Every Daedric Prince in the Elder Scrolls, Ranked

In the world of Nirn, the setting of The Elder Scrolls fantasy role-playing game series, there exists a group of immensely powerful beings known as the Daedric Princes. These deities have played various roles throughout the series, serving as main antagonists, powerful allies, or the focus of some of the best and weirdest side quests in the games. They bear a strong resemblance to the eight demon lords of hell from certain real-world religions. Some Daedra are content to stir up a little mischief, indulge in their hobbies, or pursue complete conquest and domination of specific regions, or even the entire world.

Often, however, they test the loyalty of those they deem worthy. Players are tasked with completing a series of challenges to gain a Daedra’s favor and earn a powerful, otherworldly reward. Many of these quests draw players into a cosmic conflict, requiring them to interfere with the plans of rival Daedra. This list ranks the 17 Daedric Princes based on various factors, such as their significance in the games, the intrigue of their personalities, and the quality of their loyalty quests.

17 Meridia, The Daedric Prince of Spirit and Light

A New Hand Touches the Beacon

• Quest Reward: A unique sword called Dawnbreaker, which does extra damage to the undead

Dawnbreaker is a fantastic weapon for any Elder Scrolls protagonist—unless, of course, that character is a vampire, as the weapon can harm them too. However, Meridia ranks lower on this list due to the now-infamous way her quest is initiated in Skyrim. Finding her beacon in a random chest triggers a loud and commanding directive to visit her temple and dispel the darkness within. After numerous playthroughs, this starts to become a little annoying. The quest itself isn’t anything special and is basically a run-of-the-mill dungeon crawl.

Meridia takes the form of an angelic woman and was once one of the Magna-Ge, the guardian spirits of the universe. She abandoned her post, “fell from the heavens,” and crafted her own identity as a Daedric Prince. Her plane of Oblivion, the Colored Rooms, is so intensely bright that mortal eyes cannot behold it. In The Elder Scrolls Online, it is also revealed that she considers free will to be a flaw in mortals.

16 Jyggalag, The Daedric Prince of Law and Order

It Took All The Princes to Defeat Him

This Prince is almost a peacemaker-like character, seeking to bring order and harmony to the planes of Oblivion at the cost of any kind of free will or happiness. His power grew so immense during his conquests that the other Daedric Princes did something unprecedented in the Elder Scrolls universe: they united to bring him down. Upon his defeat, Jyggalag was cursed and bound to Sheogorath, the Prince of Madness, who represented everything Jyggalag hated.

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However, this isn’t always the case. During the Greymarch, Jyggalag is unleashed onto the Shivering Isles, where he destroys the realm. The Isle is then rebuilt by Sheogorath, continuing the cycle until it is finally broken by the Hero of Kvatch. This protagonist of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion assumes the mantle of the Mad God, leaving Jyggalag to roam Oblivion with no domain to call his own.

15 Vaermina, The Daedric Prince of Nightmares and Torture

It Is Said She Brings Bad Omens to All Who See Her

• Quest Reward: The Skull of Corruption, a magical staff.

It is said that this Daedric Prince feeds on dreams and delights in psychological torture, often demonstrated through her ability to inflict widespread nightmares on a location. This is evident in Dawnstar during the time of the Dragonborn. The Skull of Corruption, granted to her champion, becomes significantly more powerful when filled with dreams harvested from sleeping NPCs.

The Khajiit believe that Vaermina was originally a lesser god, born out of regret, who spent her time devouring souls in the underworld. According to their lore, she eventually encountered Azura in the underworld. Azura defeated Vaermina in battle and became a divine ghost. This ghost is said to cling to life through the collective unconscious of all mortals and is now perceived as dreams.

14 Clavicus Vile, The Daedric Prince of Bargains and Wishes

The Elder Scrolls Equivalent of a Crossroads Demon

• Quest Reward: The Masque of Clavicus Vile or the powerful Rueful Axe

The closest thing the Elder Scrolls universe has to a demon of the crossroads, Clavicus Vile is known for making deals and granting wishes to mortals that they end up regretting. He is often depicted with a faithful hound by his side named Barbas, who is actually a fragment of Clavicus Vile himself, given sentience. It is theorized that Barbas represents the Daedric Prince’s conscience, serving as a mediator between Clavicus and the player.

