Soul trapping

[kurtmar]

I am new to this but having a blast. Have a problem I haven't seen adressed though. How do you capture a soul??? I have multiple soul gem (empty), Scroll of Gem-feeder and have the spell. But when I cast spell and kill target, nothing happens. What am i missing? Any and all help would be most appreciated.

[shamrock_uk]

There is a time limit (60 seconds?) after casting the spell in which you have to kill it..that might be your problem. Also, small and cheap gems will only hold really weak animals, if you're trying to kill something a bit more impressive then it won't fit in the gem. (and to be honest, i'm not sure it's worth the effort until later in the game)

There's a handy dagger you can get early on in the game (i think mages guild quests, but could be way off) that casts soul trap on hit which removes all the guesswork about the process.

[Radek]

Another possible sources of your problem:

1. Resistances. If your victim resists your Soul Trap, then you will get no soul.
2. Spell Reflection. Many creatures are spell reflecting. If your victim reflects your Soul Trap, then you will get nothing. (More exact explanation: Humans and human like beings, like Elves, Orcs, Khajiits, or Argonians, cannot be trapped at all. That's why you yourself cannot be trapped. The reflected Soul Trap will do no harm to you.)
3. Dispel. Golden Saints cast Dispel on themselves periodically. This way, they get rid of your Soul Trap. You must update your strategy here: If your weapon is nothing to write home about (long fight), then almost kill the Golden Saint, cast Soul Trap, and finish your work. If you have a good weapon (short fight), then cast Soul Trap and fight.

In general a soul trapping weapon is the best tool for filling soul gems. One good solution is Umbra Sword (but you must kill Umbra first! ) but the best solution is a custom enchanted weapon. Note that "cast when strikes: Soul Trap 60 sec" is nonsense. The weapon will strike again and again, so that the spell can last much shorter time, for example 10 sec. The spell will be cheaper and you will be able to add another effects. (The 10 sec limit is chosen so that you can add two more effects and the Soul Trap will cost 1 EP still.)

[Oruboris]

Long before you are tough enough to aquire Umbra's sword [and probably before you can afford a really good custom soul trapping weapon] you can get the Soul Drinker Dagger from the head of the Balmora mages guild.

A wonderful thing to have. I've configured my controls so the mouse wheel scrolls me through my weapons, and I can whack something a couple times with soul drinker, and almost instantly switch to a higher damage sword to finish the job.

I've finished the main quest and tribunal, and still carry the soul drinker as my short blade...

Oru

[Bozos of Bones]

I'm new to the game, I only got it four days ago, and I'm interested on what do you have to do to get the Soul Drinker?

[Kakero]

Join Mage Guild and do quest for Ajira.

[Oruboris]

Uhh... Balmora mages, yes, but I think its the Boss Lady that gives it to you, not Ajira.

This woman gives you some pretty morally dubious jobs, but happily, you can usually lie to her about having done them...

Oru

[Kakero]

woops, her name is Ranis. my bad.

[Bozos of Bones]

THX
Do I ever get to learn the spell of soul trap? If yes, where can I buy it?

[Kakero]

You can buy it from Masalinie Merian in Balmora Mage Guild if I'm not mistaken.