Skyrim: 25 Best One-Handed Weapons [Expert’s Insight]
After playing Skyrim for incredible amounts of hours, I can say that these are the absoulute best one-handed weapons you will probably find!
There are many skills in Skyrim that are advantageous when battling enemies. One of them is the ability to use one-hand weapons, meaning wielding them with just a single hand. It is incredibly useful and does come in handy when fighting bigger bosses or multiple mobs of enemies and slashing and thrashing them. If one-handed weapons are wielded in both hands, the damage inflicted is doubled. When you have the best one-handed weapons on your side, you won’t have any trouble progressing with ease in Skyrim.
Key Takeaways
- There are a total of 114 one-handed weapons in Skyrim.
- You can use one-handed weapons to form combos that can deal double the amount of damage.
- Miraak’s sword is probably the best one-handed sword because of its base damage in the swords category.
- Daggers can be used for stealth-related kills. The Dragonbone dagger is probably the best one for the job.
- The Dawnguard Rune War Axe is the best of all War Axes based on raw damage.
- Author’s Note: After going through Skyrim for several weeks on Steam, I feel confident going into the topic with thorough experience.
Comparison Table of One-Handed Weapons In Skyrim:
| Weapons | Base Damage | Base Value | Upgrade Material | Perk | Award Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grimsever | 12.0 | 350.0 | Refined Malachite | Glass Smithing | Best for Magicka Absorption |
| Bolar’s Oathblade | 11.0 | 1014.0 | Quicksilver Ingot | Steel Smithing | Lunar Enhancement |
| The Pale Blade | 8.0 | 169.0 | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | Specialized Against Horkers |
| Dawnbreaker | 12.0 | 740.0 | Ebony Ingot | None | Lunar Enhancement |
| Bloodscythe And Soul Render | 13.0 | 1859.0 | One-Handed, Sword | Daedric Smithing | Versatile Combatant |
| Chillrend | 15.0 | 1442.0 | Refined Malachite | Glass Smithing | Craftsmanship |
| Dragonbane | 10.0 | 970.0 | Quicksilver Ingot | Steel Smithing | Undead Slayer |
| Windshear | 11.0 | 40.0 | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | Frostborn |
| Miraak’s Sword | 12.0 | 410.0 | Ebony Ingot | Dwarven Smithing | Best for Enchanting |
| Nightingale Blade | 14.0 | 1665.0 | Ebony Ingot | None | Standard |
| Bloodthorn | 5.0 | 183.0 | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | Health Absorption |
| Valdr’s Lucky Dagger | 5.0 | 15.0 | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | Deadly Chance |
| Dragonbone Dagger | 12.0 | 600.0 | Dragon Bone | Dragon Armor | Best for Enchanting |
| Mehrunes’ Razor | 11.0 | 880.0 | Ebony Ingot | None | Lucky Strike |
| Blade Of Woe | 12.0 | 880.0 | None | Steel Smithing | Soul Capturer |
| Dragon Priest | 6.0 | 9.0 | Cannot Upgrade | None | Best for Health and Stamina Absorption |
| Dragonbone War Axe | 16.0 | 1700.0 | Dragon Bone | Dragon Armor | Stamina Absorption |
| Stalhrim War Axe | 15.0 | 1180.0 | Stalhrim | Ebony Smithing | Knockdown Specialist |
| Dawnguard Rune | 11.0 | 175.0 | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | Best for Dragon Slaying |
| Skyforge Steel | 12.0 | 80.0 | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | Frostbite |
| Cleaver Of St. Felms | 14.0 | 2508.0 | Dwarven Metal Ingot | Dwarven Smithing | Soul and Armor Corruptor |
| Lunar Iron Mace | 9.0 | 168.0 | Iron Ingot | None | Undead Exterminator |
| Horksbane | 10.0 | 250.0 | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | Frosty Intimidator |
| Lunar Steel Mace | 10.0 | 198.0 | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | Intimidator |
| Mace Of Molag Bal | 16.0 | 1257.0 | Ebony Ingot | Steel Smithing | Frosty Combatant |
25. Grimsever
The Most Easily Attainable One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Chose It: This glass sword is included for its early availability in the game and its decent base damage, making it one of the best early-game weapons for players to acquire quickly.
