Is Dragonbane a Good Weapon in Skyrim? A Deep Dive
Yes, Dragonbane is a very good weapon in Skyrim, particularly when facing its intended target: dragons. While it might not be the absolute best sword for every single situation, its unique properties, damage output, and accessibility make it a valuable addition to any Dragonborn’s arsenal. Its effectiveness stems from a combination of its base stats, unique enchantment, and upgrade potential. It’s certainly a must-have weapon for any player planning to tackle the main questline and engage in regular dragon combat.
Why Dragonbane Shines: A Closer Look
Dragon-Slaying Powerhouse
The primary reason Dragonbane stands out is its special enchantment. It deals an extra 40 points of damage against dragons, a substantial amount that significantly increases your damage output against these formidable foes. This makes encounters with dragons much more manageable, especially in the early to mid-game when players might still be struggling with dragon combat. Combine this extra damage with its 10 points of shock damage to all other opponents, and you get a potent weapon against almost every enemy.
Decent Base Damage and Improvement
While its base damage might not rival some of the top-tier weapons like a well-crafted Daedric sword, Dragonbane holds its own. Its base damage scales with the player’s level until the point you pick it up. Additionally, because it’s a steel-based weapon, you can improve it using steel smithing, which is also a prerequisite for Daedric smithing. This means that players with high smithing skill and the Arcane Smithing perk can upgrade Dragonbane to impressive levels, closing the gap with even more powerful weapons.
Accessibility and Story Significance
Dragonbane isn’t some hidden artifact you must scour the world to find. It’s obtained during the main quest “Alduin’s Wall,” making it an easily accessible reward for simply progressing through the story. This availability means that you won’t have to rely on luck or extensive exploration to get your hands on this powerful blade. Moreover, its narrative significance as a weapon historically used against dragons adds to its allure and importance for the Dragonborn. The weapon was wielded by the Dragonguard in the First Era and later by Princess Alyssa Lariat, who allegedly used it to deliver the final blow to Alduin, making the lore behind it quite interesting.
Considerations and Comparisons
While Dragonbane is a fantastic weapon, it’s not without its considerations. It’s a one-handed katana, which means its range is not as long as a greatsword. If you prefer the two-handed style or require more range, then a Dragonbone Greatsword may suit you better. However, for single-hand users and sword-and-shield players, it’s hard to go wrong. It is worth noting that a Daedric Sword does have a higher base damage; however, due to being heavier, it consumes more stamina on power attacks and can’t always be improved as well as Dragonbane.
Conclusion: A Solid Choice
In conclusion, Dragonbane is definitely a good weapon in Skyrim. It’s not just good, it’s excellent for its intended purpose, delivering strong damage against dragons and decent performance against other enemies. The weapon’s ease of acquisition, upgrade potential, and narrative significance make it a must-have for any player seeking to master the game. While other weapons might have slightly higher base damages, the unique combination of extra dragon damage, shock enchantment, upgrade potential, and accessibility make Dragonbane a worthwhile investment for any Dragonborn.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I obtain Dragonbane?
Dragonbane is obtained during the main quest “Alduin’s Wall.” It’s a reward for completing this quest, which means you’ll get it automatically by progressing through the main story.
2. What are the base stats of Dragonbane?
The base damage of Dragonbane scales with the player’s level until you pick it up. Its unique enchantment provides an additional 40 points of damage against dragons and 10 points of shock damage to all other enemies.
3. Can I improve Dragonbane?
Yes, Dragonbane can be improved using the steel smithing perk. With the arcane smithing perk, you can take its damage output to impressive levels.
4. Is Dragonbane a katana?
Yes, Dragonbane is designed as a katana-style weapon.
5. Does the extra damage against dragons apply to all types of dragons?
Yes, the extra 40 points of damage applies to all types of dragons, from regular dragons to legendary dragons.
6. Can I disenchant Dragonbane?
No, you cannot disenchant Dragonbane to learn its unique enchantment. Unique weapons like Dragonbane are specifically designed not to be disenchanted.
7. Does Dragonbane work on dragon priests?
While not its primary function, the article says Dragonbane does do a considerable amount of damage to Dragon Priests.
8. Is Dragonbane the strongest one-handed sword in Skyrim?
While it is among the strongest one-handed swords, its damage is rivaled by well-crafted Daedric swords, particularly outside dragon fights. However, the extra damage against dragons makes it very powerful in specific encounters. Some would even argue that it is the strongest one-handed sword in Skyrim, due to the overall benefits and its performance against its intended targets.
9. Is Dragonbane better than a Dragonbone sword?
Dragonbone swords typically have a higher base damage, but Dragonbane has the added bonus of extra damage against dragons, making it better against them specifically. Dragonbone weapons are also heavier and harder to acquire than Dragonbane. It really depends on preference and the player’s need.
10. Does Dragonbane level with you?
Dragonbane’s base damage scales with your level until you pick it up. Its damage is set the moment you acquire the blade.
11. Is Dragonbane good for stealth builds?
While not designed specifically for stealth, Dragonbane is a solid one-handed weapon for any build. It can be enhanced by stealth perks to maximize sneak attacks.
12. Does the shock damage of Dragonbane apply to all enemies?
Yes, the 10 points of shock damage enchantment applies to all enemies except dragons, against whom the 40 points of extra damage apply.
13. Is Dragonbane better than a Daedric sword?
A Daedric Sword has a slightly higher base damage and is heavier, which means more stamina drain for power attacks. Dragonbane can often be improved to superior levels and the extra damage against dragons makes it a more potent weapon in those situations.
14. Is Dragonbane worth using in the late game?
Yes, Dragonbane remains a very useful weapon even in the late game, especially if you still need to face dragons.
15. Does Dragonbane work against Alduin?
Yes, the lore of the weapon states that Dragonbane is said to have dealt the final blow to Alduin by Princess Alyssa Lariat, making it particularly effective against the world-eater. Also, the extra damage against dragons would apply to Alduin.