Setav

Setav is a console command used in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and other Bethesda titles to assign a specific actor value to a target. Actor values (AVs) cover core attributes such as health, magicka, and stamina, as well as various multipliers and derived stats. The command is commonly used for player customization, NPC testing, and mod development.

Syntax and usage

The basic syntax is: setav <actorValue> <value>. When applied to the player, you can enter commands directly to adjust the player’s AV. To affect other characters, target them in the console by clicking on them or by using their reference ID, then enter the command. The value is a non-decimal integer.

Notes and effects

Setav changes the actor value itself. For core resources like health, magicka, and stamina, it typically changes the maximum pool, and the current value is adjusted to remain within the valid range if necessary. Other AVs may have different effects depending on the value being set. If you want to add to an AV rather than set it, you can use modav, which applies a temporary modifier on top of the base value. Use of setav for extreme numbers can cause instability or unintended behavior, so it is often recommended to experiment with moderate values and save beforehand.

Common usage examples

- setav health 1000 sets the maximum health to 1000.

- setav stamina 500 sets the maximum stamina to 500.

- setav magicka 400 sets the maximum magicka to 400.

Limitations

On consoles, the setav command is not available. Some AVs are not freely settable or behave differently depending on the game state and mods installed. Always back up saves before experimenting with AV changes.