Rediscovering the Power of Shouts in Skyrim: A Guide for the Dragonborn
When you think of the legendary Dragonborn from Skyrim, it’s likely that the phrase “an arrow to the knee”doesn’t come to mind (let’s leave that in 2012).What will likely resonate, however, is the iconic Unrelenting Force shout that not only shatters the silence of the battlefield but also sends enemies sprawling in every direction.
While shouts are integral to the Skyrim experience, many players often overlook this unique mechanic, leaning instead on magic or melee weapons to get the job done. It’s curious that such an essential aspect remains underappreciated. The complexity of their effective usage could be a reason why many shouts are left by the wayside.
In this article, we’ll delve into some of the most powerful shouts in Skyrim, which might just change your mind about using them and inspire you to embark on yet another journey through Tamriel.
10. Ice Form
IIS-SLEN-NUS
For those who enjoyed watching hilarious Skyrim montages, the Ice Form shout surely stands out, particularly for the glitchy spectacle of frozen characters floating and zooming off after a few moments. However, beyond the humorous glitches, this shout serves a tactical purpose: it can effectively freeze enemies, providing you with crucial breathing room in combat.
With effects lasting up to 30 seconds, Ice Form can immobilize foes, allowing you to focus on other enemies without worry. Additionally, a quirky glitch within the Thieves Guild lets you pickpocket items during the shout when enemies are frozen in place — just remember to keep your fingers warm!
9. Dragonrend
JOOR-ZAH-FRUL
Dragons are an ever-present threat in Skyrim, often swooping down from the skies just when you least expect it. For melee warriors, this can be a frustrating experience, especially when dragons prefer to keep their distance.
This is where Dragonrend becomes invaluable. By using this shout, you can force dragons to plummet to the ground, allowing for a fair one-on-one encounter.Utilizing the complete shout maximizes the time a dragon stays grounded. Plus, it’s completely free — a win-win!
8. Aura Whisper
LAS-YAH-NIR
No one enjoys being ambushed by enemies lurking in hidden corners of dark dungeons. The Aura Whisper shout can effectively counter this dilemma.
This shout not only reveals hidden enemies but also gives you a strategic advantage by allowing you to attack them stealthily and inflict additional damage due to your surprise attack.Aura Whisper is superior to the Detect Life spell, enabling you to sense almost every enemy from a distance, ensuring you’re rarely caught off guard.
7. Slow Time
TIME-KLO-UL
If you’ve ever fantasized about experiencing time dilation like in The Matrix, the Slow Time shout provides that exhilarating sensation. Activating this shout significantly slows your enemies’ movements, allowing you to land precise hits while dodging their attacks effectively.
This shout scales with its level, ultimately reducing time by 90% for at least 16 seconds.The added benefit of moving faster than your foes grants a substantial advantage, especially for stealth builds utilizing the Illusion Perk Quiet Casting to navigate enemy camps undetected.
6. Unrelenting Force
FUS-RO-DAH
The essence of Skyrim, the iconic Fus-ro-dah represents everything a shout should be. Unrelenting Force is often the first shout you master and remains one of the most frequently utilized throughout your journey.
While you might not rely on it for damage, it excels at clearing crowds of enemies or sending them flying off cliffs. Moreover, if you’ve completed “The Gardener of Men”quest in the Dragonborn DLC, this shout gains newfound power, allowing you to obliterate foes and clear dungeons with ease.
5. Summon Durnehviir
DUR-NEH-VIIR
Throughout your adventures in Skyrim, you’ll likely slay numerous dragons. However, some dragons can become your allies. By exploring the Dawnguard DLC, you’ll acquire the Summon Durnehviir shout, allowing you to summon this formidable entity from the Soul Cairn.
With capabilities like Frost Breath and the ability to summon undead allies, this shout gives you both a powerful dragon and an army at your disposal. If you have the Twin Souls Perk, you can simultaneously summon Durnehviir and another familiar, enabling you to overwhelm opponents as you relax and enjoy a sweet roll.
4. Soul Tear
RIVER-VASE-SUN
Every time Durnehviir is summoned, he introduces you to the next shout on our list: Soul Tear.This impressive shout inflicts a fixed damage of 300 on your enemies while also allowing you to trap their souls in any Soul Gem you might have. Forget the standard Soul Trap spell; this shout is much more effective!
Furthermore, successfully trapping an enemy’s soul enables you to reanimate them for up to one minute to fight alongside you. A unique aspect of Soul Tear is its ability to bypass usual restrictions, allowing you to reanimate larger foes like Giants — expanding your army in combat!
3. Marked For Death
KRII-LUN-AUS
Marked For Death stands out as a notoriously powerful shout when used properly. While it may not have been the intended design, it can be devastating in combat.
Utilizing the full power of this shout decreases an opponent’s armor rating by as much as 4, 500, continuing to chip away at their health. Once their armor hits zero, the damage continues into negative territory, instantly decimating anything in its path. With this shout, even the mightiest adversaries can be dispatched with a single well-placed strike.
2. Become Ethereal
FEIM-ZII-GRON
Often overlooked, Become Ethereal possesses untapped potential within the game. Initially, players may dismiss it due to the inability to deal damage while it’s active, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
In intense situations where you find yourself surrounded and in critical condition, this shout grants 18 seconds of invulnerability, during which you drain no stamina. Use this time to reposition, rethink your strategy, or simply make your escape. Additionally, jumping off cliffs while activated incurs no fall damage, enhancing your mobility throughout Skyrim.
The ultimate effectiveness of this shout relies heavily on player creativity and resourcefulness. Once you discover its versatility, you’ll wonder how you managed without it.
1. Dragon Aspect
MUL-QAH-DIIV
As the Dragonborn, you possess the power to wield the language of dragons, yet do you feel like a dragon during your journey? With the Dragon Aspect shout, you can truly embody that power. This ultimately overpowered shout is acquired by completing the main questline of the Dragonborn DLC.
Upon mastering all three tiers, you gain access to a visually striking set of ethereal Dragon Armor, enhanced resistances to fire and frost, elevated armor values, and boosted power attacks.The effects bundled into this shout make it exceptionally potent.
Additionally, if your health dips below 50% during combat, this shout automatically summons an Ancient Dragonborn to aid you in battle. Such a feature is incredibly helpful during extensive boss fights or engagements with numerous enemies.
While it’s important to note that Dragon Aspect functions as a Character Power, limiting its use to once a day, many players believe the benefits outweigh the wait time.Players can easily utilize the Wait function to reset this shout after a hard day of adventuring. With this shout, you are not just recalling the legend of the Dragonborn; you are living it. The world of Skyrim shall bow before your might.
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