<noinclude>{{Skills Summary|Image=SR-skill-Sneak.png|Special=Stealth|ExTrail=[[Skyrim:Stealth|Stealth]]}}{{About|the skill|the group of skills to which Sneak belongs|Stealth}}</noinclude>The '''Sneak''' skill governs your ability to escape detection by others through reducing your visibility and noisiness. It is primarily useful for committing [[Skyrim:Crime|crimes]] without being witnessed, for evading confrontation with enemies, and for executing surprise attacks that inflict critical damage. <noinclude>"Sneak" and "Stealth" are sometimes used synonymously, which may cause confusion. As defined here, [[Skyrim:Stealth|Stealth]] is a grouping of (more-or-less loosely) conceptually related skills, of which sneak is one.</noinclude> Perks in the Sneak tree increase your chances of escaping detection, increase the damage you inflict with sneak attacks, and allow you to avoid setting off [[Skyrim:Traps|traps]] using [[Skyrim:Pressure Plate|pressure plate]] triggers. They can also give you the ability to perform a forward roll while sneaking and even briefly disappear from sight in the middle of combat. The Sneak tree has a total of 9 perks, requiring a total of 13 perk points to fill. In-game Description: ''Sneaking is the art of moving unseen and unheard. Highly skilled sneaks can even hide in plain sight.''<includeonly><br><br> For more information, see the main [[Skyrim:Sneak|article]].</includeonly><noinclude> ==Skill Perks=={{Perk Tree Setup|width=300}}{{Perk Tree|perks={{Image Mark|462|779|Stealth|mark_alt=Stealth (5 ranks): 0/20/40/60/80 Sneak. You are 20/25/30/35/40% harder to detect when sneaking.|position=right}}{{Image Mark|656|556|Backstab|mark_alt=Backstab: 30 Sneak. Sneak attacks with one-handed weapons now do six times damage.|position=right}}{{Image Mark|684|325|Deadly Aim|mark_alt=Deadly Aim: 40 Sneak. Sneak attacks with bows now do three times damage.|position=bottomright}}{{Image Mark|592|276|Assassin's Blade|mark_alt=Assassin's Blade: 50 Sneak. Sneak attacks with daggers now do a total of fifteen times normal damage.|position=topright}}{{Image Mark|222|539|Muffled Movement|mark_alt=Muffled Movement: 30 Sneak. Noise from armor is reduced 50%.|position=bottom}}{{Image Mark|326|302|Light Foot|mark_alt=Light Foot: 40 Sneak. You won't trigger pressure plates.|position=left}}{{Image Mark|435|219|Silent Roll|mark_alt=Silent Roll: 50 Sneak. Sprinting while sneaking executes a silent forward roll.|position=left}}{{Image Mark|569|115|Silence|mark_alt=Silence: 70 Sneak. Walking and running does not affect detection.|position=left}}{{Image Mark|774|69|Shadow Warrior|mark_alt=Shadow Warrior: 100 Sneak. Crouching stops combat for a moment and forces distant opponents to search for a target.|position=top}}}}{{NewLeft}}{|class="wikitable sortable"!Perk!class=unsortable|Rank!class=unsortable|Description!class=unsortable|[[Skyrim:Form ID|ID]]!class=num_sort|Skill Req.!Perk Req.|-|rowspan=5|''{{LE|Stealth}}''| 1| You are 20% harder to detect when sneaking.| {{ID|000be126}}|||-| 2| You are 25% harder to detect when sneaking.| {{ID|000c07c6}}| 20 Sneak||-| 3| You are 30% harder to detect when sneaking.| {{ID|000c07c7}}| 40 Sneak||-| 4| You are 35% harder to detect when sneaking.| {{ID|000c07c8}}| 60 Sneak||-| 5| You are 40% harder to detect when sneaking.| {{ID|000c07c9}}|<span style="display:none">0</span> 80 Sneak||-|colspan=2|''{{LE|Backstab}}''| Sneak attacks with one-handed weapons now do six times damage.| {{ID|00058210}}| 30 Sneak| Stealth|-|colspan=2|''{{LE|Deadly Aim}}''| Sneak attacks with bows now do three times damage.| {{ID|001036f0}}| 40 Sneak| Backstab|-|colspan=2|''{{LE|Assassin's Blade}}''| Sneak attacks with daggers now do a total of fifteen times normal damage.| {{ID|00058211}}| 50 Sneak| Deadly Aim|-|colspan=2|''{{LE|Muffled Movement}}''| Wearing armor makes half as much noise when you move (see [[Skyrim:Muffle (effect)|muffle]]).