quests Skyrim Conflicting/Missable Quests:

[ejnomad07]

Hi All, I posted this elsewhere on the forums but this area makes the most sense now for visitors to read.

I like to do as many quests in one run as possible so I was curious to any quests you can easily miss or are conflicting. This is all I know so far and I would like to make one nice list:

 

 

Resolve With Friends Like These... and Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!

 

Why: You either pick to join the Dark Brotherhood or choose to Destroy it.

 

Solution: None. Requires Two Games.

 

 

 

Joining the Legion and Joining the Stormcloaks

 

Why: Picking a faction locks out unique quests on the other side.

 

Solution: None. Requires Two Games.

 

 

 

The Bloodstone Chalice and A New Order

 

Why: Bloodline quest before it determines if you join the Dawnguard or the Vampires faction locking out quests on the other side.

 

Solution: None. Requires Two Games.

 

 

 

Retaking Thirsk & The Chief of Thirsk Hall

 

Why: You have to side with one of the factions

 

Solution: None, Requires Two Games. You can do some of the The Chief of Thirsk Hall quests before picking a side though.

 

 

 

Joining the Legion or Joining the Stormcloaks and Lots of Quests (Just Don't!)

 

Why: A lot of game quests are locked out by joining one side or taking cities from the other faction.

 

Solution: Do the Civil War quests after all city quests are complete.

 

 

 

Resolve The Battle for Fort Amol or The Battle for Fort Hraggstad and Season Unending

 

Why: When one side has no extra holds to trade it becomes impossible obviously for the quest Season Unending to take place.

 

Solution: Complete Main Quest First

 

 

 

Season Unending and many quests in cities and towns after changes in ownership:

 

Why: Changing Jarls can make some quests no longer possible. Example: Dengeir of Stuhn doesn't offer to kill his ancestor while Jarl.

 

Solution: Complete the quests in cities and towns you want to change ownership of first.

 

 

 

Diplomatic Immunity and Find the Thalmor Assassin

 

Why: The second follow up quest doesn't happen if Malborn dies during the Main Quest. This can be difficult because he gets in a lot of fights and can die easily. Also, the quest has a timer of 24 hours after the other quest completes before it gets much harder to complete as Khajiit caravans are altered for the follow up quest to be possible.

 

Solution: Keep him alive. Run ahead as much as possible while escorting him to keep him out of fights. Then do his follow up quest as soon as possible.

 

 

 

Dungeon Delving (Helm of Winterhold) and Purity of Revenge (Fixed with Unofficial Skyrim Patch)

 

Why: If Driftshade Refuge is picked for the Helm's location and you cleared it out looking for the Helm of Winterhold Purity of Revenge won't start until the dungeon is reset.

 

Solution: Complete Purity of Revenge first or Download the Patch.

 

 

 

Delayed Burial and Beginning Innocence Lost or With Friends Like These...

 

Why: Can cause this quest to disappear, fail, or restrict your options.

 

Solution: Complete Delayed Burial First.

 

 

 

Kill Helvard and Thane of Falkreath (Fixed with Unofficial Skyrim Patch)

 

Why: Siddgeir won't let you complete the mission as long as he is Jarl.

 

Solution: Download Patch or Complete Thane of Falkreath first.

 

 

 

Kill Narfi and The Straw that Broke

 

Why: As soon as you start Kill Narfi, you will be unable to start or complete The Straw that Broke.

 

Solution: Complete The Straw that Broke first. 

 

 

 

Bound Until Death and The Spiced Wine

 

Why: As soon as you start Bound Until Death, The Spiced Wine becomes unavailable.

 

Solution: Complete The Spiced Wine first.

 

 

 

Flight or Fight & Clearing Broken Helm Hollow: (Fixed with Unofficial Skyrim Patch)

 

If you get sent to Broken Helm Hollow on a radiant quest or clear it before you get the quest to find Leifnar from Grosta at Heartwood Mill (both locations in the Rift), Leifnar's body will be labeled simply "Nord." You will get an objective to report his death to his family but will be unable to do so.

 

Solution: Get the quest from Grosta before clearing Broken Helm Hollow for any other reason or avoid the secret room with his body before you get the quest.

 

 

 

Lights Out! and Kill the Bandit Leader (Ahtar)

 

Why: During Lights Out!, you are required to trek through Broken Oar Grotto, where Captain Hargar lives. If you kill him before starting Kill the Bandit Leader, you will never be able to start that quest.

