War Axes are a type of Weapon in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. War Axes belong to the One-Handed weapon class, with their effectiveness in combat governed by the One-Handed Skill and Perk trees. This weapon type can be dual-wielded with other one-handed weapons, or used in tandem with Shields, Staves or Spells in the off-hand. War Axes deal more damage than Swords and swing faster than Maces. They also have the ability to inflict the bleeding status effect with every hit via the Hack and Slash perk, which is exclusive to War Axes.
- See the Weapons page for an overview of Weapon Mechanics pertaining to War Axes.
- See the Combat page for an indepth look at the combat mechanics and other gameplay features.
The Best War Axes in Skyrim
The following is a short list of some of the best War Axes in Skyrim:
- Dawnguard Rune Axe - Deals additional sun damage to undead depending on how many undead were killed with the axe since the last sunrise. This effect can stack up to 100 points and can be locked in by tempering the axe at a grindstone.
- Dragonbone War Axe - The strongest War Axe that can be crafted and enchanted. Note that this axe does not cause the bleed effect from Hack and Slash.
- Daedric War Axe - The secondmost powerful War Axe that can be crafted. Only 1 damage point weaker than the Dragonbone Axe but still retaining the ability to bleed opponents.
All War Axes in Skyrim
Quick Search of All Skyrim War Axes
Click the header to sort the table.
| Name | Weight | Damage | Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
 Ancient Nord War Axe |
14 | 9 | Can be found on most Draugrs and Skeletons, within ancient Nordic tombs. |
 Ancient Nordic Pickaxe |
10 | 5 | Allows players to mine Stalhrim |
 Ceremonial Axe |
14 | 9 | Does not provide any additional effects Used with the Ceremonial Sword to open the crypt during the Quest Silenced Tongues |
 Daedric War Axe |
18 | 15 | Can be made with the Daedric Smithing perk and Smithing level 90 |
 Dawnguard Rune Axe |
13 | 11 | Does 10-100 sun damage to undead based on the number of undead killed with the axe since the last sunrise. |
 Dawnguard War Axe |
13 | 11 | Does additional damage to Vampires |
 Dragonbone War Axe |
21 | 16 | Can be made with the Dragon Armor perk and Smithing level 100 |
 Dwarven War Axe |
14 | 11 | Can be made with the Dwarven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
 Ebony War Axe |
17 | 15 | Can be made with the Ebony Smithing perk and Smithing level 80 |
 Elven War Axe |
15 | 12 | Can be made with the Elven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
 Falmer War Axe |
21 | 11 | Can be found on Falmers |
 Forsworn War Axe |
15 | 11 | Can be found on Forsworn |
 Ghorbash's Ancestral Axe |
11 | 8 | Not Obtainable without console commands |
 Glass War Axe |
16 | 13 | Can be made with the Glass Smithing perk and Smithing level 70 |
 Hoarfrost |
10 | 5 | Target take 15 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina, and have a small chance of being frozen solid. Allows players to mine Stalhrim |
 Honed Draugr War Axe |
16 | 12 | Can be found on Draugr and Skeletons in ancient Nordic Tombs |
 Honed Falmer War Axe |
21 | 13 | Can be found on Falmers |
 Illusory War Axe |
14 | 1 | Can only be obtained through console commands |
 Iron War Axe |
11 | 8 | Can be found throughout Skyrim starting from level 1. Can be made without any Smithing perk |
 Lunar Iron War Axe |
11 | 8 | While the moons are out, burns the target for 10-20 points. |
 Lunar Steel War Axe |
12 | 9 | While the moons are out, burns the target for 10-20 points. |
 Nord Hero War Axe |
11 | 12 | Can only be crafted at the Skyforge after completing the Companions questline |
 Nordic War Axe |
14 | 12 | Can be made with the Advanced Armors perk and Smithing level 50 |
 Notched Pickaxe |
10 | 5 | Raises the wielder's Smithing abilities by 5 Does 5 shock damage to enemies on hit |
 Okin |
11 | 12 | Target takes 10 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina |
 Orcish War Axe |
13 | 10 | Can be made with the Orcish Smithing perk and Smithing level 50 |
 Pickaxe |
10 | 5 | Can be used for Mining |
 Poacher's Axe |
10 | 5 | Does 3 extra damage to Animals |
 Skyforge Steel War Axe |
12 | 12 | Can acquire one for free when joining the Companions |
 Stalhrim War Axe |
16 | 15 | The Frost Damage enchantment is 25% stronger on this weapon. |
 Steel War Axe |
12 | 9 | Can be made with the Steel Smithing perk and Smithing level 20 |
 Ulfric's War Axe |
12 | 10 | Can be pickpocketed Ulfric Stormcloak with the Misdirection perk |
 Woodcutter's Axe |
10 | 5 | Can be found in most settlements |
