Black soul gems were a big deal back inOblivion, but they’re relatively commonplace 200 years later inThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. These gems can appear in random loot, especially in mage strongholds, and a few merchants will sell them as ordinary goods. It’s always worth collecting them because black soul gems are the only type that can trap humanoid souls, and humanoid souls are amongthe most powerful players can find.
With all that being said, black soul gems are still the rarest kind of soul gem, even rarer than grand soul gems. This guide will explain where inSkyrim,players can find a regular supply of this uncommon item and how to make them out of the more traditional types of soul gem.
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Soul Gem Merchants
In all ofSkyrim, there are exactly two merchants who stock black soul gems. The first one is Falion, the wizard of Morthal. Unlike many resident wizards, Falion doesn’t spend any time in the Jarl’s longhouse. Instead, he spends his days in his personal home. Players will find it down by the docks. Falion is a spell merchant who specializes in Conjuration, and he always has a black soul gem or two in stock. It’s no coincidence that Falion is alsothe only person who can cure the Dragonborn’s vampirism, which requires a filled black soul gem.
The other merchant is Enthir, a magewho lives in the College of Winterhold. Players must be members of the college or help expand the Thieves Guild into Winterhold to get access to his inventory, and he’ll only open his shop in the Hall of Attainment. If players speak to him outside the hall, they can mention that he’s an elf who can “get things done,” at which point he’ll head straight to the hall to do business. Along with black soul gems, Enthir can also offer a few daedra hearts, which are essential for crafting daedric weapons and armor.
Soul Gem Crafting
During the Dawnguard quest line(available with the “Dawnguard” DLC orSkyrim Special Edition), players venture into the Oblivion dimension called the Soul Cairn. Players may be busy with the plot during their first visit, but it’s possible to return here at any time once the story has moved on.
Dotted throughout the Soul Cairn are objects called lightning attractors. Players can insert greater and grand soul gems into these attractors, at which point lightning will strike and convert the gem into an empty black soul gem (which may waste the soul already trapped by the greater or grand gem, so be careful). However, be warned that using a lightning attractor summons enemies to the player’s location.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimis available now on PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
