Skyrim Tips and Tricks » Discussions


Dawnguard Rune Shield Without Stamina Drain

  • Member
    July 10, 2014

    Hey there. Not sure if this has been talked about but thought I'd mention it just in case. When using the Dawnguard Rune Shield from a hotkey slot (left or right on the D pad for us console kids) the Sun Shield effect won't work if switched back from using a different spell, weapon or shield.

    However, re-equipping the shield by pressing the hotkey while under the effect of Become Ethereal will bring the shield back - power and all - with the added benefit that it will no longer drain stamina while being used. All subsequent uses of the shield's aura while it remains equipped will not drain stamina. Swapping the shield out for another weapon or spell will reset the shield to it's default condition.

  • Member
    July 10, 2014
    Neat trick Phil! I still haven't picked up the Rune Shield :o blasphemy, I know.
  • Member
    July 10, 2014

    Thanks Trick Master  I have just made an edit as I forgot to mention you must be ethereal for the trick to work. As long as the shield remains equipped all future uses, whether ethereal or not, will not drain stamina.

  • Member
    July 10, 2014

    So, what you do is to reequip the shield while in ethereal state and as long as it's equipped it won't use stamina? That's... badass! 

  • Member
    July 10, 2014

    Aye  Plus I've been using the Flame Cloak stacking technique for extra badassary. Imagine if the Ebony Mail was stacked too!

  • July 13, 2014

    This is an awesome find, Phil!  I wonder if this trick would also work for the perk Eagle Eye in the archery tree.  Use the Become Ethereal shout, and invest in the Eagle Eye perk while still in Ethereal Form.  Maybe zooming in with the bow won't drain any stamina?

  • Member
    July 14, 2014

    That concept (excluding glitch) was the focal point of a build Oneness and I were working on. He's gotten super busy though so I may have to explore it alone.

  • Member
    July 14, 2014

    It should work a charm, like sprinting while Ethereal. But you'd need 0 cooldown to get any more than one shot wouldn't you?

  • Member
    July 14, 2014

    I hear you. I was discussing doing the same with Teccam before my Avatava became what it is. He tested a load of stuff, buffing damage with potions and the like. We decided in the end that the 50% extra stamina regen would be more beneficial because the Rune Shield drains stamina like a vampire drains blood. Had I to have known this exploit then, I may have taken a different route.

  • Member
    March 11, 2015

    Is anyone in a position to be able to test something out? See, using the Rune Shield at the same time as an active Stendarr's Aura spell doesn't make any difference, but I think under the circumstances caused by the trick above, the two spells stack. I can't be sure because it's a pain in the ass to test, plus I'm not even sure this exploit works on pc.

    I'd appreciate the help...