The wild and untamed lands of Skyrim are teeming with adversaries, from the wretched to the powerful, and the monstrous to the meek. This chapter presents them alphabetized by type, so you can identify the foes you’re about to engage in battle. This allows you to identify weaknesses that you can exploit, bolster your defenses against the spells and abilities your enemies will use, and know what kind of loot to expect. Heed the following notes before exploring the Bestiary in detail.

Bestiary Advice

Enemies

Enemies that are members of one of the ten races that you can choose from have all the benefits of their race (which you can read about at the start of the Training chapter) in addition to any statistics indicated in the Bestiary below.

For example, a High Elf Warlock has a higher Magicka than indicated due to their Highborn Magicka racial ability. A Breton Warlock will be more resistant to spells because of their Magic Resistance ability. A Nord Warlock will shrug off frost spells (Frost Resistance), while a Dark Elf Warlock will be more resistant to fire (Fire Resistance).

As your level increases, the difficulty of the enemies you encounter will typically increase in stages. This is most visible when you read the name of your adversaries, which usually indicates their level. For example, a “Novice Necromancer” (Level 1) is noticeably weaker than an “Apprentice Necromancer” (Level 6) or a “Master Necromancer” (Level 36). A few characters (such as your Followers) work differently: Their level will gradually increase as your level does, though possibly at a slower rate.

Ordinary citizens of Skyrim and unique enemies for particular quests are not listed in this section. The vast majority of unique enemies borrow their statistics from a related creature that is on the chart, perhaps with a slight change to their weapons, armor, or spells. For example, all of the Civil War military camps have a commander with a unique name. However, these are simply named versions of the “Imperial Legate” or “Stormcloak Commander” characters in the Bestiary.

Items and Spells

(Parenthesis) indicate that an item may or may not be present—random chance per creature.

A / Slash indicates that one of the items will be present, the others will not.

[Brackets] indicate that the version of the item carried by the creature cannot be looted from their body. For example, most Skeleton armor can’t be taken from Skeletons.

Many creatures have some form of Loot Item (eg. Skeleton Loot). These are typically lists of small items (food, ingredients, etc.) that the creature may be carrying; a creature may have none, one, or several of these items on them when killed. For each creature type, we’ve provided a quick summary of the kinds of things they’re likely to be carrying.

The Bestiary Chart Legend

Afflicted

The Afflicted of Peryite have a damaging Vile Vapor ability in addition to their normal attacks.

Afflicted – Archers

Afflicted – Guardians

Afflicted – Mages

Afflicted – Warriors

Afflicted

Alik’r

Alik’r – Archers

Alik’r – Berserkers

Alik’r – Mages

Alik’r – Warriors

Alik’r (Berserker)

Alik’r (Mage)

Alik’r (Warrior)

Animals

This list includes wild and domesticated animals that appear only appear in one or two forms. Minor Treasure includes a tiny chance of: A few gold, a gem, or a ring.

Domesticated Animal (Cow)

Domesticated Animals

Wild Predators

Wild Predator (Snow Bear)

Wild Prey

Wild Prey (Mammoth)

Unique Animals

Apocrypha Keepers

Apocrypha is the plane of Oblivion ruled by Hermeus Mora, lord of fate and keeper of forbidden knowledge. The Daedra of this realm come in two forms: Seekers are masters of illusion, who use invisibility and mirror images as distractions while they sap your strength; use a quick area-of-effect attack to break through their decoys and find the real Seeker. Lurkers are towering monstrosities with powerful physical and poison-based attacks; poison resistance is effective against them, but your best defense may be to simply keep your distance and attack them from range.

Seeker (High Seeker)

Lurker Vindicator

Lurkers

Seekers

Ash Spawn

Born from bones of Solstheim’s dead infused with the ash of Red Mountain, Ash Spawn roam the southern wastes of Solstheim. They are immune to poison and highly resistant to fire, but have no particular weaknesses.

