If you’re a seasoned adventurer in the realm of Skyrim, you’ll undoubtedly encounter the enigmatic Soul Gems, shimmering vessels capable of capturing and storing the ethereal essence of living creatures. These gems serve as a vital resource for enchanting weapons, armor, and other items with potent magical abilities. However, mastering the art of filling Soul Gems can be a perplexing endeavor. This comprehensive guide will elucidate the intricacies of this process, empowering you to harness the arcane potential of Soul Gems and augment your adventuring prowess.
The first step in this arcane endeavor is to acquire a weapon imbued with the Soul Trap enchantment. This potent enchantment, when activated, ensnares the soul of any vanquished creature and channels it into an empty Soul Gem. It’s prudent to note that the size of the Soul Gem must correspond to the strength of the target’s soul. For instance, a Petty Soul Gem can only accommodate the souls of lesser creatures, while a Grand Soul Gem is required to capture the essence of formidable beings.
With a suitably enchanted weapon in hand, the next step is to engage in combat with your chosen target. As you deliver the killing blow, the Soul Trap enchantment will activate, drawing the creature’s soul into the equipped Soul Gem. The gem will then emit a faint glow, indicating that it has successfully captured the soul. It’s important to remember that the enchantment must be active at the moment of the target’s demise to ensure successful soul capture.
Identifying Soul Gem Types
In Skyrim, there are eight different types of soul gems, each capable of trapping souls of varying strengths. Identifying the type of soul gem you have is crucial for effective soul trapping and maximizing your enchanting capabilities. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the different soul gem types:
| Soul Gem Type | Soul Capacity | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Petty Soul Gem | Petty | White |
| Lesser Soul Gem | Lesser | Yellow |
| Common Soul Gem | Common | Green |
| Greater Soul Gem | Greater | Blue |
| Grand Soul Gem | Grand | Purple |
| Black Star | Reusable (any soul size) | Black |
| White Soul Gem | Empty and ready to fill | Translucent |
| Filled Soul Gem | Contains a soul | Varies depending on soul size and type |
Acquiring Souls
To fill soul gems, you need to acquire souls. There are several methods to do this:
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Killing creatures and humans: Each creature has a soul, and when killed, their soul is released and can be captured. The strength of the soul depends on the creature’s level and type. Humanoid creatures, such as bandits and necromancers, yield the weakest souls (Petty). Wolves, bears, and other common animals provide Common souls. More powerful creatures like trolls and giants yield Grand souls, while the mightiest beings like dragons and mammoths grant Greater souls.
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Soul Trap spell: The Soul Trap spell allows you to capture a creature’s soul directly into a soul gem without killing it. However, the spell only works on living creatures, not undead or Constructs.
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Magic items: Some enchanted weapons and staffs have the ability to trap souls when used to kill creatures. These items are often found in dungeons or as rewards for completing quests.
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Dead Thralls (Necromancy skill): As a necromancer, you can create undead thralls that have a soul that can be trapped in a soul gem.
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Purchasing Soul Gems: Soul Gems can be purchased from Court Wizards, General Goods Stores, or Mages Guild stores.
The Trapping Effect
Soul Gems have a trapping enchantment that can absorb the souls of dead creatures. The strength of the enchantment determines the size of the soul that can be absorbed. For example, a Petty Soul Gem can absorb the souls of animals, while a Grand Soul Gem can absorb the souls of powerful creatures like dragons. To trap a soul, you must kill the creature with a weapon that has the Soul Trap enchantment.
Once a soul is trapped in a Soul Gem, it can be used to power various magical effects. Soul Gems can be used to enchant weapons and armor, create potions, and cast spells. The size of the soul in the Soul Gem determines the strength of the effect that can be created. For example, a Petty Soul Gem can be used to create a weak enchantment, while a Grand Soul Gem can be used to create a powerful enchantment.
Soul Gems can be recharged by absorbing the souls of dead creatures. To recharge a Soul Gem, simply kill a creature with a weapon that has the Soul Trap enchantment and the Soul Gem will absorb the soul. The size of the soul that is absorbed will depend on the strength of the Soul Gem.
| Soul Gem | Creature Size |
|---|---|
| Petty | Animals |
| Lesser | Humanoids |
| Common | Creatures |
| Greater | Powerful Creatures |
| Grand | Dragons |
Casting Soul Trap Spells
Casting Soul Trap spells is the most direct method of filling soul gems in Skyrim. These spells trap the soul of an enemy upon its death, filling the gem with the corresponding soul energy. The strength of the soul gem determines the size of the soul it can hold, with Petty Soul Gems holding the weakest souls and Grand Soul Gems holding the strongest. To cast Soul Trap spells, you must first acquire the Soul Trap spell tome, which can be found in various locations throughout Skyrim.
Once you have acquired the spell tome, you can learn the Soul Trap spell by reading it. The spell can then be cast on enemies by selecting it from your spell menu and targeting them. When an enemy dies while under the effect of Soul Trap, its soul will be trapped in the specified soul gem if it is empty. Note that Soul Trap spells have a limited duration, so it is important to cast them before the enemy dies.