| {{ID|00058213}}| 30 Sneak| Stealth|-|colspan=2|''{{LE|Light Foot}}''| You won't trigger [[Skyrim:Pressure_Plate|pressure plates]].{{intnote|rune|†}}| {{ID|0005820c}}| 40 Sneak| Muffled Movement|-|colspan=2|''{{LE|Silent Roll}}''| Sprinting while sneaking executes a silent forward roll.| {{ID|00105f23}}| 50 Sneak| Light Foot|-|colspan=2|''{{LE|Silence}}''| Walking and running does not affect detection.| {{ID|00105f24}}| 70 Sneak| Silent Roll|-|colspan=2|''{{LE|Shadow Warrior}}''| Crouching stops combat for a moment and forces distant opponents to search for a target.| {{ID|00058214}}| 100 Sneak| Silence|}{{Note|rune|†|Also includes enemy [[Skyrim:Rune (effect)|runes]].}} ==Skill Usage==Toggling the [[Skyrim:Controls#Sneak|sneak control]] causes your character to crouch or stand, indicating that you have entered or left sneak mode.  While sneaking, the crosshair becomes a special reticle indicating the following statuses:* A flat horizontal line means you are completely hidden. * A slightly open eye means an enemy thinks a target may be near.* A half-open eye means the enemy is actively searching for you.* An open eye means the enemy knows where you are or can see you.  <tt>"DETECTED"</tt> will flash under the reticle if an enemy has spotted you and is moving to attack you, while the word <tt>"HIDDEN"</tt> flashes once all enemies that had previously been alerted are no longer aware of your presence.  === Remaining Undetected ===Remaining undetected is useful for getting into position to initiate a [[#Sneak Attacks|sneak attack]] or to commit a [[Skyrim:Crime|crime]] unwitnessed.  Your Sneak skill level determines your base chance of remaining undetected, though this chance is significantly modified by a number of other factors, potentially to the point of making you completely undetectable:* The ''[[#Stealth|Stealth]]'' perk and several other perks on the Sneak skill tree.* Factors influencing visibility:** Line of Sight: All seeing creatures and NPCs have a defined cone of vision; if you fall within it, you are more likely to be detected.** Light: you are more visible in brighter light; this modifier carries significant effects across the entire range of light levels.*** The glow of light over your hands when you have a spell equipped makes you easier to detect, but the aura given from enchantments does not.** [[Skyrim:Invisibility (effect)|Invisibility]]: being invisible is obviously a powerful aid to sneaking, but does not influence enemies' ability to hear you.* Noise Level. Factors influencing the amount of noise you make are:** Movement Speed: running is noisier than walking. Moving very slowly generally makes little noise. Extra noise from running is negated by the [[#Silence|Silence]] perk.** [[Skyrim:Armor|Armor]]: moving in armor makes more noise, the combined weight of all equipped armor is correlated with its volume.** [[Skyrim:Muffle (effect)|Muffle]]: A magical effect that reduces or eliminates noise.** REDIRECIONAMENTO [[Skyrim:Spells|SpellsFurtividade]]: casting a spell makes noise unless you have the ''[[Skyrim:Quiet Casting|Quiet Casting]]'' perk. [[Skyrim:Summon|Summon]] spells and most [[Skyrim:Dragon_Shouts|dragon shouts]] are particularly loud.** [[Skyrim:Weapons|Weapons]]: swinging a weapon larger than a dagger makes noise.*** The noise you hear when you unsheathe a weapon is not heard by enemies.