Ash Spawn Warrior (Ash Spawn Skirmisher)

Ash Spawn Spellsword (Ash Spawn Immolator)

Conjured Ash Spawn (Ash Guardian)

Ash Spawn Mages

Ash Spawn Spellswords

Ash Spawn Warriors

Conjured Ash Spawn

Bandits

Bandits are among the most common threats in Skyrim, and include members of every race.

Bandit (Bandit Chief)

Bandit Archers

Bandit Berserkers

Bandit (Berserker)

Bandit Guardians

Bandit Warriors – 1H

Bandit Warriors – 2H

Bandit Wizards

Chaurus

Chaurus

Chaurus Hunter

The insectoid Chaurus often fight alongside their Falmer masters. Their high health and lingering poison attack makes them dangerous opponents. Be sure to increase your resistance to poison with potions or enchantments before facing them.

When a Chaurus reaches the end of its natural lifespan, it forms a cocoon and is reborn as a flying Chaurus Hunter. Hunters have more powerful attacks, greater health, and stronger chitin that resists physical damage, making magic a more effective choice against them. Minor Treasure includes a tiny chance of: A few gold, a gem, or a ring.

Chaurus

Cultists

Cultist (Arch Cultist)

Miraak’s human followers, the Cultists, oversee his plans on Solstheim and carry out their master’s will across Tamriel. Cultists are powerful conjurers, with the ability to command or banish your summoned creatures, and often to summon creatures of their own, including Seekers from Apocrypha. Cultist loot includes a chance of: Gold, Ingredients, Potions, Scrolls, Soul Gems, Spell Tomes, or Recipes. Miraak’s strongest servants are his three Acolytes, powerful Dragon Priests who followed him to Solstheim in the distant past. Each Acolyte uses spells from one element exclusively, so prepare for battle by using potions or equipping gear that gives you resistance to their element. They have no special weaknesses.

Cultists

Acolytes

Acolyte (Zahkriisos)

Miraak

Daedra

Daedra include all manner of creatures native to Oblivion, from elemental Atronachs to the powerful Dremora. All of the Daedra in this list will be affected by Daedra-banishing spells and effects (Banish Daedra, Expel Daedra, etc.). Don’t bother using Illusion spells against Daedra, but do take advantage of the Atronachs’ elemental weaknesses—obviously, fire spells are best against Frost Atronachs, and frost spells against Flame Atronachs. Note that Atronachs summoned by the common conjuration spells are generally weaker than those bound in more permanent ways (such as the ones you often find in Warlock dungeons). You can claim Daedra Hearts from the bodies of slain Dremora; these are one of the rarest ingredients in the game, and essential for smithing Daedric items.

Daedra (Flame Atronach)

Daedra

Dremora

Daedra (Dremora Lord)

Dawnguard

Long ago, the Dawnguard were an organization of elite Vampire Hunters. Under the leadership of Isran, they have begun to rebuild their base in Skyrim’s eastern mountains, and their agents are beginning to spread throughout the Nine Holds. Dawnguard loot includes a chance of food or drink, lockpicks, jewelry, gems, tools, or ingots.

Dawnguard Warrior (Two-Handed)

Dawnguard Warrior (One-Handed)

Dawnguard Crossbowman

Dawnguard Crossbowmen

Dawnguard Leaders

Dawnguard Warriors

Death Hounds

Death Hound

With a fearsome bite and bloodlust the equal of any vampire, these undead dogs will rend the flesh of any who oppose their masters. As allies, their bite and ever-present Frost Cloak mean they do significantly more damage than a common dog, although common dogs will have more Health at higher levels. When facing them, consider increasing your Frost Resistance to minimize the damage from their Frost Cloak. Spells that damage or turn undead also work well against them.

Minor treasure includes a tiny chance of a few gold, a gem, or a ring.

Death Hounds

Dogs

Dawnguard Husky

While dogs are a common sight in Skyrim, purebreeds like Huskies are rare. The Dawnguard train them as war dogs, using them to seek out vampires and hunt them down. With almost twice the Health, Stamina, and attack power of an average dog, the armored Huskies are a worthy companion for any warrior. Minor treasure includes a tiny chance of a few gold, a gem, or a ring.

