Essential Characters (Skyrim)

Essential characters are NPCs that, at some point during in, cannot be killed in any way whatsoever. If their health is depleted, they fall to one knee, shortly recovering completely. Followers lie somewhat in this category, whereas they can only be killed if the Dragonborn is the one to deliver the final blow or if they are repeatedly attacked in this downed state. In addition, essential characters are unable to be pickpocketed of some equipped weapons, or any equipped items.

There are many characters vital to the progression of quests, and if killed, would effectively render large portions of the game completely broken. To safeguard against this, certain characters are marked as "essential" by the game. Some characters lose this essential flag after their crucial role is fulfilled; these actors then become "unessential" and can be killed.

Other Locations

 * Only becomes unessential if Update 1.4 or lower is installed.

Trivia

 * Although Derkeethus is unable to die, he is not necessarily an essential character; he is glitched so he is unable to die.

Essentiële personages