Every Skyrim Black Book Perk, Ranked Worst To Best

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim offers rewards for reading many books, and the Black Books offer an interesting group of benefits all their own – though some are better than others. Skyrim provides a great deal of immersion through interacting with NPCs, shaping in-game political events, building a home, and even reading books. Through reading, players are able to learn fascinating lore about the world of The Elder Scrolls and gain quest tips, but also learn valuable powers and skills, some of which could not be acquired through natural gameplay. This is the power hidden away in the Black Books, Daedric artifacts found in the ruins of Solstheim.

The Elder Scrolls’ Daedric Prince Hermaeus Mora created the Black books at an unknown time in Skyrim’s history; in fact, some of the Books seem to have been written in the future. According to lore on Hermaues, he created the Black Books intending to ensnare mortals into his service. One such individual is the Dragon Priest Miraak, who supposedly gained so much knowledge he gained the ability to control dragons. When a Black Book is opened in Solstheim, players are transported to the Apocrypha, a plane within Oblivion ruled by Hermaeus. Only in Apocrypha can players read the books and unlock their power.

Players who find the Skyrim Black Books can not only read them, but can also learn a number of powerful skills. Six of the seven books offer multiple perks, and players can equip them. Players can only equip one perk per book at a time, but can easily switch by traveling back to Solstheim, opening the appropriate book and choosing the new ability. As the Black Books are Daedric, all of them are powerful in their own right, but some are more useful than others. Additionally, some of the skills within the Black Books are better than others.

Skyrim Black Book: The Winds Of Change

The Black Book Winds of Change can be found in the Bloodskal Barrow during quest “The Final Descent“. One of its perks is Scholar’s Insight, which while activated will give players two skill points for reading one skill book. Companion’s Insight will protect ally Skyrim followers from spells, shouts and attacks made by the player. Finally, Lover’s Insight will allow players to do more damage and negotiate better prices to characters of the opposite gender, up to 10 percent on both fronts.

Worst Perk: Scholar’s InsightBest Perk: Companion’s Insight

Skyrim Black Book: Waking Dreams

The only Black Book with one power, Waking Dreams allows players to completely reset a skill tree, getting their perks back. It can be found during the main story, either early game during Skyrim’s “The Temple of Miraak” quest or in Skyrim’s final moments during “At the Summit of Apocrypha“. However, using this effect will cost players one dragon soul. While this perk is useful for players looking to adjust their skill tree or completely change their gameplay, Waking Dreams is also not the only way for players to reset Skyrim’s skill tree, as reaching level 100 for any skill will make it legendary, setting the skill value at 15 and giving players their perks back.

Skyrim Black Book: Untold Legends

Untold Legends, also called The Other Lives of Ysgramor, can be found in the Skyrim cave Benkongerike. It contains three possible perks for players to activate: Black Market, Secret Servant, and Bardic Knowledge. The Black Market perk will summon a Dremora merchant for fifteen seconds, who will buy items from players and sell them in turn. Depending on a player’s level, the merchant will have Ebony, Dwemer or Daedric armor for sale. Secret Servant will summon a Dremora butler, also for fifteen seconds, who can carry up to 148 weight for players. Bardic Knowledge, on the other hand, will summon a drum that will play for 300 seconds, improving player stamina regeneration while it does.

Worst Perk: Black MarketBest Perk: Secret Servant

Skyrim Black Book: The Sallow Regent

The Sallow Regent is found in the White Ridge Barrow, and unlike many of the other Black Books, it isn’t found as part of an existing quest. All of its perks are fairly well-balanced, their ranking entirely dependent on which guardian sign a player has chosen to follow: the mage, the warrior, or the thief. Seeker of Might improves combat skills by 10 percent, Seeker of Shadows buffs stealth skills, and Seeker of Sorcery is perfect for Skyrim mages, making enchantments 10 percent more powerful and spells cost 10 percent less magicka.

Worst Perk: Seeker of ShadowsBest Perk: Seeker of Sorcery

Skyrim Black Book: Filament and Filagree

While completing Skyrim’s “Unearthed” quest, players who find themselves in the Kolbjorn Barrow can find the Black Book Filament and Filagree. The three skills are skewed more for players who are going to find themselves in combat, but are useful perks regardless which of the three a player chooses. The Secret of Strength reduces attack cost to zero for 30 seconds, Secret of Arcana makes it so spells cast cost no magicka for 30 seconds, and Secret of Protection reduces damage taken by players by 50 percent for 30 seconds.

Worst Perk: Secret of ArcanaBest Perk: Secret of Protection

Skyrim Black Book: The Hidden Twilight

Black Book The Hidden Twilight can’t be acquired until after finishing the “Reluctant Steward” sidequest. It’s located in the tower Tel Mithryn, within a locked room that will open on completion of the quest. Its perks are varied, each uniquely powerful, named after Skyrim’s mysterious Hermaeus Mora. Mora’s Boon, upon use, will completely refill a player’s health, magicka and stamina, though this effect can only be used once a day. When a player casts Mora’s Grasp at a character, they are frozen between Tamriel and Oblivion and immune to all damage for 30 seconds. Mora’s Agony will bring forth poisonous tentacles that cover a large area and damage enemies.

Worst Perk: Mora’s GraspBest Perk: Mora’s Agony

Skyrim Black Book: Epistolary Acumen

Players interested in Skyrim’s ultimate Dragonborn build will appreciate the perks the Black Book Epistolary Acumen. Because it is also found as part of the main quest in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, a bit more is known about this Black book than the others. According to The Library of Dusk: Rare Books, an in-game tome found in The Elder Scrolls Online, the author of the Epistolary Acumen is called the transparent one, and its contents contain dangerous Daedra magic. The perks hidden in this book include Dragonborn Force, which allows the Unrelenting Force shout to deal more damage, even causing slain enemies to disintegrate. Next is Dragonborn Flame, which creates a fire wyrm from enemies killed by a player’s Fire Breath, and the wyrm will fight on behalf of players for 60 seconds. Finally, Epistolary Acumen can teach players Dragonborn Frost, which can completely cover a target in ice.

Worst Perk: Dragonborn FrostBest Perk: Dragonborn Flame

About The Author

Brittany Spurlin
(182 Articles Published)

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Brittany Spurlin is Senior Writer for Screen Rant’s Game Features. Previously, she was a news editor on VENN’s editorial team. With a screenwriting degree from Boston University, she loves engaging narratives – especially the nerdy ones. More often than not, she can be found playing The Elder Scrolls, Wild Rift, The Legend of Zelda and Stardew Valley.

Follow Brittany on Twitter @bsinitials

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