Dogs

Dragons

Dragons are among the most formidable foes, with powerful attacks and vast reserves of health. A dragon’s color usually indicates their difficulty, allowing you to choose whether to fight or flee as soon as you spot them. When fighting a dragon, stay on the move-- patience and ranged attacks work best. Be especially careful of Revered and Legendary Dragons, who have a powerful shout that drains your Health, Magicka, and Stamina.

Dragon Loot includes a chance of: Dragon Bones, Dragon Scales, Gold, Gems, Weapons, or Armor; Dragons usually have several of these items. If you intend to smith dragon weapons or armor, make sure to save a couple dozen Dragon Scales, or a few Dragon Bones.

Legendary Dragon (Fire)

Ancient Dragon

Blood Dragon

Dragons

Unique Dragons

Alduin

Draugr

Draugr are among the most common foes in Skyrim’s many crypts and catacombs. Fire is your best weapon against them. High-level Draugr, like Dragon Priests and Deathlords, are especially deadly foes-- don’t go toe-to-toe with Deathlords unless you can withstand some serious damage. Draugr Loot includes a chance of jewelry, gems, soul gems, ingots, or potions. Note that you can’t loot their armor (would you really want it?).

Draugr (Draugr Wight)

Draugr (Draugr Deathlord)

Draugr (Dragon Priest)

Draugr Archers

Draugr Overlords

Draugr Warlocks

Draugr Warriors – 1H

Draugr Warriors – 2H

Dragon Priests

Dwarven Automatons

Automatons are the mechanical constructs left behind by the Dwarves who once inhabited Skyrim. As constructs, most Automatons are immune to poison, Illusion spells, Frost spells, and Soul Trap, and have 25% Magic Resistance. Dwarven Loot includes a chance of: arrows, scrap metal, oil, ore, gems, or soul gems. Spheres give more (and more valuable) loot than Spiders, and Centurions more than Spheres.

Dwarven Automatons (Centurion)

Warped Dwarven Sphere

Dwarven Spiders

Dwarven Ballistas

Dwarven Centurion

Dwarven Spheres

Unique Automatons

Ebony Warrior

The Ebony Warrior is a unique and powerful foe, with high health and some of the best weapons and armor to be found anywhere. He is marginally more vulnerable to Fire than the other elements, since only his shield confers Fire Resistance, and he won’t have it equipped if you fight him from range. Defeat him, and you can claim his gear for your own.

The Ebony Warrior

Ebony Warrior

Falmer

Falmer inhabit the deep caves and dwarven ruins of Skyrim, as well as the Forgotten Vale. Most poison their weapons for added damage and charge into battle with their pet Chaurus and spiders. Since Falmer are blind, you can use light spells and torches without being detected. They have excellent hearing, though, so keep your distance and move slowly if you plan a stealthy approach. Falmer Loot includes a chance of Falmer Ears, poisons, or gold.

Falmer (Shadowmaster)

Falmer Warmonger

Falmer Archer

Falmer Shaman

Falmer Spellswords

Falmer Warriors

Feral Falmer

Falmer Boss: Spellsword

Falmer Boss: Warrior

Unique Falmer

Forgotten Vale Animals

In the centuries that the Forgotten Vale has been isolated from the outside world, its animals have grown to be very different than those in Skyrim. Despite their appearance, these creatures have no special resistances or weaknesses, so the same tactics for fighting them still apply. Minor Treasure includes a tiny chance of a few gold, a gem, or a ring.

Vale Sabre Cat

Forgotten Vale Animals

Forgotten Vale Frozen Creatures

Deep within the Forgotten Vale, you may find creatures that have been transformed into living ice. They have the statistics, abilities, and resistances of their living forms (as listed in this section) but are additionally [Immune to Frost, Weak to Fire 25%]. They shatter when killed, making any items they carry unrecoverable.

The one exception is the Ancient Frost Atronach, whose power has been amplified by the ice. Keep your distance from him to avoid his persistent Frost Cloak and powerful melee attacks, and use fire spells or weapons with a flame enchantment to bring him down.