| Class | One-Handed, Sword |
| Weight | 14 |
| Upgrade Material | Refined Malachite |
| Base Damage | 12 |
| Base Value | 350 |
| Additional Effects | Target takes 15 points of Frost Damage to Health and Stamina |
| Perk | Glass Smithing |
- Early Availability
- High Damage Output
- Unique Design
- Quest Reward
- Limited Availability
- Fixed Stats
- Narrow Utility
- One-Handed Weapon
24. Bolar’s Oathblade
The Best Crowd Controlling One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Recommend This: Not only does it have solid base damage, but its additional effect of causing opponents to flee can be advantageous in crowd control situations, making it suitable for handling multiple foes.
| Class | One-Handed, Sword |
| Weight | 10 |
| Upgrade Material | Quicksilver Ingot |
| Base Damage | 11 |
| Base Value | 1014 |
| Additional Effects | 25 points of Stamina and Damage.
Creatures and people up to level 12 can flee from combat for 30 sec. |
| Perk | Steel Smithing |
- Exquisite Design
- High Mobility
- Stamina Drain
- Crowd Control
- Limited Damage Output
- Restricted Utility
- Level Restriction
- Single-Handed Weapon
23. The Pale Blade
The Best Early Killing One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Chose The Pale Blade: With its high initial damage and additional frost damage effect, The Pale Blade is excellent for dispatching enemies swiftly, especially in the early stages of the game.
| Class | One-Handed, Sword |
| Weight | 12-15 |
| Upgrade Material | Steel Ingot |
| Base Damage | 8-11 |
| Base Value | 169-914 |
| Additional Effects | 25 points of Frost Damage.
Creatures and people up to level 16 flee from combat for 30 seconds. |
| Perk | Steel Smithing |
- Impressive Appearance
- High Damage Output
- Low Weight
- Knockback Effect
- Limited Utility
- Single-Handed Limitation
- Specialization Required:
- Potential Obsolescence
22. Dawnbreaker
The Most Explosive One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Recommend Dawnbreaker: This Daedric Artifact not only boasts decent base damage but also has the added ability to cause explosions that destroy nearby undead, making it highly effective against undead enemies.
| Class | One-Handed, Sword |
| Weight | 10 |
| Upgrade Material | Ebony Ingot |
| Base Damage | 12 |
| Base Value | 740 |
| Additional Effects | Burn for 10 points.
If killing undead, a chance to cause an explosion that destroys nearby undead. |
| Perk | None |
- Rich Lore
- Unique Origins
- Symbolic Significance
- Powerful Abilities
- Limited Usefulness
- Daedric Affiliation
- Quest Dependency
- Level Requirement
21. Bloodscythe And Soul Render
The Best Armor Damaging One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Chose Them: These dual-wielded weapons provide a potent combination, with their ability to absorb health and lower the target’s armor, making them formidable choices for sustained combat encounters.
| Class | One-Handed, Sword |
| Weight | 10 |
| Upgrade Material | One-Handed, Sword |
| Base Damage | 13 |
| Base Value | 1859 |
| Additional Effects | When wielded with Soulrender, it absorbs 15 health and has a chance to lower the target’s armor. |
| Perk | Daedric Smithing |
- Synergistic Combat
- Surprising Power
- Unique Specifications:
- Versatile Utility
- Visual Underwhelming
- Dependency on Player Skill
- Resource Management
- Acquisition Challenges
20. Chillrend
The Best Enemy Paralyzing Damaging One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Chose Chillrend: Regarded as one of the best one-handed weapons in Skyrim, Chillrend stands out due to its high base damage and the chance to paralyze opponents, offering both offensive and crowd control capabilities.
| Class | One-Handed, Sword |
| Weight | 16 |
| Upgrade Material | Refined Malachite |
| Base Damage | 15 |
| Base Value | 1442 |
| Additional Effects | Target takes 30 points of Frost Damage.
Chance to paralyze for 2 seconds. |
| Perk | Glass Smithing |
- Exceptional Damage
- Unique Visual Design
- Icy Enchantment
- Available at Higher Levels
- Limited Availability
- Dependency on Level
- Single Enchantment
- Competition from Other Weapons
19. Dragonbane
The Best Dragon Killing One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Suggest Dragonbane: Specifically designed to defeat dragons, Dragonbane’s extra damage against dragons and shock damage against other enemies make it an essential weapon for dragon encounters and general combat situations.
| Class | One-Handed, Sword |
| Weight | 10-14 |
| Upgrade Material | Quicksilver Ingot |
| Base Damage | 10-14 |
| Base Value | 970-1560 |
| Additional Effects | Obtain extra 20-30 damage to dragon points.
