What does Rockjoint do in Skyrim?

Answered by Phillip Nicastro

Rockjoint is a nasty little disease that can really mess with your hands and fingers. I remember when I first contracted it in Skyrim, I couldn’t believe how painful it was. My joints swelled up and became so stiff that I could barely move them. It was like my fingers were frozen in place.

The worst part about rockjoint is that it affects all of your joints, not just your hands. So not only could I barely use my hands, but walking became a real struggle too. Every step felt like I was being stabbed in the foot. It was a constant, throbbing pain that made even the simplest tasks feel impossible.

I learned the hard way that rockjoint can be contracted from a variety of creatures in Skyrim. Wolves were a common source, and I remember one particularly nasty encounter with a pack of them. I managed to fend them off, but not before one of them sunk its teeth into my hand. Little did I know, that bite would be the start of my rockjoint nightmare.

Familiars and cave bears were also known carriers of rockjoint. I remember venturing into a cave once and getting attacked by a particularly aggressive bear. It managed to scratch me pretty bad before I could get away. Little did I know, that scratch would lead to weeks of pain and immobility.

One thing I found interesting is that not only creatures could transmit rockjoint. Zombies, of all things, could also pass on the disease. I remember encountering a group of zombies in Cyrodiil and foolishly getting too close. One of them managed to grab my arm and sink its decaying teeth into my flesh. It was a horrifying experience, and little did I know that it would result in me contracting rockjoint.

In Morrowind, it seems that domesticated guar and dusky alit can also carry rockjoint. I remember visiting a farm and trying to help out with the animals. One of the guar must have been infected because it managed to kick me right in the knee. That kick was enough to transmit the disease, and I soon found myself unable to walk without excruciating pain.

Rockjoint is a disease that can really hinder your ability to perform even the simplest of tasks. It’s painful, debilitating, and can be contracted from a variety of creatures. So be careful out there in Skyrim, Morrowind, and Cyrodiil. Watch out for wolves, bears, zombies, and even domesticated animals, because you never know when you might contract rockjoint.