Dragon Shouts are a core mechanic in Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and a unique power possessed by few in Tamriel, but can the game be completed without using them? Using Shouts is unnecessary in combat, but particularly stubborn players may wonder if it's possible to get away from them entirely. As the Dragonborn, player characters are revered (or feared) for their powers. Shouts imbue characters with unique abilities that can turn the tides of any battle, but refraining from using a Thu'um can make completing Skyrim impossible.
Skyrim is one of the most popular titles in modern gaming, featuring seven rereleases in the past ten years. Despite its age, the fantasy RPG remains a popular title in the industry. Players can customize nearly every aspect of their character, including race, gender, powers, armor, and alliances. Depending on individual playstyles, Skyrim can provide hundreds of hours of content. Given the enormity of the world and choices throughout the game's main and side quests, it's understandable why its popularity has survived a decade.
Unfortunately, players are not able to complete Skyrim's main quest without the use of Dragon Shouts. Several objectives require the use of Shouts to progress the storyline. When training with the Greybeards, players must demonstrate their mastery of the Voice by Shouting at the monks and mirroring their abilities. Sometime later, Shouts are required to reach the Master of the Greybeards at the Throat of the World: Paarthurnax. To reach Alduin, the Dragonborn must also summon Odahviing by Shouting his name at Whiterun. Both dragons are vital in obtaining knowledge to defeat Alduin, whose death concludes Skyrim's story. Players looking to complete the campaign without using Shouts will find their progress halted quite early.
Skyrim's DLCs Emphasize The Use Of Shouts
Skyrim's main questline is not the only story that requires the use of Shouts. Skyrim's Dragonborn DLC requires players to learn the Bend Will Shout to defeat Miraak, the First Dragonborn. Most of Dragonborn's story centers around cleansing stones for the local tribe and gaining more information about Hermaeus Mora. Skyrim's Dawnguard DLC also asks players to use a Shout in the later stages of the campaign. Durnehviir, the Keeper of the Soul Cairn, asks the Dragonborn to summon him in the real world in exchange for a Shout. Players can delay the summoning of Durnehviir but fail to access one of Dawnguard's more powerful abilities.
Despite the importance of Shouts in Skyrim's campaign, Dawnguard and Dragonborn, players can complete several significant quests without them. For example, Skyrim's Civil War does not include Shouts and only requires players' participation in the Stormcloak or Imperial raids. Skyrim's guild questlines will also refrain from making players use Shouts to gain progress. The Companions, Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, and more will value other skills over the Dragonborn's unique abilities.
While it's impossible to progress in some of Skyrim's main quests without Shouts, players will be able to defeat most enemies using weapons or magic. Completing Skyrim requires Shouts during vital quests but does not restrict players from completing other activities. The majority of Skyrim welcomes any playstyle, allowing each playthrough to be unique depending on a player's wants out of the title.