For example, in Oblivion, Barbas advises against returning the sword Umbra to Clavicus, and in Skyrim, he seems to exert more influence over the prince than usual. Completing Clavicus Vile’s quests typically rewards players with the Masque of Clavicus Vile, which significantly improves speech and bartering. In Skyrim, Clavicus tasks the Dragonborn with retrieving the Rueful Axe, offering a choice: keep the axe by killing Barbas or return it and receive the Masque instead. His plane of Oblivion is known as the Fields of Regret.

13 Mephala, The Daedric Prince of Secrets and Seduction

Also Known as the Webspinner

• Quest Reward: The ever-growing Ebony Blade.

Normally depicted as a spider-like woman, Mephala delights in sowing seeds of doubt and conflict among mortals, turning them against one another and subtly shaping history without their awareness. Some of her followers include the assassin guild known as the Morag Tong, and it is theorized that she also influences the Dark Brotherhood, aligning with her tendency to manipulate events and groups from the shadows.

The reward for becoming her champion is the Ebony Blade. At first glance, it seems surprisingly weak for a weapon bestowed by a god-like being, but its power increases with every person the wielder kills who they share a close bond with. Her plane of Oblivion is known as The Spiral Skein.

12 Namira,The Daedric Prince of Decay, Revulsion, and the Ancient Darkness

Although Pretty Evil, She Is Also Seen as the Patron of Beggars

• Quest Reward: Namira’s Ring, which increases stamina and lets players tap into their cannibalistic tendencies.

This Daedric Prince embodies everything society deems repulsive and disgusting, such as insects, filth, and cannibalism. She spreads misery and hardship but does not view this as harmful. Instead, she encourages her followers to embrace these concepts, urging them to revel in their destitution. While she does not push them to improve their circumstances, she is fiercely protective of those who share her worldview, acting as a guardian for those steeped in misery and filth.

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Namira serves as a major antagonist to Khajiiti culture in Elsweyr and is often depicted as a shadowy, hooded woman. Her plane of Oblivion is called The Scuttling Void. Namira also tests the morality of players by giving them the chance to become a cannibal.

11 Boethiah, The Daedric Prince of Treachery, Insurrection, and Conspiracy

A Greatly Important Figure In The History Of Morrowind

• Boethiah’s champion will be shrouded in the poisonous darkness of the Ebony Mail.

The various cultures across Tamriel and the rest of Nirn are divided on the gender of this Daedric Prince, but they universally agree on one thing: Boethiah believes all mortals should strive to become the strongest, with the weak being sacrificed. This emphasis on sacrifice is said to stem from witnessing Lorkhan, the god of creation, sacrifice himself to maintain stability in the universe. Boethiah is also seen as a symbol of rebellion, encouraging mortals to reject established morals and defy the very nature of existence. This philosophy has fueled a long and bitter rivalry with Molag Bal, who seeks domination and subjugation.

All races except the Dunmer regard Boethiah as one of the most feared and generally evil Daedra. Boethiah’s champion wields the Ebony Mail, an extraordinary set of armor. Their plane of Oblivion is Attribution’s Share, also known as Snake Mountain.

10 Hircine, The Daedric Prince of Hunting

The Lord of The Hunting Grounds

Hircine and his followers are unconcerned with the affairs of the world, choosing instead to live solely for the thrill of the hunt. Hircine is credited with creating the werewolves and werebears that roam Nirn. When one of these lycans or any of his followers dies, their soul is sent to his plane of Oblivion, The Hunting Grounds. There, they partake in an eternal cycle of playing both predator and prey. Hircine is often viewed as the counterpart to Kynareth, the god of nature.

Hircine is known for being an extremely fair Daedra, refusing to allow one-sided hunts. He ensures that matches have as even odds as possible. In Skyrim, members of the Companions’ Inner Circle are werewolves, and some go to great lengths to collect Hircine’s totems, eagerly anticipating the day they can run through The Hunting Grounds for eternity.

9 Hermaeus Mora, The Daedric Prince of Knowledge

Just How Much Knowledge And Power Is In His Black Books?

