledge. Requires finding a way into Blackreach and navigating to the Tower of Mzark, which many players find confusing on a first run.
How to prepare for hard fights
- Upgrade your best weapon and armor with Smithing and Enchanting.
- Carry plenty of healing and resistance potions.
- Use shouts like Become Ethereal or Slow Time when in trouble.
- Bring a strong follower and save before every major fight.
FAQ
Has anyone ever finished Skyrim?
You can finish the main quest and every major questline, but Skyrim has no true end: radiant quests and open exploration continue indefinitely.
What is the scariest enemy in Skyrim?
Many players point to Falmer in dark caves and the Frostbite spiders, and to the Dragon Priests for their size and power.
Is the main quest hard?
Not especially. Alduin's final battle is fairly easy on normal difficulty; optional content is where the real challenges are.