Elder Scrolls 5:Skyrim is a much-loved RPG that has stood the test of time. Skyrim itself is a massive, strange land filled to the brim with a lot of things that are trying to kill the main character, but if the Dragonborn can contend with it all, there are lots of treasures and adventures waiting to be had. It's an everlasting journey, full of many quests, many consequences, and many Septims.
What are the most expensive items players can purchase in Skyrim? Prices tend to vary between vendors and depend on the quality of materials in use, but in this case, quotes are based on merchant prices from being level 22 in Speech. The value of potions and enchantments is estimated based on basic materials; the more rare and expensive the ingredients, the more valuable a homemade concoction can be. With all that in mind, here are some of the most expensive purchases characters can make in this far northern region of Tamriel.
Updated on September 10, 2023, by Kristy Ambrose: More explorers, traders, crafters, and mod developers have honed their craft in Skyrim, and that means a few more items to add to the list of expensive wares to show off. These aren't always big-ticket items like mansions or weapons but can also include potions and enchantments. Some are fairly ordinary objects but their rarity drives up the price, while others are only available via quests, high-level crafting, or specific mods or DLCs. Save up those precious Septims for the following unique and expensive weapons, gear, accessories, and even private houses.
18 Deadly Magicka Poison, 465 Septims
The Deadly Magicka Poison can be found in the Skyrim city of Falkreath at the alchemy shop called Grave Concoctions and they can also be crafted at an Alchemy table. However, players shouldn't be fooled by the name of the shop, as this place is excellent for all alchemy-based needs.
This poison, when applied to a weapon, drains the target's Magicka by 130 points when struck. It's perfect for warriors who encounter a lot of mages out in Skyrim because there is nothing worse for a mage than running out of Magicka.
17 Elixir Of Strength, 570 Septims
As far as potions go, they can be found all over the place or made using Alchemy. On the shelves of bookcases, in chests, or even on the corpses of all the people who have tried and failed to kill the legendary Dragonborn.
However, one of Skyrim's most expensive elixirs that players can buy in shops is the Elixir of Strength. This item can be located in Solitude at the Alchemy shop, Angeline's Aromatics, or at Grave Concoctions over in Falkreath. This potion increases carrying capacity by 60 faster for 300 seconds, so perfect for drinking when deep inside a dungeon.
16 Nightweaver's Band, 1131 Septims
Joining the Dark Brotherhood has some nice perks, one of the major ones being the sweet items. In this case, a shiny bit of jewelry. This ring is only available via the Dark Brotherhood quest "Recipe for Disaster."
Given that it's connected to this notorious assassin guild, the Nightweaver's Band is especially beneficial to murderers who need to sneak around. It improves Sneak skill by 25% and makes the player's Destruction spells cost 25% less.
15 Banish Enchantment, 1200 Septims
Enchantments are taken from weapons and gear to be used on other items, so it's not something the player can make or buy unless they purchase a weapon with this enchantment already present. Its exact value is hard to pin down because that depends on the gear or weapon on which it's used, and when paired with other valuable enchantments like Paralyze, an item can be even more valuable.
It's a spell from the Conjuration school that can be added to a weapon so it can Banish Daedric beings to another plane of existence as soon as it hits the target. It's easier, safer, and faster than fighting them but not as exciting.
14 Ebony Armor, 1500 Septims
The whole set is worth a fortune in Septims depending on where it's found or made, so it's not necessary to spend the gold to buy it. Keep in mind that a player needs a skill of at least 80 Smithing to craft it, must be at least level 30 to use it, and it won't be available for sale in shops or from blacksmiths until level 40.
Every character in the game dons this four-piece armor set eventually, not only because it has some great buffs but also because it looks stone-cold badass.
13 Daedric Helmet, 1600 Septims
A perfect substitute for enchanted armor is the standard Daedric armor, and the Daedric Helmet is the most expensive base helmet available in the entire region of Skyrim. It weighs 15 and has a defense of 25, which is not too shabby indeed.
However, the catch is that the player has to own the Dragonborn downloadable content and complete a specific quest called the 'Black Book: Untold Legends' to access the merchant there. They're known as the Dremora Merchant, who sells this fantastic equipment.
12 Potion of Waterbreathing, 1890 Septoms
This handy potion also fortifies the character's stamina and restores their health, which is all part of the dungeon-delving and spelunking experience in Skyrim. It can be purchased at certain vendors, but it's cheaper to make, provided the ingredients are available.
It's not only the wide variety of uses but also the difficult recipe that makes this potion valuable. It requires boar tusk, salmon roe, and fungus stalks, and the latter can only be purchased from certain Khajit merchants as part of the Rare Curios content.
11 Amulet of Articulation, 2050 Septims
It's worth about 2000 Septims depending on who players ask in Skyrim. The fluctuation is also due to the several different designs this item randomly takes when players complete the Thieves Guild questline, or they can loot it from Brynjolf's corpse if their character isn't interested in taking over from the previous management.
This handy item looks great and guarantees their success when using the Persuasion skill and buffs Speech skill up to 35 points. That's not just useful for getting good deals from traders and merchants.
