How many memes on Fus Ro Dah are there? Way too many to count, undoubtedly. But still, this Shout, among many others, is part of what makes Skyrim it's distinct, fun self.
Throughout the game, players can uncover 2o of these Shouts (27 with DLC) and add them onto their arsenals of deadly weapons and magic and followers. Of course, not all of them are equal in use. Some have little use outside the story, but others can make Dragonborns unmatched against any foe, be they bandit or dragon. So, these are Skyrim's five overpowered Shouts, and five that are absolutely useless.
10 Useless – Battle Fury
Battle Fury is a Shout added in the Dragonborn DLC, and like many, it affects other characters rather than the user. This specific Shout, however, is meant to specifically affect followers and companions, increasing the strength of their attacks.
The same followers and companions who are easily interchangeable with each other. The followers and companions who can be hard to accurately hit with this Thu'um in the midst of battle. Followers and companions who aren't players or enemies. See the problem? And of course, if a follower's weapon is enchanted, then this Shout will have no effect whatsoever. Truly, it's an absolutely useless Shout.
9 Overpowered – Drain Vitality
Drain Vitality was added during the Dawnguard DLC and is a stronger, more-encompassing Shout of Marked for Death. Instead of just causing damage to Health, this Shout also drains the Stamina and Magica of opponents. Not only this, but it does more damage on average than Shout of Marked for Death.
The only downside is the slightly longer cooldown time, but that's nothing wearing an Amulet of Talos can't compensate for. Having this Shout, alongside whatever powerful spells or weapons players can use, makes for quick and easy combat, all in the favor of the Dragonborn.
8 Useless – Elemental Fury
Elemental Fury is a Shout that's already part of the main game, but it is still best passed up as it is nothing more than another version of Battle Fury. The only upside is that it's a Shout that affects the player rather than their allies. But again, it's the exact same effect as Battle Fury, and like the other Shout, if players have enchanted armor or weaponry, then Elemental Fury's effects are rendered null.
As Dragonborns progress along Skyrim's many quests, chances are high that they'll run across and use at least one type of enchantment. In other words, this Shout is completely useless.
7 Overpowered – Dragon Aspect
This Shout is yet another added in Dragonborn, and being another mortal-made Thu'um, it has surprisingly fantastic effects. Unfortunately, it can only be used once a day, but that's perhaps for the best, given how overpowered it is. It increases both armor rating and attack strength, adds resistance to fire and frost attacks, and summons a spectral ally – alongside any current companions – to fight alongside players.
Perhaps most importantly, Dragon Aspect decreases the average cooldown time between all other Shouts for the rest of the day. And in any sort of battle, the quicker players can access the Thu'um, the better. This Shout is a must-use for any experienced Dragonborn.
6 Useless – Kyne's Peace
Another Shout that affects other characters, Kyne's Peace is meant to pacify certain enemies. Those enemies? The many animals of Skyrim. While the frozen country's fauna can certainly pose a bit of a threat on Legendary difficulty, they're usually not the most dangerous creatures to encounter.
Even the strongest of bears or chaurus can be taken down easily with the right armor and weaponry. Why waste a Shout's time pacifying the weakest of enemies, when better ones can be used to topple the toughest?
5 Overpowered – Become Ethereal
This Shout is among the earlier ones available in the game, as its first word is found during the main questline. It's also among the most useful Shouts, as it gives players a brief period of time for invincibility.
Jumping from normally deadly heights? Become Ethereal! Facing down deadly dragon Shouts? Become Ethereal! Sneaking through pressure-plate traps and triggers? Become Ethereal! Even use of one word can provide up to eight seconds of invincibility, with the full Shout providing 14 seconds. And 14 seconds can make or break some of the most harrowing of battles, and turn the tide in the favor of the Dragonborn.
4 Useless – Throw Voice
This is one of the more memeable Shouts in Skyrim, if only for the ridiculousness of the taunts it conjures up. It's pretty straightforward – Throw Voice sends the player's voice to some point away from them, which causes enemies to investigate the location of the sound.
However, it only works when sneaking and has a limited range. The average stealth archer can make a better distraction than this Shout, and they can also possibly kill an enemy, which Throw Voice can't.
3 Overpowered – Ice Form
Ice Form is another offensive Shout. With each successive word used, it completely freezes opponents and deals some damage to them for longer and longer periods of time. It can hit multiple enemies, too, which can come in handy if any unfortunate player gets swarmed by hordes of Draugr or bandits.
Immobilizing opponents is obviously a good thing, and if some unfortunate soul is perched near a precarious ledge when frozen, then fall damage is just another bonus. Ice Form is undoubtedly amongst the most powerful Shouts of Skyrim.
2 Useless – Clear Skies
Clear Skies is another Shout given throughout the main questline of Skyrim. Unfortunately, it only has any real use within the main questline. Clear Skies does just that, clear the skies of any sort of weather. It's mainly useful when trekking up to Paarthurnax, and during the final battle with Alduin, both to summon him and negate his special stormcall attack.
But outside these situations, when would anyone use this? Regular rain, thunder, or blizzard has no real harmful effects on players or NPCs, so there's no need to really clear Skyrim's skies. Clear Skies is, truly, the most useless Shout in all of Skyrim.
1 Overpowered – Unrelenting Force
The meme, the myth, the legend – Unrelenting Force is the first Shout given to players and more than likely the first one they complete, too. At its basics, it can stagger opponents or even send them flying (and again, take advantage of fall damage from deadly heights), and it also provides a small amount of damage.
Combined with perks like Dragonborn Force and Force without Effort, its effects are greatly increased, making it not just memeable but also a viable weapon. Most importantly, seeing enemies ragdoll through the air never gets old. Unrelenting Force is one of the most overpowered Shouts of Skyrim.