Shellbug Chitin (Dawnguard) comes from the shellbug, one of the strange bug-like creatures added by the Dawnguard expansion. Its only use at the forge is the Shellbug Helmet, which takes two pieces, and it is also what you temper that helmet with. No perk is needed. With a value of 25 and a weight of 4, it is more of a curiosity than a key smithing resource – but if you want that helmet, this is the only way to get there.
How to get it
The game data doesn’t place Shellbug Chitin loose in the world, and no merchant keeps it in regular stock. The way to get it is to kill shellbugs and loot their remains, so keep an eye out for them while you work through the Dawnguard questline.
Because you only ever need two pieces for the helmet plus a spare to temper it, a single trip is usually enough. Anything beyond that is just extra weight, so sell surplus chitin to a general goods merchant.
The Shellbug Helmet is mostly a collector’s piece and a fun look, so treat this material as a small side project rather than a priority.
Used to craft
Shellbug Chitin appears in 1 recipe in the game files.
Armor
- Shellbug Helmet – Shellbug Helmet (2)
The number in brackets is how many Shellbug Chitin each recipe needs. Bold labels are the Smithing perk the recipe requires.
Improving gear
At a grindstone or workbench, Shellbug Chitin is the material used to improve (temper) 1 items, including Shellbug Helmet.
Good to know
- Keep a third piece if you want to temper the helmet after crafting it.
Data from the Skyrim game files (Skyrim.esm and the official add-ons): value, weight, ore veins, recipes and merchant lists. ID 020195AA is the item’s form ID for the console.
