What Sword Does the Most Damage in Skyrim?
The quest for the most powerful weapon is a cornerstone of any adventurer’s journey, and Skyrim is no exception. When it comes to swords, there isn’t a single definitive answer to “what sword does the most damage?” The answer depends on a few factors: whether you’re talking about base damage, potential damage, damage against specific enemies, or even taking into account exploits. Let’s dive into the intricacies of Skyrim’s blades to truly understand which ones reign supreme.
Understanding Base Damage vs. Potential Damage
Base Damage: The Foundation
Base damage is the inherent attack power of a weapon before any enchantments, smithing improvements, or skill-based bonuses are applied. In terms of base damage for one-handed swords, Miraak’s Sword stands out. At level 60, it boasts a base damage of 16, making it the highest among all one-handed swords. However, it’s important to note that weapon base damage is not the end all be all in Skyrim.
Potential Damage: Reaching the Apex
While base damage provides a starting point, potential damage represents the highest damage a sword can achieve with all enhancements. This includes improving the weapon through smithing (tempering), enchanting, and the use of skill-boosting perks. Here’s where things get more complex, because while a sword like Miraak’s Sword may start strong, a lower base damage sword with effective smithing, enchanting and skill bonuses can often surpass it. It’s also worth mentioning exploits like the Fortify Restoration glitch, which can push weapon damage into absurd levels, often well into five digits. When you have a high smithing level, the difference between the base damage of a weapon becomes trivial compared to the boost added during tempering. As such, the cosmetic look of a weapon becomes the main factor once you have high smithing.
Swords with Notable Damage Potential
Dragonbane: The Dragon Slayer
While not the highest in base damage, the Dragonbane katana is particularly potent because it’s designed to deal extra damage to dragons. It deals 40 points of extra damage against dragons and 10 points shock damage to others. Given the prevalence of dragons in Skyrim, this makes Dragonbane an extremely effective weapon against one of the game’s most iconic enemy types. It’s crucial for any Dragonborn’s arsenal.
Unique Swords and Their Strengths
Several unique swords in Skyrim offer impressive damage potential, when coupled with high smithing, enchanting and skill. Swords like the Nightingale Blade, Harkon’s Sword (especially for a vampire), and The Pale Blade all offer strong unique enchantments which can lead to a significant amount of damage. For example, Harkon’s Sword has an absorb health enchantment that scales with the wielder’s health. These unique properties often outshine the small difference in base damage.
The Importance of Smithing and Enchanting
Ultimately, the true damage potential of a sword lies in how effectively the Dragonborn can utilize smithing and enchanting. A carefully tempered sword with a powerful enchantment, honed with high skill levels, will outshine a base-damage focused sword, no matter how impressive that base damage is. Players can achieve extraordinary damage numbers by combining these skills.
The Most Damaging Weapons: Not Always Swords
It’s also essential to note that while swords are popular, other weapon types can achieve higher damage potential. For instance, the Daedric Warhammer has the highest base damage in Skyrim at 27 without enchantments. The Dragonbone Mace is the most powerful one-handed weapon with 17 base damage and weighing 22 points. These heavy weapons can deal substantially more damage per hit.
Damage Types
When focusing on damage, it’s important to consider damage types. Lightning damage has proven to be quite effective. Dragonbane deals extra lightning damage, making it a great choice against certain enemies. However, there isn’t an overall “strongest” damage type, rather it is very situational and dependent on the enemy type you are fighting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the maximum damage a sword can do in Skyrim?
There is no hard cap on weapon damage. With the right combination of smithing, enchanting, skills, and even glitches like the Fortify Restoration loop, players can reach astronomical damage figures, potentially into five digits or more.
2. What is the strongest one-handed weapon in Skyrim?
While Miraak’s Sword boasts the highest base damage for a sword, the Dragonbone Mace has the highest base damage of all one-handed weapons. However, high smithing level can make even a seemingly weaker sword, the better choice due to tempering bonuses.
3. How can I get a powerful sword in Skyrim?
Powerful swords can be obtained through various methods:
- Quest Rewards: Completing specific quests, like obtaining Dragonbane, Miraak’s Sword, or the Nightingale Blade.
- Crafting: Forging weapons with high smithing skills.
- Loot: Finding unique weapons in chests, on enemies, or in specific locations.
4. What is the best enchantment for a sword in Skyrim?
Absorb Health is considered one of the most potent enchantments, allowing you to heal while inflicting damage. This is especially true since it negates the need for potions and restoration spells to constantly heal yourself.
5. Is Dawnbreaker leveled?
No, Dawnbreaker is not leveled. Once obtained, its stats remain fixed, unlike some weapons that scale with your level.
6. Is Miraak’s sword a dagger?
No, Miraak’s Sword is a one-handed sword, not a dagger. Despite being lightweight, it functions as a sword, and has the highest base damage amongst one handed swords.
7. How good is Harkon’s Sword?
Harkon’s Sword is quite powerful, particularly for a vampire character due to its unique absorb health enchantment, which increases with the players’ health. Its base damage isn’t very high but the enchantment makes up for it.
8. Is Stalhrim better than Daedric?
Daedric weapons typically have higher base damage. However, Stalhrim weapons benefit from increased Frost Damage and have their own unique aesthetics. It is mainly preference on what you prefer.
9. What is the best two-handed weapon in Skyrim?
While there are several powerful two-handed weapons, it’s hard to pick one. The Daedric Greatsword boasts high base damage, while the Bloodskal Blade has unique red energy blasts. With the right perks, enchantments, and smithing, almost any two handed weapon can be extremely potent.
10. Where can I find Dragonbane?
You can find the Dragonbane during the quest “Alduin’s Wall”.
11. What is the highest damage dagger in Skyrim?
Dragonbone Daggers have the highest base damage (12) among daggers, equal to the Blade of Woe. The advantage of Dragonbone Daggers is that they can be enchanted whereas the blade of woe has a set enchantment.
12. Is there a Daedric Greatsword in Skyrim?
Yes, the Daedric Greatsword is available in Skyrim. It requires a high smithing skill level and the Daedric Smithing perk to craft. It begins appearing at level 27 and can be found as loot or purchased.
13. What is the strongest armor in Skyrim?
Daedric Armor has the highest armor rating overall, followed by Dragonplate and Stalhrim Armor.
14. What are some other strong two-handed weapons besides the Daedric Greatsword?
Some other very strong two-handed weapons are:
- Bloodskal Blade
- The Longhammer
- Dawnguard Rune Hammer
- Volendrung
- Wuuthrad
15. What is the most important skill for a sword user in Skyrim?
While all the combat skills are important, Smithing and Enchanting are essential for maximizing weapon damage. High skill in these areas allows for significant upgrades to even the most basic of weapons. One handed skill is also of vital importance.
Conclusion
In summary, while Miraak’s Sword holds the title for the highest base damage among one-handed swords, the “best” sword in Skyrim is subjective. It depends heavily on player skill, available resources, and specific objectives. The power of smithing, enchanting, and how well the player leverages unique sword enchantments makes it such that any sword can be powerful if the player knows how to use it.