Where Do You Find the Sapphire Claw in Skyrim?

You’ll find the Sapphire Claw inside Bleak Falls Barrow in Skyrim. This ancient Nordic ruin is located to the southwest of Whiterun, a relatively short trek for any aspiring Dragonborn. More specifically, you obtain it from Arvel the Swift, a hapless thief you encounter trapped in a web within the barrow. He possesses the Sapphire Claw until you convince him to hand it over, or, more likely, take it from his corpse after a brief chase and unfortunate end.

Delving into Bleak Falls Barrow: Your Quest for the Sapphire Claw

Bleak Falls Barrow is more than just a dungeon; it’s a key part of the main questline, specifically the quest “Bleak Falls Barrow“. Lucan Valerius, the shopkeeper at the Riverwood Trader, tasks you with retrieving a stolen Golden Claw from the bandits infesting the ruin. However, the Sapphire Claw is found deeper inside, related to a different part of the dungeon’s puzzles. So, while the Golden Claw initiates the dungeon crawl, the Sapphire Claw is your reward for navigating its treacherous depths and dealing with poor old Arvel.

Navigating the Perils of Bleak Falls Barrow

The barrow is a multi-level dungeon filled with the usual hazards: bandits, skeevers, draugr, and plenty of pressure plates connected to swinging blades and dart traps. Keep your eyes peeled and your reflexes sharp. The Sapphire Claw isn’t immediately obvious; you’ll need to progress through the dungeon, solving puzzles involving rotating stones and battling your way through hordes of undead.

Arvel the Swift and the Acquisition of the Sapphire Claw

The crucial encounter is with Arvel the Swift. You’ll find him caught in a large spider web. Free him and he promises to reveal the location of the Golden Claw. However, Arvel is a liar and a thief. He’ll take off running the moment he’s free. You can either persuade him to give you the Sapphire Claw (requiring a Speech skill check), pickpocket him, or simply chase him down and, well, let’s just say the environment isn’t always kind to fleeing thieves. The draugr will make short work of him, and you can then loot the Sapphire Claw from his body. It’s usually the quickest and most effective method.

The Sapphire Claw’s True Purpose

The Sapphire Claw isn’t just a pretty trinket; it’s essential for progressing further into Bleak Falls Barrow. It’s used to unlock a puzzle door later in the dungeon. Examine the claw in your inventory; you’ll see three symbols etched onto its surface: a bear, a moth, and an owl. These symbols are the key to unlocking the puzzle door.

Using the Sapphire Claw

Find the door mechanism – a series of rotating rings. You need to arrange the symbols on the rings to match the order shown on the Sapphire Claw. Rotate the rings until the bear is at the top, the moth in the middle, and the owl at the bottom. Once the symbols are correctly aligned, activate the claw in the keyhole to unlock the door and continue your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Sapphire Claw

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Sapphire Claw, providing more in-depth information and answering common queries:

1. Is the Sapphire Claw essential for completing the Bleak Falls Barrow quest?

Yes, the Sapphire Claw is essential. While the quest starts with finding the Golden Claw, the Sapphire Claw is required to open a crucial puzzle door that leads to the final chamber and, ultimately, the Dragonstone. You cannot complete the barrow without it.

2. Can I miss the Sapphire Claw?

It’s highly unlikely. Arvel the Swift is positioned directly on your path through Bleak Falls Barrow. You’ll almost certainly encounter him. However, if you somehow manage to bypass him, you’ll need to backtrack to find him as you can’t proceed further into the dungeon without his claw.

3. What happens if I lose the Sapphire Claw?

Losing the Sapphire Claw is a major problem. As it’s a quest item, you shouldn’t be able to drop it. However, bugs can occur. If you somehow lose it, you’ll likely need to reload a previous save. Console commands can also be used on PC to re-acquire the claw, though that’s generally a last resort.

4. Does the order of the symbols on the Sapphire Claw ever change?

No, the symbol order on the Sapphire Claw is always the same: bear, moth, owl. It’s fixed and doesn’t vary between playthroughs.

5. Can I use other claws to open the Sapphire Claw door?

No, only the Sapphire Claw will activate the mechanism for that specific door. Each claw is uniquely tied to its corresponding puzzle door.

6. Is the Sapphire Claw worth keeping after opening the door?

The Sapphire Claw becomes a regular item after unlocking the door and can be sold. It has a decent value, so selling it is a good way to earn some extra gold. It has no further use beyond unlocking the door.

7. Are there any other valuable items in the same area as Arvel the Swift?

Yes, after dealing with Arvel, thoroughly explore the area. There are usually chests and other containers with loot. Bleak Falls Barrow is a treasure trove, so take your time and search every nook and cranny.

8. What level should I be before attempting Bleak Falls Barrow?

Bleak Falls Barrow is designed for low-level characters, typically around level 3-5. However, if you’re new to the game or playing on a higher difficulty setting, coming in at a slightly higher level (around level 7-10) will make things easier.

9. What are the best strategies for dealing with Arvel the Swift?

The easiest strategy is to simply chase him down and let the draugr finish him off. He’s weak and doesn’t put up much of a fight. Alternatively, if your Speech skill is high enough, you can persuade him to hand over the Sapphire Claw peacefully, though this is often more trouble than it’s worth.

10. What kind of enemies will I face in Bleak Falls Barrow besides draugr?

Expect to encounter bandits, skeevers, giant spiders, and potentially a frostbite spider. The final chamber contains a draugr overlord, a significantly tougher opponent than the standard draugr.

11. Is it possible to skip Bleak Falls Barrow entirely?

While technically possible by using glitches or console commands, it’s not recommended. Bleak Falls Barrow is integral to the main questline, and skipping it will prevent you from progressing the story. You also miss out on a significant amount of experience and loot.

12. Does the difficulty setting affect the Sapphire Claw’s location or function?

No, the difficulty setting does not affect the Sapphire Claw’s location, the symbol order, or its function in unlocking the puzzle door. The difficulty primarily affects enemy health and damage output.

By understanding the layout of Bleak Falls Barrow and the specific role of the Sapphire Claw, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate this challenging dungeon and retrieve the Dragonstone, progressing further on your path to becoming the Dragonborn. Good luck, adventurer!