The concept of the "best" sword in Skyrim is highly subjective, as it depends significantly on your playstyle, combat preferences, and the enemies you frequently encounter. While there isn't a single definitive "best" for all situations, several swords stand out due to their unique enchantments, high damage potential, or specific utility.
Understanding the "Best" Sword in Skyrim
The "best" sword can be defined by various criteria:
- Raw Damage Output: Swords with the highest base damage, especially when fully improved through Smithing.
- Enchantment Utility: Powerful, unique enchantments that provide significant advantages against certain enemy types or offer valuable combat effects.
- Acquisition Difficulty: How early or easily a powerful sword can be obtained.
- Versatility: A sword that performs well in a wide range of combat scenarios.
- Aesthetics: The visual appeal of the weapon.
Dragonbane: A Powerful Unique Option
Dragonbane is a strong contender, particularly effective against dragons, which are frequent and formidable foes in Skyrim. It is a one-handed sword that can be acquired during the main questline.
- Acquisition: You can obtain Dragonbane while inside Sky Haven Temple during the main quest "Alduin's Wall."
- Enchantment: The unique enchantment on Dragonbane deals 20 to 40 extra damage points to dragon enemies. Additionally, it provides an extra ten shock damage to every other enemy type in Skyrim. This makes it an exceptionally useful weapon for dragon encounters while still providing a beneficial effect against all other foes.
Other Notable Swords
While Dragonbane is excellent for specific situations, other swords offer different advantages that might make them "best" depending on your needs.
- Miraak's Sword: Obtained by defeating Miraak in the Dragonborn DLC, this one-handed sword boasts high base damage and has a powerful absorb stamina enchantment, allowing for more frequent power attacks.
- Dawnbreaker: Acquired during Meridia's Daedric quest "The Break of Dawn," Dawnbreaker is a one-handed sword that deals fire damage and has a chance to cause undead enemies to explode, fearing or damaging other nearby undead. This makes it incredibly effective in crypts and against necromancers.
- Mehrunes' Razor: A unique dagger (though not a sword, often considered for its close-quarters combat utility) from the Daedric quest "Pieces of the Past," Mehrunes' Razor has a small chance to instantly kill any opponent, regardless of their health, making it a high-risk, high-reward weapon for assassins.
- Player-Crafted Swords: For players who invest heavily in Smithing and Enchanting, a self-crafted and enchanted Daedric or Dragonbone sword can often surpass unique weapons in raw damage potential. By combining powerful base damage with custom enchantments tailored to specific needs (e.g., Absorb Health, Chaos Damage), these weapons can become the absolute strongest in the game.
Comparison of Notable Swords
The table below highlights some of Skyrim's most noteworthy swords and their primary benefits:
| Sword Name | Type | Key Enchantment/Benefit | How to Obtain | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragonbane | One-Handed | 20-40 extra damage to dragons, 10 shock to others | Sky Haven Temple (Main Quest: "Alduin's Wall") | Excellent against dragons, good general utility |
| Miraak's Sword | One-Handed | Absorbs Stamina | Defeat Miraak (Dragonborn DLC) | Sustained power attacks, general combat |
| Dawnbreaker | One-Handed | Fire Damage, explodes undead on kill | Meridia's Shrine (Quest: "The Break of Dawn") | Undead-heavy dungeons, general combat |
| Mehrunes' Razor | Dagger | Small chance to instantly kill | Mehrunes Dagon's Shrine (Quest: "Pieces of the Past") | Assassination, high-risk/high-reward combat |
| Player-Crafted | Varies | Customizable enchantments, highest potential base damage | Smithing & Enchanting skills | Tailored to specific playstyles, endgame power |
| (Daedric/Dragonbone) |
Ultimately, the "best" sword in Skyrim is the one that best complements your character's build and effectively addresses the challenges you face in your adventures across Tamriel.