* Previous detection: An enemy that was previously alerted to your presence (even if your reticle indicated only a slightly open eye) will remember this, and is more likely to spot you again compared to an enemy who had not yet been alerted to your presence. === Sneak Attacks ===You perform a sneak attack when you physically strike someone who is unaware of your presence. The amount of damage you inflict via sneak attack is generally increased by a factor that depends on the weapon type and whether you have unlocked certain perks. {|class="wikitable sortable"!class=unsortable|Weapon Type!class=unsortable|Damage Multiplier<br/>(without perk)!class=unsortable|Applicable perk(s)!class=unsortable|Damage Multiplier<br/>(with perk)|-|Unarmed (fists)| x2| N/A| x2|-|Bow| x2| [[#Deadly Aim|Deadly Aim]]| x3|-|-|Two-handed| x2| N/A| x2|-|Sword/Mace/Axe| x3| [[#Backstab|Backstab]]| x6|-|rowspan=2|Dagger|rowspan=2|x3| [[#Backstab|Backstab]]| x6|-| [[#Assassin's Blade|Assassin's Blade]]| x15|} * If you equip the [[Skyrim:Shrouded Gloves|Shrouded Gloves]], [[Skyrim:Shrouded Hand Wraps|Shrouded Hand Wraps]], [[Skyrim:Jester's Gloves|Jester's Gloves]], or [[Skyrim:Cicero's Gloves|Cicero's Gloves]] (from the [[Skyrim:Dark Brotherhood|Dark Brotherhood]] questline), the sneak attack bonus for the ''Backstab'' and ''Assassin's Blade'' perks are doubled (x12 and x30).* The sneak multiplier is only applied to the physical damage done by a weapon, i.e. the damage shown for the weapon in your inventory.** Damage increases from [[Skyrim:Smithing|Smithing]] [[Skyrim:Grindstone|improvements]] do benefit from the sneak attack multipliers.** [[Skyrim:Poison|Poison]] and [[Skyrim:Enchantments|enchantment]]-related damage enhancements are added to damage inflicted by power attacks, their effects are not increased by performing sneak attacks* Both [[Skyrim:Bow|bow]] and [[Skyrim:Arrows|arrow]] damage are multiplied.* Dual-wielded weapons and power attacks are multiplied. * Lunging power attacks (hold [[Skyrim:Controls#Attack|attack]] while pressing forward) from sneak mode are especially powerful, although if mistimed, they can alert an enemy before the strike can land (and thus losing the bonus damage). The very acts involved in preparing for and attacking can result enemies detecting you, and when this occurs the damage you deal will receive no sneak attack bonus. One of the reasons for this is that attacking with weapons (except daggers) itself creates noise. To minimize this, maximize all [[#Remaining Undetected|other factors]] that enhance your probability of remaining undetected: attack from behind, stay in the shadows, and ensure that the sneak reticle is flat (you are hidden), etc. If a sneak attack does not kill an enemy, you will become more easily detectable, and your victim will usually start looking for you. However, if you are not immediately detected (if the sneak "eye" is not yet fully open), you can sometimes quickly land a second successful sneak attack. Enemies who witness the attack (by sight or by sound) are also likely to be alerted to your presence, even if the victim was killed. When using a bow to perform sneak attacks on multiple enemies, position yourself such that after killing one of them you can sneakily relocate behind nearby cover. If you are not detected or become detected but hidden again, you may be able to continue with another sneak attack. === Followers ===NPC [[Skyrim:Followers|followers]] will automatically enter sneak mode whenever you do. However, you may be better off having any follower wait out of range of enemies' sight and hearing: You will be stealthier and in greater control operating solo as a [[Skyrim:Stealth|stealth style]] fighter. Followers' chances of being detected are calculated separately from yours, based on their sneak skill and armor. Even followers who have relatively better sneak skill levels are generally more likely than you to be detected.  Further, if detected, followers are very likely to storm in and attack, reducing your tactical control over a situation.  