{{Trail}}[[Category:Skyrim-Characters|Skills]][[File:SR-menu-Skills Menu.jpg|400px|thumb|The skills menu]]

There are 18 '''skills''' in [[Skyrim:Skyrim|Skyrim]], each of which determines how well various tasks can be performed. As skills are used, they increase in level, which increases the character's overall level. The starting value for most skills is 15, although each [[Skyrim:races|race]] confers bonuses to certain skills. Skills can also be increased by reading [[Skyrim:Skill_Books|skill books]], learning from [[Skyrim:Trainers|trainers]], or as a reward for completing certain quests.