Is Torment a good sword?

Is Torment a Good Sword? A Deep Dive into the Daedric Blade

Is Torment a good sword? The simple answer, within the lore it exists, is a resounding yes, but with a significant caveat: Torment isn’t a weapon found in the base game of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It originates from the Creation Club content, specifically from “The Cause” add-on, which connects it more to the lore established in The Elder Scrolls Online where Valkyn Methats wield it in the Deadlands. This makes its evaluation a bit more nuanced than a standard Skyrim weapon. However, looking at its known properties, Torment is an exceptionally powerful blade, offering significant advantages to those who can obtain it. Torment is a unique Daedric sword known for its high base damage, long reach, and potent fire enchantment, making it a devastating choice.

The Power of Torment: Key Attributes

Base Damage and Reach

Lore states that Torment boasts the highest base damage and longest reach of any one-handed weapon. While the game’s coding in Skyrim’s Creation Club version may tweak this, this pedigree makes it immediately formidable. High base damage means it can deliver significant physical damage before any additional enchantments or skill boosts are applied. The longer reach also gives it an edge in combat, allowing players to engage enemies from a slightly safer distance or to control the flow of battle more effectively. This is especially useful against faster enemies or when facing multiple opponents.

Fire Enchantment

Torment’s enchantment adds a layer of elemental damage, inflicting fire damage with every strike. Importantly, it does more than just additional fire damage – it sets the victim ablaze. Lore states it is particularly lethal when used against targets already on fire and also includes the inscription “Putrefaction” in Daedric script, adding to its menacing mystique. While the in-game version simply burns the target for 30 points of fire damage, this is still a potent effect. This means it is incredibly effective against foes that are weak to fire, allowing you to melt their health bar faster than with a standard physical blade. It also adds a lingering damage component, further pressuring your foes.

Daedric Origins

The fact that Torment is a Daedric sword is significant. Daedric weapons are renowned for their superior power within the Elder Scrolls universe. Created by the Daedric Princes themselves, they often possess unique and devastating properties, and Torment is no exception. This places it in the upper echelon of weaponry available, immediately putting it above many generic and crafted weapons.

Torment in Comparison to Other Skyrim Weapons

Versus Standard One-Handed Weapons

Compared to regular one-handed weapons in Skyrim, such as steel, elven, or even dwarven swords, Torment outclasses them in terms of base damage and reach alone. Even the best crafted version of these standard weapons cannot compete with the base line statistics of a Daedric weapon. Combined with the fire enchantment, Torment surpasses them exponentially. However, in Skyrim, even a base-level Dragonbone Mace has a higher base damage rating (17) than most other swords, including Miraak’s Sword(16 at level 60), but Torment’s potential is significant once its in-game stats are confirmed.

Versus Daedric and Dragonbone Weapons

While Daedric weapons are typically considered some of the strongest in Skyrim, they can be very difficult to obtain. Dragonbone weapons, introduced in the Dawnguard DLC, are also very powerful, with the Dragonbone Greatsword being the highest damage greatsword in the game (25 damage). The key difference for Torment lies in its unique fire damage enchantment, its reach, and its lore-backed potential for even greater lethality. It is stated to be the highest base damage and highest reach of all one-handed weapons, which would place it above even a Daedric sword on reach and potential base damage in its lore. This gives Torment a niche, making it not just a powerful damage dealer, but a weapon with strategic advantages.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Torment

Advantages

  • High Base Damage: Delivers significant physical damage before any added effects.
  • Long Reach: Allows for safer engagements and greater control of combat.
  • Fire Enchantment: Adds fire damage and applies a burning effect, devastating against certain enemy types.
  • Daedric Origin: Guarantees a powerful weapon with superior performance.
  • Unique Lore: Its connection to The Elder Scrolls Online and the Deadlands adds to its allure.

Disadvantages

  • Acquisition: It requires purchasing the “The Cause” Creation Club content.
  • Fixed Enchantment: The fire enchantment, while powerful, cannot be replaced with another custom enchantment. This can limit specialization in certain situations.
  • Level Requirement: While Torment has no minimum requirement, players should be higher than level 60 to challenge its enemies. This means an early game character would have great difficulty getting this sword.

Conclusion

Torment is unequivocally a great sword. Its lore, unique attributes, and potent enchantment make it a formidable weapon in Skyrim. However, its availability as a Creation Club item means it’s not accessible to all players. Despite that, if you have access, Torment is a weapon that is absolutely worth seeking out for anyone wanting a unique one-handed sword, powerful damage output, and strategic control in combat.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Torment’s primary damage type?

Torment primarily deals physical damage enhanced by its fire enchantment which does direct fire damage with a burn effect.

2. Where is Torment located in Skyrim?

Torment is acquired through "The Cause" Creation Club content. It is not found in the base game or other DLC.

3. Can Torment be improved at a workbench?

Yes, Torment can be improved at a workbench with proper smithing skills and materials.

4. Can the enchantment on Torment be changed?

 No, the fire enchantment on Torment is fixed and cannot be replaced with a custom enchantment.

5. Is Torment considered a Daedric artifact?

Yes, Torment is considered a Daedric sword.

6. Is Torment stronger than a Daedric Sword in Skyrim?

 In Lore, Torment has the highest base damage and reach of any one-handed weapon. This would place it above a Daedric Sword, but actual in-game stats would have to confirm this as the lore and in game stats don't always align.

7. What is the “Putrefaction” inscription on Torment?

"Putrefaction" is the word inscribed in Daedric script on Torment, which adds to the mystique and menacing nature of the weapon.

8. What are the best skills to use with Torment?

 The best skills to pair with Torment are One-Handed, Destruction (for fire damage synergy), and Smithing.

9. Is Torment good for all types of enemies?

  While effective against many foes, Torment may be less effective against enemies resistant to fire damage. It excels against opponents with low fire resistance or those that are weak to fire.

10. Does Torment do damage over time?

 Yes, Torment applies a burn effect, resulting in damage over time in addition to its initial hit.

11. What level should I be to use Torment effectively?

  Although there is no minimum level required to obtain Torment, the associated quest content enemies are at least level 70, so you should be of an adequate level to survive these encounters.

12. Is Torment better than other powerful swords like the Dawnbreaker or Windshear?

  Torment outclasses both Dawnbreaker and Windshear in terms of base damage, but the choice depends on player preference and the specific encounter. Windshear's stagger chance, however, is still a powerful effect.

13. How does Torment compare to Dragonbone weapons in Skyrim?

Dragonbone weapons have high base damage, but Torment’s combination of fire enchantment, high reach, and lore as a top tier one-handed weapon provide its own distinct advantages.

14. Is Torment worth buying the Creation Club content for?

 If you are seeking out high-tier weaponry and enjoy challenging content and lore, Torment alone might be reason to consider the purchase of "The Cause", depending on your preference.

15. What is the lore significance of Torment?

 Torment is wielded by Valkyn Methats in the Deadlands, a powerful Daedric realm in *The Elder Scrolls* lore. This adds to its significance and makes it a unique weapon with history and depth.

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