Frozen Falmer

Forgotten Vale Frozen Creatures

Forsworn

The tribal natives of the Reach, Forsworn revere Hagravens and fight to drive invaders from their lands. Forsworn Wizard Loot includes a chance of ingredients, potions, soul gems, or a forsworn weapon.

Forsworn Archer

Forsworn Berserkers

Forsworn Boss – Berserker

Forsworn Shaman

Forsworn Boss – Shaman

Gargoyles

Gargoyles are predatory creatures with a stony skin that allows them to protect themselves and helps ambush their prey. Gargoyles in statue form are immune to all damage and magical effects. Once they emerge, gargoyles are still highly resistant to physical attacks and drain health from their victims with each hit. Keep your distance and use magic or enchanted weapons to bring them down.

Gargoyle Sentinel

Gargoyles

Giants

The nomadic Giants shepherd their mammoth herds across the Tundra of central Skyrim. While powerful, they are generally peaceful if left alone. Their cousins, the Frost Giants of the Forgotten Vale, are even more formidible, with hard-hitting attacks and huge reserves of health. When fighting giants, don’t let them get within melee range—they are deceptively fast, so don’t get caught out in the open. Use cover and obstacles to your advantage, and wear them down with ranged attacks. Giant Loot typically includes several of: Giant Toes, Giant Weapons, Giant Armor, Gold, Gems, Soul Gems, and Animal Parts.

Giant

Giant

Unique Giants

Hagravens

Hagraven

Witches who surrender their humanity become Hagravens, creatures of corruption and decay revered by the Forsworn of the Reach. Before fighting them, do what you can to bolster your fire resistance. Warriors should close to melee range rather than try to take them on at a distance.

Hagravens

Horses

Horses are a common mode of transportation in Skyrim, at least for those able to afford them. You can obtain a number of unique horses through quests. For example, during your time in the Soul Cairn, you may learn how to summon the skeletal horse Arvak.

Horse (Brown)

Arvak

Horses

Hunters

Hunter

Skyrim’s vast forests are home to any number of hunters, who prefer the wilderness to life in the cities. Orcs in particular often take up this nomadic lifestyle. Most are glad to barter with a passing adventurer.

Hunters

Morag Tong

The Morag Tong are an ancient guild of assassins, legally sanctioned to carry out ‘writs’ of execution against their targets. They have a long and bitter rivalry with the Dark Brotherhood, which split from the Morag Tong centuries ago. When fighting the Morag Tong, be sure you finish off your target, as most will try to use Invisibility to escape and recover. Morag Tong Loot includes a chance of: Food, Drink, Jewelry, Lockpicks, Gems, or Tools.

Morag Tong Assassin

Morag Tong

Netch

Netch are a wild species native to Morrowind that resemble floating jellyfish. They are generally peaceful, and are often kept and herded like cattle by Dark Elven farmers. But be warned: if provoked, they are highly dangerous. All Netch are resistant to shock, and their tentacles do shock damage, so plan accordingly. Minor Treasure includes a tiny chance of: A few gold, a gem, or a ring.

Betty Netch

Netch

Penitus Oculatus

After the fall of the Blades, the Penitus Oculatus were created to serve as the Emperor’s personal security force. They have an outpost in Dragon Bridge.

Penitus Oculatus

Penitus Oculatus Archers

Penitus Oculatus Battlemages

Penitus Oculatus Warriors

Reavers

‘Reavers’ are the bandits and pirates that ply the waters of the eastern Sea of Ghosts. They are almost exclusively Dark Elves (with the Dark Elves’ innate resistance to fire), and tend to be slightly more challenging than typical bandits: they have a chance of having better armor, and their leaders, the Reaver Lords, can wield spells and weapons with equal finesse. Reaver Loot includes a chance of: Food, Drink, Jewelry, Lockpicks, Gems, or Tools. Reaver Wizard Loot additionally includes a chance of: Soul Gems, Ingredients, Books, Spell Tomes, and Staffs.