10 Stalhrim BattleAxe, 2150 Septims
One of the best base weapons in the game is the Stalhrim BattleAxe. This weapon is perfect for those who are specced in two-handed weaponry and haven't found a decent enchanted weapon yet. The Stalhrim Battleaxe weighs 25 and has a damage output of 27, which is incredibly decent when it comes to unenchanted weaponry.
This weapon can be bought in a few places: the village of Skald's blacksmith sells Stalhrim weapons, and so does the blacksmith Glover Mallory, over in Raven Rock, near Solstheim.
9 Eye of the Falmer, 2500 Septims
Not literally, as this unfortunate race is lacking their eyes. This is actually a massive gem, and it's one of the most valuable miscellaneous items in the game. It has no other use than to be enormous and is worth 2500 Septims.
As an average adventurer might suspect, there is a left and a right eye, and they're worth the same in Septims. They're not found in the same place but are part of the same quest, which is aptly named "Blindsided." The Falmer never seem to catch a break.
8 Stalhrim Warhammer, 2850 Septims
The Stalhrim Warhammer is a bit weightier than the Stalhrim Battleaxe, with a weight of 29, but it also has greater damage than it, with 29. A perfect weapon for those who like to cause destruction, Stalhrim might not be as good as Daedric or Ebony, but players can acquire it much earlier so it's good to use until they obtain something stronger.
Like the battleaxe, only a few places sell Stalhrim equipment the easiest being the blacksmith at Raven Rock, Skald. Another place does sell it but this one is based on a condition, whether or not players have sided with the Nords throughout their journey. If the protagonist takes their side, then Thirsk Hall will also sell Stalhrim equipment.
7 Archmage's Robes, 3265 Septims
Lined with luxurious fur and decorated with blue and grey embroidery, these robes are a reward that players get at the end of "The Eye of Magnus" quest. Everything the former Archmage had, including his title, property, and quarters, now belongs to the new Archmage. These robes are worth 3265 Septims, but the real value here is the buffs and benefits.
The character has 50% more Magicka, spells cost 20% less Magicka to cast, and Magicka regenerates at 150% faster. A fitting wardrobe for the Archmage of Winterhold.
6 Daedric Armor, 7650 Septims
For those who only wear the best of the best heavy armor, well, Daedric Armor is just that. However, it's only available to purchase if players own the Dragonborn DLC, and have finished the 'Black Book: Untold Legends quest'. Once this has been completed, the portable Dremora Merchant is available for Daedric equipment.
Daedric Armor weighs a hefty 50, but its defense makes up for it by being 52. This is the top-tier purchase to make, especially if players are after the demonic presence vibe.
5 Daedric Armor Of Peerless Destruction, 12242 Septims
The best tier armor is the Daedric, so of course, enchanted Daedric armor is what players aim to acquire. Enchanted armor is amazing, but it depends on the type of enchantment players are looking for, as Magicka regeneration isn't suitable for a player who only uses brute strength.
This has a weight of 50 and a defense of 52. However, the enchant on this armor is why it's so expensive, as Destruction spells cost 25% less to cast, which is perfect for a Battlemage. If players are lucky enough and the Dremora Merchant has the Daedric Armor of Peerless Destruction available, it's worth a purchase.
4 Daedric Armor Of Revival, 14103 Septims
The best Daedric armor players can get from the Dremora Merchant is the Daedric Armor of Revival, which has a fantastic enchantment on it, as it regenerates health 50% faster than usual. Perfect for those who don't like relying on potions. It weighs 50 and has a defense of 52.
This armor is perfect for players who fight first and ask questions later and who don't rely on stealth or ranged attacks for that initial advantage. For those after this armor, it's sadly based on luck if it appears in the Dremora Merchants stock, but new items do appear every two days.
3 Daedric Battleaxe of Annihilating, 20552 Septims
The second best weapon players can get from the Dremora Merchant is the Daedric Battleaxe of Annihilating, it's second only to the Warhammer variety. The enchantment of this weapon is that any Summoned Daedra up to level 36 is sent back to Oblivion. It has a damage of 28 and a weight of 27.
It might not be the best of its kind, but if players see this with the Dremora Merchant, it's the best replacement until they find something better suited or the Warhammer type. The price of this weapon is pretty expensive, but this is one of the Annihilating enchanted weapons.
2 Daedric Warhammer of Annihilating, 24320 Septims
Daedric Warhammer of Annihilating is the most expensive weapon in the game. It weighs 31, and its damage output is 30. The weapon enchantment on it is that any Summoned Daedra up to level 36 is sent back to Oblivion.
So for those after this powerful Warhammer, the player might be lucky and find this one with the Dremora Merchant. This Banish enhancement is the most powerful found upon any bought items. However, this weapon begins to circulate the land of Skyrim when the Dragonborn reaches level 53, so don't expect to buy it from the Dremora Merchant before then.
1 Proudspire Manor, 25000 Septims
There's a version of this house in the Elder Scrolls Online that's priced at more than a million Septims, which makes the base price of this house more than decent. In Skyrim, however, this is one of the most expensive houses that the character can buy, and they can spend as much as 11000 more to upgrade it with furniture, decor, and other fancy stuff.
It's all about location and class, and this opulent manor in Solitude lets the character flaunt everything they have in style, with all the right neighbors to impress. The Bard's College is nearby along with the Imperial nobility, such as Vittoria Vici's equally impressive house next door.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.