The Ash Hopper is a small, long-legged insect introduced in the Dragonborn add-on, and one of the first things to greet travellers who wander off the roads of Solstheim. It lies buried in the grey ash until something walks too close, then springs up and charges. On its own it is little more than a nuisance, but hoppers rarely settle for being alone.
At level 4 with 155 health, an Ash Hopper is firmly a low-level threat. What makes it memorable is behaviour rather than raw power: it hides in plain sight, it comes in groups, and once its health drops low enough it turns tail and runs. When one finally dies, its body collapses into pieces in a way that looks more like a falling skeleton than a dying bug.
Where to find them
Ash Hoppers live only in the ashlands of Solstheim, the ash-covered parts of the island. You will not meet them anywhere in mainland Skyrim. Expect them in the open ash fields rather than inside ruins or caves. Because they are buried until triggered, the usual first sign of a hopper is a puff of ash a few steps ahead of you.
Notes
- Hoppers that have climbed out of the ash but have not yet spotted the Dragonborn can end up fighting each other, which makes it worth hanging back for a moment when a group emerges.
- Their bites can pass on the disease Droops, so keep a cure disease potion or a shrine visit in mind after a long walk through the ashlands.
- The loot is useful for crafting: besides three ingredients from the creature itself, they can yield Chitin Plate, a material associated with the island’s Dunmer-style gear such as Chitin Armor.
- Players who know Morrowind will notice that the Ash Hopper looks a lot like the Scribs of Vvardenfell.