 

Solution: Complete Kill the Bandit Leader (Ahtar) first

 

 

Blood on the Ice and Mourning Never Comes

 

Why: During Mourning never comes, you are given the option to kill Nilsine Shatter Shield as a bonus. Doing this will cause Tova Shatter-Shield, distraught over the loss of her second daughter, to kill herself. This can cause a fair amount of problems with quest progression, especially if you have not yet started Blood on the Ice, so it's best to complete that quest first.

 

Solution: Complete Blood on Ice First

 

 

Rare Gifts (Torbjorn Shatter-Shield) and Mourning Never Comes

 

Why: During Mourning never comes, you are given the option to kill Nilsine Shatter Shield as a bonus. Doing this will cause Tova Shatter-Shield, distraught over the loss of her second daughter, to kill herself. This obviously means Torbjorn offer his quest as he no longer needs to find a gift for his wife.

 

Solution: Complete Rare Gifts first or don't kill Nilsine.

  
 

Lost to the Ages and Mourning Never Comes

 

Why: During Lost to the Ages, you are required to trek through Raldbthar, where Alain Dufont lives. If you kill him before starting Mourning Never Comes, you cannot kill Nilsine Shatter-Shield for the bonus reward in that quest.

 

Why Not: Alain only becomes hostile if you attack him, he won't defend the other bandits in the area. You can kill all the bandits but Alain, and complete Lost to the Ages without affecting Mourning Never Comes. Also, Mourning Never Comes is only available if you choose to join the Dark Brotherhood; if you choose to destroy them, you will never be given it.

 

Solution: Don't kill Alain or do Mourning Never Comes first.

 

 

 

The Forgemaster's Fingers and Coated in Blood or The Cursed Tribe or Fetch me that Book! or Kolskeggr Mine or Sanuarach Mine or Skilled Apprenticeship or Mine Ore (Iron) - Shor's Stone or Kindred Judgment (Dawnguard side) or Being an Orc

 

Why: Becoming Blood-Kin with Orcs cancels the need for this quest.

 

Solution: Start Forgemaster's Fingers before starting other quests

 

 

 

Rare Gifts (Siddgeir) and Letter from Jarl Siddgeir of Falkreath given at level 9

 

Why: Rare Gifts is skipped over to it's subsequent quest if the letter is read. 

 

Solution: Catch Rare Gifts early in the game. It's easy and you even get the Mead in Helgen. 

 

 

 

Totems of Hircine and Purify yourself of Lycanthropy

 

Why: If you are no longer a Werewolf you can't find the rest of the totems.

 

Solution: Find all three totems first before you purify yourself of Lycanthropy.

 

 

 

Visit the hunters at Frostmoon Crag and Purify yourself of Lycanthropy

 

Why: The Werewolf Pack will not interact with you kindly here keeping you from buying four unique rings that enhance a Werewolf player.

 

Solution: Do this quest before you purify yourself of Lycanthropy.

 

 

 

Elmus Favor Quest (mead) and Retaking Thirsk or The Chief of Thirsk Hall

 

Why: If you retake Thirsk Hall or Kill him during the Chief of Thirsk Hall this quest can no longer be completed.

 

Solution: Do his favor quest first before picking a side

 

 

 

Non-quest Unique Weapon Conflict:

 

 

 

Ill Met By Moonlight and Recovering Bolar's Oathblade in Bloated Man's Grotto

 

Why: If Ill Met By Moonlight is done first and Sinding lives and makes this his home the Blade can never spawn. If killed you must wait for the dungeon to respawn.

 

Solution: Clear Bloaded Man's Grotto first before starting Ill Met By Moonlight if you want to save Sinding.

[ejnomad07]

By the way. Thank you for the REP! Hope this helps you.

[ejnomad07]

Just doing another run through of the game. Bumping this in case anyone knows of something I missed.

[Leonardo]

On 8/18/2017 at 3:33 AM, ejnomad07 said:

Resolve The Battle for Fort Amol or The Battle for Fort Hraggstad and Season Unending

 

Why: When one side has no extra holds to trade it becomes impossible obviously for the quest Season Unending to take place.

 

Solution: Complete Main Quest First

This isn't entirely accurate.  Because I know both sides can change ownership based on what choice the player make.

For example, in my case I decided to let the Stormcloaks gain ownership over Markath while the Imperials got Riften.

Spoiler

tell General Tullius about what strategic position the Imperials will have when controlling the road to the South directly to Cyrodiil

Which has worked in my game every time I've finished the MQ, either in vanilla or in a modded game.

[ejnomad07]

Leonardo I believe you are thinking more along the lines of a solution to the conflict rather than the actual conflict. The point of the conflict is if you go so far along the civil war quest line you miss out on Season Unending. Those two quests are the last battles before you finish by taking the Capitals for either side. If you complete them then at that point there is nothing to trade and Season Unending can't start.

