Skyrim is one of those rare games that keeps players hooked for hundreds of hours not just because of its epic quests or vast open world, but also because of a peculiar compulsion: hoarding. From soul gems and dragon bones to buckets and cheese wheels, players can’t seem to resist collecting everything in sight. Let’s break down why this happens and how you can manage your loot without losing your sanity.
1. The Allure of Loot: Why Skyrim Encourages Hoarding
Bethesda designed Skyrim with an abundance of interactive items, creating a world where nearly everything can be picked up, used, or sold. This freedom taps into players’ instincts to collect “just in case.” Add in radiant quests, crafting systems, and the sheer novelty of interactive physics, and suddenly your inventory is overflowing with cabbages and iron daggers.
2. How to Decide What’s Worth Keeping
Not all loot is equal. A simple way to decide is by asking:
- Is it quest-related? → Keep it.
- Does it contribute to crafting/alchemy/enchanting? → Usually worth holding.
- Is the value-to-weight ratio high? → Prioritize.
If none of the above apply, it’s probably clutter.
3. Playstyle Matters: Tailoring Your Item Selection
Your character build should guide your choices:
- Warrior → Heavy armor, weapons, smithing materials.
- Mage → Soul gems, robes, scrolls, alchemy ingredients.
- Thief/Archer → Lockpicks, poisons, light armor, bows.
Playstyle alignment helps reduce “loot greed” and keeps your character efficient.
4. Essential Items for Quests and Crafting
Some items are notoriously easy to overlook yet vital later:
- Daedric artifacts and Dragon Priest masks.
- Crafting supplies like ebony ingots, daedra hearts, and nirnroot.
- Unique quest items (don’t sell them!).
Being mindful of these saves you from frustrating backtracking.
5. Value vs. Weight: The Art of Cherry-Picking Loot
The smartest looters check the weight-to-value ratio. For example:
- A diamond ring (0.25 weight, 500 value) is infinitely better than a steel sword (12 weight, 45 value).
This strategy lets you maximize profits while staying light enough to fast-travel.
6. When to Sell, Store, or Let Go
- Sell → High-value items you don’t need (jewelry, enchanted gear).
- Store → Collectibles, rare crafting materials, or sentimental gear.
- Drop → Common, low-value junk (iron daggers, tankards, wolf pelts).
Owning a house in Skyrim makes storing gear much easier and more rewarding.
7. Pro Tips for Smarter Looting in Skyrim
- Use your home or stronghold to organize by category.
- Invest in the “Merchant” and “Fence” perks for more selling options.
- Plan ahead for late-game needs (e.g., alchemy ingredients for potions against dragons).
- Carry potions of Fortify Carry Weight when dungeon-diving.
8. Conclusion: Building Your Own Looting Philosophy
Ultimately, Skyrim’s hoarding problem is also its charm. Every player develops a personal looting philosophy some chase wealth, others hoard collectibles, and many simply can’t resist a shiny trinket. The trick is finding balance so that hoarding enhances your adventure rather than weighing it down. Fore more and some esports betting tips check out our blogs.
