By now we all know how much of a meme machine The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has become. The sheer scope of the game has allowed internet jokesters to run wild with the lore and the game engine and come up with some hilarious memes. Some of these jokes fall squarely on how Bethesda's engine specifically works, but an equal number of them are spawned simply from the interactions built into the game's systems and mechanics. Everyone at this point is familiar with the "Arrow to the knee" or "Sweet roll" memes, but Skyrim has plenty more to offer the internet than a couple of jokes that were quickly and promptly run into the ground. Bethesda has also seen the same effect with their other main franchise, Fallout. It seems that Bethesda's sandboxes are the prime real estate for the meme making community. This is probably due to the fact that even though Bethesda Studios core games are technologically astounding and their scope is gigantic, pushing their engine to these limits often results in some hilarious bugs, errors, and interactions. We're going to be taking a look at 25 of these memes that hit the nail on the head when it comes to playing and experiencing Skyrim to this very day. We all feel a sense of community and happiness from shared experiences, and these memes understand what all of us adventurers go through in exchange for being reckless, curious, and creative.

1 Worth The Weight In Gold?

[caption id="attachment_131236" align="alignnone" width="610"] via epicstream.com[/caption] When it comes to Skyrim there's one thing that can cause serious frustration amongst explorers, being over-encumbered. Realizing early on that you can only carry a set amount of explored based on your current statistics can become stressful and annoying surprisingly fast. Luckily, Bethesda was smart enough to make the main currency of the game, gold, not weigh a single thing and thus would never count towards a player's inventory weight. However, they decided it would make sense for hawk feathers to add a noticeable amount of weight. Hawk feathers obviously have some weight to them, but for goodness sake, it's a video game. Don't you think you would make the system a little bit friendlier for those with little to no patience? If you're going to make the gold weightless, maybe that same idea could have been extended to things that are actually almost weightless in real life.

We Don't Need No Education!

[caption id="attachment_131235" align="alignnone" width="497"] via knowyourmeme.com[/caption] Now, by now we're all familiar with the saying that people often refer to in terms of something or someone getting in the are of their education. This meme manages to take that expression and turn it on its head. The beauty of Bethesda games is that they inherently have a built-in value that few other games can match. They're perfect for kids who can only manage to get their hands on a couple of games a year as well as those on a fixed budget. Bethesda builds gigantic worlds that become sandboxes revealing childlike wonder and imagination. Unfortunately, some people get lost in the fold and these types of games can take over their lives. Let's not even touch on the subject of what these games to completionists. You shouldn't let games get in the way of your education though unless of course you're studying game design and open-world narrative.

Wait, That's Not A Kid!

[caption id="attachment_131234" align="alignnone" width="365"] via thechive.com[/caption] Pictures and photography are one of the fascinating creative mediums. Anybody can take a photo, but it takes a skilled hand and brain to capture something breathtaking and awe-inspiring. In some cases, you can just be lucky and thanks to some type of divine intervention you can capture strange and bizarre optical illusions that manage to make the viewer question reality as they know it. At first glance, it seems as though you're looking at a very oddly proportioned child. Once you understand it's simply a product of angles and timing you come to appreciate the image even more. This meme is very clever because it takes a skill tree from inside Skyrim and merges it with one of the oddest photos on the internet. Makes sense for a set of spells centered around manipulation, confusion, and misunderstanding.

10 fingers = 1 ring?

[caption id="attachment_131233" align="alignnone" width="500"] via gaminggear.site[/caption] For a game centered around letting you choose the hero or villain you want to be, it's odd when a game mechanic just doesn't add up. Skyrim allows players to equip a bevy of different armor sets, weapons, and items. Some of the most powerful of these items happen to be the magically imbued rings found and created throughout the world of Skyrim. It's unfortunate that players can only equip a single ring at a time even though all of the races in the game follow the same structure and have 10 fingers. Where's the logic in that? Oh right, we're talking about video games. Bethesda has never moved away from this philosophy either due to the complications with allowing more than one ring or simply it's all about balance.

