This page details the Alduin’s Bane main story quest in Skyrim, including how to read the Elder Scroll at the Throat of the World, and how to defeat Alduin using the Dragonrend shout.
Alduin’s Bane, Skyrim.
| Quest Info | Description |
|---|---|
| Objective | Exploit the Time-Wound, learn Dragonrend & defeat Alduin. |
| Quest Giver | Paarthurnax |
| Location(s) | Throat of the World |
| Prerequisite | Elder Knowledge |
| Next Quest | The Fallen |
| Reward | Dragonrend shout |
Quest Overview¶
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Read the Elder Scroll at the Throat of the World.
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Learn how to use the Dragonrend shout.
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Defeat Alduin.
How to Use the Elder Scroll at The Throat of the World¶
Now that you have the Elder Scroll, it’s time to return to Paarthurnax at the Throat of the World. Here you will need to use the Elder Scroll at the Time Wound, which is essentially located in the centre of the mountain peak. To use the Elder Scroll, find it in the Books section of your inventory. Once you use it, a long scene will play out, revealing what happened when the Ancient Nords defeated Alduin the first time.
(1 of 2) You’ll find the Elder Scroll in the Books section of your inventory.
You’ll find the Elder Scroll in the Books section of your inventory. (left), You’ll learn the Dragonrend shout from the scene after using the Elder Scroll at the Throat of the World. (right)
How to Defeat Alduin with Dragonrend Shout¶
At the end of the vision shown by using the Elder Scroll, you’ll have learnt the Dragonrend shout. You should select it as your active power now before the fight with Alduin properly begins, and be ready to use it as soon as possible. You will probably find it difficult to use on Alduin as he is flying through the sky, but if you use it as soon as the battle begins, you’ll catch him while he’s hovering in one position. You can then use it as soon as it comes off cooldown to ensure that Alduin stays on the ground for most of the fight.
The speed at which Alduin is flying through the sky makes it difficult to hit him with any ranged attacks, but you can try your best regardless. Any companions that you’ve brought along will inflict some damage at times, as will Paarthurnax. However, the most damage will be inflicted when Alduin is stationary on the ground, after using Dragonrend. You can move in with melee attacks if you wish, but if you’ve levelled any ranged damage skills, this is the safest way to damage Alduin without risking any retaliating melee attacks from him.
If you’ve put a lot of levels and perks into archery, this will likely be the most damaging skill you can use to defeat Alduin, especially when combined with shouts. However, any damaging Magicka-based skill will do. You’ll still be damaged by the fire rocks falling from the sky, but thankfully these do very little damage. Alternatively, if you have good armor and some decent melee weapons, you can try to get nearer to Alduin and attack him from the side or from behind, while a companion or Paarthurnax distracts him. One-handed weapons can be particularly damaging in this situation.
However you decide to do it, the key thing is that you use the Dragonrend shout as often as possible, to keep Alduin on the ground for as long as possible. The longer he’s in the sky, the more damage you’ll take from the fire rocks and the higher the chance that one of your companions dies will be. Remember to heal your companions if you’re able to, and make use of the rocks to hide while you heal yourself if necessary. Ultimately, the fight isn’t too difficult so long as you don’t expose yourself to Alduin’s melee attacks too often.
After defeating Alduin, speak with Paarthurnax to advance the quest.
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