Finding every word of power isn't just about completionism. It’s about not getting ragdolled by a Draugr Death Overlord because you only have the first level of Unrelenting Force. Honestly, after a decade of playing, most people still miss the same three walls because they’re tucked behind a quest or a mountain peak that looks like nothing but decorative geometry.
Basically, you’ve got 20 base game shouts and 7 more from the DLCs (Dawnguard and Dragonborn). That’s 27 total. 81 words.
Don't let the Greybeards fool you into thinking they're the only source of info. While Arngeir will point you toward "whispers" of power, he’s got a limit. Once you hit a certain point, he stops talking. Then you're on your own, trekking through the frozen tundra of Eastmarch or the mushroom forests of Solstheim.
The Shouts You'll Actually Use (and Where They Hide)
Most players gravitate toward the same four or five shouts. But even the "obvious" ones have words hidden in places you’d never visit unless a quest forced your hand.
Unrelenting Force is the poster child. You get the first word, Fus, in Bleak Falls Barrow. Pretty standard. The other two, Ro and Dah, are handed to you by the Greybeards during "The Way of the Voice" and after you return the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. You can't miss these. They are literally the tutorial.
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Whirlwind Sprint is another essential. The first word is at High Hrothgar. But did you know the second is in Dead Men's Respite? You have to do the Bards College quest "Tending the Flames" to get in there. The third is at Volskygge, a high-level Nordic ruin west of Solitude. Pro tip: you can actually parkour up the mountain behind Volskygge to grab the word wall without fighting the Dragon Priest inside, though it's a bit of a cheesy move.
Become Ethereal is the secret MVP for survival. It lets you jump off any cliff without taking damage. Total game changer.
- Ustengrav: During the main quest "Horn of Jurgen Windcaller."
- Lost Valley Redoubt: This one is a nightmare. It's between Markarth and Falkreath, crawling with Forsworn and Hagravens.
- Ironbind Barrow: North of Nightgate Inn. You’ll find a pair of adventurers outside who want to help you clear it.
Missable and Quest-Locked Locations
Some walls are locked behind specific faction gates. If you aren't a member of the Thieves Guild or the Dark Brotherhood, you're looking at a locked door and a very empty shout menu.
Take Marked for Death. It’s arguably the most broken shout for physical builds because it permanently reduces enemy armor. One word is in the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary near Falkreath. If you decide to "Destroy the Dark Brotherhood" instead of joining, you can still walk in and grab it after killing everyone inside. The other two are at Autumnwatch Tower (south of Ivarstead) and Forsaken Cave (west of Windhelm).
Slow Time is another heavy hitter. You'll find words in:
- Hag's End: Accessible during the Dark Brotherhood quest "The Feeble Fortune."
- Korvanjund: You go here during the Civil War questline to find the Jagged Crown.
- Labyrinthian: This is the big one. It's locked behind the College of Winterhold quest "The Staff of Magnus." If you aren't a mage, you aren't getting this word. Period.
The Problem with Storm Call
Storm Call is the "I want everyone in this general vicinity to die" button. It's cool, but it will kill your horse and your followers too.
- High Gate Ruins: East of Solitude. You’ll help a woman named Anska find a scroll.
- Forelhost: A massive dungeon southeast of Riften. It’s a long slog with a tough boss at the end.
- Skuldafn: This is the missable one. You only go here during the final main quest "The World-Eater's Eyrie." If you enter Sovngarde without touching the wall next to the portal, you can never come back for it. Seriously.
The DLC Expansions: Dawnguard and Dragonborn
Dawnguard added some weird ones, specifically Drain Vitality and Soul Tear. Drain Vitality is often bugged in the menu, showing up multiple times if you learn it in the "wrong" order. To find them, you'll need to head to Dimhollow Crypt, Arcwind Point, and the Forgotten Vale.
Soul Tear isn't found on a wall. It’s taught to you by Durnehviir, the undead dragon in the Soul Cairn. You have to summon him three times in Skyrim (the province, not the Cairn) and he’ll teach you one word each time.
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Dragonborn, however, is where the real power is. Dragon Aspect makes you look like a spectral badass and boosts your stats.
- Temple of Miraak: During the first DLC quest.
- Raven Rock Mine: You need to start the quest "The Final Descent" to unlock the deeper parts of the mine.
- Apocrypha: The final word is learned during the "Summit of Apocrypha" quest right before you fight Miraak.
Bend Will is also mandatory for the DLC. You get the first word at Saering's Watch, and the other two are taught directly by Hermaeus Mora. It’s the only way to ride dragons, which is kinda the whole point of the expansion.
Mapping the World Walls
If you’re trying to find all shout locations Skyrim has to offer, you should stop fast-traveling. Most walls are guarded by dragons at "Dragon Lairs" marked by a dragon head icon on your map. Places like Ancient's Ascent, Dragontooth Crater, and Mount Anthor are easy pickings if you have enough arrows or spells.
Others are more obscure. Throw Voice is only found at Shearpoint. It's one of the few places where you get all three words from a single wall. The catch? You have to fight a high-level dragon and the Dragon Priest Krosis at the same time. If you're low level, it's a death sentence.
Practical Steps for the Dragonborn
If your goal is to 100% your shout list, here is the most efficient path:
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- Clear the Main Quest up to "Dragonrend": You need Dragonrend to force dragons to land, making wall-guarding fights way easier.
- Join the Factions: You don't have to finish them, but you need to start the College of Winterhold, Companions, Thieves Guild, and Dark Brotherhood to access their respective dungeons.
- Check the Greybeards: Every time you clear a wall, go back to High Hrothgar. Ask Arngeir "Have you found a new Word of Power?" He will give you a miscellaneous quest marker.
- The "Letter from a Friend": If you shout in a city (like Whiterun), a courier will eventually deliver a letter pointing you to a random wall. This is a great way to find the ones hidden in ruins you haven't discovered yet.
Avoid searching for "all shout locations Skyrim" maps that aren't updated for the Anniversary Edition; some newer Creation Club content can occasionally obscure map markers or change enemy spawns near walls like Arcwind Point.
Focus on completing the Dragonborn DLC last. The shouts there are designed for end-game characters and often require a massive amount of dragon souls to unlock. Spend your early souls on Aura Whisper (found in Northwind Summit, Valthume, and Volunruud) to see enemies through walls—it's the best tool for dungeon crawling without getting jump-scared.