In the expansive world of Skyrim, enchanting powerful gear requires high-level soul gems capable of holding grand energy. While grand soul gems can be difficult to find and expensive to purchase, Black Soul Gems offer a unique and effective alternative. These specialized dark gems allow players to trap the powerful grand souls of NPC humanoid characters rather than hunting dangerous top-tier monsters.
Understanding How Black Soul Gems Function
Black Soul Gems are specifically engineered to trap the souls of sentient humanoids, including bandits, guards, and hostile mages. Unlike standard soul gems that store creature souls based on power level, any humanoid soul trapped in a black gem always counts as a Grand Soul. This guarantees maximum enchanting power every single time you successfully harvest one.
Acquiring empty Black Soul Gems can be done through various methods across Tamriel. You can purchase them from necromancers, find them in dark mage dungeons, or mine geode veins within Blackreach. Additionally, the mage Falion in Morthal frequently stocks these dark items for sale to adventuring players.
Methods for Casting Soul Trap Effectively
To capture a soul, you must apply a Soul Trap effect to your target before eliminating them in combat. The most common method is casting the Conjuration spell Soul Trap directly on a human enemy. Alternatively, you can use weapons enchanted with the Soul Trap effect, which automatically applies the debuff upon impact.
Timing is crucial when attempting to fill your empty Black Soul Gem. The Soul Trap spell effect only lasts for a limited duration, usually between 60 to 120 seconds depending on your spell level or weapon enchantment. You must land the final fatal blow while the target remains under the influence of the trap effect.
Step by Step Process to Trap a Humanoid Soul
Before engaging in combat, double-check your inventory to confirm you carry at least one empty Black Soul Gem. Locate a hostile humanoid target, such as a bandit leader in an outdoor camp or a rogue wizard inside a cave. Initiate the fight by casting your Soul Trap spell or striking the target with your soul-stealing weapon.
Once the spell effect is active on the enemy, reduce their health until they are defeated. Upon their death, a glowing animation and sound effect will confirm that the soul has been transferred. Opening your inventory will show that your empty vessel has officially transformed into a Filled Black Soul Gem.
Best Practices for Enchanting with Black Souls
Filled Black Soul Gems provide the highest possible charge when creating new enchantments or restoring charge to magical weapons. Because humanoid enemies are abundant throughout Skyrim, filling these gems is often much easier than finding top-tier creatures like Dragon Priests or Mammoths. Using black gems allows players to efficiently max out their Enchanting skill leveling process.
It is wise to keep a supply of empty black gems when exploring populated dungeons. This ensures you never waste potential grand souls during routine combat encounters. By mastering this process, your character will maintain access to top-tier enchanted gear throughout your adventures.
