In the frostbitten realm of Skyrim, a warrior’s survival often hinges on the steel they wield. From dragon-forged blades to cursed Daedric artifacts, the game offers a vast arsenal of swords suited to every playstyle. This guide sorts Skyrim’s finest swords by type, one-handed, dual-wield pairs, and honourable mentions, while highlighting their stats, acquisition, and tactical strengths. Whether you’re a stealthy assassin, a vampire lord, or a righteous crusader, here are the blades that will carve your legend.
One-Handed Swords
Ideal for speed, versatility, and pairing with spells or shields.
| Sword | Base Damage | How to Obtain | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragonbone Sword | 15 | Craft at a forge (requires Dragon Armour perk) or loot in Dawnguard DLC. | Highest base damage of any one-handed sword. Customise with enchantments for elemental carnage. |
| Daedric Sword | 14 | Craft with Daedric Smithing perk or find in high-level loot. | Menacing aesthetic, ideal for enchants like Fire Damage or Soul Trap. |
| Chillrend | 15 (scaling) | Loot from Mercer Frey’s house during Thieves Guild quests. | Frost damage + paralysis chance. Glows blue, making it both deadly and stylish. |
| Windshear | 11 | Found on the bowsprit of The Katariah (during Dark Brotherhood questline). | Broken stagger-lock enchantment. Trivialises combat by knocking foes down endlessly. |
| Dawnbreaker | 12 | Complete Break of Dawn quest for Meridia. | Explodes undead enemies (Draugr, vampires). A paladin’s dream weapon. |
| Nightingale Blade | 14 (scaling) | Reward from Karliah in Thieves Guild questline. | Absorbs health and stamina. Perfect for stealth builds or prolonged duels. |
| Harkon’s Sword | 8 | Loot from Lord Harkon in Dawnguard DLC. | Drains health, magicka, and stamina if wielded by a vampire. Niche but devastating for vamp builds. |
| Miraak’s Sword | 12 | Defeat Miraak in Dragonborn DLC. | Unique tentacle animation, stamina absorption. A cultist’s aesthetic centrepiece. |
| Ebony Blade | 11 | Complete The Whispering Door quest (Whiterun). | Absorbs health; grows stronger with each friend slain. Morally dark, but unstoppable when maxed. |
Dual-Wield Pairs
For players who favour flurries of strikes.
| Swords | Base Damage | How to Obtain | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloodscythe & Soulrender | 13 (Bloodscythe) | Loot from Haknir Death-Brand’s ghost in Dragonborn DLC. | Bloodscythe drains health; Soulrender shreds magicka and armour. Deadlier together. |
| 12 (Soulrender) |
Honourable Mentions
Underrated blades with niche uses:
- Skyforge Steel Sword: A sleek, early-game weapon from Whiterun’s Eorlund Gray-Mane.
- Ghostblade: Found in Ansilvund, this spectral blade ignores armour.
- Silver Sword: Craftable or lootable, deals bonus damage to undead and werewolves.
Best Overall Swords by Playstyle
- Pure Damage: Dragonbone Sword (15 base damage + enchantments).
- Exploitative Mechanics: Windshear (stagger-lock enemies into helplessness).
- Roleplay & Aesthetics:
- Dawnbreaker (holy warrior vibes).
- Nightingale Blade (shadowy elegance).
- Miraak’s Sword (Lovecraftian flair).
Final Tips
- Enchant Smartly: Pair high-damage swords like Daedric or Dragonbone with Fiery Soul Trap or Paralyse.
- Smithing Matters: Improve weapons at grindstones (requires perks like Arcane Blacksmith).
- Roleplay Depth: Choose swords that align with your character’s morality (e.g., Ebony Blade for treacherous builds).
From the dragonbone monstrosities of the late game to the cursed blades that demand bloody sacrifices, Skyrim’s swords are as varied as its draugr-filled tombs. Whether you seek raw power, exploitative enchantments, or storytelling flair, there’s a blade here to etch your name into Tamriel’s history, or infamy.