If you are sneaking with a follower at night, ensure that they are not carrying any torches, as they will reliably equip and light them while sneaking, obviously a poor idea in general. [[Skyrim:Dog|Dogs]] bark, making them very poor followers if you wish to be sneaky. There are many quests which give you temporary followers who&mdash;unlike regular followers&mdash;make your status "visible" (open eye) if they can see you, which may ruin your sneak attack bonus against enemies. Also, activating them while sneaking will attempt a pickpocket rather than start a conversation. Finally, they may make nervous comments if you are sneaking near them, e.g. "I thought I heard something", as if they were hostile NPCs. ==Skill Increases=====Character Creation===The following [[Skyrim:Races|races]] have an initial skill bonus to Sneak:* +10 bonus: [[Skyrim:Khajiit|Khajiit]]* +5 bonus: [[Skyrim:Argonian|Argonian]], [[Skyrim:Bosmer|Bosmer]], [[Skyrim:Dunmer|Dunmer]] ===[[Skyrim:Trainers|Trainers]]===* [[Skyrim:Khayla|Khayla]] with the Khajiit Caravans (Common)* [[Skyrim:Garvey|Garvey]] in Markarth (Expert)* [[Skyrim:Delvin Mallory|Delvin Mallory]] of the Thieves Guild in Riften (Master) ===[[Skyrim:Skill Books|Skill Books]]===* ''[[Skyrim:2920, Last Seed, v8|2920, Last Seed, v8]]''* ''[[Skyrim:Legend of Krately House|Legend of Krately House]]''* ''[[Skyrim:The Red Kitchen Reader|The Red Kitchen Reader]]''* ''[[Skyrim:Sacred Witness|Sacred Witness]]''* ''[[Skyrim:Three Thieves|Three Thieves]]'' ===[[Skyrim:Free_Skill_Boosts|Free Skill Boosts]]===* +1 Sneak reward from [[Skyrim:Stands-In-Shallows|Stands-In-Shallows]] ([[Skyrim:Windhelm|Windhelm]]) for completing the quest [[Skyrim:Some Light Theft|Some Light Theft]]* +1 Sneak reward from [[Skyrim:Noster Eagle-Eye|Noster Eagle-Eye]] ([[Skyrim:Solitude|Solitude]]) for completing the quest [[Skyrim:Dungeon Delving (Caves)|Dungeon Delving (Caves)]].* +1 Sneak reward (as well as +1 to all other [[Skyrim:Stealth|stealth]] skills) from [[Skyrim:Inge_Six_Fingers|Inge Six Fingers]] ([[Skyrim:Bards_College|Bards College]]) for completing the quest [[Skyrim:Finn's_Lute|Finn's Lute]].* +5 Sneak reward (as well as +5 to all other stealth skills) by selecting "The Path of Shadow" from the [[Skyrim:Oghma_Infinium|Oghma Infinium]] after completing the quest [[Skyrim:Discerning_the_Transmundane|Discerning the Transmundane]]. ===Gaining Skill XP===* Successful [[#Sneak_Attack|sneak attacks]] give the biggest skill increases. Melee sneak attacks give 12x as much as ranged sneak attacks. The amount is flat per sneak attack and does not depend on the damage done.* If dual-wielding, a sneak [[Skyrim:Power_Attack#Power_Attacks|power attack]] can potentially provide up to three times as much experience, since each of its three strikes counts as a separate stealth attack. This assumes all three attacks land, while remaining undetected, and that the target isn't killed by the first or second blow. Thus it only applies to more powerful targets.* Good 'dummies' for training with sneak attacks include: [[Skyrim:Balgruuf the Greater|Balgruuf the Greater]] (After you return the [[Skyrim:Dragonstone|Dragonstone]], but before you head to [[Skyrim:Western Watchtower|Western Watchtower]]), [[Skyrim:Shadowmere|Shadowmere]], [[Skyrim:Hadvar|Hadvar]]/[[Skyrim:Ralof|Ralof]] during [[Skyrim:Unbound|Unbound]], conjured creatures, especially Dremora Lords as they always appear facing away from you and won't turn around without extended provocation, and the [[Skyrim:Greybeards|Greybeards]] while praying when attacking them use a bow to level up [[skyrim:archery|archery]]. Sleeping enemies are also easy to sneak up on and backstab.* Simply being in stealth mode around any NPC increases the Sneak skill very slowly. It is somewhat faster when the NPC is hostile or owns items nearby (e.g., shopkeepers), however. The sickly soldier in the [[Skyrim:Temple of Kynareth|Temple of Kynareth]] in [[Skyrim:Whiterun|Whiterun]] is an easy target as he does not move. A [[Skyrim:Dead_Thrall|dead thrall]] can be effective as well. The experience gain is proportional to the number of NPCs nearby. The outside environs of the [[Skyrim:Goldenglow Estate|Goldenglow Estate]] offer an excellent opportunity to increase stealth. As many as 9 NPCs, all actively hostile, are in the same area. Cautiously creeping back and forth can raise sneak a level every few minutes. ==Notes==* Some Oblivion-Skyrim differences in terms of the sneak skill: **[[Skyrim:Pickpocket|Pickpocket]] has been split into a separate skill from Sneak.