Should you just keep the skeleton key?

Should you just keep the skeleton key?

If you’re playing Skyrim, you might find yourself wondering what to do with the Skeleton Key. This key is not only a valuable tool for unlocking doors but also a crucial part of the Dark Brotherhood questline. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of keeping the Skeleton Key and provide tips on how to use it effectively.

No, you can’t keep the Key

Before we dive into the merits of keeping the Skeleton Key, it’s important to note that you can’t keep the Key indefinitely. If you don’t return it, you won’t be able to access the Guildmaster armor set, which is a significant reward from the Dark Brotherhood questline.

Pros of keeping the Key

Now that we’ve established that you can’t keep the Key forever, let’s explore why you might want to hold onto it:
• Unbreakable lockpicking: With the Skeleton Key in your inventory, you can train lockpicking to 100 without losing any progress. This means you won’t have to worry about your locks breaking, which can be frustrating especially when you’re trying to pick complicated locks.
• Easy access to guildmaster armor: If you decide not to return the Key, you can simply keep it and use it to bypass the Guildmaster armor set for free. This can be a significant advantage when you’re trying to complete the Dark Brotherhood questline.

Cons of keeping the Key

While keeping the Skeleton Key does have its advantages, there are also some downsides to consider:
• No new quests: If you keep the Skeleton Key, you won’t be able to receive new quests from the Dark Brotherhood questline. This means you’ll miss out on some interesting storylines and combat encounters.
• No Guildmaster armor set: As we mentioned earlier, not returning the Key will prevent you from accessing the Guildmaster armor set. This is a significant reward and can be a major drawback.
• Limited lockpicking upgrades: While you can train lockpicking to 100 with the Skeleton Key in your inventory, you won’t be able to upgrade your lockpicking skills further. This can limit your ability to pick locks and access important areas.

When to keep the Key
If you’re unsure whether you should keep the Skeleton Key, here are some scenarios where it might be helpful to hold onto it:
• On PC, use console command: If you’re playing on PC and the Skeleton Key is bugging or not working as intended, you can use a console command to spawn it in your inventory. This can be a quick fix rather than restarting the game or rebalancing your save data.
• For a specific dungeon run: If you’re planning a special dungeon run or a specific playstyle with a high level of lockpicking or stealth, keeping the Skeleton Key on hand can be useful.

Conclusion
In conclusion, whether or not to keep the Skeleton Key is a personal decision depending on your playstyle and goals. If you need the Key for a specific quest or roleplaying scenario, it might be beneficial to hold onto it. However, keep in mind that not returning the Key will prevent you from accessing the Guildmaster armor set and new quests from the Dark Brotherhood questline.

Table: Skeleton Key Pros and Cons

Final Thoughts

We hope this article has provided you with a well-rounded view of the Skeleton Key. Whether you decide to keep it or not, remember that it’s only a tool and not the deciding factor in your Skyrim experience. Choose wisely and enjoy your adventure through the world of Skyrim!