Skyrim: How To Get The Ice Form Shout

Some shouts in Skyrim are super straightforward. Take Unrelenting Force, for example – it launches enemies away, and that's about it. Other shouts in Skyrim are much more complex, like the Dragon Aspect shout which increases a multitude of stats primarily oriented around combat, defense, and damage output.

The Ice Form shout is one of the latter, but not because its effects are complicated – it turns the target to ice, and that's about it. Its uses go far beyond normal combat, though, allowing players to take control of combat, send enemies tumbling off of high cliffs, or even protect their allies from taking damage in an emergency situation.

What Does Ice Form Do?

Ice Form is a shout that turns most NPCs to ice upon being hit, including friendly ones. This paralyzes them, leaves them motionless and surrounded by ice, and deals a small amount of damage for a set period of time. With one word learned it paralyzes for 15 seconds and deals 2 damage per second for a total of 30 damage.

With two words learned this increases dramatically to a 30-second-long paralysis effect and, again, 2 damage per second totaling 60 damage. The last word increases the duration of the inflicted ice form to a whopping 60 seconds, again with 2 damage per second for a total of 120 damage while the target is paralyzed. NPCs don't act normally when paralyzed by Ice Form, and tend to be much more slippery and prone to falling off ledges. It can be used defensively if an ally is close to death, as it forces them to the ground and lets players jump in their place.

How To Get The Ice Form Shout

Words of Power: Iiz / Slen / Nus
Word Walls: Found in Frostmere Crypt, Mount Anthor, and Saarthal

The word walls for the Ice Form shout are found in three locations: Frostmere Crypt, Mount Anthor, and Saarthal. Frostmere Crypt is a Nordic Ruin just southwest of Dawnstar in The Pale, while Mount Anthor is an outdoor Dragon Lair just west of Winterhold and the Shrine of Azura.

Saarthal is found just west of Winterhold too, meaning that all three words can be found in quick succession to one another. Saarthal can only be entered once the player has joined the College of Winterhold, though, so be sure to sign up for the mage's college before heading to this ruin or you'll find a locked door and the feeling of disappointment.