**In Skyrim, unlike Oblivion, your Sneak skill can increase even if you are stationary. If the enemy is aware of you (eye partially open) you will level up the skill faster when they lose track of you (hidden).**{{Pc22}}A simple way to train the Sneak skill is to autorun/walk against the cave wall near the sleeping bear in the tutorial. In this way you can train your sneak skill to any level to the maximum 100 while away from your keyboard. (You can use a rubber band for consoles)* Your weapons are swung slower when in sneak mode. Be sure to stand back up after being detected, as remaining in sneak mode by that point is only a liability.* It appears that obtaining the [[Skyrim:Block|Block]] perk ''Block Runner'' allows you to move at normal speed while sneaking and blocking. It is not clear whether this was intended in development.**{{Pc22}}Similarly, rapidly switching spells on your hotkeys (1-8) increases your movement speed while sneaking.* The level 100 Sneak perk turns the user invisible for a short moment upon activation. It will override and terminate any ongoing invisibility effects, such as the [[Skyrim:Shadowcloak of Nocturnal|Shadowcloak of Nocturnal]] ability, making the user visible almost immediately after sneaking. However, it won't cancel the Illusion Invisibility spell. Since it turns you invisible for a fraction of a second, it's actually possible to crouch in front of an enemy who's already seen you and land a sneak attack.*The ''Silent Roll'' ability can be useful for more than just stealth. In some cases it's possible to use the roll to go up slopes that are difficult or impossible to climb other ways. ([[Skyrim:Horses|Horses]] can climb steeper slopes, but where you can't have or don't want one, it's a viable alternative.)*It is possible to carry out multiple rolls in several ways: **In third-person view, it simply works correctly.**In first-person view, both hands need to have a weapon or shield in them, including two-handed weapons and bows.**Failing that, i.e. if you have a spell in your left hand, if you equip your weapon after a complete roll it will cause you to roll again. Sheathing your weapon after the next complete roll will cause you to roll again.*It is possible to gain Sneak skill experience very easily by sneak attacking any of the [[Skyrim:Greybeards|Greybeards]] during their teaching of the [[Skyrim:Unrelenting Force|Unrelenting Force]]. They will not become hostile, and also have a large quantity of health. (Note: it would be unwise to attempt to pickpocket them, as a failure would result in hostility.)**This method of fast leveling the Sneak skill is also possible through sneak attacking either [[Skyrim:Hadvar|Hadvar]] or [[Skyrim:Ralof|Ralof]] during the opening quest [[Skyrim:Unbound|Unbound]].**If you have not completed [[Skyrim:Revealing the Unseen|Revealing the Unseen]], it is possible to take advantage of this method by sneak attacking [[Skyrim:Ancano|Ancano]] at the [[Skyrim:College of Winterhold (place)|College of Winterhold]], as he will be standing alone in front of the Eye of Magnus and will not become hostile. Note that if you attempt to pickpocket Ancano and fail, he will likely become hostile.**This method also works against followers by telling them to wait before sneak attacking them. Outside of combat, their health regenerates very quickly and they will not become hostile as long as they are your follower but they will leave your service if you attack too many times in succession. Wait for them to finish telling you off before performing another sneak attack.**Using this method with one handed weapons and Healing Hands, both One-handed and Restoration can be leveled up simultaneously by constantly healing the target while striking them whenever they become unaware of your presence.