Swords are a type of Weapon in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Swords 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. Swords strike a good balance between damage, reach and speed, being one of the fastest weapon types in the game, second only to Daggers. They are the most common weapons encountered in the game.
- See the Weapons page for an overview of Weapon Mechanics pertaining to Swords.
- See the Combat page for an indepth look at the combat mechanics and other gameplay features.
The Best Swords in Skyrim
The following is a short list of some of the best Swords in Skyrim:
- Windshear - Has a unique effect that staggers opponents on every hit, 100% of the time as long as you do not relent with your attacks.
- Miraak's Sword - Absorbs 15 points of Stamina with every hit and is one of the lightest swords with the highest base damage.
- Chillrend - Deals Frost damage and has a chance to paralyze opponents for 2 seconds. It is a leveled weapon, with the best possible version obtainable at Lv. 46+.
- Dragonbone Sword - The top tier Sword available for crafting and enchanting.
- Nightingale Blade - Absorbs Health and Stamina with every hit. It is a leveled weapon, with the best possible version obtainable at Lv. 46+.
All Swords in Skyrim
Quick Search of All Skyrim Swords
Click the header to sort the table.
Name | Weight | Damage | Effects |
---|---|---|---|
![]() Dawnbreaker |
10 | 12 | Burns for 10 points, and if killing undead, a chance to cause a firey explosion that turns or destroys nearby undead. |
![]() Akaviri Sword |
10 | 11 | Can be pickpocketed from Dexion Evicus with the Misdirection perk |
![]() Amren's Family Sword |
9 | 7 | Can be obtained during the Quest Amren's Sword |
![]() Ancient Nord Sword |
12 | 8 | Can be found on Draugr and Skeletons within ancient Nordic Tombs |
![]() Blades Sword |
10 | 11 | Can be found in Sky Haven Temple during the Quest Alduin's Wall |
![]() Bloodscythe |
10 | 13 | When wielded with Soulrender, absorbs 15 Health and has a chance to lower the target's armor |
![]() Bolar's Oathblade |
10 | 11 | Does 25 points of Stamina Damage. Creatures and people up to level 12 flee from combat for 30 seconds. |
![]() Ceremonial Sword |
12 | 8 | Used with the Ceremonial Axe to open the crypt during the Quest Silenced Tongues |
![]() Chillrend |
11-16 | 10-15 | Target takes 5-30 points of Frost damage. Chance to paralyze for 2 seconds. |
![]() Daedric Sword |
16 | 14 | Can be made with the Daedric Smithing perk and Smithing level 90 |
![]() Dragonbane |
10-14 | 10-14 | 20-40 points of extra damage to dragons. 10 points of shock damage to others, with no damage to Magicka |
![]() Dragonbone Sword |
19 | 15 | Can be made with the Dragon Armor perk and Smithing level 100 |
![]() Drainheart Sword |
3 | 11 | Absorb 15 points of Stamina. |
![]() Dwarven Sword |
12 | 10 | Can be made with the Dwarven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
![]() Ebony Sword |
15 | 13 | Can be made with the Ebony Smithing perk and Smithing level 80. |
![]() Eduj |
9 | 11 | Target takes 10 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina |
![]() Elven Sword |
13 | 11 | Can be made with the Elven Smithing perk and Smithing level 30 |
![]() Falmer Sword |
18 | 10 | Can be found on Falmer |
![]() Forsworn Sword |
13 | 10 | Can be found on Forsworn |
![]() Gauldur Blackblade |
12-15 | 8-11 | Absorbs 25 points of health |
![]() Ghostblade |
1 | 8 | Does 3 points of extra damage, ignoring armor. |
![]() Glass Sword |
14 | 12 | Can be made with the Glass Smithing perk and Smithing level 70 |
![]() Grimsever |
14 | 12 | Target takes 15 points of Frost Damage to Health and Stamina |
![]() Harkon's Sword |
9 | 8 | Absorbs 15 points of Health, Magicka, and Stamina if wielded by a vampire |
![]() Herebane's Courage |
13 | 11 | Cannot be obtained without using console commands Burns the target for 25 points. Targets on fire take extra damage. |
![]() Hjalti's Sword |
12 | 8 | Can be obtained during the Quest The Ghost of Old Hroldan |
![]() Honed Ancient Nord Sword |
15 | 11 | Can be found on Draugrs and Skeletons within Ancient Nordic Tombs and burial grounds |
![]() Honed Falmer Sword |
18 | 12 | Can be found on Falmer |
![]() Imperial Sword |
10 | 8 | Same as a Steel Sword in damage and weight |
![]() Iron Sword |
9 | 7 | Can be made without any Smithing perk. |
![]() Lunar Iron Sword |
9 | 7 | While the moons are out, burns the target for 10-20 points. |
![]() Lunar Steel Sword |
10 | 8 | While the moons are out, burns the target for 10-20 points. |
![]() Miraak's Sword |
3 | 12-16 | Absorb 15 points of Stamina. |
![]() Nightingale Blade |
11-15 | 10-14 | Absorb 5-25 points of Health and Stamina. |
![]() Nord Hero Sword |
9 | 11 | Can only be crafted at the Skyforge after completing the Companions questline |
![]() Nordic Sword |
12 | 11 | Can be made with the Advance Armors perk and Smithing level 50 |
![]() Orcish Sword |
11 | 9 | Can be made with the Orcish Smithing perk and Smithing level 50. |
![]() Queen Freydis's Sword |
10 | 8 | Can be obtained as part of a Quest from Oengul War-Anvil in Windhelm |
![]() Red Eagle's Bane |
15 | 11 | Undead up to level 13 are set on fire and flee for 30 seconds |
![]() Red Eagle's Fury |
12 | 8 | Burns the target for 5 points. Targets on fire take extra damage. Turns into Red Eagle's Bane at the end of the Quest The Legend of Red Eagle |
![]() Scimitar |
10 | 11 | Can be found on certain NPCs or in several locations |
![]() Silver Sword |
7 | 8 | Damage increased by 20 points against Undead enemies and werewolves and werebears |
![]() Skyforge Steel Sword |
10 | 11 | Can be bought from Eorlund Gray-Mane |
![]() Stalhrim Sword |
14 | 13 | The Frost Damage enchantment is 25% stronger on this weapon. |
![]() Steel Sword |
10 | 8 | Can be made with the Steel Smithing perk |
![]() Soulrender |
10 | 13 | When wielded with Bloodscythe, absorbs 15 Magicka and has a chance to lower the target's magical defenses. |
![]() The Pale Blade |
12-15 | 8-11 | Targets take 25 points of frost damage. Creatures and people up to level 16 flee from combat for 30 seconds |
![]() Vilkas's Sword |
10 | 11 | Can be obtained from Vilkas and given to Eorlund Gray-Mane, as part of the Companions questline. |
![]() Windshear |
10 | 11 | Bash attacks made with this weapon have a chance of knocking enemies down. |
![]() Wooden Sword |
3 | 2 | When given to an adopted child The Gift of Charity ability is granted |