Guides / The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition achievement guide

How to unlock every achievement, which ones you can miss, and the best order to get them all. Tick them off as you go.

100-125 hours

Time to 100%

3/10

Difficulty

Playthroughs

Missable achievements

9 collectible26 cumulative2 buggy

Points of no return

Killing Astrid in the Abandoned Shack: Permanently locks out the Dark Brotherhood questline and the achievements "With Friends Like These...", "Bound Until Death", and "Hail Sithis!".
Negotiating away The Reach or The Rift during "Season Unending" before completing the Civil War: Permanently locks out the fort capture battle required for the "War Hero" achievement.
Siding against Daedric Princes during their respective quests (e.g. sparing Erandur in Dawnstar, taking the Rueful Axe in Falkreath, sparing Sinding without obtaining the ring/hide exploit): Permanently locks out the required count of 15 Daedric Artifacts for the "Oblivion Walker" achievement.

Recommended order

Step 1

Start unmodded in Helgen to ensure achievements remain active, then travel to Riverwood and clear Embershard Mine and Bleak Falls Barrow.

Also in this step: Bleak Falls Barrow
Step 2

Proceed to Whiterun, Dragonsreach, and the Western Watchtower to trigger dragon spawns and initiate core shout progressions.
Step 3

Travel across Falkreath, Morthal, The Reach, and Karthwasten, clearing Morvath's Lair, Fort Greymoor, Halted Stream Camp, Silent Moons Camp, and Valtheim Towers while gathering crafting supplies and skill books.
Step 4

Journey to Ivarstead, climb to High Hrothgar, scale the Throat of the World, and recover the horn at Ustengrav.
Step 5

Visit Solitude, Castle Dour, the Blue Palace, the Pelagius Wing, and the Bard's College, tackling Broken Oar Grotto and side quests.
Step 6

Explore Markarth and Understone Keep, carefully earning Daedric Artifacts from local quests without failing any artifact conditions.
Step 7

Head to The Rift and Riften, infiltrating the Honningbrew Meadery to progress the Thieves Guild questline to full restoration.
Step 8

Travel through Windhelm, Winterhold, and The College of Winterhold, clearing Raldbthar and Mzulft for the mage questline.
Step 9

Visit Dawnstar, Septimus Signus's Outpost, and Nightcaller Temple, then venture into Blackreach and the Tower of Mzark.
Step 10

Advance the Civil War campaign through Korvanjund before the main story peace council to guarantee the capture of Fort Sungard or Fort Greenwall.
Step 11

Progress the main storyline through the Thalmor Embassy, Reeking Cave, Sky Haven Temple, Labyrinthian, Skuldafn Temple, and Sovngarde.
Step 12

Enter the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary by obeying Astrid rather than attacking her, then finish the assassination contracts.
Step 13

Begin the Dawnguard campaign by visiting Fort Dawnguard, Dimhollow Crypt, Castle Volkihar, the Volkihar Ruins, Ancestor Glade, Forgotten Vale, and the Inner Sanctum, unlocking all vampire and werewolf perks.
Step 14

Travel to Solstheim to explore Raven Rock, Apocrypha, and Tel Mithryn, taming dragons and learning Solstheim shouts.
Step 15

Build three complete estates via Hearthfire, grind a crafting skill to reset character levels until level 78, and slay a Legendary Dragon.

Also in this step: Legend

All achievements 0/75

With Friends Like These… Missable 16% of players Join the Dark Brotherhood Kill one of the hostages in the Abandoned Shack instead of Astrid, then speak with her at the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary to join. Where: Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary

Bound Until Death Missable 11.7% of players Complete "Bound Until Death" Complete the Dark Brotherhood quest "Bound Until Death" by assassinating Vittoria Vici during her wedding in Solitude. Where: Solitude

War Hero Missable 10.9% of players Capture Fort Sungard or Fort Greenwall Capture Fort Sungard in The Reach or Fort Greenwall in The Rift during the Civil War questline. Where: The Reach

Hail Sithis! Missable 10.7% of players Complete "Hail Sithis!" Complete the Dark Brotherhood quest "Hail Sithis!" by assassinating Emperor Titus Mede II aboard the Katariah and reporting back to Nazir. It is missable if you kill Astrid during "With Friends Like These..." and destroy the Dark Brotherhood instead. Where: Dawnstar

Land Baron Missable Collectible 5% of players Buy three plots of land Purchase plots of land in Falkreath, Hjaalmarch (Morthal), and The Pale (Dawnstar) from their respective Jarls or stewards. It is missable if the Jarl of Falkreath becomes permanently unwilling to sell the land, such as through killing Helvard during Dark Brotherhood contracts before buying Falkreath's plot. Where: Falkreath

Stalhrim Crafter Missable 4% of players Craft an item out of Stalhrim Complete the quest "A New Source of Stalhrim" to learn the secret of Stalhrim smithing, acquire the Ebony Smithing perk, and craft any Stalhrim item at a forge. It is missable if key Skaal villagers like Deor Woodcutter or Fanari Strong-Voice die before starting or finishing the quest.