Speech Game On Point!

[caption id="attachment_131272" align="alignnone" width="491"] via knowyourmeme.com[/caption]
Unless the previous entry where we talked about the illusion skill tree and how it positively refers to the meme itself, this one is doing something a bit different. If you're over the age of 25, or maybe just really interested in United States political history, then you're familiar with Bill Clinton's famous speech following the Monica Lewinsky scandal. His sheer confidence in the matter and the way he seemingly brushed off the whole thing seemed like a pretty baller move in the moment. In hindsight, Clinton must have had his best people working on phrasing and context in what would probably go down in history as his most memorable speech. In Skyrim, the speech skill is key in helping the player navigate conversations and find all of the necessary information they need for a given mission or quest.

Why's The Epic Music Playing?

[caption id="attachment_131230" align="alignnone" width="377"] via imgur.com[/caption] Skyrim is a game that heavily implements music cues in order to alert the player to changes in CPU behavior and environmental changes. The problem is that in a world as vast and open as Skyrim's it's hard to understand sometimes why the music has erupted into an epic score. Often times this type of confusing ends in one of two scenarios. The first is that a giant enemy such as a giant or dragon is engaged in a fight near you, but just out of your line of sight, with another CPU character. The other conclusion you with quickly come to is that it was an early warning for a creature that will undoubtedly catch up to you and attack when you least expect it and probably defeat you in one fail swoop. If the music kicks in and you're not sure why make sure to have some favorable saves prompt and ready to go.

College Of Doofushold

[caption id="attachment_131231" align="alignnone" width="540"] via funnyjunk.com[/caption] When first entering the world of Skyrim you must first figure out what type of combat clicks with you. If magic is something that sounds interesting or fun then you will be quickly pointed towards the College of Winterhold. As you start hearing about this place, it begins to sound more and more like an Elder Scrolls' version of Hogwarts. On arrival to the College of Winterhold, however, you quickly realize the college is home to some brilliant minds as well as some bumbling idiots and madmen. The beauty of being a magic wielder is that it makes you more powerful than you actually are. Funny enough the same thing happens to people wearing cloaks in a magical college, they're presented as having way more knowledge than they, in particular, do. The College of Winterhold is full of astounding surprises, but also some hilarious disappointments.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

[caption id="attachment_131227" align="alignnone" width="497"] via skyrimfansite.com[/caption] One of the funniest aspects of Skyrim is that its justice system is wonky and most of the time makes absolutely no sense at all. The player is often encroaching on ancient land and seemingly private property while looting, defeating, and stealing anything in their path of destruction. A lot of these activities happen outside of city limits and thus aren't even talked about in the slightest. If you happen to be in a city and accidental pickup a red-texted piece of food on a shelf, well good luck spending the rest of your life in prison. Skyrim is a game where you can defeat dragons and wield unfathomable magic, but it's also a game where you can get a life sentence for an unfortunate misclick or prank. This meme would be funnier if it wasn't such a spot-on metaphor for the problems with America's judicial system.

We Know, Steve.

[caption id="attachment_131226" align="alignnone" width="530"] via reddit.com[/caption] Chances are that if you're in your mid 20s and played Skyrim, then you're somewhat familiar with both the Dark Brotherhood and the children's television show Blue's Clues. This mean takes an iconic part of the children's show and melds it with one of the strangest, bizarre, and possibly terrifying introductions to a guild in a video game. The Dark Brotherhood is a guild centered around dark crimes and the invitation and initiation into the guild are odd and off-putting. The letter gag and song from Blue's Clues, however, is oddly uplifting and excitable to the audience at large. Mixing these two opposite ends of the spectrum results in a hilarious pairing of bait-and-switch comedy. The Dark Brotherhood is probably one of the only guilds/groups in all of Elder Scrolls where you don't necessarily just dabble. You're either all-in or all-out, interest.

Lydia, Lydia, Lydia...

