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Has anyone found an explanation/legend of the map symbols?

Topic started by BaconHound on Nov. 12, 2011. Last post by Orionmax 5 months, 1 week ago.
Post by BaconHound (15 posts) See mini bio Level 16 / 2703 ACH / 51251 P

Some of them are pretty obvious (mine, town, fort, cave), but there are quite a few and several of them are pretty cryptic. I didn't find anything in the manual or in-game help. Did I miss something? Is there a key/legend/guide somewhere that explains what all the symbols mean?

Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Post by MistaSparkle (1,343 posts) See mini bio Level 18 / 1034 ACH / 18280 P

I went towards one near Riverwood and found a mine with some bandits in it. I think they had some pretty nice gear and there were some books in there that increased my skills, but other than that it seemed pretty normal. Maybe there's something I'm missing though...

Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Post by DaPinkTerrorist (17 posts) See mini bio Level 10 / 443 ACH / 7367 P

if you bought a physical version the manual in the box explains them

Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Post by FinalDasa (715 posts) See mini bio Level 34 / 1953 ACH / 35409 P
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Just wander towards them and after awhile you get to understand what is what. If I'm ever curious I check my map and see any of the other symbols I've already encountered for reference.

Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Post by BaconHound (15 posts) See mini bio Level 16 / 2703 ACH / 51251 P

@DaPinkTerrorist: No it does not. I just looked through the manual and there is nothing that identifies the seemingly dozens of different symbols that show up on the map. Like I said, there are some that are pretty obvious. But for each obvious symbol, there are one or two that aren't clear at all. I can't even really give examples of them because they're so non-descript.

Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Post by Daneian (169 posts) See mini bio Level 33 / 2567 ACH / 45032 P

Like the 'N', the 'E', the 'W' and the 'S'? The plus sign between them?

Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Post by Dagbiker (3,474 posts) See mini bio Level 20 / 950 ACH / 10740 P
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i know no place with a description of the symbols, but you could try the elder scrolls wiki. and if there is no way you can describe them then we have no way of telling you what they are.

Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Post by JP_Russell (936 posts) See mini bio Level 14 / 1013 ACH / 3230 P

@BaconHound said:

@DaPinkTerrorist: No it does not. I just looked through the manual and there is nothing that identifies the seemingly dozens of different symbols that show up on the map. Like I said, there are some that are pretty obvious. But for each obvious symbol, there are one or two that aren't clear at all. I can't even really give examples of them because they're so non-descript.

Does the legend in the manual given for the compass not include all the symbols that you see on the map? I don't have the game yet, so I wouldn't know, but there is a legend for the compass symbols, looking at the manual .pdf from Steam.

EDIT - Okay, zooming in on the world map page, I guess not. Anyway, it's pretty easy to guess what the symbols visible on this map picture that aren't explained are. Town, mine, and cave. If the others are as visually distinct as these, I don't see it being too hard to figure them out, either.

Edited 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Post by Ravenlight (3,064 posts) See mini bio Level 31 / 2619 ACH / 16105 P
  • The symbol that looks like a crown is a tomb. Mainly draugr and necros in there.
  • The one that looks like a standing stone with a door is a dwemer ruin.
  • Mills and bridges look like they should and the smaller building-looking symbol is usually just a single cottage or farmstead.
  • Dragon head symbols are wordwalls where you can learn new shouts.
  • I've only seen one symbol so far that looked like the Skyrim logo; didn't end up finding out what it was.
Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Post by Kanden (126 posts) See mini bio Level 19 / 2615 ACH / 37545 P

I'm pretty sure the Skyrim Logos are Imperial Camps and the Bear Claw Logos are Stormcloak camps.

Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Post by VisariLoyalist (2,341 posts) See mini bio Level 14 / 709 ACH / 14175 P

the one that looks like a trident in my experience has always involved the signature claw puzzle

Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Post by BaconHound (15 posts) See mini bio Level 16 / 2703 ACH / 51251 P

@Ravenlight: @Kanden: Thanks, that's helpful! It seems like many of the ones that have confused me show up on my compass, but due to a mountain range or ridge, I'm unable to get close enough to see what they actually are. It seems like there are maybe 3 or 4 different symbols for "tower". I just wish they'd put an option to see what all the symbols mean in the game...

@VisariLoyalist: I haven't even seen that one yet, I don't think.

Posted 6 months, 2 weeks ago
Post by nabbs (2 posts) See mini bio Level 3

  • Emblem/shield = large city

  • = settlement (no instance)

  • = single shack or house

  • = Farm with Mill

  • = Farm

  • Pine Tree = Grove

  • = Mine

  • = Imperial Army Camp

  • = Stormcloak Camp

  • = Giant camp

  • = Fort

  • = Tower

  • = Guardian stone

  • = Barrow/Tomb (most if not all Daugre tombs have the dragon word walls)

  • = Dragon + Word Wall

  • = Surface encounter

  • Waterwheel = Mill

  • = Cave

  • = Stable

  • = Daedric shrine

  • = Dwarven ruins

  • = Jarl's castle

  • = Camp

  • = Orc Camp

  • = Wrecked Ship

  • = pond/clearing (only found two, if someone has more and can generalize please update)

  • = Generic point of interest. (Guild halls, some quest encounters, ect...)

  • = Quest Marker - The quest is in the same zone as you.

  • = Quest Marker w/ door - You must pass a loading screen to get to this destination

    • Hope this helps

    Edited 6 months, 1 week ago
    Post by spookyfaust (39 posts) See mini bio Level 19 / 1292 ACH / 23535 P

    @nabbs:

    That's great. Thanks, nabbs.

    Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
    Post by Linkster7 (422 posts) See mini bio Level 13 / 2492 ACH / 33737 P
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    @nabbs: Yeah thanks. Have been wondering about some of them myself.

    Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
    Post by Ares42 (548 posts) See mini bio Level 11
    Although I already posted this in the help thread too, might wanna add that Draugr Tombs (the one above dragon head) also always have Words of Power. Sort of a gamechanger once you realize that, as they are way easier to find than the dragon lairs.
    Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
    Post by nabbs (2 posts) See mini bio Level 3

    oh yeah thats legit too. I noticed that as well

    Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
    Post by DoubleKR (62 posts) See mini bio Level 7

    are orc camps friendly or hostile?

    Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
    Post by BillyLetters (12 posts) See mini bio Level 5

    This might seem obvious to some but I just figured this out today, if an icon on the map is white you've already discovered it. Black icons indicate somewhere you haven't discovered yet.

    Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
    Post by Kanden (126 posts) See mini bio Level 19 / 2615 ACH / 37545 P

    @DoubleKR: I know they're friendly if you are an orc yourself.

    Posted 6 months, 1 week ago
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