Drainheart Weapons in Skyrim: Upgradeability and Enchantment Secrets

The Drainheart Sword, along with its spectral brethren, holds a unique place in the armory of Skyrim. Unfortunately, the plain and direct answer is: no, you cannot directly upgrade the Drainheart Sword, Drainspell Bow, or Drainblood Battleaxe at a grindstone or workbench in the traditional sense. These ghostly weapons are designed with fixed stats and are not subject to conventional smithing improvements.

Unpacking the Drainheart Arsenal

The Drainheart family of weapons is interesting because they are tied to specific encounters and quests within the game. They are considered special ghost weapons. Each weapon carries a unique enchantment centered around draining either stamina or magicka from your opponents. This makes them valuable tools, especially early in the game, despite their inability to be physically upgraded. Knowing how they work and what their strengths are is key to mastering their use.

Why No Upgrades?

The lack of upgradeability for Drainheart weapons stems from their unique design. These are considered enchanted weapons and their inherent magical properties are considered to be locked. The developers likely intended these weapons to be static in their power, providing a balanced gameplay experience. Think of them as specialty tools, great for specific situations but eventually outshined by crafted or found weapons that can be improved through smithing.

The Exception: The Ghostblade

The Ghostblade, part of the same family as the Drainheart weapons, presents a slight exception. It can be upgraded using Ectoplasm and the Arcane Blacksmith perk, which allows you to improve magical weapons, but does not benefit from any Smithing perks. This means you can enhance its base damage, but not to the same degree as a traditionally smithable weapon.

Maximizing the Drainheart Potential

Even though you can’t improve the base stats of the Drainheart Sword or its counterparts at a workbench, there are still ways to maximize their effectiveness:

• Enchanting: The crucial aspect of these weapons is their unique enchantment. Focus on leveling your enchanting skill to create or find stronger enchantments for other gear. This will indirectly boost your overall combat effectiveness.
• Character Build: A character build that synergizes with stamina or magicka management can greatly benefit from these weapons. For example, a warrior build reliant on power attacks will find the Drainheart Sword’s stamina absorption invaluable, especially in prolonged fights.
• Alchemy: Craft potions that enhance your stamina, magicka, weapon damage, or resistance to incoming damage. This can significantly increase your survivability and damage output.
• Strategic Use: Understand the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon. The Drainheart Sword is excellent against enemies with high stamina pools, while the Drainspell Bow is effective against mages or enemies reliant on magicka.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Drainheart Weapons

1. What exactly does “absorb stamina” do on the Drainheart Sword?

The Drainheart Sword absorbs 15 points of stamina with each hit. This means that the enemy’s stamina is reduced by 15 points while your character’s stamina remains unaffected. This can prevent them from performing power attacks or using other stamina-draining abilities.

2. Where can I find the Drainheart Sword?

The Drainheart Sword is found in Labyrinthian during the quest “The Staff of Magnus“. It is wielded by a spectral draugr.

3. Is the Drainspell Bow any good?

The Drainspell Bow is a decent weapon, particularly in the early game. Its ability to absorb magicka can be incredibly useful against mages or other enemies who rely heavily on spells. It’s best to use it strategically, not as your primary damage dealer throughout the game.

4. Can I disenchant the Drainheart Sword to learn the absorb stamina enchantment?

Yes, one of the most unique aspects of the Drainheart Sword is that you can disenchant it. This allows you to learn the absorb stamina enchantment and apply it to other weapons. This is a rare exception because most unique weapons cannot be disenchanted. This is considered by many to be a bug.

5. What is the base damage of the Drainheart Sword?

The base damage of the Drainheart Sword is 11. While this isn’t the highest base damage, the stamina absorption enchantment makes it a valuable tool in combat.

6. Can I dual-wield Drainheart Swords?

No, there is only one Drainheart Sword in the game per playthrough. Furthermore, even if you did have two, the benefit wouldn’t necessarily stack linearly. Stamina drain effects have diminishing returns.

7. How does the Drainblood Battleaxe compare to the Drainheart Sword?

The Drainblood Battleaxe also drains stamina, but it’s a two-handed weapon. This means it generally deals more damage per hit but is slower. The choice between the two depends on your preferred combat style.

8. What other “ghost weapons” are there in Skyrim?

Besides the Drainheart Sword, Drainblood Battleaxe, and Drainspell Bow, the Ghostblade is also considered a ghost weapon.

9. Is the Drainheart Sword better than a steel sword?

In the early game, the Drainheart Sword’s enchantment can give it an edge over a plain steel sword. However, as you level up your smithing and enchanting skills, you can create a steel sword that surpasses the Drainheart Sword.

10. Where can I find the Ghostblade?

The Ghostblade is located in Ansilvund and can be obtained after defeating the Redguard necromancer named Lu’ah Al-Skaven during the quest “A Love Beyond Death“.

11. What is the best enchantment to put on a weapon if I can’t upgrade the Drainheart Sword?

The best enchantment depends on your play style, but Absorb Health is generally considered one of the most powerful enchantments in the game. Paralyze is also very strong.

12. Can I use mods to upgrade the Drainheart Sword?

Yes, there are mods available on sites like NexusMods that allow you to upgrade or alter the properties of the Drainheart Sword. Keep in mind that using mods can change the intended gameplay experience and you do so at your own risk.

13. Are there any glitches related to the Drainheart Sword?

The ability to disenchant the Drainheart Sword to learn the absorb stamina enchantment is often considered a glitch. The “official” stance of the game developer has never been officially commented on.

14. Is the Dawnbreaker better than the Drainheart Sword?

The Dawnbreaker is a unique sword with its own set of advantages, particularly against undead enemies. Whether it’s “better” depends on the situation and your character build. The Dawnbreaker cannot be used if you yourself are undead.

15. How does the stamina absorption effect work against dragons?

Dragons have a large stamina pool, so the Drainheart Sword can be useful for preventing them from using their shouts or flying for extended periods. However, dragons also have high resistances, so the stamina drain might be less effective than against other enemies.

Conclusion: The Drainheart Sword’s Niche

While the Drainheart Sword and its spectral companions cannot be directly upgraded through smithing, they still offer unique advantages. The key is to understand their strengths, utilize their enchantments strategically, and complement them with other skills and gear. As part of the vibrant world of Skyrim, understanding these nuances is part of the game’s appeal. For more in-depth discussions on game mechanics and the educational aspects of gaming, visit GamesLearningSociety.org. These nuances are what make the game such an appealing experience for long time players.