Most Iconic Dungeons In Elder Scrolls, Ranked

A great deal of appeal in The Elder Scrolls series comes from its wholesome towns, quirky NPCs, and peaceful vistas. However, another pillar of the Elder Scrolls is its exploration and dungeon-delving experiences, which take players on short adventures below the land.

The design philosophy for these underground gauntlets has evolved between each game in the series, and each game has a few iconic dungeons that stay with fans long after they’ve vanquished its inhabitants and looted its treasures. These dungeons are the ones that any Elder Scrolls fan worth their salt would be able to recognize at a glance.

7

Addamasartus – Morrowind

An Outlander’s First Test And A Taste Of Dunmer Slavekeeping

In the same manner as Morrowind‘s inconspicuous but secret-stuffed starter town, Seyda Neen, this dungeon can be rushed past without so much as a second thought. However, those intrepid explorers will find Addamasartus very instructing in terms of the lore and gameplay they should expect from the rest of the game.

Outlanders can be tipped off by the activities of the Addamasartus smugglers by a High Elf woman in Seyda Neen. Besides smuggling, the villains inside keep slaves (something the player will soon learn is A-OK in Morrowind for the Dunmer), which the player can free for a burst of emotional catharsis and a quest opportunity later in the game.

6

Vilverin – Oblivion

A Short Swim Away From The Imperial Sewers Exit

After emerging from what could only be described as a traumatizing excursion through the rat-filled, forgotten layers of the Imperial Prison, then the goblin-infested sewers, a would-be Hero of Kvatch finds themselves under sunlight. Across from a short swim of water shine the white pillars of a ruined Ayleid structure. Like most places beyond Cyrodiil, the place is swarming with bandits.

Advertisement

Related

Elder Scrolls: 10 Forgotten Villains

The Elder Scrolls franchise is known for its open worlds and expansive lore, and villains play a large role in the player’s immersion.

Advertisement

Just about every new player ventures to Vilverin, and returning players usually find some value in scrubbing the place for its loot to get a head start for the rest of their adventure. The most iconic area in this dungeon is the large room that houses a small camp. This is where the player’s mettle is truly tested, as they can easily be overwhelmed by four or five combatants. Vilverin’s depths are surprisingly deep, but in a controversial design choice that would become universal in the sequel, there is a door at the end that loops the player back to the start.

5

Arkngthand – Morrowind

Containing Nirn’s Most Realistically-Placed Mystery Box

The Dwemer, or deep elves (as well as most of their fascinating lore) were first introduced in Morrowind, and this evocative dungeon’s exterior is likely the first look most players will get at their fantastic steampunk architecture as they journey toward Balmora to meet with Caius Cosades. Arkngthand is famous for driving some players insane in their search for the Dwemer puzzle box during the main story.

As most video games would place a crucial main quest item in an obvious place, such as right at the end of a dungeon in a big, impressive chest, Arkngthand throws the player off by placing the box on a random shelf without fanfare. This is in line with Morrowind’s dungeon design philosophy, as all the caves, forts, tombs, and ruins were designed to resemble lived-in locations rather than a series of rooms for gamers to rampage through without friction.

4

Ganonah / The Kvatch Deadlands – Oblivion

Welcome To The Lava Lands Of Hell

Oblivion Gates in Oblivion are a special kind of dungeon. They are more like explorable, fire-filled regions than subterranean mazes. However, everything within the Deadlands is hostile and appears like it came from the depths of Hell (at least as some interpretations of Abrahamic religions depict it), providing a stark contrast to the idyllic, bloom-hopped regions of Cyrodiil.

Advertisement

Related

8 Ways To Get Rich Quick In The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion

From brewing potions and hunting vampires to exploiting glitches, there are plenty of ways to make lots of money in Oblivion.

Advertisement

The one instance of The Deadlands that has likely been burned into every Oblivion fan’s mind is the one entered at Kvatch. The area (which is later revealed to be called Ganonah by a Dremora found in Mankar Camoran’s personal realm of Oblivion) forces players to contend with a squad of Daedra, a lava lake, toxic caves, and a demonic tower filled with angry immortal minions of Mehrunes Dagon before closing down the gate by snatching its anchor, the sigil stone.

3

Blackreach – Skyrim

A City Into Itself, Illuminated By Mushroom Light

Not only is this long-lost Dwemer city one of the most memorable experiences, but it’s also one of the largest dungeons in the Elder Scrolls series. Perhaps its vast size and traversal difficulty make this place so memorable, besides the bioluminescent gloom of the steampunk city.

Besides the labyrinthian passageways that run vertically as well as horizontally and the low light conditions, players may also remember their desperate search for crimson nirnroots in a quest reminiscent of Oblivion‘s infamous collection quest (featuring the same nirnroot-loving NPC).

2

Imperial Prison Sewer – Oblivion

Goblins, Rats, And Self Discovery

Continuing the tradition of starting the player off as a bound-prisoner-turned-loose, and mirroring the opening act of The Elder Scrolls: Arena, the Imperial Prison Sewer is the first dungeon Oblivion players see. It is designed as a tutorial and a vertical slice of what is to come, featuring dungeon passageways, caves, and waterworks sections.

It is where players go to find themselves, decide their playstyle, and cement their build before witnessing the death of an emperor and escaping into the bright, wide world. Given the replayability of sandbox RPGs, with Oblivion being no exception, the layout of this dungeon is likely burned into most TES fans’ brains.

1

Bleak Falls Barrow – Skyrim

A Golden Opportunity Amid Angry Old Draugr

After breaking out from the tunnel systems below Helgen, and regardless of whether or not they follow the road to Riverwood, Skyrim players are always confronted with the daunting and impressive sight of Bleak Falls Barrow. All roads lead to this ancient crypt, as beating is the prerequisite to unlocking powerful shouts and progressing the main story.

The dungeon is another vertical slice of all other dungeons in the game, including angry draugr, giant spiders, rotating puzzle stones (floor and wall-based), ignitable spilled oil, a dragon claw key, and, of course, a big loot chest with a word wall at the end.

More

Skyrim: 12 Quests With The Best Active Effect Rewards

Advertisement

Active Effects can prove to be very beneficial in Skyrim. Here are some quests players can complete to unlock the best ones.