Do I ALWAYS need the first level of a dragon shout for it to work? Or can I just get the 2nd and/or 3rd for it to work?

You have to "purchase" it one Word at a time, if that's what you mean.

Yes, of course, you can "purchase" the second word first... if you find the second word before the first.






But you will always find the first word before you find any others, yeah.

I can't find the 2nd or the 3rd and the shout still work? Does it NEED the first word in order for the shout to work?

It doesn't matter the order you find words in, the first word you find is the weakest form of the shout, even if it is technically the third word.

If you find a wall with the second word of a shout before you find the first one, you will get the first word anyway. So you will never have a situation when you have the second or third word, and don't have the previous ones.

Oh I see! Thanks guys! That answer my question. Much appreciated.