The Ultimate Skyrim Shout Guide: Unleash the Power Within!

The addition of Shouts is a beloved feature in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. As the Dragonborn, players have the innate ability to learn and use these powerful abilities, which adds to the immersive lore of the game. According to Nordic history, mortals were granted this power by Kyne, while the dragon Paarthurnax was the first to teach them how to utilize it. Normally, it takes years to master just one Shout, but the Dragonborn can effortlessly absorb the souls and knowledge of dragons, allowing them to quickly learn multiple Shouts.

In Skyrim, there are a total of 27 Shouts available for the Dragonborn to learn, spanning across the base game, Dawnguard, and Dragonborn expansions. While many Shouts have offensive applications, some have more subtle effects. Certain Shouts prove to be more valuable than others in various situations, making them essential to learn. However, due to dragon souls being a limited resource, it can be challenging for players to determine which Shouts they should prioritize unlocking, taking into account their impact on gameplay as well as their significance in the game's lore and storytelling.

S Tier

Unrelenting Force - Known as the most iconic of all the Shouts, Unrelenting Force truly lives up to its powerful reputation. The initial two words of this shout are capable of staggering enemies, while the third word transforms them into ragdolls. Additionally, if they happen to fall from a height, they will also endure fall damage.

Become Ethereal - Though initially seeming less appealing, the ability to transform into an intangible specter that cannot inflict or receive harm holds numerous advantages. Many players have documented the usefulness of this Shout, such as utilizing it to safely jump from mountains without taking any fall damage, sprint incessantly without depleting stamina, and navigate treacherous locations like Apocrypha.

Content:

Marked for Death - This Shout is considered to be in the S tier due to its permanent armor penalty effect. After 60 seconds and with three words, it reduces the enemy's armor by a staggering -4500, rendering them highly susceptible to physical damage.

Dragon Aspect - Introduced in the Dragonborn expansion, this Shout brings about a transformative experience for the user. It surrounds the Dragonborn in a mystical dragon armor, providing significant benefits such as enhanced power attacks, increased armor rating, heightened resistance against fire and frost, amplified Shouts, and a reduced cooldown time for subsequent Shouts. Additionally, if the Dragonborn's health drops below 50 percent, it summons an Ancient Dragonborn as an ally for assistance.

Soul Tear - A powerful ability from the Dawnguard expansion, Soul Tear extracts the soul of the enemy, dealing devastating damage. If the enemy perishes from this shout, their soul will fill a soul gem. Additionally, the fallen enemy is resurrected as an undead ally to assist the Dragonborn. This shout is highly effective as a finishing blow against formidable foes and as a decisive strike against weaker adversaries, granting an additional ally in battle.

Dragonrend - Obtained during the main questline of Skyrim, Dragonrend compels a dragon to comprehend its own mortality, a concept typically beyond the reach of these majestic creatures. Pragmatically speaking, this shout obliges the dragon to descend and land, greatly facilitating its elimination compared to attempting ranged attacks in mid-air.

Summon Durnehviir -

A Tier

Durnehviir, a dragon necromancer confined within the Soul Cairn, can be summoned to aid the Dragonborn during combat. This Shout holds a higher rank than Call Dragon due to the swiftness with which Durnehviir materializes to provide assistance. Additionally, he can even be summoned in subterranean environments, provided there is sufficient space.

Slow Time is an invaluable asset in challenging battles, as it grants valuable breathing space. Moreover, it also extends the duration of timed potions like Fortify Smithing, making it an excellent combination with leveling up potions.

Whirlwind Sprint - Encountered early on, Whirlwind Sprint is an iconic Shout that greatly facilitates long-distance travel, making it much more manageable. In battle, it proves invaluable for swiftly repositioning or evading powerful adversaries.

Cyclone - Resembling Unrelenting Force, Cyclone launches targets into the air, inflicting fall damage upon them.

Call Dragon - Summons the dragon Odahviing to aid the Dragonborn in battle. Odahviing is invincible and is great at taking out massive groups of enemies.

B Tier

Elemental Fury boosts the velocity of melee strikes; however, it is ineffective on enchanted weapons. Nevertheless, when dual-wielding, the right-hand weapon may possess enchantments since this Shout solely considers the weapon held in the left hand.

Bend Will - With this Shout, the Dragonborn gains the power to control dragons, even riding on their backs. It can also be used on animals and enemies, compelling them to fight alongside the Dragonborn.

Aura Whisper - A crucial shout for stealthy Dragonborns, Aura Whisper detects even undead creatures and automatons. Its usefulness is particularly evident in Falmer caves and dimly lit dungeons, rendering the Dragonborn nearly impervious to unexpected traps and ambushes.

Fire Breath - This Shout allows the Dragonborn to unleash fiery breath, resembling that of a dragon. Perfect for immersive role-playing and advantageous at lower levels. However, its damage capability remains stagnant as the player advances, rendering it ineffectual against stronger opponents.

Frost Breath - Similar to Fire Breath, but harnessing the power of frost rather than fire. It shares the same limitations as its fiery counterpart and delivers comparable results.

C Tier

: Neutralize - Renders opponents weaponless by disarming them, proving to be particularly advantageous against enemies who lack a backup weapon in their inventory. This formidable ability is effective on Draugr Death Overlords and those of lesser rank, significantly simplifying these encounters as they desperately search for their misplaced weaponry.

Freezing an opponent solid with the Ice Form shout provides Dragonborns with valuable moments to strategize their next moves, escape to safety, or seize a fresh opportunity for an attack.

Storm Call has the potential to be immensely effective in crowd control, particularly when facing a bandit stronghold in a remote location where the likelihood of unintended harm is minimal.

Various dragons throughout Skyrim employ Drain Vitality, which, at maximum potency, inflicts 5 points of damage to magicka, health, and stamina for a duration of 30 seconds, causing stagger.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.