Is there some kind of Karma system in Skyrim? Or can I pickpocket people and break into houses any time I want without in trouble? (as long as I don't get cought of course)

I remember when stealing in Oblivion, people would get mad at you even though nobody had seen me stealing. I dont want to ruin my game, but if I can steal without any consequences, I might do that when I'm out of money

If your a good enough thief, people will not get mad at you and no there is no karma system like FO

There is Karma. I killed a certain person just outside of Riverwood, I wont spoil it, and her lover or family member sent thugs to kill me.

OK, thanks!

But if I'm in a room with the door closed, say The Jarls from for example, and I steal something from him. Will it affect me in any way later?

I'm not sure if there is a specifice 'karma' system as such but generally if I wrong someone or a group of people, like when I assassinate a citizen for the Dark Brotherhood for example, then I normally get a terse and angry greeting like 'oh it's you' or something like that and then when I exit the conversation it'll be something like 'just go away alrady'.

That said I don't really think karma is necessary in a game like skyrim, that's what makes it miles better than other series like fable for example where you're shoehorned into being good or evil.

My recommendation: If you are willing to do wrong and break the law then break it and accept any negative consequences that may result from this rather than trying to ascertain as to whether there is a specific 'karma' system in game or not in order to make your choice.

you ARE your character.

The thugs have nothing to do with karma. They happen when you steal from a specific person. For example the inn keeper at Riverwood (Not Delphine but her husband).

There is a karma system present in Skyrim. I'm am not sure of it's full contol over the game but i know that it effects random events. For example if you have a good karma a darkbrotherhood assassin may try to assassinate you.

Keep your hands to yourself, sneak thief!

It seems that if you steal from an npc, there's a chance that npc will send a hitman after you, even if you never got a bounty and no-one saw you do it. The hitman will have a note with the name of the npc that ordered the hit. However, it doesn't affect said npc's disposition and you will not be able to confront them about the hit attempt in conversation.

Npc's may know or suspect you murdered someone, even if you never received a bounty for the murder. However, I don't think it affects conversation options or (future) quests in any way.

Guards will comment if you have a high sneak or pickpocket level or if you are a member of the thieves guild, even if you never received a bounty for any crimes related to those skills or that faction.

So I guess you could say there is some form of karma in Skyrim. It just isn't about spirituality or cosmic justice. Npc's will just make some comments as you walk by and you get a few more random encounter with enemy npc's.


Or more likely, a Dark Brotherhood assassin will try to kill you if you are not in the Dark Brotherhood yourself. I stole/pickpocketed a lot of stuff with my character, but the Dark Brotherhood still tried to assassinate me.

I think that's perhaps the problem with the apparent lack of an active karma or fame/infamy system: I get that comment a lot in spite of having stolen a grand total of zero items.

I also get irked at clocking up numerous assaults just because I don't wait for bandits to attack me first, though that's a piece of silliness dating back to Oblivion.

I get this a lot. :shifty:

With high related Thief skills you get comments/warnings from the guards, regardless & at random. I roughed up some people for the Thieves Guild & they no longer liked me, i get told where the door is by the Inn keeper & to get out by the bouncer. But one shop owner doesnt seem to mind. Still, it hurts my fwellings

It's kinda weird though, as in an unrelated side quest when you help them out & they are like oh thank you , your so kind.......now get out! :cold:

So that's why Whiterun guards were sending mercs after me. :facepalm:

I just spent all my gold on my first house in Whiterun, so now I need money for training. That's why I consider stealing a bit

What do you guys do when you need gold in a hurry?

dungeon diving or selling some of the 100 different potions i randomly made and had proc thanks to the quest obtained alchemy things

Crafting stuff at the local smithy using the odds and ends I've picked up along the way and selling it to them.

There is no form of "direct" permanent karma as far as I know. You will temporarily be on someone's hate list when they send thugs after you, but if they fail, the person who sent them to you will treat you normal as always. (Kinda strange in my opinion but at least I know I am not sabotaging my game)