Werewolf Mastered Missable Cumulative 3.8% of players Acquire 11 werewolf perks Acquire all 11 perks in the Werewolf skill tree by feeding on slain corpses while in Beast Form. It is missable if you cure your lycanthropy completely and permanently exhaust Aela's single offer to turn you back into a werewolf.

Oblivion Walker Missable Collectible Buggy 3.4% of players Collect 15 Daedric Artifacts Collect 15 specific Daedric Artifacts across their respective Daedric quests. It is missable because multiple Daedric quests present choices that forfeit the artifact reward or kill quest-givers prematurely.

Master Architect Missable Cumulative 3.3% of players Build three houses Fully build the main hall and three exterior wings on all three player-built homes (Lakeview Manor, Windstad Manor, and Heljarchen Hall). It is missable if you permanently lock yourself out of acquiring one of the land deeds, notably the Falkreath plot. Where: Falkreath

Unbound 72% of players Complete "Unbound" Escape Helgen Keep alongside either Hadvar or Ralof during the opening quest. The achievement unlocks once you exit the cavern beneath the keep. Where: Helgen

Blessed 62.1% of players Select a Standing Stone blessing Activate any Standing Stone across Skyrim to receive its blessing, such as the Guardian Stones situated along the path southwest of Riverwood. Where: Riverwood

Apprentice Cumulative 52.2% of players Reach Level 5 Raise your character's overall level to 5. This is accomplished by gaining sufficient experience from leveling individual skills.

Bleak Falls Barrow 49.6% of players Complete "Bleak Falls Barrow" Retrieve the Dragonstone from Bleak Falls Barrow and deliver it to Farengar Secret-Fire in Dragonsreach. Where: Bleak Falls Barrow · Step 1

Dragon Soul 49.2% of players Absorb a dragon soul Defeat a dragon and absorb its soul, which first occurs naturally after slaying Mirmulnir outside Whiterun. Where: Western Watchtower

Adept Cumulative 42.8% of players Reach Level 10 Reach character level 10 by improving your skill levels.

The Way of the Voice 37.1% of players Complete "The Way of the Voice" Climb the Seven Thousand Steps to High Hrothgar and complete the trials given by the Greybeards. Where: High Hrothgar

Words of Power Collectible 32.4% of players Learn all three words of a shout Learn all three words of power for any individual Dragon Shout by finding their corresponding Word Walls.

Gatekeeper 31.4% of players Join the College of Winterhold Pass Faralda's test at the entrance bridge and finish the introductory quest "First Lessons" to officially join the College. Where: The College of Winterhold

Citizen 31.1% of players Buy a house Purchase any house, such as Breezehome in Whiterun from Proventus Avenicci after completing the quest "Bleak Falls Barrow".

Daedric Influence 29.8% of players Acquire a Daedric Artifact Acquire any single Daedric Artifact awarded by completing a Daedric Prince's quest.

Take Up Arms 28.4% of players Join the Companions Complete the initiation tasks given by Kodlak Whitemane and Vilkas at Jorrvaskr to join the Companions. Where: Whiterun

Expert Cumulative 28.4% of players Reach Level 25 Reach character level 25 through natural skill progression.

Artificer 26% of players Make a smithed item, an enchanted item, and a potion Craft at least one item at a blacksmith forge, create one potion at an alchemy lab, and craft one enchanted item at an arcane enchanter.

Outlander 24% of players Arrive on Solstheim Board the Northern Maiden at the Windhelm docks and sail across to Solstheim, arriving in Raven Rock. Where: Raven Rock

Explorer Cumulative 23.1% of players Discover 100 Locations Discover 100 map markers across Skyrim or Solstheim by traveling near undiscovered locations.

Snake Tongue Cumulative 22.7% of players Successfully persuade, bribe, and intimidate Successfully pass a persuade check, a bribe check, and an intimidate check in dialogue at least once each across your playthrough.

Skill Master Cumulative 22.7% of players Get a skill to 100 Train or grind any single skill tree all the way to level 100.

