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Bethesda’sThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrimwas an industry-shaping RPG that introduced millions of gamers new and old to the long-established world of Tamriel. The success ofSkyrimwas so great that it has since been re-released countless times, including recently on the Nintendo Switch; in 2018, the untitled sequel was announced to be in development, known only asThe Elder Scrolls VI.
While there are plenty of theories of what the sixth game in the franchise will bring to the table, the sprawling and interconnected world ofSkyrimstill holds up as a beautiful, immersive worldmore than a decade after its original release. Some quests stand out for their memorable stories or characters that everyElder Scrollsfan should experience at least once, especially with the sequel on the horizon.
Updated July 14, 2025 by Erik Petrovich: Skyrim is an enormous game, with hundreds of quests to keep even the most avid fan engaged for hundreds of hours. When it comes to the best quests Skyrim players should finish before The Elder Scrolls VI is announced, though, there’s more than a dozen that are seriously stellar experiences. Some of these best missions in Skyrim were added with content updates, special editions, and DLCs over time, though, so not all players will have access to these memorable quests. Skyrim players will now find more information about the requirements to start each of these best quests in Skyrim below, including DLC requirements and where you have to go to trigger each quest start location.
17The Skyrim Main Story Quest
Whether you are a fan of the main story ofSkyrimor not, or somehow haven’t beaten the main story quest since the game came out more than a decade ago, it’s one that allElder Scrollsfans should get around to.
Aside from the ultimate disappointing battle with Alduin, the rest of the questline is really intriguing if not a little bit too short to fully explain everything and allow enough pacing for the final part not to feel rushed. Nevertheless, the main story ofSkyrimis something you should experience for yourself beforeThe Elder Scrolls VIeventually comes out.
16The Civil War – For Both Factions
Like the main story forSkyrim, the Civil War quests are some of the most important quests in the game. The Skyrim Civil War is one of the most impactful events in the continent lore-wise, and both factions fight for what they see as what’s best for Skyrim.
It’s worth doing this quest beforeElder Scrolls VIcomes out as the impacts of the Civil War will likely be felt throughout Tamriel, depending on which ending they decide to canonize. If the Stormcloaks end up winning back Skyrim, for example, it could have opened up the continent to a full-scale invasion by the Thalmor, while an Imperial victory would mean an expansion of the Empire’s presence in the area that could pull from other fronts.
How To Start The Skyrim Civil War Questline
During the opening in Helgen, you are given the choice betwen following Ralof or Hadvar into the keep. If you follow Ralof, he will introduce you to the Stormcloaks after escaping. If you follow Hadvar, he gives you the starting Imperial quest after escaping.
Be sure to create a save before making a choice of Faction, or be prepared to create a new character to see how the other half lives, as it were. You cannot complete both sides of the Civil War questline on the same character, and both perspectives are worth seeing from start to finish.
15Dragonborn DLC Main Quest
The Dragonborn DLC forSkyrimwas the first DLC released for the game. It takes players back to the contested island of Solstheim, an inhospitable place controlled by the Nords until the destruction of Vvardenfell. The Dragonborn DLC features the First Dragonborn, who sees the Last Dragonborn as a false Dovahkiin.
Players are taken both to Solstheim and Apocrypha, the Oblivion plane controlled by the Daedric Prince Hermaeus Mora. The main questline is rife with new lore and callbacks to theBloodmoonDLC forMorrowind, including new renditions of iconic songs from the thirdElder Scrollsgame.
How To Start The Main Quest For The Dragonborn DLC
In order to start theDragonbornDLC, players must have at least progressed the main questline to the point that they retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. This is easily at least five hours intoSkyrim, so be prepared to do a little catchup on a new character. The quest will begin upon returning to Whiterun, when two cultists attack the Dragonborn. Alternatively, you can just head straight for the Windhelm Docks after completing the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller.
14Dawnguard DLC Main Quest
The Dawnguard DLC introduced Fort Dawnguard near Riften, and takes players on one of two main questlines – one with the Dawnguard, and one with the vampiric Volkihar Clan. The DLC adds a completely new skill line for Vampirism for those who join the Volkihar Clan, but the Dawnguard questline is just as interesting.
It’s on-par with the Dragonborn DLC quest, at least in terms of length. While many new locations in the DLC are contained within the larger province of Skyrim, the Soul Cairn and the Forgotten Vale are included as two large new areas for players to sink their teeth into.
How To Start The Main Quest For The Dawnguard DLC
To start theDawnguardDLC, players must be at least level 10 and must get to Riften. After getting inside the city, hang around the guards for a bit until one of them mentions joining the Dawnguard. After overhearing this dialogue, the quest that beginsDawnguardshould automatically be added to your quest log.
13The Cause
Skyrim Anniversary Editionadds a number of new weapons, armors, items, NPCs, locations, and questlines that expand onSkyrim’s lore. Some quests, like The Cause, harken back to olderElder Scrollsgames, in this caseOblivion.
