Get Deathbrand early (don't wait till lvl 36+)

[MadRush]

On my first couple of playthroughs I ended up doing most if not all of the main quest before Dragonborn DLC, and the Deathbrand has a requirement to be lvl 36 to start, so even if you visit Solstheim occasionally you can't get your hands on the quest until later in the game.

Deathbrand armor is considered among the best armors in the game. My problem is that by the time I got my hands on it at lvl 36+ my character is already a master smith and enchanter, so I can get even Elven armor beyond the max protection cap in the game, and I can enchant the pieces with custom stuff that fit my character better. So I never could really appreciate the "best armor" in the game for having better armor already.

To get on this quest earlier than lvl 36, you have to use console and enter these commands:
player.setstage DLC2dunHaknirTreasureQST 10
player.setstage DLC2dunHaknirTreasureQSTMisc 10

I did it at lvl 20. The fights are tough. Probably tougher than a lvl 20 should be facing. But I had good backup with my followers.

Now off to enjoy the armor for at least 10 more levels.

[Just Some Guy]

It'd probably be safer to add the armor directly, as starting the quest like that could cause problems.

[MadRush]

I'm a bit of a purist in that regard. It is an easy-ish/short quest regardless, so I figure it should be performed by the player. I just wanted to remove the arbitrary level cap that Bethesda thew in.

[mss73055]

meh so it is level requirement 36 really... also Deathbrand requires ebony smithing while I'm into glass armour. epic trash, too bad.

[Uncle64]

Ehh ok.
Best? Ehh no. All you make your self is close to always better.

[MadRush]

Originally posted by Uncle64SwE:

Ehh ok.
Best? Ehh no. All you make your self is close to always better.

That was my point. IMO this armor is only enjoyable if you can get it earlier in the game. By the middle+ of the game you can craft same and better for your own purposes. That's why it annoyed me that Bethesda locked it to lvl 36, almost so that you wouldn't be able to enjoy it when you finally get it.