10 points of shock damage to others. |
| Perk | Steel Smithing |
- Dragon-Damaging Enchantment
- Lightweight
- Familiar Design:
- Effective Against Dragons
- Limited Utility Outside Dragon Fights
- Restricted Purpose
- Obtaining Requirement
- Competition from Alternatives
18. Windshear
The Best Bash Attacking One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Chose Windsheer: Its unique ability to knock down enemies with bash attacks makes Windshear an invaluable weapon for crowd control, providing players with an advantage in overwhelming situations.
| Class | One-Handed, Sword |
| Weight | 10 |
| Upgrade Material | Steel Ingot |
| Base Damage | 11 |
| Base Value | 40 |
| Additional Effects | Bash attacks made with this weapon have a chance of knocking enemies down. |
| Perk | Steel Smithing |
- Exceptional Speed and Agility
- Unique Acquisition Method
- Versatile Design
- Stunning Visuals
- Limited Availability
- Single-Handed Use Only
- Relative Fragility
- Specialization in Close-Quarters Combat
17. Miraak’s Sword
The Best Stamina Absorbing One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Chose It: While challenging to obtain, Miraak’s Sword offers high base damage and the ability to absorb stamina, providing players with sustained combat capabilities, especially in longer battles.
| Class | One-Handed, Sword |
| Weight | 3 |
| Upgrade Material | Ebony Ingot, Daedra Heart |
| Base Damage | 12-16 |
| Base Value | 410-1250 |
| Additional Effects | Absorb 15 points of Stamina |
| Perk | Dwarven Smithing |
- Unique Appearance
- Powerful Stats
- Exclusivity
- Symbolic Significance
- Limited Availability
- Endgame Acquisition
- Lack of Customization
- Heavyweight and Bulkiness
16. Nightingale Blade
The Most Sustainable One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Prefer Nightingale Blade: With its ability to absorb both health and stamina, the Nightingale Blade offers players sustainability in combat, making it a versatile and effective choice for various encounters.
| Class | One-Handed, Sword |
| Weight | 15 |
| Upgrade Material | Ebony Ingot |
| Base Damage | 14 |
| Base Value | 1665 |
| Additional Effects | Absorb 25 points of Health and Stamina |
| Perk | None |
- Unique Lore
- Symbolism
- Unique Design
- Powerful Enchantments
- Limited Availability
- Restricted Customization
- Dependency on Faction Membership
- Subjective Aesthetics
15. Bloodthorn
The Best Soul-Trapping One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Suggest Bloodborne: Bloodthorn’s unique soul-trapping ability adds versatility and practicality, making it valuable early in Skyrim.
| Class | One-Handed, Dagger |
| Weight | 2.5 |
| Upgrade Material | Steel Ingot |
| Base Damage | 5 |
| Base Value | 183 |
| Additional Effects | If the target dies within 3 seconds, it fills a soul gem |
| Perk | Steel Smithing |
- Swift and Deadly
- Accessible Location
- Versatile Use
- Stealth Advantage
- Limited Damage Output
- Short Reach
- Susceptibility to Disarmament
- Minimal Customization
14. Valdr’s Lucky Dagger
One-Handed Weapon With The Best Crit. Stat.
- Why I Picked It: The Valdr’s Lucky Dagger is a standout early-game choice due to its critical hit chance.
| Class | One-Handed, Dagger |
| Weight | 2.5 |
| Upgrade Material | Steel Ingot |
| Base Damage | 5 |
| Base Value | 15 |
| Additional Effects | 25% chance of a critical hit |
| Perk | Steel Smithing |
- Surprising Statistics
- Accessible Early in the Game
- Versatile Build Potential
- Limited Damage Output
- Reliance on Skill and Strategy
- Limited Enchantment Options
13. Dragonbone Dagger
The Best Close-Combat One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Selected It: The Dragonbone Dagger excels with high damage potential, making it a formidable choice for close combat encounters
| Class | One-Handed, Dagger |
| Weight | 6.5 |
| Upgrade Material | Dragon Bone |
| Base Damage | 12 |
| Base Value | 600 |
| Additional Effects | With the right amount of set points, you can make a good enchantment for it |
| Perk | Dragon Armor |
- Surprising Statistics
- Accessible Early in the Game
- Versatile Build Potential
- Limited Damage Output
- Reliance on Skill and Strategy
- Limited Enchantment Options
12. Mehrunes’ Razor
One-Handed Weapon With The Best Effect.