The Cause takes players back to the Deadlands as they uncover a plot within Skyrim to re-open an Oblivion Gate. The player discovers a group of Mythic Dawn cultists, and is sent to infiltrate (or destroy) their order within the realm of Mehrunes Dagon. If nothing else, the implications of this questline are…intriguing.
How To Start The Cause
The questline for The Cause can only begin once the Dragonborn reaches Level 46. At this point, a Courier should arrive the next time you take a rest or go to sleep to deliver a letter. Open and read this letter to set out on thisOblivion-themed adventure.
12Ghosts of the Tribunal
Alongside The Cause, which is a callback questline toOblivion,comes Ghosts of the Tribunal, a new questline in Solstheim that harkens back toMorrowind(specifically theTribunalexpansion). Hundreds of years after the Living Gods died or disappeared, the Dark Elves have returned back to worshipping the “good” Daedric Princes – well, except for a few.
In Raven Rock players discover a secret Temple to the Tribunal, and are sent on a quest to uncover what happened to Almalexia, Sotha Sil, and Vivec after the destruction of Red Mountain. It does a lot more than call back to the most lore-heavy game in the series, though, it also satisfyingly expands on existing lore for the Tribunal to the point that it could be considered canon.
How To Start Ghosts of the Tribunal
Ghosts of the Tribunal can only be accessed after reaching a certain point in the game, but not quite as late as The Cause. When you reach Raven Rock for the first time, on Solstheim as part of theDragonbornDLC, head straight for the ominous temple and look for a book titled “Heretic’s Dossier: Blacksmith’s Confessional”. Reading this book starts the Ghosts of the Tribunal quest, but to get to Solstheim, players must have at least progressed in the mainSkyrimquest a fair ways.
11Forgotten Seasons
Forgotten Seasons is the last of threeSkyrim Anniversary Editionquests players should try before playingThe Elder Scrolls VI. While The Cause and Ghosts of the Tribunal serve as callbacks to earlier games in the series, Forgotten Seasons offers a narrative (and gameplay mechanics) that are entirely its own.
Players uncover a Dwemer Ruin beneath an easy-to-miss cave where they discover that a Weather Witch has been gaining power and may eventually threaten all of Skyrim, perhaps even Tamriel entirely. The Weather Witch isn’t what you think it is, though, but to find out you’ll just have to check out the questline. It’s a lot more fun on Survival Mode, as it was built with it in mind.
How To Start Forgotten Seasons
Forgotten Seasons takes place inside of a new cave about mid way between Markarth and Falkreath, in the southwestern hills of Skyrim. Look for Lost Valley Redoubt and head west to find the cave, called Runoff Caverns. If the quest doesn’t automatically get added to your list, read a note found on one of the dead mercenary’s bodies at the front of the cave.
10The Mind of Madness
The Mind of Madness brings back one of the most iconic characters fromThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion– Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness. His quest is complete with absurdisms, deranged conversation, and abstract representations of the troubles plaguing Pelagius' mind.
At the end of the quest, the player receives the Wabbajack, a chaotic staff thatcasts a random spell or effect. This quest takes place in Solitude and can be started by talking to a homeless man named Dervenin.
How To Start The Mind of Madness
To start the quest The Mind of Madness, you must get to Solitude, and either look for a beggar named Dervenin, typically found around the Bard’s College on the far end of the city, or head to the Winking Skeever and ask about rumors. Either way, this will point players towards a wing of the Blue Palace nearby, where the quest will properly begin.
9Blood On The Ice
Blood on the Ice is a murder mysteryquest where the player takes the role of inspector. The player travels around Windhelm investigating a series of grisly murders by interrogating townsfolk and guards, eventually putting the pieces together to find the killer.
The quest is a perfect example of what’s possible in an open-ended RPG such asSkyrim.There was a very similar quest inOblivion, and if the trend continues players can perhaps anticipate another murder mystery in the sixth installment.
How To Start Blood On The Ice
To start the Blood On The Ice quest, head to Windhelm, and go to the left side from the entrance to reach the graveyard. Here, there’s a chance for a group of Guards to be inspecting a crime scene. If the Guards don’t spawn, try exiting and re-entering the city a few times. The quest should automatically be added to your quest log upon getting close to the murder scene.
8A Night To Remember
A Night to Remember isSkyrim’s love letter toThe Hangoverfranchise. The player has a chance to find a man called Sam Guevenne in any tavern who will initiate a drinking contest. After waking up in the Temple of Dibella in Markarth, it’s up to the player to figure out what happened and retrace their steps.
The quest has a lot of hilarious moments and subtle details, such as the giant’s toe that somehow winds up in the Temple and being accused of stealing goats. Ironically enough, it is aquest that’s hard to forget.
How To Start A Night To Remember
To start A Night To Remember, first head to Markarth. Toward the back of the city players will find the Silver-Blood Inn, which is home to Sam Guevenne. Just like Blood On The Ice, this quest giver (and thus the quest) may not spawn upon entering the inn, so re-enter a few times until Sam appears. Challenge him to a drinking contest to begin the quest.
