Ahzidal's Gauntlets of Warding
| Ahzidal's Gauntlets of Warding | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Armor Rating | 14 |
| Weight | 6 |
| Value | 1750 |
| Slot | Hands |
| Set | Relics of Ahzidal |
| Level | - |
| Class | Gauntlets |
| Skill | Heavy Armor |
| Unique | Yes |
| Item ID | xx01db99 |
| Game/DLC | Dragonborn |
Ahzidal's Gauntlets of Warding are unique heavy armor gauntlets from Dragonborn and one of the relics of Ahzidal. They look like Ancient Nord Gauntlets but have a base armor rating of 14 and weigh 6. They sit behind a rotating stone wall in Kolbjorn Barrow after the third stage of the dig in the quest Unearthed.
Armor Enchantment
Wards block 25% less, but they absorb half the Magicka of incoming spells.
The Enchantment Effects page lists every armor enchantment.
Ahzidal's Gauntlets of Warding Map Location and Quest Guide
Ahzidal's Gauntlets of Warding map location:
Ahzidal's Gauntlets of Warding sit on a pedestal behind a rotating stone wall in Kolbjorn Barrow on Solstheim. They are reached after the third stage of the dig in Unearthed.
- Travel to Kolbjorn Barrow on Solstheim and speak to Ralis Sedarys outside.
- Fund the excavation with 1,000 gold to start Unearthed.
- Clear the draugr inside each time a courier brings a letter from Ralis.
- Pay 2,000, then 3,000 gold for the next stages of the dig.
- Return after the third stage and clear the new section.
- Take the Gauntlets of Warding from their pedestal.
Map credit by Map Genie.
How It Plays
Ahzidal's Gauntlets of Warding change how wards work. Their enchantment, Ahzidal's Warding, makes each ward block a quarter less damage. In return, the ward absorbs half of the Magicka of every spell that strikes it. A mage who blocks enemy spells with a ward refills the Magicka bar while doing so.
The trade suits a mage who fights other mages. Each enemy spell that hits the ward feeds the caster. A long duel against a necromancer or a dragon priest becomes a source of Magicka instead of a drain. The weaker ward means more care is needed against very strong spells.
The gauntlets also work with Spellbreaker. The shield raises a ward when blocking, and that ward absorbs Magicka with the gauntlets too. A spellsword with the shield and the gauntlets turns enemy magic into fuel.
The gauntlets are heavy armor. They look like Ancient Nord Gauntlets but protect a little better. A pure mage in cloth loses the Mage Armor perk by wearing them.
Perks and Builds
The Restoration Skill tree builds on the gauntlets. Ward Absorb already lets wards absorb some Magicka. With the gauntlets, the absorption grows further. Lesser Ward, Steadfast Ward and Greater Ward are the ward spells to cast.
The Heavy Armor Skill tree covers the armor side for a battle mage. Juggernaut, Well Fitted and Conditioning all apply.
The gauntlets are one of the six relics of Ahzidal. Ahzidal's Genius raises the Enchanting Skill when four relics are worn together. The gauntlets fit that set for a session at the arcane enchanter.
Compared with Other Gauntlets
Most gauntlets with a magic effect fortify a skill or a school. Ahzidal's Gauntlets are the only ones that change wards. Gauntlets of Fortify Restoration make wards cheaper to cast. Ahzidal's Gauntlets make each ward pay back Magicka instead.
For a melee fighter, gauntlets of Fortify One-Handed or Fortify Two-Handed serve better. The Gauntlets of Warding belong to a mage or a spellsword who blocks spells often.
Quest Background
The gauntlets appear in the third stage of Unearthed. After the second payment, Ralis Sedarys reports more draugr and the death of the mercenaries he hired. The courier who brings the letter says Ralis is starting to scare him a little.
Inside Kolbjorn Barrow, a chain hangs to the right of the iron doors to the newly dug stairs. Pulling it opens a stone wall, and the gauntlets sit on a pedestal behind it. Ahzidal's Ring of Arcana lies deeper in the same section, past a puzzle of pressure plates.
Lore
Ahzidal gathered magical knowledge from every people he could reach. He learned from the Dwemer, the Ayleids, the Snow Elves, the Chimer and the Altmer. His relics show that range, from wards to runes to necromancy.
Gameplay Tips
- Temper them at a workbench with one Steel Ingot. The Advanced Armors perk doubles the improvement, and the Arcane Blacksmith perk is needed because they are enchanted.
- Wearing exactly four relics of Ahzidal grants Ahzidal's Genius, which raises Enchanting by 10 points. A fifth relic cancels the bonus.
Smithing Guide
Enchanted weapons require the Arcane Blacksmith Perk to upgrade.
Upgrades
Ahzidal's Gauntlets of Warding are improved at a workbench with one Steel Ingot per improvement. The Advanced Armors perk doubles the improvement, so each quality tier needs less Smithing skill. An enchanted copy can only be improved with the Arcane Blacksmith perk.
| Quality | Smithing | With Perk | Armor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | 14 | 14 | +1 |
| Superior | 31 | 22 | +3 |
| Exquisite | 65 | 40 | +5 |
| Flawless | 100 | 57 | +7 |
| Epic | 134 | 74 | +8 to +9 |
| Legendary | 168 | 91 | +10 |
Armor Set
Ahzidal's Gauntlets of Warding belong to the Relics of Ahzidal set. The table shows every piece of the set.
| Name | Image | Slot | Armor | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahzidal's Ring of Arcana | 
|
Ring | 0 | 0.25 |
| Ahzidal's Ring of Necromancy | 
|
Ring | 0 | 0.25 |
| Ahzidal's Armor of Retribution | 
|
Body | 40 | 38 |
| Ahzidal's Boots of Waterwalking | 
|
Feet | 14 | 9 |
| Ahzidal's Gauntlets of Warding | 
|
Hands | 14 | 6 |
| Ahzidal's Helm of Vision | 
|
Head | 19 | 6 |
Armor Categories
All Gauntlets
Light Armor
All light armor gauntlets are listed below with their armor rating, weight, set and upgrade material.
Heavy Armor
All heavy armor gauntlets are listed below with their armor rating, weight, set and upgrade material.
