Skyrim has no classes and no XP from kills. You get stronger by using skills, and your overall level follows. This guide explains the rules in plain words, then shows which skills level cheaply and which ones are worth your early perk points. The numbers come from the Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP), a fan wiki that tracks the game's data.
Key takeaways
- Character XP comes only from skill level-ups. Nothing else raises your level.
- Every character level gives one perk point and +10 to Health, Magicka or Stamina. The attribute choice is permanent.
- Smithing, Lockpicking and Pickpocket need the least XP to reach 100. Most combat and magic skills need the most.
- Enemies and loot are leveled, so raising crafting skills only can make fights harder than your gear can handle.
How the two kinds of leveling work
Each of the 18 skills has its own bar. You fill it by doing that skill: swinging a sword raises One-Handed, casting raises your magic school, crafting a dagger raises Smithing. When a skill goes up, your character earns XP equal to that new skill level. The XP needed for the next character level is (level + 3) x 25, so early levels come fast and later ones slow down.
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Cheap skills versus expensive skills
UESP lists the total skill XP needed to go from 15 to 100. Here are rounded figures from that page:
| Skill group | XP from 15 to 100 (about) |
|---|---|
| Pickpocket | 87,000 |
| Smithing, Lockpicking | 91,600 each |
| Sneak | 142,000 |
| Enchanting | 279,000 |
| Alchemy | 429,000 |
| Most others (weapons, armor, Block, Speech, magic schools) | 529,000 |
Cheap does not always mean fast to use. Pickpocket and Lockpicking depend on finding things to steal or open, and Sneak only grows while you are unseen.
Which skills to level first
- Your main combat skill. One-Handed, Two-Handed, Archery or a magic school. You use it all game, so its perks pay back right away.
- Smithing. Better gear keeps you alive, and it is cheap to raise. Spend early perk points here only if you will really craft.
- Alchemy or Enchanting. Both can boost your power, but they are slow to pay off. Pick one, not both, at first.
- Sneak or Block. They give safe options in tough fights.
- Speech. Handy for prices and a few quests, but it can wait.
Health, Magicka or Stamina?
Each level adds 10 points to one bar. A common rule: warriors favor Health or Stamina, mages favor Magicka, but many players put most points into Health because it keeps them alive. You cannot undo the choice in normal play.
Do not out-level your gear
UESP notes that most enemies and loot are leveled. If you push a crafting skill very high and little else, your level rises while your fighting skills lag, and enemies keep up with your level. Spread your skills, and keep your weapon and armor skills growing.
Next steps
New to the game? Read our Skyrim beginner guide, then pick a race in races and builds. More at the Skyrim hub.