[caption id="attachment_131223" align="alignnone" width="420"] via imgur.com[/caption] Companions are one of the coolest and somehow equally one of the most frustrating parts of Skyrim. Lydia, in particular, is a sore spot for many explorers and adventurers in the land of Tamriel. She has a tendency to die early in the game to her seemingly extra aggression and the fact that she is joining the player at a very early part of the game during a more experimental phase. Dragon shouting is one of the trademark mechanics in Skyrim that sets it apart in the series. Unfortunately, the way controls are laid out to perform shouts it makes it particularly easy to do one by sheer accident. Thankfully, you don't have an overly aggressive partner that strikes first and asks questions later. Oh wait, we forgot Lydia acts as though she'll swing her sword at the smallest of opportunities. Hopefully, you save early, and you save often.

This Doesn't Add Up

[caption id="attachment_131222" align="alignnone" width="1000"] via sharenator.com[/caption] We've already covered how the player's expectations for what the dragon fights would feel like were overly hyped, and though they were good, it felt as though the size scale of the dragons wasn't all that impressive. Now it's time to talk about the inconsistency in the dragon difficulty in relation to another pesky enemy, the bear. Dragons in Skyrim can either be an enemy that will defeat you in one swing or a nuisance you can manage to get passed with a few swings of your sword. Bears, on the other hand, seem to be consistently frustrating and overpowered. This may have to do with the fact that the bears are tied to ground movement, or maybe because they only rely on physical based attacks. Either way, bears are one of the scarier encounters in a game full of dragons, wizards, giant mechanized machines, and dark magic.

What's That Accent?

[caption id="attachment_131221" align="alignnone" width="508"] via imgflip.com[/caption] When you commit a crime in Skyrim you're treated to a very awkward encounter with a guard from that specific city or town. They always approach you with an over the top aggressive attitude no matter the crime you have committed. Like the meme above showcases, they do give you a moment to explain yourself. Unfortunately, this encounter often ends in either a tedious way or a destructive one depending on the player's personal behavior. The response above is a hilarious dig at how ridiculous the entire situation is and blends together awkwardness and a catchphrase almost every American knows at this point. I wonder if the guards in the next Elder Scrolls game will be just as brash yet understanding, or if the phrasing might be something even more hysterical.

Mandatory Staff Meeting

[caption id="attachment_131220" align="alignnone" width="500"] via skyrimfansite.com[/caption] Puns are one of the most divisive forms of comedy. Personally, I think a there is nothing better than a clever pun. Others feel as though puns can't and won't ever be funny. This meme is particularly clever because it plays on the fact that almost nobody enjoys staff meetings at there job. In Skyrim, staffs are some of the most powerful and entertaining weapons the game has to offer. The various abilities and powers you find on staffs in the world and the option you have when creating your own are breathtaking. If you prefer magic over melee combat then you probably are particular in the type of ways you want to approach a situation. Skyrim provides the tools to create a set of two staffs you can duel-wield to your heart's desire.

I Get No Respect

[caption id="attachment_131219" align="alignnone" width="517"] via techlegends.com[/caption] A couple of times already we've covered how odd, unpredictable, and strange the justice system is in the world of Skyrim. You start the game as a hero meant to save the world from dragons and bring peace to Skyrim. If everyone seems to know how important you are to their survival and the world at large you would think they wouldn't want you to get in trouble for taking a few liberties. I'm not saying that stealing from a small business owner is in the best interest of everyone involved, but you would assume that if the mob made people turn a blind eye, a man who can speak to dragons might get the same treatment. There's a weird dynamic where people are rooting for you to bring them security and happiness but won't hesitate to report you to the authorities on the smallest of crimes.

Land Where You Want, I Guess?

