Detect Dead is the Expert partner of Detect Life. While the caster holds it, dead bodies and undead creatures nearby glow through walls. It reveals draugr lying still in their tombs before they rise to attack.

Spell Tome

Detect Dead is learned by reading Spell Tome: Detect Dead. Tolfdir sells the tome.

Location

One copy of the tome lies in The Sallow Regent, a part of Apocrypha in the Dragonborn add-on.

Gameplay Tips

After a big fight, the glow points to every body left to loot, even in tall grass or in the dark.
The spell earns Alteration experience for each body it shows. A room full of undead or a fresh battlefield raises the skill quickly.

Spell Categories

All Alteration Spells

Novice

Novice spells are the first a mage learns and cost the least magicka.

Name	Image	Cost	Casting	Effect

Apprentice

Apprentice spells need a little practice in the school.

Name	Image	Cost	Casting	Effect

Adept

Adept spells are the middle rank and hit noticeably harder.

Name	Image	Cost	Casting	Effect

Expert

Expert spells are powerful and expensive to cast.

Name	Image	Cost	Casting	Effect

Master

Master spells are the strongest in the school and need the most skill.

Name	Image	Cost	Casting	Effect