How do I know if an NPC is hostile?

When I see an NPC from a distance I'm uncertain of whether or not they will attack me on sight. What I've done up until now is save the game, go up to them, and if they're hostile I'll re-load my save and kill them using a bow.

Is there anyway to know if an NPC is hostile from a distance?

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4 Answers

Shoot an arrow near the target while sneaking. If they are hostile to you, they'll start searching for you and you can see your stealth eye open a little bit. If they are not hostile, then they'll ignore your shot.

Courtesy of agent86:

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The Detect Life spell conveniently color codes the creatures it detects. Red creatures are hostile, while creatures which appear blue will not attack you.

In my game, it has saved the life of the maid in Fort Greymoor. Also, it works through walls :)

The spell is available from merchants (at least in the College of Winterhold) once your Alteration skill is at least 50.

I think I read somewhere that there is an equivalent dragon shout, but I do not know what it is or if it also has the color-coding of Detect Life.

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Try the PC console command getav.

In the game, press the backtick key (`) to open the console.

Target an NPC with your mouse, then type this in the console:

getav aggression

It will return a value of 0-2, with 2 being hostile.

Look at the compass at the top of the screen. If you see a red dot, there is a hostile NPC. The red dot will only appear if the hostile NPC or creature detects you. Try to see if you're detected by looking a at the crosseye at the center to the screen. It will appear when you're sneaking. if the eye is wide, your detected. if it's slightly, It's searching for you. If the eye is shut, you're undetedcted.

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