*Guards will comment negatively if you have a high sneak skill and say, "Hands to yourself, sneak thief."*It is possible to roll before the perk is unlocked. Simply jump (while moving forward) and as you are falling press and hold the sprint button.*[[Skyrim:Pacify (effect)|Pacify]] effects like the [[Skyrim:Calm|Calm]] spell, if successful, will allow you to sneak again after you've been detected. ==Bugs=={{Bug|When you are sneaking, if you sheathe or unsheathe your weapons and tap the sprint button at the right time, you will perform the Sneak roll ability that you get with the Sneak perk at level 50. The number of times you roll may depend on what spells or weapons you have equipped.|confirmed=1}}** This can also be done by activating something which triggers third-person mode (eg. Ore Vein, Grindstone) while in Sneak mode. When the player returns to first-person mode, they will be able to perform the forward roll despite the reticle indicating they are not in Sneak mode. This glitch is fixed by switching back to Sneak mode or third-person view.** This can happen when jumping while stealthed, then holding down the sprint key and forward movement key when landing; you will execute a single combat-roll upon landing.{{Bug|If you have the stealth roll perk and are in first person, exiting sneak mode half way through the roll will cause you to roll until you run out of stamina or fall off of something.|confirmed=1}}{{Bug|The Shadow Warrior perk effect can be absorbed, and thus doesn't function reliably if you have [[Skyrim:Spell Absorption|Spell Absorption]] (e.g. with [[Skyrim:The Atronach Stone|The Atronach Stone]] ability, Shadow Warrior would only work about half the time).|USKP|1.2.1}}{{Bug|You can get stuck in Sneak position. If this happens, it can be fixed by doing anything that forces you out of sneak mode, such as sitting in a chair, swimming, or changing shape.|confirmed=1}}{{Bug|While sneaking, if a new area is loaded, the sneaking reticle will be accompanied by the normal "compass rose" reticle. This is fixed by exiting sneak mode.|confirmed=1}}** This also occurs when activating any crafting apparatus (Forge, Alchemy Table, Arcane Enchanter, Cooking Pot) while sneaking. Upon exiting, in first-person mode your character's view will be lower as if sneaking, and you will move slower. However, no sneaking reticle appears and you cannot [[Skyrim:Pickpocket|Pickpocket]] (even without the perk, it is possible to do the silent roll; however, it is quite awkward and doesn't always work). In third-person mode you will be standing and can sprint. This is fixed the same way as above.*Unsneaking during a roll allows the player to input more roll commands during the roll, each one restarting the roll animation.{{Bug|Muffled Movement provides full movement noise reduction instead of 50% if, at the moment you take the perk, you have [[Skyrim:Illusion#Kindred_Mage|Kindred Mage]] and are not a vampire. This lasts until Muffled Movement is removed.|USKP|2.1.3|confirmed=1|modnotes=This is caused by magic effect PerkMuffleConstantSelf having Magic Skill set to Illusion, which, in conjuction with the player being a non-undead NPC, allows perk KindredMage to apply its +10 bonus to the initial 0.5 magnitude specified in spell PerkMuffledMovement.|trackerid=18866}}{{Bug|Muffled Movement's magnitude of movement noise reduction is scaled by any [[Skyrim:Fortify Illusion|Fortify Illusion]] alchemy effect on you at the moment you take the perk. The new magnitude lasts until Muffled Movement is removed.|USKP|2.1.3|confirmed=1|modnotes=This is caused by magic effect PerkMuffleConstantSelf having Magic Skill set to Illusion, which allows perk AlchemySkillBoosts to apply the IllusionPowerMod bonus to spell PerkMuffledMovement.|trackerid=18866}}{{Skills in Skyrim}}</noinclude>