Taking Care of Business 22.4% of players Join the Thieves Guild Collect the debts from Keerava, Bersi Honey-Hand, and Haelga for Brynjolf in Riften to formally join the Thieves Guild. Where: Riften

Diplomatic Immunity 21.9% of players Complete "Diplomatic Immunity" Infiltrate Elenwen's party at the Thalmor Embassy, search for information on the returning dragons, and escape through the tunnels. Where: Thalmor Embassy

Hero of the People Cumulative 21.2% of players Complete 50 Misc Objectives Finish 50 miscellaneous objectives listed in the Miscellaneous section of your quest log.

Awakening 19.5% of players Complete "Awakening" Explore Dimhollow Crypt as part of the Dawnguard questline and release Serana from the monolith. Where: Dimhollow Crypt

Alduin's Wall 18.2% of players Complete "Alduin's Wall" Accompany Delphine and Esbern to Sky Haven Temple and inspect Alduin's Wall. Where: Sky Haven Temple

Blood Oath 18.1% of players Become a member of the Circle Progress through the Companions questline until you participate in the blood ritual in the Underforge to join the Circle. Where: Understone Keep

Taking Sides 18.1% of players Join the Stormcloaks or the Imperial Army Join either the Imperial Legion (by taking the oath to General Tullius in Solitude) or the Stormcloaks (by taking the oath to Ulfric Stormcloak in Windhelm).

Landowner 17.2% of players Buy a plot of land Purchase a plot of land from the Jarl's steward in Falkreath, Dawnstar, or Morthal for 5,000 gold. Where: Falkreath

Revealing the Unseen 16.8% of players Complete "Revealing the Unseen" Complete the College of Winterhold quest "Revealing the Unseen" by navigating Mzulft and adjusting the Oculory. Where: Mzulft

The Eye of Magnus 16.2% of players Complete "The Eye of Magnus" Finish "The Eye of Magnus" by defeating Ancano inside the College of Winterhold using the Staff of Magnus. Where: The College of Winterhold

Proud Parent 15.9% of players Adopt a child Adopt an orphan, such as Sofie in Windhelm or a child from the Honorhall Orphanage, after owning a home with a child's bedroom. Where: Windhelm

Golden Touch Cumulative 15.7% of players Have 100,000 gold Accumulate 100,000 gold in your inventory at one time.

The Temple of Miraak 15.6% of players Complete "The Temple of Miraak" Complete "The Temple of Miraak" on Solstheim by investigating the temple ruins alongside Frea. Where: Raven Rock

Elder Knowledge 15.4% of players Complete "Elder Knowledge" Complete the main quest "Elder Knowledge" by transcribing the lexicon and retrieving the Elder Scroll from the Tower of Mzark. Where: Tower of Mzark

Delver Cumulative 14.8% of players Clear 50 dungeons Clear 50 different dungeons throughout Skyrim.

Sideways Cumulative 14.5% of players Complete 10 side quests Complete any 10 non-miscellaneous side quests.

Dragon Hunter Cumulative 14.5% of players Absorb 20 dragon souls Slay and absorb the souls of 20 dragons.

Hard Worker 14.1% of players Chop wood, mine ore, and cook food Chop wood at a wood chopping block, mine any ore vein with a pickaxe, and cook a meal at a cooking pot. Where: Riverwood

Beyond Death 13.9% of players Complete "Beyond Death" Complete the Dawnguard quest "Beyond Death" by defeating Durnehviir and recovering the Elder Scroll from the Soul Cairn. Where: Castle Volkihar

Glory of the Dead 13.5% of players Complete "Glory of the Dead" Finish the Companions storyline by completing "Glory of the Dead" and cleansing the spirit of Kodlak Whitemane in Ysgramor's Tomb. Where: Winterhold

The Fallen 13% of players Complete "The Fallen" Complete the main quest "The Fallen" by trapping and interrogating Odahviing in the Great Porch of Dragonsreach. Where: Dragonsreach

Master Cumulative 12.6% of players Reach Level 50 Earn sufficient experience to reach character level 50.

The Path of Knowledge 12.6% of players Complete "The Path of Knowledge" Complete the Dragonborn quest "The Path of Knowledge" by traveling with Neloth into Nchardak to retrieve a Black Book. Where: Tel Mithryn

Dragonslayer 12.5% of players Complete "Dragonslayer" Complete the final main quest "Dragonslayer" by defeating Alduin in Sovngarde alongside the ancient heroes. Where: Sovngarde

Darkness Returns 11.7% of players Complete "Darkness Returns" Complete the Thieves Guild quest "Darkness Returns" by traversing the Pilgrim's Path and returning the Skeleton Key to the Ebonmere. Where: Riften

Kindred Judgement 11.6% of players Complete "Kindred Judgment" Complete the final Dawnguard quest "Kindred Judgment" by confronting and defeating Lord Harkon in Castle Volkihar. Where: Castle Volkihar

