What is the Highest Damage Two-Handed Weapon in Skyrim?
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The title of highest base damage two-handed weapon in Skyrim belongs to the Daedric Warhammer. It boasts a base damage of 27 before any enhancements or enchantments. What makes this weapon particularly desirable is that it doesn’t require completing a lengthy questline or defeating a specific enemy to acquire. While other weapons may surpass it in damage output with the right perks, enchantments, and smithing, the Daedric Warhammer provides the strongest foundation.
Understanding Two-Handed Weapons in Skyrim
Before diving into the specifics of the Daedric Warhammer, it’s important to understand the mechanics of two-handed weapons in Skyrim. These weapons, including greatswords, battleaxes, and warhammers, are characterized by their slow attack speed but high damage potential. Players who specialize in two-handed combat often prioritize perks in the Two-Handed skill tree, like Barbarian (increases damage) and Champion’s Stance (reduces stamina cost of power attacks), to maximize their effectiveness.
Furthermore, understanding the game’s crafting and enchanting systems is critical to truly maximizing a weapon’s damage output. Improving a weapon’s quality at a grindstone (requires smithing skill) and applying enchantments (requires enchanting skill) are the two biggest factors that allow players to increase weapon damage far beyond base stats.
Acquiring the Daedric Warhammer
The Daedric Warhammer isn’t tied to a specific quest or location, which makes it relatively accessible at higher levels. You can find it in several ways:
- Merchant Purchases: High-level merchants, particularly blacksmiths, have a chance to stock Daedric weapons. Check their inventories regularly.
- Loot Chests: Daedric weapons can appear in chests, especially in high-level areas or dungeons. The higher your level, the greater the chance of finding one.
- Dremora Merchants: Summoning a Dremora Merchant (requires Conjuration skill) provides a reliable source of Daedric items, including the Warhammer.
- Crafting: With a high enough Smithing skill (level 90) and the Daedric Smithing perk, you can craft your own Daedric Warhammer. This requires Daedra Hearts, which can be difficult to obtain.
Factors Affecting Two-Handed Weapon Damage
While the Daedric Warhammer starts with the highest base damage, several factors can influence the final damage output of any two-handed weapon:
- Smithing Skill: Improving your Smithing skill allows you to upgrade weapons at a grindstone, significantly increasing their damage.
- Enchantments: Applying enchantments like Fire Damage, Shock Damage, or Absorb Health can add substantial damage per hit.
- Perks: As mentioned, perks in the Two-Handed skill tree directly boost your weapon’s damage and combat effectiveness.
- Fortify Two-Handed Potions: Consuming potions that temporarily fortify your Two-Handed skill provides a temporary damage boost.
- Racial Bonuses: Orcs possess the Berserker rage, which enhances their damage output considerably for a short time, making them naturally suited to two-handed combat.
FAQs: Two-Handed Weapons in Skyrim
1. Is the Daedric Warhammer always the best two-handed weapon?
Not necessarily. While it has the highest base damage, other weapons can surpass it with the right upgrades, enchantments, and player perks. For instance, the Longhammer, when fully upgraded, can deal significant damage due to its unique fast swing speed.
2. What makes the Longhammer so special?
The Longhammer is a unique Orcish Warhammer found in Liars Retreat. Its special attribute is a significantly faster swing speed compared to other warhammers, allowing for more damage output per second. Many consider it to be the best two-handed weapon.
3. How does the Bloodskal Blade compare to the Daedric Warhammer?
The Bloodskal Blade is a unique greatsword that emits energy blasts with power attacks. While its base damage is lower than the Daedric Warhammer, the energy blasts add a ranged attack component, making it versatile. Players can learn more about the physics of games and learning through the GamesLearningSociety.org.
4. What are the best enchantments for two-handed weapons?
Some popular enchantments include:
- Fire Damage: Deals additional fire damage and can set enemies on fire.
- Shock Damage: Deals additional shock damage and can drain enemy magicka.
- Absorb Health: Drains health from the target and adds it to the player.
- Chaos Damage: Deals random elemental damage (fire, frost, or shock).
5. How important is Smithing for two-handed builds?
Smithing is extremely important. Upgrading your weapons at a grindstone is one of the most effective ways to increase their damage output, especially when combined with smithing-enhancing potions and gear.
6. Do racial bonuses matter for two-handed combat?
Yes, some races have traits that benefit two-handed builds. Orcs, with their Berserker rage ability, and Nords, with their resistance to frost damage, are particularly well-suited for two-handed combat.
7. What perks should I prioritize in the Two-Handed skill tree?
Key perks include:
- Barbarian: Increases damage with two-handed weapons.
- Champion’s Stance: Reduces stamina cost of power attacks.
- Devastating Blow: Power attacks have a chance to decapitate enemies.
- Sweep: Allows you to hit multiple enemies with a sideways power attack.
8. How can I get Daedra Hearts easily?
Daedra Hearts can be obtained through a variety of ways. Some shops sell them. Occasionally they can be looted off of dead Dremora or from locations such as Enthir at the College of Winterhold or from killing the Mythic Dawn agents during the Pieces of the Past quest.
9. What is the Ebony Blade, and how does it work?
The Ebony Blade is a unique two-handed sword that becomes more powerful as you slay friendly NPCs. With each two characters slain, the perk increases by 2 points up to a maximum damage rating of 30. This makes it more of a role-playing weapon.
10. Is there a damage cap in Skyrim?
No, there isn’t a weapon damage cap. So if you do the restoration glitch and smith a dagger to do 84725383 damage; it will instantly kill anything.
11. What is the fastest two-handed weapon?
The Longhammer is widely considered to be the fastest two-handed weapon due to its unique swing speed modifier.
12. How do I level up my Two-Handed skill quickly?
The fastest way to level Two-Handed is to repeatedly attack high-health enemies or friendly NPCs (with their permission) using two-handed weapons. Find a suitable target and just keep swinging.
13. What are the benefits of using a two-handed weapon over a one-handed weapon?
Two-handed weapons generally offer higher base damage and greater reach compared to one-handed weapons, allowing you to deal more damage per hit and maintain distance from your opponents. They also excel at staggering enemies.
14. Can I dual-wield two-handed weapons?
No, dual-wielding is limited to one-handed weapons.
15. What are some other notable unique two-handed weapons in Skyrim?
Besides the Bloodskal Blade and Longhammer, other notable unique two-handed weapons include:
- Volendrung: A powerful warhammer with the ability to absorb stamina.
- Wuuthrad: A legendary battleaxe that deals extra damage to Elves.
- Dawnguard Rune Hammer: A unique warhammer that places magical runes on the ground when used in a power attack.
Ultimately, the Daedric Warhammer provides the strongest foundation for a powerful two-handed build in Skyrim. However, with skillful crafting, enchanting, and perk selection, other weapons can rival or even surpass it in terms of overall damage output.