Three standing stones southwest of Riverwood offering the Warrior, Mage and Thief blessings. They are the first stones most players find and each speeds learning of one skill group by 20 percent.
The Guardian Stones is in Falkreath Hold, about 0.6 km north-east of Falkreath and about 0.3 km south-west of Riverwood. The nearest hold capital is Falkreath, which carriages from the other major cities can reach. From there, head north-east for 0.6 km to reach The Guardian Stones.
Collectibles at The Guardian Stones
Standing stone: The Warrior Stone. Combat skills improve 20% faster
Standing stone: The Mage Stone. Magic skills improve 20% faster
Standing stone: The Thief Stone. Stealth skills improve 20% faster
Type
Standing stone
Group
Sacred sites
World
Skyrim
Where the Guardian Stones are on the map
The Guardian Stones stand on a rocky outcrop east of Lake Ilinalta, right beside the road that runs from Helgen down to Riverwood, in Falkreath Hold. Almost everyone finds them in the first ten minutes outside Helgen: during Before the Storm, Hadvar or Ralof leads you past them and stops to explain what they do.
If you missed them, walk south from Riverwood along the road toward Helgen. The stones are on the west side, up a short slope overlooking the lake, and they get a map marker as soon as you see them.
What the three stones do
The Warrior Stone: combat skills level 20 percent faster. That covers One-handed, Two-handed, Block, Heavy Armor and Smithing.
The Mage Stone: magic skills level 20 percent faster, meaning the five spell schools plus Enchanting.
The Thief Stone: stealth skills level 20 percent faster: Sneak, Lockpicking, Pickpocket, Speech, Light Armor, Alchemy and Archery.
Archery counts as a stealth skill here, so archers want the Thief Stone, not the Warrior. Only one standing stone blessing can be active at a time, and picking a new stone replaces the old one. The one exception is the Aetherial Crown from the Dawnguard quest Lost to the Ages, which stores a second stone's power so you can stack a Guardian Stone with, for example, the Lover Stone.
Which Guardian Stone should you choose?
Pick the stone that matches the skills you will use most in your first 20 levels. A sword and shield character wants the Warrior, a pure caster wants the Mage, and anyone leaning on Sneak, Archery training and Speech wants the Thief. The Thief Stone is also a common pick for crafting heavy characters because Alchemy sits under it.
None of the choice is permanent. Most players swap to the Lover Stone once they reach the Reach, since it boosts every skill by 15 percent instead of one group by 20, or move on to a combat stone such as the Lord or the Atronach. See the full list of standing stones for locations and effects.
What is nearby
An unmarked shrine of Talos to the southwest, with a dead Thalmor Justiciar and a few offerings.
A necromancer's spot further west along the north shore of Lake Ilinalta.
A small bandit camp directly south by the lake edge, worth a quick clear at low level.
Riverwood a few minutes north, with the Sleeping Giant Inn, a blacksmith and the Riverwood Trader.
The Guardian Stones: FAQ
Where are the Skyrim Guardian Stones?
Southwest of Riverwood in Falkreath Hold, beside the road to Helgen and overlooking the east end of Lake Ilinalta. Hadvar or Ralof walk you past them at the start of the game.
Which Guardian Stone is best?
The one that matches your main skills. Warrior for melee and heavy armor, Mage for spellcasting, Thief for sneaking, archery and crafting. Many players switch to the Lover Stone later.
Can I change my Guardian Stone later?
Yes. Activate any other standing stone and it replaces your current blessing. There is no cost or cooldown.
Can I have two standing stones at once?
Only with the Aetherial Crown from the Dawnguard quest Lost to the Ages, which lets you hold one extra stone power while wearing it.
Does the Thief Stone affect Archery?
Yes. Archery is grouped with the stealth skills, so the Thief Stone speeds it up, not the Warrior Stone.
