Can you become a villain in Skyrim?

Can You Become a Villain in Skyrim?

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an open-world, action-packed game that allows players to explore, fight, and conquer their way through the vast provinces of the titular land of Skyrim. One of the most intriguing aspects of this game is the flexibility and freedom it offers players. Can you become a villain in Skyrim? The short answer is yes, you can. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the ways you can embrace your darker side in the world of Skyrim.

Two Chances to Be a Bad Guy

During the main Skyrim questline, players will stumble upon the quest "Diplomatic Immunity", which offers two opportunities to be the bad guy. The first chance arises when a diversion is needed to slip away from the party, providing a chance to choose sides and make morally ambiguous choices. The second chance lies in the subsequent quest events, where you’ll need to make tough decisions about who to betray and what to prioritize.

Seven Ways to Be an Evil Dragonborn

If you’re looking to embody evil in Skyrim, here are seven ways to do just that:

• Destroy Your Own Family: Join the Dark Brotherhood and perform contracts to eliminate innocent members of your own family and friends.
• Massacre Civilians: Enlist in the Thalmor Empire’s forces or join the Stormcloacks and engage in brutal sieges and massacres against Skyrim’s innocent civilians.
• Use Necromancy: Master the dark arts of necromancy by learning spells and enchanting items to raise and command the undead.
• Steal and Larceny: Join the Guild of Thieves and acquire the skills of a thief, stealing from and framing innocent people.
• Betray Your Comrades: Join the Companions and then betray their trust by killing them, or join the Imperial Legion and turn against your brothers-in-arms.
• Enslave Others: Use the power of enslavement to capture and enslave others, including innocent civilians and even noble characters.
• Resurrect the Dead: Using necromancy, you can resurrect the dead, including powerful enemies and lords, to do your bidding.

The Golden Rule: Markarth is Safe

While you can undoubtedly become a villain in Skyrim, there is one major exception: Markarth is the safest city in all of Skyrim. This Dwemer city is home to the Thieves Guild, and its guards are ruthless in their pursuit of criminals. You won’t want to test their patience too much, lest you wish to face the consequences of their wrath.

Additional Tips for Villainy

Here are some general tips to help you lean into your darker side:

• Master Dark Magics: Learn spells that deal with fire, cold, and lightning to dominate your enemies.
• Enchant Your Gear: Enchant your weapons, armor, and potions to increase their dark effects and make them more deadly.
• Recruit Henchmen: Gather and recruit powerful henchmen to do your bidding, including powerful enemies and corrupted characters.
• Loot and Pillage: Steal valuable loot, gold, and items to fund your villainous adventures.
• Manipulate Others: Use persuasion and intimidation to manipulate others to do your bidding.

In conclusion, becoming a villain in Skyrim is a viable option, and with the strategies outlined above, you’ll be well on your way to embracing your darker side. Remember, the paths of good and evil are not always clear-cut in Skyrim, and it’s up to you to define your own moral compass within the world of this rich and immersive game. Will you choose to follow the Golden Rule and maintain Markarth’s safety, or will you succumb to your darker impulses and wreak havoc on the land? The choice is yours.