Waterbreathing (Skyrim)

Waterbreathing
School of Magicka	Alteration
Skill Level	Adept (50)
Effect	Breathe underwater for 60 seconds
Magicka Cost	222
Spell Tome	Purchase
Tome ID	000A26E6
ID	0001EA73

For other uses, see Water Breathing.

Waterbreathing is an Alteration spell, as well as an alchemical and enchanting effect in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Additionally, Argonians are able to breathe underwater as a racial ability.

Effects

Waterbreathing is useful in situations that would normally entail a possibility of drowning, such as accessing the submerged entrance to Geirmund's Hall or the various sunken ships. It also allows the Dragonborn unrestricted access to underwater food items such as clam meat and ingredients such as Nordic Barnacles, as well as various fish. Additionally, Waterbreathing aids in quests with underwater components, such as "The Straw that Broke".

Spell

Waterbreathing is an Adept-level Alteration spell. Casting it allows the user to breathe underwater for 60 seconds. It cannot be cast while underwater or swimming. Casting it repeatedly while standing in water is an effective way to level the Alteration skill. Casting Candlelight ten seconds before casting waterbreathing is a good indicator of when you need to surface to avoid drowning.

Spell tome

Alteration Spell Tome

Attributes

• Weight: 1
• Value: 340
• See Spell Tome for a complete table of spell tomes, their descriptions, and their values.

Acquisition

• Tolfdir at the College of Winterhold and Wylandriah in Mistveil Keep sell this tome upon reaching level 50 Alteration.
• One can be found in the main hall of Labyrinthian.

Alchemy

Histcarp carries the Waterbreathing effect.

Main article: Alchemy (Skyrim)

Potions with Waterbreathing may be brewed at an alchemy lab. When consumed, they temporarily allow the user to breathe underwater. The strength of the effect is determined by the Alchemy skill of the potion's creator. The following ingredients contain this effect:

• Chicken's Egg
• Hawk's Egg ^HF
• Histcarp
• Nordic Barnacle
• Salmon Roe ^HF

Food

• Argonian Bloodwine - An alcoholic beverage introduced in The Elder Scrolls V: Hearthfire.

Enchanting

Generic enchanted helmets, amulets, and rings bearing the Waterbreathing enchantment may be found as random loot. These items can be disenchanted at an Arcane Enchanter to learn the enchantment.

Apparel enchanted with this effect allows unlimited breathing underwater as long as they remain equipped. The enchantment's effect is not quantified, so it does not vary with the size of the Soul Gem used: i.e. a Petty Soul Gem grants the same effect as a Grand gem. The Item ID for this effect is: 00092A48

Curiously, even when wearing an item enchanted with Waterbreathing, the player may still be heard gasping for air upon breaking the water's surface.

Armor

Volsung Mask

• The Volsung Mask bears this enchantment but cannot be disenchanted to learn the effect.
• An Ebony Helmet of Waterbreathing is always worn by the Ebony Warrior, added in Dragonborn. This item can be disenchanted to learn the effect.
• There is a permanent circlet of Waterbreathing within the Inner Sanctum^DG, accessible during the Touching the Sky^DG quest. Once entering the Inner Sanctum, go into the northern room from the main chamber and a Frozen Falmer^DG  will be holding it.
• Also in the Dragonborn DLC, the Deathbrand Helm holds this enchantment.
• Reportedly, a Necklace of Waterbreathing tends to spawn through a pattern most common in random women (or rarely on male NPCs) per game such as Gerdur of Riverwood, Betrid Silver-Blood of Markarth, and so forth. It has also been found in the possession of Mikael of Whiterun, and in the ending chest before exiting Bleak Falls Barrow. It is likely unrelated, but in both of those situations, the player was level 3. The chance to steal one is pretty low: up to 25% with some Deft Hand enchantments.
• The easiest (albeit costly) way to obtain a Necklace of Waterbreathing is to get it at level 1 from any general goods merchants or Khajiit traders. Avoid leveling up from the Skills menu and save at least 800 gold to purchase it. With Thieves Guild Hood, Amulet of Zenithar, Shrine of Zenithar, and Gift of Charity the price can be down to more affordable 500 to 600 gold. Assault the merchant (with any attack or Battle Cry) to reset their inventory and reload if needed.
• One way to find a piece with the enchantment is to utilize a skeleton at Cradlecrush Rock that always holds a random piece of enchanted helmet. Simply save somewhere far from Cradlecrush Rock, travel to the area, and check the skeleton. Repeat until an item with Waterbreathing is found.
  • Alternately, one can discover the location, loot the place (especially the helmet), travel somewhere far, wait for 10 to 30 days (or continue the game normally), and fast travel back to Cradlecrush Rock to get the desired item.

• A similar way to acquire a piece would be to return to the Shrine of Mehrunes Dagon. Every three game days, the loot will reset. Some form of helmet is the most likely to have the waterbreathing enchantment. Typically, there are two randomly generated enchanted helmets on opposing sides of the treasure chest.

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
• The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim