When The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim first begins, you're a captive of the Imperial Army and have nothing but the tattered rags on your body. It’s only thanks to an angry dragon that you escape. Through the course of the game, you learn that you're a human with the soul of the dragon, the Dragonborn, and it is their destiny to eliminate Alduin, the world-eater. The Dragonborn’s journey will take them through various holds throughout Skyrim with plenty of companions to meet, homes to own, and children to adopt. They have the potential to bring peace to the continent once again, but unfortunately, the Dragonborn can’t win their battles through roundtable discussions and recruitable companions can’t always save the day, either. Therefore, the Dragonborn must learn a variety of offensive techniques if they want to survive.
There are a variety of spells, weapons, and dragon shouts to learn. Shouts are the Dragonborn’s destined weapon, as a “Fus Ro Dah” shout can blast away most foes, either on land or in the sky. Shouts must be learned from various dungeons, mountain tops, and caves, but some gamers play the game without learning all of them. Luckily, the Dragonborn can choose a weapon over a magical ability and it’s up to the Dragonborn to seek them out by completing quests, helping residents, or defeating the worrisome boss protecting the treasure. Having a tough time defeating a specific enemy, but not enough Dragon Shouts? This list will give you the upper-hand by disclosing some of the most powerful weapons in the game.
Updated on July 14, 2021 by Anastasia Maillot: Skyrim has aged surprisingly well over the years, partly due to its ingenious combat and weapon design. Many of the game's more unique weapons give freeform combat an exceptional flavor and a nice challenge. However, to actually get cool weapons, you need to take risks and find them in the first place.
To make discovering these strong weapons easier, their location and related quest has been added to save you some precious time. Next time you find yourself looking for a strong, unique go-to weapon, look no further than this selection Skyrim's best weapons.
25 Make Your Swings Lighter: The Longhammer
- Location: Liar's Retreat
- Related Quest: None
Orcs are powerful warriors and have the weapons to prove it. The Longhammer is a unique warhammer. Travel to the Liar's Retreat and you'll find the weapon beside Rahd. Most two-handed weapons are slow and cumbersome, but The Longhammer solves this problem.
It has a base damage of 21 and a weight of 18, which makes it powerful to strike and is 30% lighter to swing compared to a traditional Warhammer. If The Longhammer isn't powerful enough for your needs, you can upgrade it with an Orichalcum Ingot or enchant the weapon.
24 Light As Snow: The Stahlrim Dagger
- Location: Skaal Village and random loot chests
- Related Quest: None
Daggers have the fastest attack speed at the cost of their attack damage. The Stalhrim Dagger only has a base damage of 10, but one of the lowest weights at 4.5. Not only is it a lightweight dagger, but it also grants a Frost Damage bonus of 25%.
The Dragonborn can purchase it from Baldor Iron-Shaper in Skaal Village, Glover Mallory in Raven Rock, or find it randomly in caves or random chests throughout Skyrim. If you have a Smithing level of 80, plus the Ebony Smithing perk, you can forge this dagger with Stalhrim and a Leather Strip.
23 Use The Power Of The Forest: Glass Bow Of The Stag Prince
- Location: Ramshackle Trading Post
- Related Quest: None
Crafting and cooking is a part of Skyrim that many players don't explore, but bows are great for Dragonborns who enjoy taking a break and hunting.
The Glass Bow of the Stag Prince makes it easier to hunt without getting too close and Falas Selvayn sells this item at the Ramshackle Trading Post. The bow has a base damage of 16, making it more powerful than standard bows, but it also has a greater effect. For every 20 animals the bow has taken down, it grants an additional five points of Health and Stamina at a max of 35 points.
22 Use Sunlight Against Vampires: Dawnguard Rune Axe
- Location: Randomized
- Related Quest: Lost Relic, after joining the Dawnguard
Vampires are a significant part of the Dawnguard DLC. Some players choose to turn their characters into vampires, but others would rather face them in battle.
The Dawnguard Rune Axe is the best weapon in Skyrim to defeat vampires. It has a base damage of 11, but this shouldn't hold you back from acquiring it in the side quest “Lost Relic.” It launches 10-100 points of additional damage against vampires, and the maximum power of the Sun Damage is reached after defeating 100 monsters.
21 Embrace Lost Dwarven Technology: Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow
- Location: Sorine Jurard at Fort Dawnguard
- Related Quest: Ancient Technology, after joining the Dawnguard
The Dwarves may be gone, but their technology remains. The Dragonborn has access to their weapons, the Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow, in the Dawnguard DLC. You'll have to find the schematics and craft the crossbow yourself during the “Ancient Technology” quests, but it's worth the effort.
This weapon has a 22 base damage and is upgradeable. The Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow ignores 50% of an enemy's armor defense, making it one of the best weapons in Skyrim. Since you can keep improving it, you'll have a powerful weapon at your side.
20 A Blade That Grows With You: Gauldur Blackblade
- Location: Folgunthur
- Related Quest: Forbidden Legend
Though many of the blades in Skyrim have a typical silver sword appearance, the Gauldur Blackblade is the color of onyx. Mikrul Gauldurson drops the sword after completing the quest “Forbidden Legend.” The sword levels with the Dragonborn, but maxes out at 11 base damage.
The sword absorbs the enemy's health, starting at only five points, but increases to a quarter of the enemy's life points. It's one of the best weapons in Skyrim that will grow with you over time, but may not have enough power for some Dragonborns.
19 Power At A Price: Rueful Axe
- Location: Haemar's Shame
- Related Quest: A Daedra's Best Friend
The Rueful Axe has a unique appearance. On both sides of the blade are carvings of wolves, and this two-handed axe has a base damage of 22 and a low weight of 10. It is obtained during “A Daedra's Best Friend” if you decide to commit a bad deed.
Clavicus Vile will willingly give the Dragonborn the Rueful Axe in exchange for Barbas' life; there is no other way he gives you the axe. Barbas only wants to be with his master for eternity, but Clavicus has grown tired of the dog. Fulfill the deity's sinister request, and you'll receive one of the best axes in Skyrim.
18 A Weapon All Elves Fear: Wuuthrad Battleaxe
- Location: Ysgramor's Tomb after gathering all of its pieces and using it to enter
- Related Quest: Glory of the Dead, after joining the Companions
Skyrim allows the Dragonborn to play any warrior they choose. One of the most powerful melee weapons in Skyrim is a battleaxe. The Wuuthrad battleaxe is a massive, two-handed battleaxe that will awe any enemy. It boasts a base damage of 25, but with an extra bonus against specific enemies.
It does 1.2 times the damage against all elves, especially the Falmer, and orcs. The Wuuthrad battleaxe is obtained during the “Glory of the Dead” quest. You'll have to insert it into the Ysgramor statue, but you can take it out as soon as the quest has been completed.
17 No Special Enhancements Required: Daedric Warhammer
- Location: As random loot or sold by merchants
- Related Quests: None
Sometimes, you need a reliable weapon without any special effects. The Daedric Warhammer is a two-handed Warhammer that's part of the Daedric weapon set and it can be further upgraded with ebony ingots.
The Daedric Warhammer has the highest base damage in Skyrim in the game at 27 without any enchantments and it's easy to find. The Dragonborn can purchase this weapon from a merchant, blacksmith, in a chest, or a Dremora Merchant. An enchanted version of the Daedric Warhammer does exist but is only dropped by Revered or Legendary Dragons.
16 A Weapon That Heals: Okin
- Location: Volunruud
- Related Quest: Silenced Tongues
According to ancient Nord legends, the Okin was used by Kvenel the Tongue in battle. The Dragonborn can acquire this unique war axe in the ruins of Volunruud.
The Dragonborn must defeat the Okin's ancient owner before earning the right to wield it in “Silenced Tongues.” It has a low weight of 11, and since it's a one-handed weapon, it can be used with a shield. The Okin has an additional effect: when used against an enemy, it attacks for an extra 10 points of Frost Damage to the target's Health and Stamina.
15 Bash Instead Of Slash: Windshear
- Location: The Katariah, front of the ship
- Related Quest: Hail Sithis!
The world of Skyrim has a variety of weapons. The Windshear is a unique, one-handed sword and is only obtainable if you join the Dark Brotherhood. After completing the quest “Hail Sithis!” you can find this sword along the ship's bow on The Katariah.
The Windshear has a base damage of 11 with an additional effect. If you choose to bash opponents instead of slashing, there's a chance you can temporarily knock down an enemy. There is a small chance they will be immobilized, giving you a slight advantage in battle. It's easily one of the best one-handed swords in Skyrim.
14 A Sword That Restores: Miraak's Sword
- Location: Apocrypha
- Related Quest: At The Summit Of Apocrypha
As with many of Bethesda's role-playing games, there's a limit to how much you can carry. Though fast travel is a part of Skyrim, role-players may decide to ignore this feature, but luckily, there are enchanted weapons that are powerful, yet lightweight.
Miraak's Sword is dropped by the Dragonborn DLC's primary antagonist, Miraak. It is a unique sword that grows as it's used in battle and it strikes with up to 16 base damage and absorbs 15 points of Stamina. It has a weight of only 3, which means you'll have plenty of room to gather all of that loot.
13 Ensures You’ll Survive Against All Odds: Volendrung
- Location: Largashbur
- Related Quest: The Cursed Tribe
Several legacy weapons have appeared throughout the Elder Scrolls series. The Volendrung is no exception. This two-handed melee weapon originally belonged to the Rourken clan, but it can now be the Dragonborn's if they choose to work for the Daedric Prince Malacath.
After completing “The Cursed Tribe,” the Dragonborn can wield the Volendrung. Not only does it attack opponents with 25 base damage, but it has a bonus. The Warhammer absorbs 5 points of stamina, making sure you have plenty of power to attack the next enemy.
12 A Vampire’s Worst Enemy: Harkon's Sword
- Location: Castle Volkihar
- Related Quest: Kindred Judgment
The Blades all wield a one-handed sword, but there are several special variants. Harkon's Sword is a unique weapon uncovered in the Dawnguard DLC and it doesn't have much use unless you've become a vampire.
After defeating Harkon in the “Kindred Judgment” quest, he will drop this sword. For vampires, this sword absorbs 15 points of Health, Magicka, and Stamina, and its power will increase by upgrading it with a steel ingot. The only downside is that this sword must be charged regularly.
11 A Weapon That Comes At A Cost: Molag Bal
- Location: Abandoned house in Markarth
- Related Quest: The House Of Horrors
Molag Bal is one of the most sinister Daedric Princes since he loves to create chaos and hurt innocent people. If your Dragonborn believes in Molag Bal's weapon, you can become the Prince's champion.
After collecting the soul of Logrolf the Willful in Boethiah, Molag Bal awards the Dragonborn with a mace named after the prince. It is one of the best one-handed maces in Skyrim that deals 25 damage to both Stamina and Magica, and if the target is defeated within three seconds, it will immediately fill a soul gem.
10 A Weapon With Chilling Effects: Chillrend
- Location: Underneath Riftweald Manor
- Related Quest: The Pursuit
The Chillrend is easily among the best swords in Skyrim. The blade has the appearance of ice and emits an icy smoke, which is fitting for the cold region of Skyrim. The Chillrend is leveled, so its power depends on the Dragonborn.
The blade is best against enemies with a weakness to ice, and it deals an additional 30 points of Frost Damage. There's also a chance it will immobilize its target for two seconds. The blade is located under the Riftweald Manor during “The Pursuit.”
9 One And Done: Mehrunes' Razor
- Location: The Shrine of Mehrunes Dagon, after collecting the three pieces
- Related Quest: Pieces Of The Past
Daggers are lightweight, but some may pick other weapons due to their low damage. Mehrunes' Razor is no different, with its base damage of 11, but what makes this dagger unique is that it can defeat an enemy with a single blow.
Mehrunes' Razor has a 1.98% chance to defeat its target instantly, and it's so powerful that it never has to be charged with a Soul Gem. Long-time Elder Scrolls fans may recognize this blade from previous games as it's appeared in every game since Daggerfall.
8 Increase Your Battle Rates: Zephyr
- Location: Arkngthamz
- Related Quest: Lost To The Ages
Though there are no Dwarves within Skyrim, there are plenty of Dwemer artifacts. Within Arkngthamz, Katria will point out the area where she was defeated, and the only proof she was there is by her bow, the Zephyr. The Dragonborn can obtain this bow, and though the base damage isn't high, it wields a helpful enchantment.
The Zephyr fires 30% faster than a standard bow. This means you can deal more attacks for a higher rate of damage. Katria can no longer hold her bow, but the Dragonborn is sure to put it to good use.
7 A Perfect Match: Soulrender
- Location: Gyldenhul Barrow
- Related Quest: Deathbrand
Why wield a single one-handed blade when you can use two? The Soulrender and Bloodscythe are two of the best weapons in Skyrim meant to be together as both blades are located in Gyldenhul Barrow beside the remains of the pirate king, Haknir Death-Brand.
When used together, the Soulrender absorbs 15 Magicka, while the Bloodscythe absorbs 15 Health simultaneously. They also both have the chance to lower the enemy's armor and magical defenses. This is the perfect combination for taking down powerful magic users.
6 Don’t Get Slowed Down By Slow Weapons: Bloodskal Blade
- Location: Bloodskal Barrow
- Related Quest: The Final Descent
It isn't hard to find a powerful weapon in Skyrim as there are several littering caves and bandit camps. The Bloodskal Blade is inside Bloodskal Barrow beside Gratian Caerellius in “The Final Descent.”
After equipping The Bloodskal Blade, you'll discover that it has a damage rate of 21 and a weight of 16, which is lighter than other two-handed swords in the game. It deals a blast of energy for 30 damage, which can strike faraway enemies. It's the perfect blade to attack enemies both near and far.