- Why It Made The List: Mehrunes’ Razor offers a unique chance to instantly kill enemies, making it a powerful and unpredictable weapon.
| Class | One-Handed, Dagger |
| Weight | 3 |
| Upgrade Material | Ebony Ingot |
| Base Damage | 11 |
| Base Value | 880 |
| Additional Effects | Hits have a small chance to instantly kill |
| Perk | None |
- Exceptional Speed:
- Significant Daedric Artifact
- Unique Instant Kill Chance
- Quest-Dependent Acquisition
- Random Instant Kill Chance
- Limited Availability
11. Blade Of Woe
Best One-Handed Weapon For Stealth.
- Why I Prefer It: The Blade of Woe stands out with its high damage and health absorption, ideal for stealthy assassination.
| Class | One-Handed, Dagger |
| Weight | 7 |
| Upgrade Material | None |
| Base Damage | 12 |
| Base Value | 880 |
| Additional Effects | Absorb 10 points of Health |
| Perk | Steel Smithing |
- Exceptional Damage
- Unique Association
- Stylish Aesthetic
- Quest-Dependent Acquisition
- Restricted Availability
- Weight Consideration
10. Dragon Priest
Best One-Handed Weapon For Dagger Collection
- Why I Chose It: The Dragon Priest dagger is unique and visually stunning, perfect for collectors and fans of Skyrim lore.
| Class | One-Handed, Dagger |
| Weight | 5 |
| Upgrade Material | Cannot be upgraded |
| Base Damage | 6 |
| Base Value | 9 |
| Additional Effects | None |
| Perk | None |
- Unique Appearance
- Historical Significance
- Rare and Coveted
- Limited Availability
- Quest-Dependent Acquisition
- Potential Level Requirements
9. Dragonbone War Axe
Best One-Handed Weapon For Durability.
- Why I Suggest Dragonbane War Axe: The Dragonbone War Axe boasts exceptional damage and durability, making it a top choice for heavy hitters.
| Class | One-Handed, War Axe |
| Weight | 21 |
| Upgrade Material | Dragon Bone |
| Base Damage | 16 |
| Base Value | 1700 |
| Additional Effects | Enchantable |
| Perk | Dragon Armor |
- Superior Material
- Heavy Damage
- Balanced Performance
- Material Scarcity
- High Crafting Requirements
- Weight and Encumbrance
8. Stalhrim War Axe
Best One-Handed Weapon For Frost Damage.
- Why I Prefer It: The Stalhrim War Axe’s potent frost enchantment makes it devastating against enemies vulnerable to cold damage.
| Class | One-Handed, War Axe |
| Weighth | 16 |
| Upgrade Material | Stalhrim |
| Base Damage | 15 |
| Base Value | 1180 |
| Additional Effects | Its frost damage enchantment is 25% stronger when placed with the items crafted from Stalhrim |
| Perk | Ebony Smithing |
- Powerful Material
- Unique Appearance
- Versatile Crafting Requirements
- Limited Availability
- Geographic Restrictions
- Dependency on Smithing Skill
7. Dawnguard Rune
Best One-Handed Weapon For Sun Damage.
- Why I Opted For It: The Dawnguard Rune Axe is notable for its added sun damage, making it highly effective against undead foes.
| Class | One-Handed, War Axe |
| Weight | 13 |
| Upgrade Material | Steel Ingot |
| Base Damage | 11 |
| Base Value | 175 |
| Additional Effects | Does 10+n sun damage to undead where n is the number of undead killed with the axe since last sunrise |
| Perk | Steel Smithing |
- Sun Damage
- Specialized Utility
- Role in Faction Questline
- Limited Damage Output
- Weight Consideration
- Niche Application
6. Skyforge Steel
Most Versatile One-Handed Weapon.
- Why This Was My Preference: The Skyforge Steel War Axe offers a balance of power and versatility crafted by skilled smiths in Whiterun.
| Class | One-Handed, War Axe |
| Weight | 12 |
| Upgrade Material | Steel Ingot |
| Base Damage | 12 |
| Base Value | 80 |
| Additional Effects | Get you nice Enchantables with right amount of points |
| Perk | Steel Smithing |
- Enhanced Durability
- Superior Strength
- Symbolic Significance
- Accessibility Requirements
- Limited Availability
- Inherent Specialization
5. Cleaver Of St. Felms
Best Fiery Stat. One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Opted For It: The Cleaver of St. Felms excels with its fiery enchantment and impressive base damage, ideal for combat.
| Class | One-Handed, War Axe |
| Weight | 17 |
| Upgrade Material | Dwarven Metal Ingot |
| Base Damage | 14 |
| Base Value | 2508 |
| Additional Effects | Burn the target for 30 points, targets on fire take extra damage.
