Elder Scrolls Skyrim may be a game, but it does not mean you can get away from doing naughty stuff. When you decide to be bad and get caught by any or certain NPCs, they will place a bounty on you. They will remember you until you pay for whatever bad thing you did. Now, your question is how to get rid of a bounty in Skyrim.
There are various ways to get rid of a bounty in Skyrim but they are not so easy to complete, assuming you don’t want to go to jail or pay your bounty.
To get rid of the bounty in Skyrim by killing the NPC right away, running into the wild, being part of the Thane hold, cutting your bounty in half at the Guild Thieves, or spending time in jail.
Here are all the possible ways to get rid of a bounty in Skyrim. For more Skrim and other video game tricks and tips here.
Kill the NPC Accusing You of Stealing
If you get caught stealing, killing, or whatever bad thing you did, you must kill the NPC that is accusing you. By getting rid of them, you’ll get rid of your bounty as well.
Keep in mind that the more people witness you, the more people you have to kill. Also, it has been reported that all living things (except trees, lol) count as a witness.
Including the bad ones like bandits. Make sure that you’re alone and excluded from all living things.
A notification should pop at the top of the screen when the bounty is lifted. This is how you confirm that it worked.
Do not attempt this in the middle of the town. Unless you’re a master of stealth then don’t attempt to kill any accuser in public. Otherwise, your bounty will increase if the guards are alerted.
Escape Guards to the ESO Wild
If you got caught doing something bad in a hold and a bounty was placed on you, then run to the open world out of the hold without getting killed. If you run into a dungeon or house is recommendable, as guards don’t enter those places.
You might have to be creative, leaving some holds due to most of them having tall walls with limited unguarded entrances.
The best ways are through rivers and underground tunnels. Whatever way that takes you out safely out the hold works.
The downside of this is that you’ll have to spend a lot of time outside of any hold. Occasionally, there are going to be guards rooming around in the wild, so don’t get caught by them either.
Another downside is that it will limit your progress. You can use this time to scout the region and look for loot in the wild. You have to be aware that there is a lot of NPC waiting to fight you when you go by then.
Being a part of Thane Hold
If you’re not part of the Thane, then you should consider joining if you’re a thieve.
The Thane will allow you to get away with bounties of up to 3,000 coins. Anything lower than that, then it will be lifted.
If you go beyond that then there is a chance you won’t get away with it.
Always check your bounty amount before entering a hold and verify before you step in front of a guard.
Once you have verified your amount, then you can go and talk to a guard and select the option:
“I’m the Jarl’s Thane. I demand you let me go at once.”
Just keep in mind that it will work with 3000 coins or less. This is how you get rid of a bounty being part of The Thane.
Cutting Your Bounty in Half
If you’re in public area where you can’t kill your witnesses and you’re not part of The Thane then paying for the bounty would be the best option.
But you don’t want to pay the full amount. Use the Thieve Guild and you’ll be able to do just that.
On every hold or city, there should be a Thieve underground location where you can go. You walk in there and speak to the merchants and they will get rid of the bounty for you.
You’ll be paying half of the bounty but it better than paying the full amount.
Spending Time in ESO Jail
This should be only used for any of the above tactics did not work for any reason. Maybe, there was a guard right next to you and you didn’t know.
Whatever the reason, this is the last option to get rid of bounty free.
However, the consequences are high if you decide to go through this route.
You’ll lose all your stolen goods. Yes, once get out of jail, all the stolen good will be gone from your inventory and there is no way to get them back.
Your skill progress will be negatively affected. The longer you stay in jail the more negative effect has on your skill progress.
If you’re a thieve or any other character that relies a lot on skill sets action then spending time in jail may not be the best for you.
Regardless of whether you do or don’t rely on skills, you shouldn’t be spending time in jail. Especially if you can avoid it through other methods. Escaping out jail is risky so explore more your options.
Paying Your Bounty in Full
This another option if nothing above mentioned tactics did work and you don’t want to go to jail. Paying the guard the full bounty would be the option.
Just go up to the guard or if you get caught by one. Select the pay the bounty option and if you have enough then you should be free.
If you don’t have enough then you’ll serve jail time.
There is another way you can avoid paying full price by killing the guard and go to the wild.
You should try to do this if you don’t have enough coins for the bounty or simply don’t to pay it.
Things that will Not Work & Not to Do to avoid an ESO Bounty
Braking out of jail; this will only lead to a higher bounty on you. If you don’t have a plan then don’t lockpick yourself out jail. It will only bring you more problems.
Changing armor will not change your appearance to the guards. They will identify you no matter how many times you change your appearance.
You cannot seduce a guard. If you’re a female and have in mind to attempt to seduce a guard to get rid a bounty then you’ll have a tough time. Guards will not fall for anything in this case.
Don’t try to kill every guard in the hold. It will not work because they will continue to respawn and you most likely don’t have the stamina to keep up fighting.
Do you have more ways to on how to get rid of a bounty in Skyrim? Let us know in the comments below. If you have any questions, also let us know in the comments below.