[caption id="attachment_131218" align="alignnone" width="510"] via pictame.com[/caption] In Skyrim players are given the ability to use dragon shouts that each provide a unique power that can be utilized during combat. Dragonrend is a shout that forces an enemy dragon to land, which in turn provides a more advantageous combat scenario for the player. The problem is that dragonrend breaks the role-playing aspect of Skyrim once it's used. When a dragon targets a player it is most often very aggressive and will stop at nothing to attack the player. However, when dragonrend is used the dragon is forced to land and thus flies to the next landable location. In a game with the scope of Skyrim, this turns an aggressive interaction into a baffling misunderstanding of what exactly is going on. These dragons need to figure out if they're more concerned with the Dovahkiin or a safe and secure landing spot.

I'm Not Supposed To Be Here Yet

[caption id="attachment_131217" align="alignnone" width="702"] via starecat.com[/caption] Open-world games are home to some of the most inventive and imaginative gaming experiences a player can ever encounter. These vast open spaces provide players with a sandbox to explore and go on seemingly endless journeys in hopes of uncovering some awesome tales. High-level zones are what make open-world games feel not as open as they seem. Game designers do however have to figure out how to make progression feel meaningful and have a true sense of difficulty scale. This is where high-level zones come in. Have you ever been exploring, possibly trying to unlock new fast travel points, and run into a level that you're not meant to be exploring yet? Depending on the personality of the player these zones can either be a source of headaches or a true challenge worthy of overcoming.

Quick, Eat A Whole Potato!

[caption id="attachment_131216" align="alignnone" width="1000"] via vrutal.com[/caption] We've all been there. Getting caught off-guard by an enemy's power and being forced to heal with any item possible. In a moment of panic, you mash the start button and start scrolling through your inventory hoping to find something to heal you before you die. Healing potions are a very precious commodity. If you can get by with eating 100 potatoes, then you eat 100 potatoes. There is no shame in making use of all the useless items us item hoarders carry around the entire game and ultimately end up forgetting about them. The funniest thing is when you don't eat the garbage food out of ingenuity, but rather as a necessity. Nothing gets the heart racing like being an inch away from defeat and emptying the reserve for every ounce of nutrition available.

The Pro-Chicken Agenda

[caption id="attachment_131215" align="alignnone" width="490"] via memecenter.com[/caption] If you grew up playing the Fable games then you know that townsfolk hate it when you mess with their chickens. This same trope could be found in both The Legend of Zelda and Elder Scrolls series. Role-playing games can be intimidating to someone who has no prior experience with the genre. There is one steadfast rule: Don't mess with the chickens. Each of these series has a unique way of punishing the player for messing with the chickens. The Legend of Zelda makes it, so a giant flock of them retaliate and attack Link until he is defeated. Skyrim, on the other hand, simply has the entire city turn on you and come after you as though you're the primary antagonist of the game. Attacking harmless animals in games always seems weird and unimportant, in particular, so it's hilarious when you see the repercussions for doing such a thing.

Companion Or Nuisance?

[caption id="attachment_131214" align="alignnone" width="502"] via quickmeme.com[/caption] Companions in Skyrim over a love them or hate them relationship. We've already covered how frustrating it can be when Lydia, in particular, is by your side. Now let's discuss how stealth and safety are nearly impossible with a bumbling idiot of a companion at your side. With some practice, you can navigate and avoid some serious traps and pitfalls. Your companion, on the other hand, was apparently born with two left feet and one eye. I've personally never been the stealth attack type of person but I can only imagine the headache one gets when a perfectly executed stealth mission goes awry because your dumb companion bumps into an unsuspecting enemy. Many of the traps in Skyrim are timing based, so guess what that means for your companion who has no rhythm? Yes, they do indeed take a ton of unnecessary damage.

Not The Brightest Rock In The Pond

[caption id="attachment_131213" align="alignnone" width="705"] via imgur.com[/caption] So, now that we've covered how infuriating companions are, let's tackle those pesky bandits. As you're exploring the world of Skyrim you'll often come across bandits who are looking for an easy target to loot and defeat. Funny enough this often happens after they've seen or heard about you defeating some of the greatest opponents Skyrim has to offer. They'll even go as far as to say they've heard of what you've done. After such an enticing conversation, however, they will then proceed to attack you. The person they just stated overcame excruciating odds. A hero who is destined to save the world. These bandits are often armed with nothing more than a few cheap weapons and armor. I guess they didn't get in such a needy position because they were men and women of strategy and planning.

