Skyrim drops you into a frozen province on the brink of civil war, then hands you the soul of a dragon and lets you go anywhere. The Special Edition adds 64-bit support, better lighting, and full mod compatibility on top of the 2011 base game. You can play 200 hours and still trip over a quest you never saw.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key synergies |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Whiterun
Key resources: Companions questline, free house Breezehome, easy training Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Mehrunes' Razor upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Blackreach
Key resources: Elder Scroll access, Crimson Nirnroot, soul gem deposits Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Mehrunes' Razor upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Solstheim
Key resources: Bend Will shout, Black Books, unique Stalhrim gear Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Mehrunes' Razor upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
The Throat of the World
Key resources: Main quest progression, Clear Skies shout, Paarthurnax Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Daedric Bow max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Markarth
Key resources: Mehrunes' Razor quest start, Aetherium Forge, Silver-Blood feud Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Daedric Bow max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Whiterun to Blackreach)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Mehrunes' Razor once accessible
Mid Game (Solstheim)
- Push Mehrunes' Razor to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Daedric Bow
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (The Throat of the World to Markarth)
- Max out Daedric Bow. This is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Solstheim farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Rush The Lover Stone near Markarth at low level for 15% faster skill gains across the board.
- Farm Solstheim during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
More The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Guides
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Overview
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Best Builds
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Tier List
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Walkthrough
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Beginner's Guide
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Tips & Tricks
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Weapons Guide
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Combat Guide
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Boss Guide
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Maps & Locations
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition Classes & Characters
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