[DayDreamer]

Pretty much all of this (and more) has long been documented at https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Quest_Timing

[ejnomad07]

On 2/15/2020 at 2:50 PM, DayDreamer said:

Pretty much all of this (and more) has long been documented at https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Quest_Timing

I'm sorry but that's incorrect. I started with that page at one point but built my list up from it. It's missing conflicts.

Example, they don't list all possible conflicts Mourning Never Comes can have or the importance of keeping Malborn alive or you miss another quest and the small window you have to easily complete it.

 

[Arthmoor]

Keeping Malborn alive and the follow-up quest having a narrow window to pursue it isn't a conflict. That's bonus material for protecting him effectively at the embassy. Not everything is a "conflict" in the sense that list is trying to specify.

[Leonardo]

On 2/8/2020 at 11:07 PM, ejnomad07 said:

The point of the conflict is if you go so far along the civil war quest line you miss out on Season Unending.

No, there is no conflict with the Season Undending quest.  The player won't miss the Season Unending quest, because it is part of the MQ and will always be available.  Why?  Because the player must capture Odahviing and only him can take the player to Skuldafn, which is the only location the player cannot fast travel to.

[BlackPete]

Leo, maybe I'm misunderstanding what you're talking about, but you actually can skip over Season Unending if you advance far enough into the Skyrim Civil War questline. I know for sure it can be bypassed completely if you've already finished either the Battle for Windhelm or the Battle for Solitude. I've heard it can also be skipped if one side controls eight out of the nine holds, but I've not played under that particular situation before.

The whole point of Season Unending is to help persuade the Jarl of Whiterun to help you catch Odahviing. He won't do that while the Civil War is still underway. If it has already been finished for one side or the other, the Jarl of Whiterun won't hesitate to help you capture the dragon during "The Fallen" and there's no need for the temporary truce in the Civil War. The cutoff point for whether Season Unending is triggered is very early on during "The Fallen" (can't recall which stage).

[Arthmoor]

Pete is correct. I did the civil war on my first playthrough without ever seeing Season Unending. People were asking me stuff about the peace conference and I had no idea what they were talking about because the path I went through the game didn't require it.

That's not a conflict. That's the result of decisions you made while playing.

[ejnomad07]

20 hours ago, Arthmoor said:

Keeping Malborn alive and the follow-up quest having a narrow window to pursue it isn't a conflict. That's bonus material for protecting him effectively at the embassy. Not everything is a "conflict" in the sense that list is trying to specify.

I don't disagree. It's not a conflict. The thread here is about conflicts or missable content. He said that page had everything I listed and more. It doesn't. The point I was trying to convey is it neglects many conflicts and missable content. It does. Collecting Bolar's Oathblade and keeping Sinding alive is another if you do them out of order.

[Guest]

Thank you for this I was looking for a list that included even the smallest quest conflicts that wasn’t covered by the wiki for Quest Timing.

[Adella]

Fascinating….Yes, it would be nice to know the technical solution to achieve a ‘fullest content’ run through.

I am very much a sister of the DBH, but even if you despise them, you miss out on so much if you simply do the destroy version.

I would never want to skip Season Unending.  Watching those big kids throw toys at each other across grampy Arngeir’s table is priceless…Plus Elenwen, fabulously haughty and of course she already took the hairbrush to Ulfric before the events we see…woof!  Then Rikke…so pumped she can barely keep her sword arm down…brilliant.  The only sour taste is the sheer number of back and forth trips required up those infernal steps.

I could go on, but yes a fullest content play order would be a marvellous idea!

Adella

[phatbassanchor]

On 9/26/2021 at 4:13 AM, Adella said:

Fascinating….Yes, it would be nice to know the technical solution to achieve a ‘fullest content’ run through.

I am very much a sister of the DBH, but even if you despise them, you miss out on so much if you simply do the destroy version.

I would never want to skip Season Unending.  Watching those big kids throw toys at each other across grampy Arngeir’s table is priceless…Plus Elenwen, fabulously haughty and of course she already took the hairbrush to Ulfric before the events we see…woof!  Then Rikke…so pumped she can barely keep her sword arm down…brilliant.  The only sour taste is the sheer number of back and forth trips required up those infernal steps.

I could go on, but yes a fullest content play order would be a marvelous idea!

