Skyrim Special Edition: The items you absolutely must have in your inventory

Skyrim Special Edition is finally upon us, bringing with it updated visuals and the same old brilliant gameplay that made it one of the best games of 2011, and certainly one of the best games of last generation.

Part of what made the game so great was its scope and varied gameplay, offering many a different style and approach from gamers. The sheer amount of items, weapons, spells, characters, storylines, quests and dungeons to find and explore was (and still is) mindboggling, so it probably helps to have a little guidance alone the way.

In this guide we’ll talk about the equipment items you absolutely must have in your inventory: from the best armor, to the best spells, potions and, of course, weapons.

Now of course, this is just a guide, and lists the equipment we feel is best suited to a variety of different play styles. You should mix and match, and find what’s right for you, rather than follow this like gospel. That said, this guide should put you on the right path, as it offers a list of the best items in the game in each respective area.

Once you’re finished here, be sure to check out our list of best mods for Skyrim Special Edition on Xbox One.

Best Weapons | Best Armor | Best Spells | Best Potions | Best Enchantments |

Best Weapons

Daedric Dagger

This weapon is mobile and incredibly useful. Assassins can use it most effectively, as it gets a damage boost when backstabbing. Be sure to enchant it.

• Enchantment: None
• Damage: 11
• Weight: 6

Where To Find: You can find this weapon randomly, or buy it from merchants

 

Bloodscythe + Soulrender

This combination is so useful and powerful that you could probably safe space and increase mobility by not wearing any armor at all (although that’s not recommended, but, eh, it’s worth a try!)

• Enchantment: Use both of these weapons together to absorb 15 health and 15 magika. This improves your chance of weakening enemy armor as well as magical defenses.

Where To Find: This weapon is found via the Solstheim Side Quest, “Deathbrand”, which you’ll need to complete.

 

Auriel’s Bow

This weapon causes major damage, which can be further enhanced with some modifications. Use Sunhallowed Arrows for extra effectiveness!

• Enchantment: This weapons causes 20 points of sun damage, while undead targets can take up to triple damage.

Where To Find: Complete the “Touching The Sky” quest in the Dawnguard Main Quest.

 

Harkon’s Sword

With the right enchantment, this weapon is insanely powerful!

• Enchantment: This weapon can absorb 15 health points, magicka and stamina if you’re using it as a Vampire.

Where To Find: You’ll need to finish the “Kingdred Judgment” quest in the Dawnguard Main Quest.

 

Mace Of Molag Bal

The downside of this mace is that it’s huge and not particularly mobile. The plus side is that it has a number of powerful enchantments that can make up near-invincible, not to mention plenty of potential upgrades.

• Enchantment: This weapon deals a nasty 25 points of stamina damage, as well as magicka damage. It fill a soul gem if the enemy dies within 3 seconds, making it an exceptionally powerful tactical weapon.

Where To Find: Finish the “The House Of Horrors” quest in the Daedric Quest line.

 

Chillrend

This weapon can’t be disenchanted, but it is upgradeable. It also offers frost damage and paralysis to anyone who wields it.

• Enchantment: This weapon can take 30 points of frost damage from enemies, with a chance to paralyse target for 2 seconds.

Where To Find: Found during “The Pursuit” quest in the Thieves Guild Quest line.

 

Best Armor

Daedric Armor

If your preferred armor is Heavy Armor, then you want to aim for Daedric Armor when creating new armor. You can achieve this by visiting the force and arcane enchanter.

• Enchantment: None
• Armor: 49
• Weight: 50

Where To Find: You can find this armor randomly, by crafting it, or buying it from a merchant.

 

Dragonscale Armor

If you’re right at the top of the peak when it comes to Enchanting, then Dragonscale Armor is essentially the best armor available to you.

• Enchantment: None
• Armor: 41
• Weight: 10

Where To Find: You’ll need to craft this armor.

 

Miraak’s Robe

If you combine this with Miraak’s Gloves and Boots, you’ve got an outfit fit for a true mage. This armor allows you to increase spell absorb to 25%.

• Enchantment: There is increased chance to spawn a tentacle explosion on spawn, as well as absorb 15% of macgicka from Dragon Breath and spells.

Where To Find: You’ll need to complete the “At The Summit Of Apocypha” quest in the Dragonborn Main Quest line.

 

Deathbrand Armor

Wearing the full set of this armor brings increased carry capacity, better dual-wielding, waterbreathing, and +100 armor.

Enchantment: Increases Stamina for each Deathbrand item by 15.

Where To Find: You’ll need to complete the “Deathbrand” quest in the Solstheium Side Quest line.

 

Nightingale Armor

This is the perfect armor for an assassin character. If you wear the complete set, you’ll end up with better Lockpicking and one-handed weapon wielding ability, and get a significant discount on Illusion, which costs less magicka.

Enchantment: Stamina gets a boost of 20, 30, or 40 points, depending on number of pieces in set you’re weapon. Also increaes frost resistance by 15, 30, or 50%

Where To Find: Found during the “Trinity Restored” mission in the Thieves Guild Quest line.