Absorb 25 points of Magicka. |
| Perk | Dwarven Smithing |
- Balanced Statistics
- Unique Attributes
- High Ranking
- Limited Availability
- Potential Quest Dependencies
- Competition with Other Weapons
4. Lunar Iron Mace
Best Lunar Stat. One-Handed Weapon.
- Why I Lunar Iron Mace Is Preferred: The Lunar Iron Mace is exceptional due to its lunar enchantment, burning targets under the moonlight.
| Class | One-Handed, Mace |
| Weight | 13 |
| Upgrade Material | Iron Ingot |
| Base Damage | 9 |
| Base Value | 168 |
| Additional Effects | Burns the target for 20 points, when the moons are out |
| Perk | None |
- Superior Power
- Unique Category
- Visually Stunning
- Limited Availability
- Potential Quest Dependencies
- Competition with Other Weapons
3. Horksbane
Best One-Handed Weapon Against Horkers
- Why I Think It’s A Good Choice: Horksbane stands out for its effectiveness against Horkers, making it unique and useful in specific situations.
| Class | One-Handed, Mace |
| Weight | 14 |
| Upgrade Material | Steel Ingot |
| Base Damage | 10 |
| Base Value | 250 |
| Additional Effects | Effective against horkers |
| Perk | Steel Smithing |
- Specialized Enchantment
- Unique Lore
- Targeted Effectiveness
- Limited Versatility
- Niche Application
- Limited Availability
2. Lunar Steel Mace
Best One-Handed Weapon For Physical Damage.
- Why I Opted For It: The Lunar Steel Mace is notable for its lunar enchantment, which inflicted additional burn damage under moonlight.
| Class | One-Handed, Mace |
| Weight | 14 |
| Upgrade Material | Steel Ingot |
| Base Damage | 10 |
| Base Value | 198 |
| Additional Effects | Burn the target for 10-20 points, while the moons are out |
| Perk | Steel Smithing |
- Specialized Enchantment
- Unique Lore
- Targeted Effectiveness
- Limited Versatility
- Niche Application
- Limited Availability
1. Mace Of Molag Bal
Best One-Handed Mace.
- Why I Chose Mace Of Molag Bal: The Mace of Molag Bal is renowned for its devastating damage and the ability to fill soul gems upon kills.
| Class | One-Handed, Mace |
| Weight | 18 |
| Upgrade Material | Ebony Ingot |
| Base Damage | 16 |
| Base Value | 1257 |
| Additional Effects | Deals 25 damage to Stamina and Magicka.
If the target dies within 3 seconds, it fills a soul gem. |
| Perk | Steel Smithing |
- Daedric Artifact
- Exceptional Damage Output
- Soul Trap Enchantment
- Quest Requirement
- Weight and Stamina Drain
- Limited Range and Speed
My Take On The Best Two-Handed Weapons
Using a combo of the weapon Dawnbreaker and Mace of Molag Bal works pretty perfectly because it balances damage and can help players make avail of the additional effects of the weapons, especially when they are fighting against undead enemies, like Skeletons, Draugrs, and Dragon Priests.
The buff of Mace of Molag Bal with the benefit of filling a soul gem if the enemy dies within 3 seconds is a pretty nifty one, as it would help to have the effect stay active at all times since weapons with additional effects require soul gems to re-fill the effects once they are exercised because of battling too many enemies.
f players prefer the usage of a bow over one-handed weapons, check out the guide on how to use the bound bow. I have covered it for you if you’re confused about various alchemy recipes, like Fortify Enchanting.
Also, make sure to check out the detailed guides over the major quests early in the game, like Blood On The Ice and In My Time Of Need. Also, check out our in-depth review of Skyrim written by our guide writer, Asad Ahmed.
Next:
- Skyrim Fortify Enchanting: Alchemy & Process Guide.
- How To Get Serana As A Follower In Skyrim.
- Skyrim: Potential Wives & How To Marry Them.
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