There are several ways to increase the effectiveness of Soul Trap spells. One way is to use the Soul Stealer perk, which increases the duration of Soul Trap spells and makes them more likely to trap the souls of stronger enemies. Another way is to use enchanted weapons or apparel with the Soul Trap enchantment, which automatically triggers a Soul Trap effect on hit. Enchanting your own weapons and apparel with the Soul Trap enchantment can be a highly efficient way to fill soul gems, as it allows you to trap souls without casting spells.
Soul Gem Types and Soul Sizes
| Soul Gem | Soul Size |
|---|---|
| Petty Soul Gem | Petty Soul |
| Lesser Soul Gem | Lesser Soul |
| Common Soul Gem | Common Soul |
| Greater Soul Gem | Greater Soul |
| Grand Soul Gem | Grand Soul |
Using Soul Trap Weapons
To fill soul gems using soul trap weapons, you’ll need to equip a weapon enchanted with the Soul Trap enchantment. When you strike an enemy with this weapon, their soul will be trapped in the appropriate-sized soul gem in your inventory. The size of the soul gem required to capture a soul depends on the creature’s level and type.
Once the enemy is defeated, the soul will be transferred to the soul gem. You can check the progress of the soul gem by looking at its description in your inventory. When the soul gem is full, it will glow with a faint light.
Considerations for Soul Trap Weapons:
1. Weapon Enchantment Strength: The strength of the Soul Trap enchantment determines the chance of capturing a soul. Higher enchantment strength increases the likelihood of successfully trapping a soul.
2. Soul Gem Size: The size of the soul gem you use must be large enough to accommodate the soul of the creature you’re targeting. Using a smaller soul gem will result in the soul being lost.
3. Creature Level: The level of the creature you’re fighting affects the size of soul gem required. Lower-level creatures require smaller soul gems, while higher-level creatures need larger ones.
4. Creature Type: Some creatures have naturally larger souls, requiring larger soul gems to capture them. For example, dragons have larger souls than wolves.
5. Perk Influence: The Soul Stealer perk in the Conjuration skill tree increases the size of soul gems filled by Soul Trap weapons. At perk level 1, the soul gem size is increased by one level. At perk level 2, it’s increased by two levels. This allows you to use smaller soul gems to capture larger souls.
Soul Gem Sizes and Corresponding Creature Levels:
| Soul Gem Size | Creature Level |
|---|---|
| Petty | 1-10 |
| Lesser | 11-16 |
| Common | 17-22 |
| Greater | 23-28 |
| Grand | 29+ |
Soul Containment Spells
To fill soul gems, you will need to cast a soul containment spell on a creature as it dies. There are three soul containment spells in Skyrim:
- Soul Trap: Traps the soul of a humanoid creature within a soul gem.
- Grand Soul Trap: Traps the soul of any creature within a soul gem.
- Soul Stealer (Bound to Black Star): Instantly kills a humanoid creature and traps its soul in the Black Star. This spell can only be used once per day.
The soul containment spell must be cast before the creature is fully dead, or the soul will be lost. The level of the soul containment spell required depends on the soul size of the creature. Small souls can be trapped with Soul Trap, while larger souls require Grand Soul Trap.
The following table shows the soul size of different creatures:
| Creature Type | Soul Size | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humanoids | Small | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Animals | Petty | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daedra | Greater | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dragons | Grand |
| Soul Gem | Bound Soul Weapon | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Petty Soul Gem | Bound Dagger | Summons a dagger that deals 10 damage |
| Lesser Soul Gem | Bound Sword | Summons a sword that deals 15 damage |
| Common Soul Gem | Bound Axe | Summons an axe that deals 20 damage |
| Greater Soul Gem | Bound Bow | Summons a bow that deals 25 damage |
| Grand Soul Gem | Bound Battleaxe | Summons a battleaxe that deals 30 damage |
Bound Soul weapons are a powerful and versatile addition to any adventurer’s arsenal. They are especially useful in situations where you need to conserve resources, as they can be used indefinitely without having to be recharged.
The Necromantic Method
The Necromantic Method is a potent technique for filling Soul Gems, but it requires a grasp of necromancy.
To utilize this method, follow these steps:
- Summon a dead thrall using the Dead Thrall spell or a Conjuration ritual.
- Equip the dead thrall with a weapon enchanted with soul trap.
- Command the dead thrall to attack and kill enemies.
- When the enemies are slain, their souls will be captured in the soul gem socketed in the thrall’s enchanted weapon.
Additional Details for Summoning Dead Thralls:
| Creature | Required Soul Gem |
|---|---|
| Skeleton | Petty Soul Gem |
| Zombie | Common Soul Gem |
| Draugr | Greater Soul Gem |
| Vampire | Grand Soul Gem |
Note that summoning dead thralls requires access to conjuration spells or rituals, which can be obtained through leveling up the Conjuration skill or purchasing them from various mages.