At the Summit of Apocrypha 11.3% of players Complete "At the Summit of Apocrypha" Complete the Dragonborn storyline quest "At the Summit of Apocrypha" by traveling through Apocrypha and defeating Miraak. Where: Apocrypha

Hero of Skyrim 10.9% of players Capture Solitude or Windhelm Complete the Civil War questline by capturing either Solitude for the Stormcloaks or Windhelm for the Imperial Legion. Where: Solitude

Architect Cumulative 10.9% of players Build three wings on a house Construct all three wings on a single Hearthfire homestead using the drafting table and carpenter's workbench. Where: Falkreath

Reader Collectible Cumulative 10.6% of players Read 50 Skill Books Read 50 unique skill books scattered across Skyrim that increase your character skills upon opening.

Married 10.1% of players Get married Speak with Maramal at the Temple of Mara or The Bee and Barb in Riften to buy and equip an Amulet of Mara, propose to an eligible NPC, and attend your wedding ceremony at the temple. Where: Riften

A New You 9.9% of players Change your face Travel to The Ragged Flagon in Riften's Ratway and pay the face sculptor Galathil 1,000 gold to modify your character's appearance. Where: Riften

Thu'um Master Collectible Cumulative 9.7% of players Learn 20 shouts Unlock and learn all three words of power for 20 unique dragon shouts using collected dragon souls.

Standing Stones Collectible Cumulative 9.1% of players Find 13 Standing Stones Discover and interact with all 13 unique Standing Stones located across Skyrim's wilderness.

Wanted 8.9% of players Escape from jail Commit a crime to get arrested, go to jail in any hold, pick the lock of your cell door, and successfully escape to the exterior without being killed.

Lost to the Ages Buggy 8.3% of players Complete "Lost to the Ages" Complete the quest "Lost to the Ages" by gathering all four Aetherium Shards alongside Katria and using the Aetherium Forge at the Ruins of Bthalft to forge an item.

Dragon Aspect Collectible 8.1% of players Learn all 3 words of Dragon Aspect Learn all three words of the Dragon Aspect shout located in the Temple of Miraak, Apocrypha during "Waking Dreams", and Bloodskal Barrow inside the Raven Rock Mine. Where: Raven Rock

Raven Rock Owner 8% of players Own a house in Raven Rock Complete the quests "March of the Dead", "The Final Descent", and "Served Cold" on Solstheim to be awarded Severin Manor in Raven Rock by Councillor Morvayn. Where: Raven Rock

Soul Tear Cumulative 7.9% of players Learn all three words of Soul Tear Summon Durnehviir into Tamriel using the Summon Durnehviir shout three separate times, learning one word of the Soul Tear shout from him each time.

Thief Cumulative 7.8% of players Pick 50 locks and 50 pockets Pick a total of 50 locks and successfully pickpocket 50 items from NPCs throughout your playthrough.

Solstheim Explorer Collectible Cumulative 7.5% of players Discover 30 locations on the island of Solstheim Discover any 30 map markers across the island of Solstheim.

Hidden Knowledge Collectible Cumulative 6.6% of players Learn the secrets of 5 Black Books Find and read 5 different Black Books across Solstheim to traverse their realms in Apocrypha and choose a reward at the end of each. Where: Apocrypha

One with the Shadows Cumulative 5.3% of players Returned the Thieves Guild to its former glory Complete five small radiant jobs for Delvin or Vex in Whiterun, Windhelm, Markarth, and Solitude, finish each city's special influence quest, and attend the ceremony to become Guild Master in Riften. Where: Riften

Legend 5.1% of players Defeat a Legendary Dragon Reach character level 78 or higher so Legendary Dragons begin spawning, then locate and defeat one. Step 15

Auriel's Bow 4.9% of players Use the special power of Auriel's Bow Equip Auriel's Bow and shoot either Bloodcursed Elven Arrows at the sun to blot it out, or Sunhallowed Elven Arrows at the sun to cause an explosion of solar rays.

Vampire Mastered Cumulative 3.3% of players Acquire 11 vampire perks Unlock all 11 perks in the Vampire Lord skill tree by killing enemies with the Vampiric Drain spell or power bite melee attacks in Vampire Lord form. Where: Castle Volkihar

Dragonrider Cumulative 2.9% of players Tame and ride 5 dragons Use all three words of the Bend Will shout on a dragon to force it to land, mount it, and repeat this process on 5 different dragons.

Master Criminal Cumulative 2.8% of players Bounty of 1000 gold in all nine holds Accumulate a bounty of at least 1,000 gold simultaneously in all nine holds of Skyrim (Whiterun, Falkreath, The Reach, Haafingar, Hjaalmarch, The Pale, Winterhold, Eastmarch, and The Rift).

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