Enchanting ( Skyrim ) Enchanting is a skill in , and is one of the six skills that falls under the Mage category . Enchanting is a type of arcane crafting , and is one of the three crafting skills of " Skyrim " . Enchanting allows the Dragonborn to add certain magical improvements and buffs to weapons , armor and jewelry . Mechanics . The act of enchanting requires an item with no existing enchantments , a filled soul gem , knowledge of an enchantment , and the use of an arcane enchanter . The Law of the Firsts states that once an item is enchanted , it can not be enchanted again and can not accept another enchantment . Arcane Enchanters can be found in all major cities , typically in the Jarl ' s Palace or Longhouse , in the court wizard ' s quarters . They are also found in many locations that feature humanoid , magic - using enemies such as Necromancers , Vampires , and Mages . Most houses which the Dragonborn can buy , with the exception of Breezehome in Whiterun , can be equipped with an arcane enchanter . There is even one in Sinderion ' s Field Laboratory in Blackreach . Court Wizard s can sell the Dragonborn enchanted items , as well as soul gems , and likewise , the Dragonborn can sell enchanted items and soul gems to them . There is no Court Wizard in Falkreath . There are certain items that can be enchanted even though they already have an enchantment . These include the Amulet of the Gargoyle ( in ) , Horksbane ( from ) , the Silver Sword , Silver Greatsword , Wuuthrad , and the Longhammer . Racial Bonuses . Altmer , Imperial , and Orsimer characters gain a + 5 bonus to enchanting at the start of the game . Enchantment Types . Enchantments fall into two categories based on type of item : Obtaining Enchantments . The Dragonborn initially has no knowledge of enchantments . To learn an enchantment , a magic item with the enchantment that the Dragonborn wants to learn must be disenchanted at an arcane enchanter . The strength of the enchantment on the item does not affect the strength of the enchantment learned by disenchanting it . Disenchanting destroys the item but grants permanent knowledge of the base enchantment , allowing its use when enchanting . Some items cannot be disenchanted to learn their effects , including Quest Items , Daedric Artifacts , Amulets of the Nine Divines , and many , but not all , items with unique names . Staves also cannot be disenchanted . Staff Enchanting . With , one can buy non - enchanted staves and enchant them with the Staff Enchanter . The Staff Enchanter is only on the island of Solstheim , and none exist in Skyrim . The staff enchanter in Solstheim is locked in a room that is only accessible after completing the Quest " Reluctant Steward " for Master Neloth . It can be found in Tel Mithryn , in the southeast part of the island . Enchanting staves increases the enchanting skill but enchanting perks are not applied . For example , the perk Storm Enchanter does not increase the amount of damage dealt by a storm staff ( a shock damage staff ) . The same applies to Fire Enchanter and Frost Enchanter , respectively . Leveling . The following actions raise the Enchanting skill . It should be noted that some enchantments such as Banish Daedra , Fortify Sneak , Paralyze and Turn Undead produce remarkably more valuable enchantments which can be turned around and sold to buy soul gems and other raw materials to accelerate the leveling process . However , the skill increase gained from the act of enchanting itself is strictly dependent on the size of the soul used and not on the enchanting effect chosen . Also note that obtaining either Azura ' s Star or The Black Star will save a lot of money on buying soul gems to enchant with and can be substituted for any use of a soul gem below . Books . Books that raise the Enchanting skill : Perks . Enchanting tree perks . The following are enchanting perks that become available to select as the skill is leveled up . In addition to perks increasing enchanting powers , leveling Enchanting increases them . For every 10 levels , enchantments will be 1 % stronger . Perks from other trees . The following perks from other trees affect weapon enchantments . Note that while there are weapon effects from the Alteration and Conjuration schools , there are no relevant perks that enhance effects from those schools . Enchantments . Weapons . There are 18 weapon enchantments available . The enchantments wear out after successive use , and to keep the enchantment in effect , it has to be " refilled " by using soul gems to add more uses . The larger the soul used , the more uses given via recharging . Apparel . The types of enchantments allowed on apparel are determined by what part of the body the apparel is covering . Unlike weapon enchantments , apparel enchantments do not require recharging and stay enchanted indefinitely . The strength of the enchantment is dependent on the size of soul used to enchant it and the enchanter ' s perks and skill , except for muffle and water breathing . Method for Maximum Strength Potions and Enchantments . The final set of gear will not improve the results of a Fortify Enchanting potion , but will improve the results for other potions . Additional potions can be brewed to improve enchantments of all types . One common application is to enchant a set of Fortify Smithing gear and combine it with a maximum strength Fortify Smithing potion to improve weapons and armor . There is an alternative that is the exploit of the use of Fortify Restoration potions , which improves several status , including Fortify Enchanting . Also , there is an added ability called Seeker of Sorcery from the DLC which makes enchanting 10 % more effective . The ability can be gained at the completion of the quest " . " It goes very well with Ahzidal ' s Armor set , as it increases skill in Enchanting by 10 .