Where To Find All Favors In The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Special Edition
Favor quests in The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Special Edition represent some of the most rewarding side content available, offering unique benefits and relationship building with key NPCs throughout the world. These small tasks often unlock powerful followers, valuable services, or exclusive rewards that can’t be obtained elsewhere.
Using The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Special Edition Interactive Map with the Favor filter active helps you systematically track which NPCs offer these valuable quests across all nine holds. This focused approach ensures you don’t miss critical opportunities to build influence with merchants, trainers, and potential companions who can significantly enhance your adventure.
What Favor Are Used For
Favor quests serve as relationship-building mechanics that unlock exclusive benefits from NPCs who would otherwise remain neutral or provide limited services. Completing these tasks transforms ordinary characters into valuable allies with enhanced functionality.
- Recruit powerful followers with unique combat abilities and personal questlines
- Access advanced training from master-level skill instructors
- Unlock special merchant inventories and improved trading rates
- Gain access to rare alchemical ingredients and brewing services
- Establish safe houses and friendly bases of operation in remote areas
Favor Types
The map organizes Favor opportunities by the type of NPC offering them, each providing distinct benefits once their personal quests are completed.
Merchants
Merchant favor quests typically involve recovering stolen goods, eliminating bandits threatening trade routes, or delivering important messages between trading partners. Completing these tasks often results in better prices, access to rare items, or invitations to join merchant guilds with exclusive benefits.
Alchemist
Alchemist favors usually require gathering rare ingredients, testing experimental potions, or clearing out dangerous creatures from ingredient gathering locations. Success grants access to unique brewing facilities, rare recipe knowledge, or discounted alchemical supplies that can’t be purchased elsewhere.
Trainer
Skill trainers offer favors that demonstrate your commitment to their craft, such as retrieving lost training manuals, defeating rivals, or completing skill-specific challenges. These quests unlock advanced training sessions, unique techniques, or certification that opens doors to specialized guilds and organizations.
Follower
Potential followers present personal quests that reveal their backstories and motivations before agreeing to join your adventures. These favor quests often involve resolving family disputes, settling old debts, or helping them overcome personal obstacles that prevent them from leaving their current situation.
NPCs
General NPC favors encompass a wide variety of tasks from ordinary citizens, guards, and officials throughout Skyrim’s settlements. These range from simple delivery missions to complex investigations, with rewards including gold, unique items, property access, or political influence within local communities.
How to Use the Map Efficiently
Planning your favor quest routes prevents unnecessary backtracking and ensures you complete related tasks in logical sequences that maximize efficiency and story coherence.
- Start with major cities like Whiterun, Solitude, and Riften where multiple favor opportunities cluster together
- Complete regional favors in batches by focusing on one hold at a time before moving to adjacent areas
- Prioritize follower favors early since companions provide ongoing benefits throughout your entire playthrough
- Target trainer favors that align with your character build to unlock advanced skill development opportunities
- Use carriage services and fast travel points to efficiently move between distant favor locations
- Check taverns and inns regularly as many NPCs with favors congregate in these social hubs
Favor Locations Table
Each favor type offers distinct rewards and requires different approaches to complete successfully.
| Type | What You Get | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Merchants | Better prices, rare items, guild access | Often involve trade route protection |
| Alchemist | Unique recipes, brewing access, rare ingredients | Require ingredient gathering or testing |
| Trainer | Advanced skill training, techniques, certifications | Demonstrate mastery of specific skills |
| Follower | Loyal companion, combat support, personal quests | Resolve personal backstory conflicts |
| NPCs | Gold, unique items, local influence | Wide variety of civilian requests |
Tips for Favor Hunting
- Talk to every named NPC you encounter, as many favors aren’t obviously marked or advertised
- Return to previously visited locations as some favors only become available after completing main story milestones
- Carry lockpicks, healing potions, and basic supplies since many favors involve dungeon exploration or combat encounters
- Check your journal regularly to track active favor quests and avoid accidentally abandoning incomplete tasks
- Some favors have time-sensitive elements, so prioritize urgent requests over general collection tasks
- Build relationships with Jarls and their stewards first, as political favors often unlock access to other NPCs
FAQs
Can I fail favor quests permanently?
Most favor quests remain available until completed, but some NPCs can die during conflicts or become inaccessible due to story choices, permanently locking their favors.
Do favor quests scale with my character level?
Favor quest difficulties and rewards generally scale with your level when first accepted, making them consistently challenging and rewarding regardless of when you complete them.
Are there prerequisites for certain favor quests?
Many favor quests require completing main story objectives, joining specific factions, or reaching certain skill levels before NPCs will offer them to you.
Can I complete favor quests in any order?
Most favor quests are independent and can be completed in any order, though some form chains where completing one unlocks additional favors from the same NPC or related characters.
Credit: The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Special Edition by Wand
