Skyrimredefined what it means to be an open-world RPG in more ways than meets the eye. Sure, the game features a massive explorable map and its stories are as sprawling as they are varied, but there’s something else that setsSkyrimapart from other open-world games: the developer console.
Skyrimlets PC players change just about anything in the game engine whenever they like with console commands. Thisincludes changing valueslike physics modifiers, the speed of time passing, toggling god mode or no clip, and of course using “cheats” to power-level a character. When it comes to usingSkyrimconsole commands for Perk points, there is more than one option.
Updated July 01, 2025 by Erik Petrovich: The Skyrim add Perk points command, put simply, doesn’t actually exist. Not in a direct way, that is. There isn’t a method to simply cheat in whatever number of Perk points one wishes to spend, but instead, players can use the developer tools to find a number of workarounds. In Skyrim, adding Perk points is done in one of two ways: by leveling a skill via XP, or by assigning a Perk directly, avoiding the need for Skyrim Perk points entirely. Though the method to open and use the Developer Console is relatively easy, the commands players must enter have to be precise. Be sure to enter a space between text in the console, and to copy each Skill name letter-for-letter, including uppercase and lowercase values.
How To Access Console Commands In Skyrim
The developer console usually comes enabled on every PCinstall ofSkyrimfrom the get-go. Typically, it is assigned to the “~” key (called a tilde), which is found at the top left of almost every keyboard just above the “Tab” key but below the “Esc” key.
If pressing the tilde key does not pause the game and bring up a flashing line where text can be entered, go into your control settings and check your keybindings. There should be a keybinding labeled “Open Console” in the Other category. Check that this is assigned to the “~” key, sometimes listed as a left-facing apostrophe (`) instead, and apply the keybinding.
Console commands inSkyrimcan be assigned to any key, but the tilde key tends to beboth the most accessible and out-of-the-way.
Method One: Advancing Skills
The first way to add Perk points inSkyrimis to give yourself massive amounts of XP in a Skill Tree. This gives you experience in both the skill and your overall level, which in turn gives Perk points that can now be spent on the fully-unlocked Skill Tree.
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Typically, entering in 999999 into the XP value will increase a skill to Max, thus increasing one’s overall level according to the number of Skill ups received. This is a more natural way to force Perk points as the player’s Skill level itself will improve at the same time, giving plenty of access to those lovely late-gameSkyrimPerks. Of course, Perk points learned this way don’t have to be spent on that tree.
As an example, increasing the Archery skill to increase Perk points will look like “player.Advskill Archery 999999”. The exact names of each skill can be found onSkyrimwikis like UESP.
Method Two: Direct Perk Assignment
The second option players have is Direct Perk Assignment, skipping the leveling process entirely. By assigning Perks directly, players aren’t restricted by Skill level, but it can lead to some game-breaking issues if done incorrectly. Be sure to take pre-requisite Skills, and not just endgame skills, because the game can struggle if Perks are added without their dependencies.
For example, to gain the Impact Perk, type “player.AddPerk 000153D2”. Look for listings of each Perk ID onSkyrimwikis or the UESP.
There is unfortunately noSkyrimadd Perk points method that doesn’t involve leveling up an associated skill in some way. While the direct Perk assignment method is a good work-around,it can still break your gameif Perks are taken that conflict with progression, like late-game mana reduction Perks without pre-requisites.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Editionis available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S
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