 

Vampire Royal Armor

If you’re a Battlemage, then this is certainly the armor for you. It’s the Vampire’s most powerful and mobile armor, helping recover magicka quickly and efficiently.

Enchantment: Your magicka will regenerate 125% faster.

Where To Find: In the Castle Volkihar Ruins.

 

Best Spells

Guardian Circle

This can heal you when the undead are nearby.

• Enchantments: Any Undead that are level 35 or below will flee. Can also cause 20 health heal per circle from Caster to all within the circle.

Where To Find: You’ll need to finish the “Restoration Ritual Spell” in the College of Winterhold Quest line.

 

Dragonhide

This can make you ignore any damage for long periods and reach the centre of an epic battle, pushing you close to the most powerful foe before making a huge, devastating attack.

• Enchantments: 80% of all physical damage is ignored for 30 seconds

Where To Find: Complete the “Alteration Ritual Spell” quest in the College of Winterhold Quest line.

 

Fire Storm

This can allow you to beat up on multiple enemies at once, either by killing them or using Mass Paralysis.

• Enchantments: Will direct a 100-point explosion to centre of the caster. The closer to a target, the more damage it causes.

Where To Find: Complete “Destruction Ritual Spell” in the College of Winterhold Quest line.

 

Bane Of The Undead

This is an extremely useful spell, allow you to get rid of any undead that are nearby so you can move through barrows without distractions.

• Enchantments: Undead level 30 or below will either flee or be set on fire.

Where To Find: Complete the “Restoration Ritual Spell” quest in the College of Winterhold Quest line.

 

Lightning Storm

If you’re coming up against one individual enemy that you’re struggling against, this is particularly useful, especially against wizards.

• Enchantments: 75 points of shock damage per second turns to health, and 37 to magicka.

Where To Find: Complete the “Destruction Ritual Spell” quest in the College of Winterhold Quest line.

 

Mass Paralysis

This is a fantastic spell that can cause your enemies to flee quickly when you’re becoming overwhelmed.

• Enchantments: If a nearby enemy fails to respond, they will be paralyzed for 15 seconds.

Where To Find: Complete the “Alteration Ritual Spell” quest in the College of Winterhold Quest line.

 

Mayhem

This is just an all-round hilarious and awesome spell that can be fantastic for causing complete and utter, erm, mayhem around you!

• Enchantments: Turns the nearby area into a chaotic mess: any beings nearby that are level 25 or below will attack anyone nearby for one minute.

Where To Find: Complete the “Illusion Ritual Spell” quest in the College of Winterhold Quest line.

 

Best Potions

The Potion Of Enchanting

• Ingredients: (Any two of the following) Ancestor Moth Wing, Blue Butterfly Wing, Chaurus Hunter Antennae, Hagraven Claw, Snowberries, Spawn Ash, Spriggan Sap
• Effects: Fortify Enchanting

 

The Profitable Potion

• Ingredients: Bear Claws, Giant’s Toe, Hanging Moss
• Effects: Fortify Health, One-Handed, Damage Magicka Regen

 

The Cure-All Potion

• Ingredients: Blue Mountain Flower, Charred Skeever Hide, Mudcrab Chitin
• Effects: Cure Disease, Resist Poison, Restore Health, Stamina

 

The Potent Poison

• Ingredients: Butterfly Wing, Human Heart, Nightshade
• Effects: Damage Magicka, Health, and Magicka Regen, Lingering Stamina Damage

 

The Potion Of Invisibility

• Ingredients: (Any two of the following) Ash Creep Cluster, Chaurus Eggs, Crimson Nirnroot, Ice Wraith Teeth, Luna Moth Wing, Nirnroot, Vampire Dust
• Effects: Invisibility

 

The Five-Effect Potion

• Ingredients: Bear Claws, Eye of Sabre Cat, Hanging Moss
• Effects: Bear Claws, Eye of Sabre Cat, Hanging Moss

 

Best Enchantments

Fortify Alchemy (Armor)

• Enchantment: Created potions are [a set number]% more powerful.

 

Fortify Smithing (Armor)

• Enchantment: Weapons and armor can be improved [a set number]% better.

 

Chaos (Weapon)

• Enchantment: 50% chance for each element of fire, frost, and shock to do [a set number] points of damage.

 

Absorb (Weapon)

• Enchantment: Absorbs [a set number] points of health.

 

Fortify Magic Skill (Armor)

• Enchantment: [Magic Spells] cost [a set number]% less to cast.

 

Paralyze (Weapon)

• Enchantment: Chance to paralyze the target

 

Fortify Weapon Skill (Armor)

• Enchantment: [A Weapon Type] do [a set number]% more damage

 

Soul Trap (Weapon)

• Enchantment: If the target dies within [an allotted time], fills a soul gem.

 

Fortify Stamina (Armor)

• Enchantment: Stamina regenerates [a set number]% faster.

Do you have any favourite items, spells, potions and enchantments? Tell us in the comments below and share your thoughts!