Adella

Beloved...  I have missed you immensely and intensely...  Feels like we haven't spoken in years!  Ever so glad to see you here.  I do wish you all the best with your endeavor to find the fullest playthrough possible.  Yet, that is not something for which I strive.  In fact, I find the more I play, the more limited in scope each playthrough becomes!  Some characters only complete the mages guild and dawnguard while others run the dark brotherhood and dragonborn.  It's been several plays since I've bothered with Alduin or even trudged off to the Thalmor embassy.  I'm fairly consistent with running the bard's college quests and there are certain other minor quests I tend to complete regularly as they are just part of my visits to certain locations.  But, my roleplay still takes center stage.  My combat tactics are still the same today as they always were, sneak around and snipe everything... But, each and every new character has his or her own unique personality.  That is what makes Skyrim fun and different in every play for me, along with the random sweetness inherent in the game.  I make up dialogue in my head between my characters and all the various npc's in game as well as my followers.

I tried to get all of the achievements once and came very close on PS3 save for the few little options that were bugged on that platform.  But, I got burned out chasing what someone else said I should want and chose to make my own path instead.  That is one of the reasons I admire you so greatly, dearest.  You always go your own way and do things how you see them rather than follow any crowd.  I've always admired that.  I emulate that spirit in my own way... as it should be.  We are each our own unique brand of weird.  So, be different.  Be weird.  Be unique.  And, most importantly be you!  There's only one you.  So, it's up to you to be the best you possible.  I'd say you're doing rather well.  But, that and ten bucks will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.  

I hope you find your ultimate Skyrim experience.  I have mine each and every time I play.  Just loading into the game is a joy for me.  I posted a status update on my profile here if you'd like to hear the latest.  But, I did finally get SLE working again.  So, if I get the urge to run another challenge, I'll set it up there.  

Adventure ever on my darling, Phat

[Adella]

How sweet of you.

A fullest content playthough is not my….endeavour poppet.  It would be nice to have as a ‘to do’ list option hmmm!

Currently we are still attempting to complete my “Black Diamond” survival play challenge, which (simplified) is doing a few quest lines with never levelling up (i.e. remaining level 1 throughout). Includes additional difficulties such as no horses or followers, plus of course the usual handicaps of no healing potions or magic use.  Oh and Dead is Dead with doubled enemies…naturally.

So far, this has proved extremely difficult to manage…in fact my hardest challenge to date, but I have now succeeded in ending Sahloknir at Kynesgrove.

I do still periodically check Nexus dm to see if you have left anything for me (or my inept host).  I am predominantly using archery, sometimes with sneak, but I think you would find some of my standing free aim long shots now to be most interesting!  I am recording it all continuously (that’s as close as I can get to a complete live stream playthrough), but if my likeness dies, it gets deleted and re-started.  Should I get to the end…it will all be loaded to YT.

Anyhow…So lovely to hear from you sweetie.  Don’t be a stranger hmmm!

A.

[phatbassanchor]

Still working on the level one challenge?  SMH...  That one seems nigh on impossible or, rather, highly improbable.  But, if it can be done, you shall succeed.  

I play quite a few other games that are actually designed to allow the player to get 100% completion and achievements.  I've been successful with several and still working on others.  But, I tend to run Skyrim more like a Monty Python or Saturday Night Live sketch... with tons of improvisation!  Hahaha

Apologies for not initiating sooner.  I shall endeavor to do better going forward.  

Adventure ever on my beloved, Phat

[Adella]

My next tall order is to survive the Thalmor Embassy mission. With the Lord Stone, Agent of Mara and a necklace my magic resistance tops out at 50%.  Thankfully we are talking Level One adversaries, but even so, mages are a real problem since they can deplete one’s health multiple times in short order.  Hiding, sneaking and poisons will be my approach to this…plus a fall back of ‘Fus Roh Dah’ if necessary!

My Black Diamond Rule Set dictates only the given shouts may be used…but I am considering widening that scope to include ALL shouts, since this Challenge is so…well, challenging .  Particularly since even grounded, Alduin on the mountain top can flame you down as you retreat…Only “Become Ethereal” can save one from such a roasting.  However, balance must be maintained and this Challenge is afterall meant to be the toughest of my ‘Gemstone Series’.  I shall hold fire on allowing all shouts until I see how well we cope with the Forsworn at Karthspire Camp.  Hateful savages! Only Falmer fill me with more dread and loathing.

Having said all that, this level one play is the most satisfying and thrilling I have done, and as my skills rise, plus the addition of a few enhancing trinkets, the basic bandit types become much easier to kill and less deadly.  By illustration, I can now single shot a wolf in sneak or two shot a bandit which initially took six arrows!  But with armour of only AR140 and a light armour skill around 20, a Restless Draugr or bandit chief can still kill me in two hits as can a bear (there are a few, even at level 1).  It is fun and pucker inducing in equal measures 

Well, must press on, bandits won’t kill themselves (usually)!

