Strongest Necromancers In The Elder Scrolls, Ranked

Strongest Necromancers In The Elder Scrolls, Ranked

Key Takeaways

  • Mannimarco is the most powerful necromancer in Elder Scrolls, ascending to godhood.
  • Bloodmage Cassel, N’Gasta, and Potema are among the strong necromancers in the Elder Scrolls universe.
  • Vastarie’s gray necromancy and Celemaril’s quest to dominate Nirn are fascinating depths of the lore.

As a seasoned scholar and long-time connoisseur of all things Elder Scrolls, I must say that these three lich characters are nothing short of awe-inspiring. From Arum-Khal’s shadowy mastery to Celemaril’s Oblivion-tethered reign of terror, and finally the enigmatic Mannimarco, the God of Necromancy himself, these lich kings have left indelible marks on Tamriel’s history.


In various fictional realms, the idea of manipulating malevolent energies has captivated many imaginations; this is particularly true in the context of video games. Among the diverse array of dark magic and taboo spells scattered throughout fantasy lands, necromancy emerges as the epitome of dark arts, representing the ultimate transgression where the dead are brought back, if only momentarily, from their state of being deceased.

This is just as true in the world of the Elder Scrolls series, where magic users trying to attain immortality or ascension beyond Mundus often use the dark arts of necromancy to achieve their goals. Necromancers are often driving antagonistic forces or powerful bosses in the Elder Scrolls universe, though many games let players articulate these forbidden gifts for themselves. In all the lore, however, there are a handful of necromancers who stand out among the rest as the strongest practitioners of their craft today.

7 Bloodmage Cassel

A Brooding Necromancer Atop The Spire Of The Crimson Coin

Strongest Necromancers In The Elder Scrolls, Ranked

In The Elder Scrolls Online, it’s well-known for housing numerous perilous bosses within vast dungeons. One of these formidable bosses is Bloodmage Cassel, a Breton necromancer who dwells at the peak of the Spire of the Crimson Coin – an enormous tower that doubles as both his operational base and the vessel for his essence, known as his phylactery. This phylactery allows him to resurrect time and again, even if his physical body is destroyed.

Bloodmage Cassel successfully transformed an entire building into a container for his power, an impressive accomplishment without a doubt. Moreover, he employed his formidable abilities in necromancy to instill fear throughout the Systres Archipelago. Indeed, Cassel is a formidable adversary and must be approached with caution when aiming to eliminate his dominion over the Archipelago.

6 N’Gasta

A Sload Master In Soul Binding

Strongest Necromancers In The Elder Scrolls, Ranked

Recently, there’s been a lot of buzz surrounding the land of Hammerfell, the Redguard’s domain, as it’s speculated to be the location for the eagerly anticipated game, The Elder Scrolls 6. Previously, The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard has guided players through various Hammerfell locales, one of them being the renowned Stros M’Kai. Interestingly, it is in this region where players encounter a representative of the enigmatic and elusive Elder Scrolls race, the Sload.

N’Gasta is a potent Sload necromancer who possesses the skill to prevent any spirits from departing his island. He offers an intriguing glimpse into this rarely explored race within the Elder Scrolls Universe. As an indifferent, stern servant to Mannimarco, he enjoys unlimited access to collect as many souls from Stros M’Kai as desired for his personal endeavors.

5 Potema

The Fearsome Wolf Queen Herself

Strongest Necromancers In The Elder Scrolls, Ranked

In the vast and intricate world of ‘The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim’, there is no scarcity of formidable adversaries. One such captivating character in the annals of Tamriel’s recent past is the “Wolf Queen” Potema. She is a formidable necromancer, her power amplified by her influential role within the Septim dynasty and her ambition to see her son rule. In defiance against the empire, Potema found allies in Skyrim and parts of Morrowind. Her necromantic prowess was so potent that it managed to resist Imperial forces for an entire decade.

In the game “Skyrim,” Potema is portrayed as a formidable spirit of a lich, who ultimately makes her way back to the catacombs beneath Solitude. There, she poses a significant threat by mobilizing an undead army with the intention of causing chaos throughout the empire, even after her physical demise.

4 Vastarie

Azura’s Chosen, And A Benevolent Necromancer

Strongest Necromancers In The Elder Scrolls, Ranked

The Elder Scrolls Online is a treasure trove for those eager to delve into the lore of this universe, as each expansion provides additional layers to the overall world understanding. One intriguing aspect that emerges in the field of necromancy is Vastarie, a contemporary of Mannimarco and an innovator in necromantic practices. Notably, her benevolent application of necromancy caught the notice of Azura.

Vastarie developed an unusual practice, somewhat akin to gray necromancy, focusing primarily on postponing a spirit’s departure from the body following death or facilitating communication with the deceased. This was intended to provide solace and closure to those left grieving, as opposed to exploiting the power of souls for creating undead forces.

3 Arum-Khal

The Dark Adept Is A Force To Be Reckoned With

Strongest Necromancers In The Elder Scrolls, Ranked

Arum-Khal is a powerful Khajiit necromancer who serves the corrupted spirit of Namira. He’s known for performing dreadful acts of necromancy, causing significant distress among the inhabitants of the Ashen Scar. His power is so immense that he has managed to control even Vastarie, one of the notable figures in this region.

Arum-Khal excels in the art of dark magic that manipulates shadows, and he can traverse different dimensions with the use of phylacteries. This skilled sorcerer is a significant danger; in fact, he once enslaved one of the original necromancy school’s founders, demonstrating his formidable power. Underestimating him would be a grave mistake.

2 Celemaril

An Ayleid Lich Who Seeks Dominion Over Nirn

Strongest Necromancers In The Elder Scrolls, Ranked

Blades” where defeating him plays a crucial role in reinstating the Blades during the fourth era. During the first era, Celemaril’s tyrannical reign and quest for domination were halted by the might of an ancient scroll known as an elder scroll.

In the realm of lore, Celemaril was believed to be bound to a dimension called the Abyss, or Oblivion, such that his vitality seemed indestructible as long as his essence remained connected to this plane. The only recourse for those combating Celemaril appears to be imprisoning him, since it’s whispered that he is so formidable that true death may never claim him.

1 Mannimarco

The Founder Of The Worm Cult, And Singularly Powerful

Strongest Necromancers In The Elder Scrolls, Ranked

In many Elder Scrolls games, Mannimarco stands out as the foremost necromancer, his powers so immense they’ve elevated him to a divine status, making him a god among mortals.

In the realm of the Elder Scrolls, I find myself often caught in a whirlwind of differing tales about an enigmatic figure. Known as Mannimarco, this god-like entity is revered among necromancers as an embodiment of unparalleled power. He’s said to be one of the first liches ever born within Tamriel, and his age is so ancient that he predates even the elves themselves, making him one of Tamriel’s oldest inhabitants.

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2024-09-18 05:34