The Definitive Guide to Skyrim Swords: Damage, Stats, and More!

The sword with the highest base damage in Skyrim is Miraak’s Sword, boasting a base damage of 16 when acquired at level 60. This one-handed weapon, obtained by defeating Miraak in the Dragonborn DLC, is not only powerful but also offers the unique ability to absorb 15 points of stamina and health per hit, making it a formidable choice for any Dragonborn. However, crafting skills and enchantments can significantly alter a weapon’s overall effectiveness, often overshadowing the initial base damage.

Understanding Base Damage in Skyrim

Base damage is a critical factor in determining a weapon’s initial power. However, Skyrim’s combat system is much more nuanced. Smithing skills, enchantments, and perks dramatically influence a weapon’s final damage output. Therefore, focusing solely on base damage might be misleading. A Daedric Sword with a lower base damage, but expertly smithed and enchanted, can easily outclass a weapon with a higher base damage but no further enhancements. Ultimately, the “best” sword depends on the player’s build, playstyle, and the specific challenges they face.

Smithing and Enchanting: The True Power Multipliers

• Smithing: Enhancing your smithing skill allows you to temper weapons at a grindstone, significantly increasing their damage. High-level smithing, coupled with relevant perks, can turn even a mediocre weapon into a powerhouse.
• Enchanting: Applying enchantments to your weapons adds another layer of customization and power. Damage-based enchantments like Fire Damage, Shock Damage, or Absorb Health can drastically boost a weapon’s damage output. Furthermore, unique enchantments such as the Dragonbane’s damage bonus against dragons make it situationally superior.

Considering Weapon Speed and Reach

While base damage is a numerical value, it’s crucial to consider weapon speed and reach. Faster weapons allow for more frequent attacks, potentially leading to higher damage per second (DPS). Reach determines the distance at which you can strike an enemy, providing a tactical advantage in combat. The best sword is the weapon which aligns best with your build.

Swords vs. Other Weapon Types

Swords are often considered a balanced option in Skyrim, offering a good blend of damage, speed, and weight. However, other weapon types have their advantages:

• Daggers: With the Sneak perk tree, daggers can deal massive sneak attack damage multipliers (up to x15).
• Warhammers: Warhammers have the highest base damage among melee weapons, perfect for dealing devastating blows.
• Battleaxes: Battleaxes are a middle ground, offering more damage than swords but less than warhammers.

The “best” weapon type depends on your playstyle. A stealthy assassin will prefer daggers, while a tank-like character might favor warhammers.

Top Contenders for “Best” Sword

While Miraak’s Sword has the highest base damage, several other swords deserve consideration based on their unique properties and potential:

• Dragonbane: Deals significant bonus damage to dragons, making it invaluable for dragon fights.
• Dawnbreaker: A unique sword that deals fire damage and causes undead enemies to explode, often turning other undead around it and scaring them away.
• Chillrend: A glass sword with a frost damage enchantment.
• Bloodscythe and Soulrender: Twin swords aquired together from completing a quest on Solstheim, they have special enchantments which are both unique and devastating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Skyrim Swords

1. What weapon has the highest base damage in Skyrim overall?

The Daedric Warhammer has the highest base damage in Skyrim at 27 without any enchantments.

2. What is the best sword for fighting dragons?

Dragonbane is arguably the best sword for fighting dragons due to its unique enchantment that deals 20 to 40 extra damage against dragons. The extra ten points of shock damage to every other enemy type in Skyrim make it useful against non-dragons too.

3. Is Daedric or Dragonbone better in Skyrim?

Daedric armor is slightly better than Dragonplate armor in terms of overall armor rating. The difference is negligible at lower levels, but becomes more noticeable as you fortify your armor.

4. What is the strongest dagger in Skyrim?

The Dragonbone Dagger is the strongest dagger in Skyrim. It has a base damage of 12 and can be enchanted.

5. Is the Ebony Blade a good weapon?

The Ebony Blade is a unique two-handed sword that absorbs health with each hit. It can become incredibly powerful, but requires killing friendly NPCs to reach its full potential, making it a morally questionable choice for some players.

6. What is the best one-handed weapon in Skyrim overall?

There is no definitive “best” one-handed weapon. Miraak’s Sword has the highest base damage. However, unique enchantments make Dragonbane, Dawnbreaker, and Chillrend situational heavy hitters. It depends on your playstyle and the enemies you are fighting.

7. How does dual-wielding compare to two-handed weapons?

Dual-wielding allows for faster attacks and a unique power attack, but suffers against heavily armored enemies. Two-handed weapons have better range and deal more damage per hit.

8. Where can I find the Dragonbane sword?

You can obtain the Dragonbane sword during the main quest “Alduin’s Wall” inside Sky Haven Temple.

9. What is the most beautiful sword in Skyrim?

Many players consider the Dawnbreaker to be the most beautiful sword due to its unique design and glowing appearance.

10. How does weapon weight affect combat in Skyrim?

Weapon weight affects attack speed. Lighter weapons allow for faster swings.

11. Can I enchant Daedric weapons?

Yes, Daedric weapons can be enchanted with various effects, further increasing their power.

12. What is the highest level I can reach in Skyrim?

There isn’t a hard level cap in Skyrim. You can reach an infinite level with mods but in vanilla Skyrim the levels can be gained with skills and will stop progressing once they’ve been exhausted.

13. Where is the best sword in Skyrim found?

There isn’t a singular “best” sword location. Unique and powerful swords are found throughout Skyrim in dungeons, quest rewards, and from defeated bosses. Miraak’s Sword is found in the Dragonborn quest “At the Summit of Apocrypha”.

14. Is it worth leveling smithing in Skyrim?

Yes, leveling smithing is highly recommended. It allows you to improve your weapons and armor, making you significantly more powerful.

15. What are some good builds for using swords in Skyrim?

Some popular sword-based builds include:

• Warrior: Focuses on heavy armor, one-handed combat, and blocking.
• Spellsword: Combines one-handed combat with magic, such as destruction or restoration.
• Assassin: Utilizes stealth, daggers (for sneak attacks), and one-handed swords for follow-up attacks.

In conclusion, while Miraak’s Sword boasts the highest base damage, the best sword in Skyrim ultimately depends on your playstyle, skills, and the specific challenges you face. Experiment with different weapons, master smithing and enchanting, and discover what works best for your Dragonborn!

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