Dragons are the headline act of Skyrim. After centuries of absence they return with Alduin, and from the moment you finish Dragon Rising they start dropping out of the sky at random – over towns, on the road, or right in the middle of your peaceful herb-picking.
Where to find them
Anywhere outdoors. Some dragons wait at fixed lairs (often on old dragon burial mounds or word walls), while others simply show up while you travel. Alduin also resurrects dead dragons from their burial mounds during the main quest, starting with “A Blade in the Dark”.
Dragon types
Stronger dragons appear as you level up. Each type breathes either fire or frost and resists its own element while taking extra damage from the opposite one.
| Type | Level | Health | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon | 10 | 905 | The brown starter dragon |
| Blood Dragon | 20 | 1421 | Knows Unrelenting Force |
| Skeletal Dragon | 20 | 500 | Undead, no soul to absorb |
| Frost Dragon | 30 | 1860 | Always frost |
| Elder Dragon | 40 | 2255 | |
| Ancient Dragon | 50 | 3071 | |
| Serpentine Dragon | 58 | 3565 | Dragonborn add-on |
| Revered Dragon | 62 | 3511 | Dawnguard, uses Drain Vitality |
| Legendary Dragon | 75 | 4163 | Dawnguard, appears from around level 78 |
Named dragons
Besides Alduin, Paarthurnax and Odahviing, several dragons have names: Mirmulnir (the first one you kill, at the Western Watchtower), Sahloknir (raised at Kynesgrove in “A Blade in the Dark”), Vuljotnaak, Nahagliiv and Viinturuth (raised from burial mounds as the main quest goes on), and the secret Vulthuryol in Blackreach, who appears if you shout at the giant glowing orb. Dawnguard adds Durnehviir in the Soul Cairn and the twin dragons Naaslaarum and Voslaarum.
Why kill them?
Every dragon you slay as the Dragonborn lets you absorb its soul, and dragon souls are what unlock Words of Power for your shouts. On top of that, the skeleton leaves behind Dragon Bones and Dragon Scales – the raw materials for Dragonplate and Dragonscale gear. With the Dragonborn add-on, the full Bend Will shout even lets you ride a dragon.
Taming dragons is a different story: Odahviing can be called on as an ally after the main quest, and Paarthurnax is a dragon you talk to rather than fight (unless the Blades get their way).
Abilities & attacks
- Breath attack – fire or frost depending on the dragon type
- Bite and tail swipe in melee
- Flies, circles and lands to fight on the ground
- Higher-level dragons can use more powerful shouts
How to beat it
Use Dragonrend (learned in "Alduin's Bane") to force the dragon out of the sky. Until you have it, keep a bow or ranged spells ready while it flies and duck behind cover when it breathes. Once it drops below half health it can no longer stay airborne and crashes to the ground. Up close, stay away from the head – but watch the wings and tail too. Power attacks and shield bashes stagger it. Mages can block breath attacks with a ward. Hit it with the opposite element to its breath and bring resist potions.
Loot & harvestables
Dragon Bones (1–3)
Dragon Scales (1–3)
100–318 gold
Chance of a gem, a weapon and a piece of armor (sometimes enchanted)
Dragon Soul (absorbed by the Dragonborn)
Lore & trivia
Dragons call themselves the dov and speak in the Thu'um – for them, talking and shouting are the same thing. Alduin is said to be the firstborn of Akatosh.
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