Using Soul Stealers
Soul Stealers are enchanted weapons that automatically trap souls in soul gems when they kill an enemy. They are very convenient, as you don’t have to worry about casting Soul Trap yourself. However, they can be expensive to buy or make, and they can only be used to fill soul gems of the same size as the weapon.
Types of Soul Stealers
There are three types of Soul Stealers in Skyrim:
| Type | Damage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Petty Soul Stealer | 5 – 10 | 1000 gold |
| Common Soul Stealer | 11 – 15 | 2000 gold |
| Grand Soul Stealer | 16 – 20 | 3000 gold |
The higher the damage of the Soul Stealer, the more powerful the soul it can trap. Petty Soul Stealers can only trap petty souls, Common Soul Stealers can trap petty and common souls, and Grand Soul Stealers can trap petty, common, and grand souls.
Other Soul Gem Acquisition Methods
Purchase Soul Gems from Merchants
Merchants in Skyrim generally have a limited stock of Soul Gems, with smaller settlements having a lower variety and quantity. The General Goods stores in larger cities, including Whiterun, Solitude, and Markarth, usually carry a wider selection of Soul Gems.
Find Soul Gems in Dungeons and Ruins
Exploring dungeons and ruins is a reliable way to obtain Soul Gems. Look for them in chests, on tables, or as loot from defeated enemies. The type and quantity of Soul Gems found are often tied to the level and difficulty of the dungeon.
Receive Soul Gems as Quest Rewards
Completing certain quests in Skyrim may reward you with Soul Gems. These quests often involve fighting specific enemies or exploring dangerous locations. The Soul Gems received as rewards vary in size and type depending on the quest.
Craft Soul Gems with the Soul Trap Spell
The Soul Trap spell allows you to capture souls from defeated enemies and store them in empty Soul Gems. You need to have at least one empty Soul Gem in your inventory to cast Soul Trap. The size of the Soul Gem required depends on the soul you want to capture.
Purchase Soul Gems from Soul Cairn
The Soul Cairn is a unique realm in Skyrim where you can encounter soul-related entities. Here, you can find a merchant named Arvak’s Skull who sells Soul Gems of various sizes. Arvak’s Skull also offers to exchange lesser Soul Gems for greater ones at a certain cost.
Loot Soul Gems from Random Encounters
While traveling in Skyrim, you may encounter random events that involve Soul Gems. These events can range from finding abandoned Soul Gems in the wilderness to defeating enemies who carry them. Random encounters can be both unpredictable and rewarding.
Receive Soul Gems as Tribute from Thralls
If you have the Ritual Stone active and create thralls using the Soul Summon spell, they will occasionally bring you Soul Gems as tribute. The size and quality of the Soul Gems depend on the strength of the thralls.
Obtain Soul Gems from Dragon Bones
When you kill a dragon, you can loot its bones to obtain Soul Gems. The type of Soul Gem you get depends on the dragon’s level and power. Dragon bones are a valuable source of Soul Gems, especially for high-level characters.
Mine Soul Gems from Soul Gems Nodes
Soul Gems can be mined from specific nodes found in the world. These nodes are usually located in mountainous areas or near caves. Mining Soul Gems requires a pickaxe, and the size and quality of the Gems obtained vary based on the node’s level.
How to Fill Soul Gems in Skyrim
Soul gems are used to capture the souls of creatures in Skyrim. This can be done by using a soul trap spell on a living creature, or by killing the creature with a weapon that is enchanted with the soul trap enchantment. Once the creature is killed, its soul will be trapped in the soul gem. Soul gems can then be used to power various magical items, such as enchanted weapons and armor, or to cast spells.
There are six different sizes of soul gems, each of which can hold a different size soul. The smallest soul gems, called petty soul gems, can hold the souls of creatures such as rats and rabbits. The largest soul gems, called grand soul gems, can hold the souls of creatures such as dragons and mammoths.
To fill a soul gem, you must first equip the soul gem in your inventory. Then, you must cast a soul trap spell on a living creature. The soul trap spell will create a blue beam of energy that will connect the creature to the soul gem. Once the creature is killed, its soul will be trapped in the soul gem.
People Also Ask
How do I know if a soul gem is filled?
When a soul gem is filled, it will glow with a blue light. The color of the light will indicate the size of the soul that is trapped in the gem. Petty soul gems will glow with a pale blue light, while grand soul gems will glow with a bright blue light.
What is the best way to fill soul gems?
The best way to fill soul gems is to use a soul trap spell on a living creature. This is because soul trap spells do not cost any magicka, and they can be cast on any living creature. You can also fill soul gems by killing creatures with a weapon that is enchanted with the soul trap enchantment. However, this is less efficient than using a soul trap spell, because you will need to use magicka to cast the enchantment.
What can I do with filled soul gems?
Filled soul gems can be used to power various magical items, such as enchanted weapons and armor, or to cast spells. You can also sell filled soul gems to merchants for gold. The price of a filled soul gem will vary depending on the size of the soul that is trapped in the gem.