Reaver Marauder

Reaver Lord

Reaver Archers

Reaver Lords

Reaver Warriors

Reaver Wizards

Rieklings

Rieklings are small, blue-skinned humanoids that inhabit the icy northern regions of Solstheim. They tend to live in small clans, stealing or scavenging whatever they can to survive. Some clans raise and keep Bristleback Boars, which their best warriors use as mounts. Riekling Loot includes a chance of: Junk, Ingredients, Gems, Jewelry, Potions, or Gold. Boar Loot includes a chance of: Boar Tusks, Boar Meat, Potions, Gold, or Mushrooms.

Riekling Charger

Riekling Chief

Bristleback Boars

Mounted Rieklings

Riekling Spear-Throwers

Riekling Warriors

Unique Rieklings

Sailor

Solitude, Dawnstar, and Windhelm are all important Imperial ports, and many sailors from those cities crew the ships that ply the waters along the Sea of Ghosts.

Sailor

Sailor

Skeletons

The skeletal remains of the dead are a constant threat around Necromancers and Vampires. Unarmored skeletons tend to be weak, while armored skeletons present a much more difficult challenge. As with all undead, use fire magic or spells that damage or repel the undead to deal with them. Skeleton Loot includes a chance of: Jewelry, Gems, Soul Gems, Ingots, or Potions.

Skeleton

Skeleton Warlock

Skeleton Warrior

Skeleton Archers

Skeleton Warlocks

Skeleton Warlords

Skeleton Warriors

Unarmored Skeletons

Soul Guards

The Soul Cairn is the plane of undeath, home to lost and accursed souls forced to wander there for eternity. All Soul Guards are undead, so spells that damage or repel undead work well against them, as does fire magic. Soul Guard Loot includes a random chance of Soul Gems, Soul Husks, gold, gems, jewelry, or ingredients.

Boneman

Keeper

Reaper

Boneman Archer

Boneman Warriors

Mistmen

Boneman Archer

Wrathmen

Unique Soul Guards

Conjured Soul Guards

Spiders

Frostbite Spiders are giant arachnids often found in Skyrim’s caves and ruins. They have a dangerous poison spit attack, though their bite is just as poisonous—try to keep your distance and focus on ranged attacks. Despite their name, they are not actually resistant to frost. The white variety of spiders is somewhat tougher than the red variety for each size category. Minor Treasure includes a tiny chance of: A few gold, a gem, or a ring. Solstheim Spiders are a unique species of spider that has recently been discovered on Solstheim. Prolonged exposure to certain minerals (particularly gemstones) seems to cause the ‘standard’ Albino Spider to take on new and volatile forms. When fighting these spiders, observe their coloration and prepare yourself with Fire, Frost, Shock, or Poison Resistance accordingly. The damage from the jumping and exploding variants is half physical and half elemental, so while resistance will help, it won’t mitigate the damage completely.

Frostbite Spider

Jumping Shock Spider

Frostbite Spiders

Solstheim Spiders

Soldiers & Guards

Each of Skyrim’s Nine Holds maintains its own standing force of guards, who owe their loyalty to the Jarl. As the Civil War rages between the Imperial Legion and the Stormcloaks, their soldiers will take posession of the military camps, forts, towns, and cities of Skyrim, replacing some of the local guards.

Redpran Guard

Soldiers & Guard (Hold Guard)

Hold Guards

Solstheim Guards

Imperial Legion

Stormcloaks

Spriggan

Spriggans are spirits of the forest, often dwelling in secluded groves and grottos. They are just as tough in melee as with ranged attacks, and are often are accompanied by bears, wolves, and sabre cats that will fight to protect them. Most Spriggans are vulnerable to fire, so use it against them whenever possible.

The Burnt Spriggans of Solstheim are another matter. These tortured creatures are immune to fire (and actually use it against you), but they lack the allies of other Spriggans. Use ranged weapons or magic to take them out from a distance when possible.

Spriggan

Thalmor

The Thalmor are the agents of the elven Aldmeri Dominion, charged with overseeing the implementation of the White-Gold Concordat, the peace treaty between the Dominion and the Empire. Most view them as spies, or worse. Thalmor Loot includes a chance of gems, food, or drink. Thalmor Wizard Loot includes a chance of gems, soul gems, potions, or ingredients.

Thalmor Archer