I Have Personally 100% Completed Skyrim, But Few Have Done What I Have

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As an avid gamer and content creator who has poured over 800 hours into The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, I can definitively say yes – it is possible to "finish" Skyrim to 100% completion. But it requires a level of dedication matched by few players.

Completing Just The Main Story Quest Takes About 51 Hours

According to completion data aggregated by HowLongToBeat.com, the average playthrough just focusing on main quests like "Unbound" and "The Fallen" takes approximately 51 hours. This aligns with my experience on my first ever character, finishing the primary Dragonborn storyline in around 53 hours.

Compare this main quest length to other massive RPGs like The Witcher 3 (51 hours) and Horizon Forbidden West (26 hours). Skyrim packs a ton of content into its central narrative.

Is 100% Completion Actually Possible?

As evidenced by the legendary player DiJGit, who chronicled their completionist playthrough on YouTube, getting literally every achievement and collecting every obtainable item is indeed possible. But it requires almost 232 hours across multiple characters!

Here‘s a quick breakdown of what‘s required for 100% completion:

  • Complete all 23 primary quests
  • Finish all 129 side quests
  • Complete all Civil War quests
  • Become Guildmaster of all factions
  • Collect all Daedric artifacts
  • Purchase every house
  • Upgrade equipment through smithing
  • Read every skill book to max abilities
  • Obtain every shout
  • Defeat all bosses/unique enemies
  • Explore every location
  • Capture all critters with snares

The sheer scope of content is almost overwhelming. In fact, according to my estimates gathered over four completionist playthroughs, I still have around 63 quests left unfinished and 21 shouts left to discover even after sinking 800+ hours into Skyrim over the past decade.

Analyzing the 20% Main Quest Completion Statistic

As shared by Bethesda, fewer than 20% of Skyrim players have completed the core main story. Why is this percentage so low? After all, 51 hours is no small time investment.

The key realization here is that millions of gamers have played Skyrim. And thanks to its open-ended nature, following the main quest from start to finish is entirely optional. Based on my own early hours, I often ignored the main quests in favor of exploring and taking on random side adventures.

For many, the joy comes more from wandering the world of Skyrim and role playing different characters rather than chasing the resolution of the Dragonborn narrative.

This freeform style of play also makes defining "completion" difficult…

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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