Shellbug

Shellbug
Basic Info
Loot	Shellbug Chitin
Base ID	xx0195a5

The Shellbug is a large, rare, immobile and passive insect found in The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard.

Characteristics

Shellbugs cannot be killed by any conventional means. However, they can be mined for Shellbug Chitin and sometimes a random gem. After three pieces of chitin have been mined, the Shellbug dies. The chitin can be used to make a Shellbug Helmet.

Locations

Shellbugs are rare, appearing only in two hidden locations in the Forgotten Vale. One is located in Forgotten Vale Cave and another in Sharpslope Cave.

Forgotten Vale Cave

Behind a hidden door that can be accessed by pulling a rope found at the top of a ramp in the main chamber.

Sharpslope Cave

A small gap in the wall near the top of the spiral slope, under three Giant Mushrooms leads to the Shellbug.

Trivia

• If mining is stopped before collecting more than two pieces of chitin, the Shellbug does not die. They also respawn, so three may be collected from each Shellbug every ten days of in-game time.
• They are stationary and do not have any other interactions besides being mined.
• Like ore veins, it is possible to get gems when mining. Shellbugs also emit the "This ore vein is depleted." message.
• Shellbugs cannot be detected using spells such as Detect Life or Aura Whisper.

Bugs

This section contains bugs related to Shellbug. Before adding a bug to this list, consider the following: Please reload an old save to confirm if the bug is still happening. If the bug is still occurring, please post the bug report with the appropriate system template  360  /  XB1  ,  PS3  /  PS4  ,  PC  /  MAC  ,  NX  /  PS5  ,  XS  , depending on which platform(s) the bug has been encountered on. Be descriptive when listing the bug and fixes, but avoid having conversations in the description and/or using first-person anecdotes: such discussions belong on the appropriate forum board.

•  360   PS3   Sometimes, the Shellbug's body may not be interactive and the option to mine does not appear. Solves itself when ten to thirty in-game days pass, as with all ore vein-type objects.
•  PS3   Sometimes, when returning to mine more Shellbug Chitin from the Shellbug, the player will walk right through it, like it is not even there and only part of the scenery, rendering it impossible to mine addition chitin from it, whether to craft another Shellbug Helmet or upgrading the quality of one already owned.

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls V: Dawnguard