The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrimmade radical changes to the franchise’s leveling and progression systems. Attributes were simplified into one of three categories, skills now have dedicated perk trees, and players now leveled skills up by using them instead of allocating points towards them.
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It took the community some time to get used to the system, but many agree thatSkyrim’schanges to leveling were much more intuitive thanOblivion’sleveling system. One change Bethesda also made to character progression came in the form of Standing Stones,Skyrim’stake on the birthsign system in past games. For those looking to gain a little more power for their build, here is a complete guide to Standing Stones, what they are, and where to find them.
12What Are Standing Stones?
Standing Stones areSkyrim’stake on the Birthsign system from pastElder Scrollstitles. Instead of choosing a constellation at character creation, players can find one of 13 Standing Stones and choose to align with it to obtain some sort of bonus. Only one Standing Stone can be used at a time.
11The Guardian Stones
Straight after players escape Helgen, they can find a trio of Standing Stones if they head directly towards the river that passes through Riverwood. Named the Guardian Stones, this small platform has three Standing Stones for players to choose between.
These three Standing Stones are the Warrior, Mage, and Thief Standing Stones. Each Standing Stone provides a 20% increased experience gain multiplier to that set of skills. Here are the skills each Standing Stone modifies:
10The Apprentice Stone
Northwest of Morthal, towards the southwestern quadrant of the marshlands, lies the Apprentice Stone. When the player aligns with this stone, they will gain a 100% increase to their Magicka regeneration rate at the cost of +100% weakness to magic damage. Magic damage includes fire, shock, ice, poison, disease, and sun damage.
9The Atronach Stone
Considered by many to be the strongest Standing Stone inSkyrim, the Atronach Stone can be found in the volcanic tundra south of Windhelm. Head to the Eldergleam Sanctuary and follow the river southeast until the Atronach stone is clearly visible.
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Aligning with the Atronach Stone will grant the player an additional 50 points of Magicka and an additional 50% chance to absorb spells. This comes with the massive caveat of -50% Magicka regeneration. What makes this Standing Stone so strong is how it can be paired with the Necromage perk in the Restoration tree. If the player becomes a vampire before obtaining this Standing Stone and has the Atronach and Necromage Alteration perks, they will be immune tothe strongest spell in the game.
8The Lady Stone
Players can find the Lady Stone west of Riverwood. Follow the river south until players come across a large lake. This lake, known as Lake Ilinalta, has a small island on the western section of the lake. This small island houses the Lady Stone.
While selected, the Lady Stone will grant the player 25% increased health and stamina regeneration. This effect stacks with other sources of regeneration such as enchantments and food.
7The Lord Stone
One of the easiest Standing Stones to find, the Lord Stone can be found a short distance northeast from the Shrine of Mehrunes Dagon in The Pale. Those that have not found the shrine can simply head east of Morthal and climb up the region’s mountains to find this Standing Stone.
As for its perk, the Lord Stone grants an additional 50 points of armor and an additional 25% magic resistance. These bonuses are additive with other sources of armor and magic resistance such as enchanted armor pieces and will not go past their respective caps.
6The Lover Stone
Markarth’s Hold, the Reach, is where players can find the Lover Stone. Travel to Kolskeggr Mine and head up the cliffside directly north of the mine shaft. At the top of this cliff is the Lover Stone.
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All skillswill gain experience points 15% faster while the Lover Stone is in use. This does stack with the Well Rested bonus from sleeping and other sources of increased experience gains.
5The Ritual Stone
Take the eastern road from Whiterun to find the Ritual Stone. It will be on the northern side of the path, placed directly north of High Hrothgar. Obtaining this Standing Stone will grant players a power that willreanimate all nearby corpsesunder the player’s control for 200 seconds. These corpses cannot exceed level 75 unless the Necromage perk is active, but this power has no limit to the number of corpses it can resurrect.
4The Serpent Stone
Head southeast of Winterhold and cross the archipelago of islands to find the Serpent Stone overlooking the region. This Standing Stone grants the player a power that lets the player fire a ranged paralyzing projectile. It can only be used once per day, deals 25 points of damage, and will paralyze the target for five seconds. While paralyzed by this power, the target will also take an additional five points of poison damage per second.
3The Shadow Stone
Directly south of Riften, before the mountain range at the border of the province, is the Shadow Stone. The Shadow Standing Stoneallows the player to turn themselves invisibleonce per day for one minute. The Shadow’s invisibility effect disappears when the player interacts with any object.