Horse Climbing 101

[caption id="attachment_131212" align="alignnone" width="710"] via techlegends.in[/caption] You've probably heard of horse racing, possibly even heard the phrase "horsing around". I doubt you're familiar with horse climbing, though. Well, unless of course, you've played Skyrim for longer than a couple of hours. People have been enthralled with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild because it gave players the freedom to climb anything and everything, provided they have adequate stamina. Skyrim, on the other hand, provides players with an unstoppable climbing tool; horses. If you have enough patience and are willing to go through a trial and error gauntlet, then the horse can technically be considered your greatest asset while exploring the land of Skyrim. It allows you to bypass long stretches of travel when fast travel is unavailable or ineffective. Quit stalling, and start stallion.

The Unusual Gem Collection

[caption id="attachment_131225" align="alignnone" width="480"] via memecenter.com[/caption] The unusual gems are probably the most irritating and time-consuming collectible inside the entire world of Skyrim. They're a quest item that you must find on your own and complete the set of 24 to unlock another quest to find the actual reward. Yes, in true Skyrim fashion once you find all 24 unusual gems it then unlocks another adventure to go and find an actual reward. Once you find one of these odd pink gems you are then given a miscellaneous quest to get it appraised by a jeweler. Once it is, you come to find out the unusual gems are actually called the Stones of Barenziah. If you plan on collecting them I suggest doing it all at once considering they can't be removed from your inventory and do add weight to your inventory.

What A Cat-astrophe!

[caption id="attachment_131229" align="alignnone" width="740"] via techlegends.com[/caption] Khajiit are one of the most interesting and creative races in the Elder Scrolls universe. They're anthropomorphic cats that have a tendency of having interesting phrases and using their cat-like cunning and stealth to work in the shadows. Everyone isn't necessarily a cat person but we can all agree that having a race of characters based on a household pet is pretty genius. Most interactions with Khajiit inside of Skyrim either begin with an oddly cryptic phrase or a stealthy attack from the shadows. This meme showcases how bizarre it is that cats have become highly intelligent and capable but dogs didn't for some reason. That being said, there is a dog capable of conversing with the player during a quest. Maybe we'll see a dog race in the next game? Or maybe Bethesda understands that only cats can evolve to be human-like in nature due to their bipolar nature and tendency to be antisocial.

Larger Than Life? Not Really.

[caption id="attachment_131228" align="alignnone" width="602"] via imgur.com[/caption] Skyrim was a game pitched to consumers based on its scope and size of the world and its enemies. Allowing players to engage in combat with dragons randomly through non-scripted interactions was astounding. It built hype and expectations up to seemingly unreasonable levels. When the game finally released players quickly learned that even though these fights were entertaining and challenging, they didn't necessarily live up to the expectations in people's minds. Every game has their own take on certain aspects and move nonexistent sliders up and down to balance their game and nail the things they specifically want to target. Larger than life enemies like we see in Dark Souls and Shadow of the Colossus weren't what Bethesda was targeting in their vast and open world of exploration and story-telling.

A Knee & An Arrow

[caption id="attachment_131224" align="alignnone" width="517"] via knowyourmeme.com[/caption] We briefly mentioned some of the most overused Skyrim memes in the opening of this list, but it truly is sad how quickly the "Arrow to the knee" meme went from being the hottest thing in town to the ultimate sign of a lack of comedic prowess. As a standalone joke, the arrow in the knee gag is pretty funny in the context it is originally provided. With great meme, power comes great meme responsibility. The internet has this powerful ability to hoist an obscure joke into the forefront of social interaction, and just as quickly eliminate it from ever being cool again. Meme culture and the internet at large are the truest living form of a double-edged sword. The same power that can create celebrities and trends out of nowhere can also destroy and obscure whatever it chooses.