PS3 Dropping items in front of NPCs

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sticky runes

Well-Known Member
I've only just discovered this while playing as my latest character, but you can make non-hostile bandits and orc hunters fight each other to the death, without the use of any illusion spells.

I entered Nilheim ruins from the lake instead of using the front entrance where you pick up Telrav, and the bandits were all being passive. Until I dropped a suit of armour in front of the bandits hanging around the campfire, and two of the bandits started arguing and one killed the other. I dropped another suit of armour nearby, and the winner killed another bandit who wanted it.

Then today I was heading to Markarth from Dushnik Yal and encountered two orc hunters who were shooting at an elk. I killed the elk myself, and the two orcs ran over to the carcass and fought to the death over it. I don't know if they normally fight over the animal if they kill it themselves, as normally when I encounter orc hunters they are being attacked by bandits or forsworn.

I already knew about making friendly characters even more friendly by dropping a suit of armour in front of them. I've done this with Farkas, so I can use him as a follower early, Solaf, which added to my accomplishments to become Thane of Falkreath, and today I did it in Ivarstead and Gwilin came over asked if he could take the armour. I said yes and he picked it up.

Farkas and Solaf have the same voice actor, so perhaps the trick will work with other characters who have Gwilin's voice (Erick, Tacitus, etc.) Maybe its possible to gain Sven as a follower after you've already befriended Faendal?

Let me know what else you've discovered by dropping things in front of people.
 

Specter of Death

Omnipresent Moderator
Staff member
It's definitely a thing that isn't limited to any one NPC. It's a mechanic that is not exclusive to any one character and can be done to most all NPCs aside from those obviously not in need of material goods. Bandits and violent individuals will fight over stuff, beggars will ask for permission, potential followers will gain favor, quest npcs will have unique effects etc. I'd say continue experimenting for yourself, it's one of the lesser known mechanics Bethesda included in the game, and IMO one of the more fun ones to mess around with.
 

sticky runes

Well-Known Member
It is a bit of a buggy thing. The bandits in Nilheim didn't actually fight, one bandit put his weapon away and and just stood there while the other bandit kept hitting him until he died. And this also seemed to mess with Telrav because when I escorted him back to Nilheim, he didn't turn hostile, he ran back to his spot on the other side of the bridge and sat down and just says "yes?" when I speak to him.

I guess if your sneaking skill is that good, then you can use this trick to whittle down enemy numbers without attacking them yourself. I wonder if you can also do this after pacifying bandits with calm spells or the Voice of the Emperor?

The orc hunters did put up a proper fight, though.

Farkas and Solaf did not actually pick up the armour I left for them, they just thanked me and ignored it. Gwilin did actually take the armour but he didn't put it on. It would be nice if he was wearing it when I returned to Ivarstead.
 

sticky runes

Well-Known Member
I nearly caused a fight in Riften today, I forged a bunch of items at Balimund's forge and dropped them on the floor to make space in my inventory, then as I walked away, all the market stallholders walked over to have a look at my wears, and Brand Shei and Marise started arguing over a suit of armour and pulled out their weapons. I used a calm spell to break the fight up before things got ugly.
 

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