A.

[phatbassanchor]

14 hours ago, Adella said:

My next tall order is to survive the Thalmor Embassy mission. With the Lord Stone, Agent of Mara and a necklace my magic resistance tops out at 50%.  Thankfully we are talking Level One adversaries, but even so, mages are a real problem since they can deplete one’s health multiple times in short order.  Hiding, sneaking and poisons will be my approach to this…plus a fall back of ‘Fus Roh Dah’ if necessary!

My Black Diamond Rule Set dictates only the given shouts may be used…but I am considering widening that scope to include ALL shouts, since this Challenge is so…well, challenging .  Particularly since even grounded, Alduin on the mountain top can flame you down as you retreat…Only “Become Ethereal” can save one from such a roasting.  However, balance must be maintained and this Challenge is afterall meant to be the toughest of my ‘Gemstone Series’.  I shall hold fire on allowing all shouts until I see how well we cope with the Forsworn at Karthspire Camp.  Hateful savages! Only Falmer fill me with more dread and loathing.

Having said all that, this level one play is the most satisfying and thrilling I have done, and as my skills rise, plus the addition of a few enhancing trinkets, the basic bandit types become much easier to kill and less deadly.  By illustration, I can now single shot a wolf in sneak or two shot a bandit which initially took six arrows!  But with armour of only AR140 and a light armour skill around 20, a Restless Draugr or bandit chief can still kill me in two hits as can a bear (there are a few, even at level 1).  It is fun and pucker inducing in equal measures 

Well, must press on, bandits won’t kill themselves (usually)!

A.

Could always bump up another 10% with the shrine of Azura from the Ravenrock temple, straight up the dock from the ship's arrival.  Free magic resist... well, the boat ride'll run you at least 250 unless you are magically already past level 10 and can persuade or intimidate the captain...  Normally, I'd pass on that... But, every little bit helps in a challenge situation.  You know that Thalmor mage in the courtyard between the two buildings loves his shock magic... He's not the only mage too.  There are at least three in total, right?  Been a while since I've been through there.

Also, stock up on Tundra Cotton and Lavender.  They are both incredibly common and combine to make a resist magic potion with zero negative effects.  If you make enough potions to raise your alchemy skill you can still get better potions without accepting level ups and perks, right?  Your primary combat skill is likely around fifty already, right?  One hand with a dagger or going it differently this time?  I know you aren't trying this as a full on mage.  That's just suicide!  Unless....  if you are an Altmer... you can have Malborn sneak you in a set of Thalmor robes as a disguise... What am I saying?  Adella is ever the proud Nord!  Hahaha  

My favorite poison can be crafted at level one... just need to farm the ingredients...

The area surrounding Morthal is rife with Deathbell.  But, you can find a lot of deathbell around Skyrim...

Raiding all the fish barrels in Riften for River Betty is the best way I've found to find those little fishes.  There are a few between Elgrim's and the Ratway but the real payload is out on the docks.  There are a bunch of fish barrels out on the docks and that farthest docked ship...

The last ingredient is the most challenging.  Go elk hunting for small antlers... just the elk though.  Deer have the large antlers.  Every elk has a chance to spawn small antlers.  

Combine the deathbell, river betty and small antlers to make a powerful poison with three affects, Slow target by 50% for a skill based length of time, damage health and weakness to poison.  All the affects are skill based.  So, just ramping up your alchemy skill combining dragon's tongue and fly amanita; elves ear or spider egg with juniper or any number of other potion and poison combos to ramp up skill before crafting up your poisons and resist magic potions...  every little bit will help when you are basically entering Mortal Kombat naked!  Hahaha

It's your challenge, your rules.  But, I always err on the side of liberty!  So, shout your heart out!  Hahaha  However, if you are disallowing Become Ethereal then you may need more potions!

Bone Meal, Dragon's Tongue, Elve's Ear, Fly Amanita and Snowberries all share the resist fire effect.  Make snowberries one of your resist fire ingredients and throw in a thistle branch to add resist frost to the mix...

You can do this...  Just need to have a strong plan with plenty of backup from potions, poisons and all your blessings, standing stones and other benefits in place.  You ran book of love already, I'm sure...  So, hit a home run!  

You are essentially a glass cannon... with a light cannon...  Hopefully it's a fast cannon...  Or... a light sabre!  Hahaha

Hopefully you find some help or at least a good laugh here. 

Adventure ever on beloved, Phat