Hermaeus Mora is a slow-talking font of knowledge, often depicted as a writhing mass of tentacles and black goo, heavily inspired by the writings of H.P. Lovecraft. Comparisons to Cthulhu are common when discussing this ancient being of tentacles and darkness. Hermaeus Mora possesses such vast knowledge and power that only those with a strong mind can comprehend what he communicates. Above all else, he seeks knowledge, showing no regard for the loss of life in its pursuit.

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In the Skyrim Dragonborn DLC, players spend the most time directly interacting with this Daedra, who has one of the best DLC quests in Skyrim. Players will find themselves frequently traveling to his plane of Oblivion, Apocrypha. Any rewards bestowed by Hermaeus Mora come in the form of powerful and often forgotten knowledge.

8 Malacath, The Daedric Prince Of Oaths, Curses And Outcasts

The Perfect Patron Deity Of The Orsimer

• Quest Rewards: The intimidating warhammer known as Volendrung or the mace called Scourge.

Surprisingly, this powerful Daedra is one of the most caring toward his followers. Depicted as a humanoid with tusks, Malacath serves as a symbol for those who are marginalized and ostracized, particularly the orcs of Orsinium. The orc settlements scattered across Skyrim adhere to the Code of Malacath, which lays out the basic rules of their society. He demands little from his followers beyond honesty and adherence to their oaths.

Malacath’s plane of Oblivion is known as The Ashpit. He is all that remains of the elven demigod Trinimac, who was ambushed and devoured from the inside out by Boethiah during a pilgrimage. After these events, devotees of Trinimac covered themselves in his remains, transforming into the orcs known today. In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Malacath tasks players with rescuing typically hostile ogres from slavery and oppression.

7 Peryite, The Daedric Prince of Disease and Tasks

He Is Considered The Weakest of the Daedra

• Quest Reward: Spellbreaker, which adds the ability to block magic to a normal-style shield.

Despite the powerful and fearsome appearance of this Daedric Prince, who takes the form of a dragon, Peryite is regarded as the weakest of the Daedra, holding the smallest sliver of influence. While he spreads disease that can devastate entire cities, this is not driven by a desire for conquest but rather as part of maintaining what he perceives as the natural order.

Although Peryite will preserve the lives of his followers, their survival does not alter his plans. He is willing to sacrifice them if necessary to fulfill his goals. The reward for aiding him is Spellbreaker, a distinctive shield that not only protects against physical attacks but also includes a ward to defend against magical assaults. His plane of Oblivion is known simply as The Pits.

6 Azura, The Daedric Prince of Dusk, Dawn, and Prophecy

She Transformed the Dumner Into Their Present Form

• Quest Reward: Azura’s Star or the Black Star, which is a refillable soul gem.

Held in high regard by the Dunmer Dark Elves of Morrowind, Azura is considered one of the friendlier and more benevolent Daedric Princes. During the experiments of the dwarf Kagrenac, who sought to become a god, Azura confronted him. However, by the time she intervened, the damage was irreversible. In her rage, she cursed the race known as the Chimer, staining their skin with the ashes of the dwarves they had slain during the experiment, thus creating the Dark Elves.

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Azura even assists players in The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Her boon, Azura’s Star, is an unbreakable and rechargeable soul gem. Her plane of Oblivion is called Moonshadow.

5 Molag Bal, The Daedric Prince of Domination and Corruption

The Very Creator Of Vampires In the World of Nirn

• Quest Reward: The frightening Mace Of Molag Bal.

Easily the most evil entity on this list, Molag Bal is the creator of vampirism in the world of The Elder Scrolls through means too horrific to detail. He believes that mortals only find their true purpose through domination and demands that his followers adopt this philosophy. Despite his insatiable hunger for power and control, Molag Bal retains a sense of honor and adheres to the pact with the Divines not to set foot on Nirn.

His plane of Oblivion, Coldharbour, plays a significant role in The Elder Scrolls Online. This realm is a twisted mirror of Nirn, resembling a desecrated and ruined hellscape. The air is icy, the ground is thick with sludge, and the very sky is ablaze with fire.

4 Sanguine, The Daedric Prince of Hedonism and Debauchery

Alternatively, He Could Be The Daedric Prince of the Hangover

• Quest Reward: Sanguine’s Rose, a staff capable of summoning a Dremora to fight on the player’s behalf.

