| “ | You picked a bad time to get lost, friend. | „ |
| ~ The most common and iconic quote used by Bandits. |
Bandits are supporting antagonists in The Elder Scrolls: V Skyrim and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the fifth and fourth installments in The Elder Scrolls franchise.
They are outlaws found in almost every hold of Skyrim (except the Reach) who murder, pillage and rob any unfortunate individuals unable to fight back against them. Though they make camps across Skyrim, many Bandit gangs have seized control of ruined forts and homesteads across the province.
Biography in Skyrim[]
Bandits are one of the most common enemies found all through the game, they can be commonly found in Forts, Caves and other structures. The areas around the entrances to their territories are almost always marked with dead and charred corpses going through a tall stick.
Regardless of the Dragonborn's race, status and affiliations, Bandits will be hostile on sight, with a few exceptions that almost always demand a toll/fee to avoid combat, though they can be either persuaded or intimidated to allow the Dragonborn to pass.
The only hold that Bandits have no presence in is the Reach, and this is likely due to the hold being dominated by the Forsworn, savage Reach-men who commit horrific blood rituals on any unwary souls they capture.
Types Of Bandits in Skyrim[]
Bandit[]
These are the weakest types of bandits, they usually have low-level armor and weapons, and can be killed in a few hits.
Bandit Outlaws[]
These Bandits are slightly stronger then there weaker counterpart, they can carry medium level weapons and armor. However they are a bit more tough to kill.
Bandit Plunderer[]
The second strongest type of Bandit, they can carry dangerous and big weapons such as war hammers, they are very tough to take down.
Bandit Chief[]
Strongest type of Bandit, usually the boss of a bandit lair, these bandits have very strong armor and dangerous weapons that could kill you in one hit.
Dialogue in Skyrim[]
"Never should have come here"
"Can't wait to count out your coin"
"Gonna wear that tail as a belt" (if the Dragonborn is an argonian)
Biography in Oblivion[]
WIP
Gallery[]
.png "Elder Scrolls - Bandits (In Order).png (7.31 MB)")
Trivia[]
- A small group of bandits can be found in the wilderness, disguised as Imperial Soldiers. They will try to extort a "fine" from the Dragonborn. They can be found in some random encounter locations. If the Dragonborn is a member of the Imperial Legion, they can say "I'm in the Legion, and I know damn well you're not." or if with the Stormcloaks, can deny their "authority." This will turn the bandits hostile.
- Bandits may say "Skyrim belongs to the Nords!" even if the Dragonborn is a Nord, and/or if the Bandit that said it is not a Nord.
- Bandits may utter generic greetings if the Dragonborn is successfully defeated.
- If calmed with a calming spell, they can be talked to, though they will only give out generic responses. Making them neutral this way will make it easier to get close to their pockets to be picked for valuables without having to battle them.
- After installing Dragonborn, Skyrim bandit chiefs may start appearing with Nordic Carved Armor and Nordic weapons at higher levels.
- After speaking to one of the Orc Strongholds, an Orc bandit can be caught off guard and spoken to before being detected. He can then be asked to grant "Blood Kinship," though he will attack as soon as the dialogue is over, and will not grant entrance to a Stronghold.
- If a bandit is fighting Shadowmere, they might refer to the horse as "hero."
- There are no Altmer bandits, and there are no female Orc, Khajiit, or Argonian bandits.
- Sometimes one can encounter mage bandits. While most of the time they are Argonian or Dunmer, they can be of any race with the exceptions of Orc, Bosmer, and Khajiit.
- If the Dragonborn is a Khajiit, Khajiit bandits will still comment on how the Dragonborn will "make a fine rug", and call them a "cat."
- While the other voice actors say the line ("..Kill him... he talks that way to me again..."), the voice provider for the male Imperials sings that quote.
- While most Bandit Chiefs are Nords, they can also be Orcs, Redguards, and Imperials, though they are never any other races that appear as that type of bandit (i.e., no Bosmer Bandit Chief). This is due to the fact only melee type bandits have the Bandit Chief actors.
- The only difference between a Berserker and a normal Two-Handing bandit, is their fighting styles. Berserkers tend to attack more aggressively.
- Only male Chiefs will use Two-Handed weapons.
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