What Should I Do With the Ebony Blade? A Comprehensive Guide for the Discerning Dragonborn
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The Ebony Blade. A weapon steeped in mystery, bathed in shadow, and whispered about in hushed tones throughout Skyrim. It’s more than just a sword; it’s a Daedric artifact of immense power, a tool of Mephala, the Daedric Prince of Secrets, and a reflection of your own moral compass. The question isn’t can you wield it, but should you? And if so, how? The answer is multifaceted, hinging on your playstyle, your character’s morality (or lack thereof), and your understanding of the Blade’s unique mechanics.
The short answer? The Ebony Blade is a weapon for those who embrace power, even if it comes at a cost. Its viability depends on your willingness to sacrifice innocents, but its power, once unlocked, is undeniable.
Unlocking the Blade’s Potential: A Dark Bargain
The Ebony Blade’s core mechanic revolves around Absorb Health, an enchantment that drains life from your enemies and adds it to your own. Unlike other enchanted weapons, the Ebony Blade doesn’t require soul gems to recharge. It’s a self-sustaining engine of destruction and healing. However, its true potential is locked behind a sinister requirement: killing “friendly” NPCs.
Who Counts as a “Friend?”
This is where things get morally gray. The game judges “friendship” based on Disposition, a hidden value ranging from -4 to 4. Anyone with a Disposition of 2 or higher towards you qualifies. This includes:
- Followers: Loyal companions who aid you in battle are prime targets.
- Quest Givers: Characters whose dialogue changes after you complete a quest for them (“It’s a good day…”).
- Paid Employees: Anyone you’ve paid for their services, like mercenaries from taverns.
- Fist Fight Losers: Those who foolishly challenged you to a brawl and were bested.
The Ritual of Blood
For every two friendly NPCs slain with the Ebony Blade, its Absorb Health enchantment increases by 4 points. This process can be repeated five times, requiring a total of ten sacrifices. At full power, the Ebony Blade absorbs a massive 30 points of health per hit.
Moral Considerations: Embracing the Darkness
Using the Ebony Blade means making difficult choices. Are you willing to sacrifice characters you’ve grown to care about for power? This decision is entirely up to you. If you play a virtuous hero, the Ebony Blade might be anathema. But if you embrace a darker path, the Blade can become your ultimate weapon.
Maximizing the Ebony Blade’s Effectiveness
Even fully upgraded, the Ebony Blade isn’t inherently the most powerful weapon in Skyrim. A Daedric Sword, for instance, can deal more raw damage. However, the Blade’s unique Absorb Health enchantment makes it incredibly potent in extended combat.
Smithing is Useless
The Ebony Blade cannot be improved at a grindstone or via smithing perks. Its base damage remains static. This means other weapons can eventually outscale it in terms of pure damage output.
Enchantments and One-Handed Skill
The Ebony Blade’s damage is significantly boosted by your One-Handed Skill. Invest perks into increasing one-handed damage to maximize the sword’s lethality. Further, fortify One-Handed through enchantments on your armor. A player with a high One-Handed Skill and good enchantments can make the Ebony Blade incredibly powerful.
Avoiding Sacrifices: Alternative Methods
Are you morally opposed to killing friendly NPCs but still want to upgrade the Blade? The community has discovered a few workarounds:
- Calm Spells: Cast a Calm spell on an enemy, making them temporarily friendly. Kill them while under the effect.
- The Ritual Stone: Use the Ritual Stone to reanimate a friendly NPC you’ve slain. Then, kill the revived NPC repeatedly. This is generally the most efficient method of upgrading the blade without sacrificing multiple unique characters.
These methods are technically exploits, and their effectiveness may vary depending on game version and mods. However, they offer a loophole for players who want the Blade’s power without the moral burden.
Is the Ebony Blade Right For You?
Ultimately, the decision of whether to use the Ebony Blade depends on your individual playstyle and moral code. If you’re a power-hungry character willing to make sacrifices, the Blade is a formidable weapon that can carry you through the toughest battles. However, if you value your relationships with NPCs and strive to be a hero, the Ebony Blade might be more of a curse than a blessing.
Remember, the Ebony Blade is not just a weapon; it’s a reflection of your choices. Choose wisely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What level do I need to be to get the Ebony Blade quest?
You need to be at least level 20 and have completed the Dragon Rising quest.
2. How do I start the Ebony Blade quest?
After reaching level 20 and completing Dragon Rising, go to Whiterun and speak to Hulda, the innkeeper at the Bannered Mare. She should have a rumor about the Jarl’s strange children.
3. How many friendly NPCs do I need to kill to fully upgrade the Ebony Blade?
You need to kill 10 friendly NPCs to fully upgrade the Ebony Blade. Each pair of kills increases the Absorb Health enchantment by 4 points, up to a maximum of 30.
4. How do I know when the Ebony Blade is fully upgraded?
After the last two kills, Mephala will say, “At last, my blade is returned to its full glory.” The enchantment value will also be at 30.
5. Does the Ebony Blade scale with my level?
No, the Ebony Blade does not scale with your level. Its base damage remains the same.
6. Can I improve the Ebony Blade with smithing?
No, the Ebony Blade cannot be improved at a grindstone or with smithing perks.
7. What perks affect the Ebony Blade?
Only One-Handed perks, enchantments that increase One-Handed damage, and your One-Handed skill level affect the Ebony Blade.
8. Is the Ebony Blade better than a Daedric sword?
Daedric swords typically have higher base damage. However, the Ebony Blade’s Absorb Health enchantment can make it more effective in prolonged combat. Ultimately, it depends on your playstyle.
9. Can I get the Ebony Blade if I join the Stormcloaks and take Whiterun?
Yes, joining the Stormcloaks and taking Whiterun does not prevent you from obtaining the Ebony Blade.
10. My innkeeper died. Can I still get the quest for Ebony Blade?
If Hulda died and was replaced by Ysolda as the innkeeper, a bug in the game can prevent you from starting the quest. So you have to get Hulda before the quest if you can.
11. Can I use the Ebony Blade without upgrading it?
Yes, you can use the Ebony Blade without upgrading it, but its Absorb Health enchantment will be significantly weaker.
12. Does killing chickens count towards upgrading the Ebony Blade?
No, killing chickens does not count towards upgrading the Ebony Blade. You must kill NPCs with a Disposition of 2 or higher towards you.
13. Can I kill essential NPCs to upgrade the Ebony Blade?
No, you cannot kill essential NPCs. They are protected from death, making them ineligible for upgrading the Ebony Blade.
14. Is there any way to reset the Ebony Blade’s upgrade progress?
No, there is no way to reset the Ebony Blade’s upgrade progress. Once you’ve killed a friendly NPC with it, the upgrade is permanent.
15. Where can I learn more about the ethical considerations in gaming?
The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org has amazing resources.
The end.