To continue the analogy of the Elder Scrolls‘ Daedric Princes being comparable to representations of demons in the real world, Sanguine is akin to the Tom Ellis version of Lucifer. Often taking the form of an armored Dremora, Sanguine is widely considered the least evil of the Daedric Princes. Originally linked to slaughter and blood-rites, Sanguine transitioned to become a Daedra of revelry. Most of his interactions with Nirn revolve around pranking elitist snobs.

In Oblivion, Sanguine tasks players with infiltrating a dinner party at Leyawiin Castle and casting a spell on the uptight guests. The spell causes their clothes to vanish, throwing the dining room into chaos. In Skyrim, however, he takes on the guise of a regular human male and challenges the Dragonborn to a drinking competition. This seemingly meaningless contest spirals into a chaotic adventure involving a wedding ring, a Hagraven, and a giant. Sanguine’s plane of Oblivion is called the Myriad Realms of Revelry.

3 Nocturnal, The Daedric Prince of Night and Secrecy

The Shadowy Patron of The Thieves Guild

Nocturnal, also known as Lady Luck and The Night Mistress, is the patron saint of thieves across Nirn, particularly those of the Tamriel Thieves Guild. Her interests align closely with the thieves who worship her, so she demands little in the way of service or blessings as long as they continue their craft successfully. She takes a more active role with the elite members of the Thieves Guild, the Nightingales, to whom she grants powerful magical abilities and highly enchanted armor in exchange for a lifetime of service in the Twilight Sepulcher after death.

Her plane of Oblivion is called the Evergloam. Despite her connection to thieves, Nocturnal is not immune to theft herself. In Skyrim, the legendary Skeleton Key is stolen from the Twilight Sepulcher, resulting in a streak of bad luck for thieves. Similarly, in Oblivion, both the Eye of Nocturnal and the Gray Cowl of the Gray Fox are stolen from her, right under her nose.

2 Mehrunes Dagon, The Daedric Prince of Destruction and Ambition

This Daedra Lord Was So Close to Ruling Tamriel

• Quest Reward: Mehrunes Razor, which has the chance to one-shot kill any enemy.

The primary antagonistic force in Oblivion, Mehrunes Dagon is the most battle-hardened and conquest-driven of the Daedric Princes, nearly succeeding in the destruction of Tamriel. The Oblivion Crisis, as it came to be known, saw the complete destruction of a city, the unification of others in defense, and a direct attack on the Imperial City. However, following the events of Oblivion, Dagon was significantly weakened. After Martin Septim used the Avatar of Akatosh to end the crisis, Dagon was left unable to interact with mortals on Nirn beyond using words.

Mehrunes Dagon was once regarded as a noble spirit of immense bravery until a fateful encounter with an all-too-familiar dragon. He faced Alduin, the son of Akatosh, who defeated him and cursed him with eternal dissatisfaction, leaving him with a constant, insatiable desire for more. After the Oblivion Crisis, it was revealed that Dagon had broken the Divines’ rules and was disavowed even by the other Daedric Princes. His plane of Oblivion is called The Deadlands.

1 Sheogorath, The Daedric Prince of Madness and Creativity

Was There Ever Going to be Another In the Top Spot?

• Quest Reward: The fabled Wabbajack, which, in true Mad-God fashion, has a random and unexpected effect on its victim.

How could the number one on this list be anyone other than the Mad-God himself, Sheogorath? He offers the most entertaining missions to gain his favor, an iconic reward, hilarious dialogue, fantastic voice acting, and is, by all accounts, canonically the Hero of Kvatch. Sheogorath rules the plane of Oblivion known as The Shivering Isles, a realm that fans of The Elder Scrolls series will surely know from the extensive time spent there during the Shivering Isles DLC for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

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Sheogorath is also the only Daedric Prince to have been replaced. He is, in essence, a prison for Jyggalag, the Prince of Order, the irony being that a being of order is trapped within an entity of chaos. Periodically, during an event known as the Greymarch, Jyggalag breaks free, laying waste to the Shivering Isles, only to revert back into Sheogorath and rebuild the realm in an endless cycle. However, this cycle was broken by the Hero of Kvatch, who then earned the title of the Mad-God.