Sneak ( Skyrim ) Sneak is a skill in and is one of the six skills that fall under the Thief adventuring style . Changes from previous games . The sneak system in Skyrim is slightly different from that of previous games . Visibility is depicted through use of an eye that remains closed while undetected , but opens more and more as the likelihood of being detected increases . If the word " Detected " appears on the screen , a creature or character can see the Dragonborn , or has just seen them and knows where they are . If the word " Hidden " appears on the screen , no one is aware of the Dragonborn ' s presence . People around the sneaker will also change " modes " depending on whether they view them sneaking . For instance , they will be passive if they are unaware , or cautious if they are aware someone is sneaking . Characters ' and animals ' ability to notice the Dragonborn is dependent on a large number of factors , including their Sneak skill , line of sight , the level of light on their current position , how heavy the sneaker ' s armor is , whether this armor is heavy or light , enchantments on the armor ( muffle ) , spells cast ( muffle ) , if weapons are drawn , if magic is equipped , how fast they are moving , and the effects of any active perks . Sneaking now also depends on the hostility of opponents . Neutral or friendly characters will have a massively improved ability to detect , which can often make it difficult to sneak up on enemies who are technically not hostile yet . Leveling . The more the Dragonborn sneaks , the more their Sneak Skill increases . Successfully sneaking increases the amount the skill goes up by . Skill Books . The following books raise Sneak Skill : Quests . The following miscellaneous quests increase the Sneak skill : Perks . The following are the perks available to be taken as the skill is leveled up Not - quite - hidden theft . Sometimes , certain characters may discover , after the fact , the Dragonborn has stolen something . Unlike cases where the theft is detected immediately and guards are called to arrest the thief , here the Dragonborn does not receive a bounty ; instead , the character will pay three hired thugs ( one of which will have a " Contract " in their inventory ) to " teach a lesson " to the perpetrator . Encounters with Hired Thugs can happen in any public place , including towns and cities ( for example , in Whiterun , the College of Winterhold , or Dawnstar ) . If Hold Guards are nearby , they may or may not come to the Dragonborn ' s defense against the thugs . Almost any character in Skyrim can send hired thugs after the thief , including generic characters such as bandits or Forsworn . This extends to characters who would have no logical way of contacting thugs ( for example , Paarthurnax or a ghost ) , and even if the character was dead prior to the theft . Effectively , for any item owned by a character that is stolen from a location or pickpocketed from them , there is a chance of encountering hired thugs later . There is also no dialogue option to confront the person who hired thugs . Not - quite - hidden murder . With a relatively high sneak , individuals standing just a foot or two away from a guard can kill them without receiving a bounty . The killer also can remain undetected as long as the guard is not looking directly at them . However , if they then walk past the guard and are detected , the guard may attack them . While fighting back gains no bounty , killing the guard results in the normal 1 , 000 bounty for murder . Other guards throughout the Hold will not become hostile , so murdering the guard that witnessed their indiscretion may be a solution rather than leaving town for several days .