Summary
The open-ended nature ofThe Elder Scrollsgames is partly what makes them so special. Players can create any character they wish, do what they desire, and explore the hundreds of locations dotted throughout Tamriel.Skyrimdoes this exceptionally well thanks to its fluid leveling system and streamlined gear.
That amount of choice can result in some small roadblocks throughout a new player’s journey, though. There is no incorrect way of playing anElder Scrollstitle, although there are a few ways players can make the game harder on themselves. Here are somemistakes many newerSkyrimplayers make on their first playthrough.
Updated Jul 17, 2025 by Ritwik Mitra:Skyrim continues to be one of the most popular video games of all time. It’s a shame that Starfield wasn’t the evolution that Bethesda had promised, but fans can always go back to this game and check out a fun title that ticked allthe boxes when it comes to immersing players in a massive world that allows them to go bonkers and do almost whatever they want.
In fact, Skyrim can be a bit too overwhelming at times, leading to beginners committing mistakes that are all too common.
1Being Way Too Focused On Earning Gold
The Dragonborn Will Get Rich Naturally, There’s No Need To Push Things
Gold makes the world go round inSkyrim, with players using this resource to purchase everything from potions to equipment. So, it’s easy to see why some players would focus a bit too much on earning as much gold as possible when they start in this game so that they don’t face a dearth of this resource at any given moment.
Sure, gold can be hard to come by in the early goings ofSkyrim, but prioritizing this resource isn’t necessary at all. Players need only explore for a few hours to get a ton of gold in no time, making for a more organic way of getting rich than stealing and pawning off everything in sight.
2Getting Sidetracked Over And Over Again
It’s Easy To Forget The Details Of The Main Quest
There’s no denying that the inherent beauty ofSkyrimis getting lost in a massive open world that never stops wowing players with a wealth of content they can access at any given moment. However, this can work against the game at times, especially when it comes to the main story.
Players can get so busy trying to become Guild Leaders and Thanes that their purpose as the Dragonborn can be lost in the grand scheme of things. It’s fine to focus on the side quests from time to time, but moving the main plot forward should take precedence if the quest has been left on the back burner for too long.
3Obsessing Over Mods
Too Many Mods Can Spoil The Proverbial Broth
On top of DLCs that shake upSkyrimgameplay and graphics are quite a ton of Mods in the Creator Workshop that can alter anyone’s iteration ofSkyrimin ridiculous ways. While some Creator WorkshopSkyrimmods add newand neat quality-of-life features, others just get so out of theme that there isn’t a lot left that preserves the “original”Skyrimfeel.
In that regard, players are better off skipping crazy-looking mods they see - be it simple ones that add many new appearance options or even those that provide substantial graphical improvements. While these can make aSkyrimplaythrough seem prettier, first-timers may appreciate the game more when it’s played on its blankest slate. That way, players can see and witness firsthand precisely the kinds of things they want to change with mods.
4Sell Enchanted Items
Disenchanting Is A Great Way To Learn Useful Enchantments
Given the game’s new focus on weight, it’s easy for players to see themselves overwhelmed in theirSkyrimplaythrough that they’d even consider getting rid of enchanted items. Selling enchanted items is especially tempting given the high pricing associated with them, which is also the reason why players shouldn’t sell them at all.
Players who are hoping to custom tailortheirSkyrimarmors and weaponsto their exact gameplay styles shouldn’t sell the enchanted items they’re not using. Rather, they should disenchant these items in an enchanting table instead. That way, players will be able to “acquire” the knowledge on how to enchant items with the properties of the item they had just disenchanted. This is especially useful when wanting to equip weapons with certain elemental properties attached to weapons they’re not using.
5Fighting Guards
Getting Caught By The Law Has Annoying Consequences
While guards aren’t therarestSkyrimopponentsthat players will encounter, guards all around the region will almost always be pesky enemies to face. This is especially the case for players who want to wreak havoc in cities and want to see just what the extent of their criminal potential could reach.
However, this isn’t advisable - as not only are guards fairly formidable, but they’re also programmed to call on other guards if players get to kill enough of them or do more serious crimes. Moreover, this “warning” status on players also carries over to other cities, making it difficult for players to travel from place to place. In situations where players commit crimes, it’s much better to pay the fine or spend time in jail.
6Putting Their Belongings In Another Person’s Home
Items Go Missing After A Few Days
Given how players only need to go inside inns and spend nights there to level up, there’s not much reason for them to add rest tomuch of theirSkyrimexperience. Moreover, given how players get to see their items on the floor whenever they drop them, there’s also not much reason to keep a personal stash of their items. At the very worst, players can simply visit an NPC and drop their items in a part of their home and make the unsuspecting character their bank.
However, players who do this might find their items suddenly missing after a few days of stashing them there. In turn, it may make sense for players to just invest in a home or a personal chest to ensure they always have a means of storing their items in the game.
7Killing The Cragslane Cavern Bandits
Can Make Becoming The Thane A Bit More Complicated
Players of olderElder Scrollstitles such asMorrowindmay remember that killing certain NPCs may interrupt even the main storyline, preventing players from ever fulfilling their quest of saving the world. WhileSkyrimprovides unkillable major NPCs, some enemies that people kill may still interrupt major quests.
For instance, players en route to their political career to become the Thane of Riften will get a quest that needs them to fight the bandits at Cragslane Cavern. Unfortunately, Cragslane Cavern is likely one of the first locations players may visit during their first few hours of exploring the game. Killing the bandits preemptively will prevent the quest from resuming, stopping the players from becoming the Thane. To force these bandits to respawn, players need to rest for at least 10 days. And while this allows them to resume their career to become Thane, the process can still kill the suspension of disbelief.
8Neglecting Roleplay
Immersion Is A Huge Part Of What Makes This Game Special
While there’s no “right way” to play any game, fans of RPGs tryingSkyrimfor the first time might fully appreciate it when they take the “roleplaying” element of the title more seriously. Thanks to mechanics such as Encumbrance, resting, and even fatigue, players can probably enjoy their first time in Tamriel’s Skyrim from the perspective of an actual character.
Doing so can allow players to get more “involved” and feel more “relevant” in the world of the game. This factors in greatly throughout the plot, as the player’s character may end up having to save Skyrim after all. Instead of feeling detached from the experience,a player immersed inSkyrim’s affairsmight feel more fulfilled after finishing the game.
9Ignoring The DLCs
They Add More Flavor To The Game
Being a game released in 2011,Skyrimalready released its fair share of DLCs.Thanks to “Dawnguard,” “Hearthfire,” and “Dragonborn,”players can not only access new areas but also get new features as well. These include options to become a Vampire, get a house, and even ride their own dragon!
Players tryingSkyrimfor the first time might want to try the game with all the DLCs installed. While there’s always the option to further improve game quality with Mods, players might want to skip this out for later. Instead, they can get the “full original”Skyrimexperience with the original game and its official expansions. That way, the players can experience authenticSkyrimfirst before going all out with their Mods and other customization choices.
10Getting All The Items
Getting Encumbered Is No Fun
Minus the moral debacle towards stealing, an open world such asSkyrimgives playersa ton of itemsto gather and pocket. Aside from consumables and gear, players can pick up crafting materials and even outright books. While there’s nothing wrong in this regard, players with a knack for “collecting” can fill their inventory quickly and get Encumbered.
This slowing mechanic aside, players who love getting all the items they see can ruin the game’s immersive value. After all, players don’t necessarily carry backpacks that represent the items in their storage. Granted, such a thought might seem nitpicking. However, players who valueSkyrim’s potential as an immersive experience may want to stay faithful even when it comes to the items they’re realistically carrying.
