Skyrim: 25 Best Swords [55 Hours Experience]

The World of Skyrim provides players with different playstyles that suit them. They can either play as a warrior, a mage, or even a thief. If they want to play as a warrior, they have a variety of different swords available in Skyrim Special Edition. Some of these swords are easy to find, whereas others are unique and powerful. They all can have powerful enchantments that will surely help you on your journey as a Dragonborn.

Skyrim has over 30 swords available for players. These swords are different in their stats and enchantments. Some have high damage but weaker enchantments, whereas others have lower damage but powerful enchantments. All in all, 25 Swords are worthy of being called the best of the best. Some of these include:

Let’s look at the comparison between the stats of these Best Swords in Skyrim:

Blades Sword

One unique Sword in Skyrim is the Blades Sword. It is identical to the Dragonbane sword, but it doesn’t come with any enchantments. That makes it perfect if you want to keep a Katana blade but utilize it for your own needs. It is the weapon that is used by the Blades who serve under the Dragonborn.

How To Get

There are a few different locations where you’ll find the Blades Sword. First and foremost, you’ll come across the Blades Sword in Delphine’s Secret Room. The Secret Room is in the Sleeping Giant Inn, and you will be invited to it by Delphine. There, it is near the Arcane Enchanter. Many Blade Swords are found in the Sky Haven Temple. You’ll visit that location in the Alduin’s Wall quest.

Bloodscythe & Soulrender

One of the most powerful combos of swords in Skyrim Special Edition, according to Reddit is, no doubt, the Bloodscythe and Soulrender combo. In it, you have to dual-wield both swords to get the maximum out of them.

Although they both have powerful base damage, their enchantment only works if you are dual-wielding them. Due to that, we have listed both of them here together as they won’t be as useful if they are used separately.

Stats of Soulrender:

• Base Damage: 13
• Weight: 10
• Base Value: 1,000 Gold
• Enchantment: When wielded with Bloodscythe, absorbs 15 Magicka and has a chance to lower the target’s magical defenses.
• Location: Acquired from Haknir Death-Brand’s skeletal remains in Gyldenhul Barrow.

How To Get

You’ll acquire both swords in the Deathbrand quest. In the quest, your goal is to find Haknir Death-Brand’s treasure. Both swords belonged to him, so you’ll get them as you progress through the quest. As you progress through the story, you’ll come to Gyldenhul Barrow. There, you’ll have to fight and defeat Haknir’s Death-Brand. The Ghost of Haknir will drop the Bloodscythe, whereas his skeletal remains will have the Soulrender.

Bolar’s Oathblade

Now the next weapon on the list is the Bolar’s Oathblade. It has the same shape as the Blades Sword, the same black Katana. But it is a much more powerful sword with its powerful enchantment. It once belonged to Acilius Bolar. He escaped Thalmor but eventually died in Bloated Man’s Grotto at the hands of Thalmor.

How To Get

You can find Bolar’s Oathblade at Bloated Man’s Grotto. There, you will have to find the Shrine of Talos. That is the same place where Acilius Bolar hid from the Thalmor. They eventually tracked him there and killed him. Now when you go into the Grotto, you’ll find Bolar’s Oathblade with Bolar’s Writ right next to Talos’ Shrine. Pick them up for yourself.

Although if you didn’t get the blade before you start the quest ‘Ill Met By Moonlight’, then you can’t get it directly. For that, you’ll have to wait for 1 month of in-game time before the Grotto resets. After that, you can go inside and get the Oathblade.

Chillrend

Up next, we have the Chillrend, one of the highest-damage weapons in all of Skyrim. It has the second-highest damage in the game. And when you add that to the powerful enchantment that the blade carries, you have a deadly weapon.

The Chillrend is a unique sword with an Ice-colored body. That resembles its Enchantment and its performance. It is a level-dependent sword. This means the sword’s Base Damage and Enchantment will depend on your Level.

How To Get

You’ll find Chillrend during the Thieves Guild quest The Pursuit. During the quests, you’ll find that Mercer Frey betrayed the Thieves Guild. Your goal is to infiltrate his house in Riften and take his plans. While in his Manor, you’ll eventually get to tunnels in his home. There, you’ll find his office. In the office, the Chillrend is in an expert-level case that you need to unlock.

Daedric Sword

Now, the next sword on our list is craftable. Its damage, design, and other factors made us add it to the list. Not only that, its appearance is that of a deadly sword, although there are a few stronger swords than it. The Daedric Sword has looks that resemble a scimitar. But the hilt, blade, and all other parts of the Sword are completely different.

How To Get

You’ll find the Daedric Sword at different places all over the game. But you need to be of a higher level for it to appear randomly on your journeys. A few blacksmiths or Merchants will sell the sword to you. Not only that, but you’ll also come across it while looting chests too. There are a few instances where you’ll find get the Daedric Sword.

As we’ve mentioned before that you can get the Daedric Sword by crafting it too. For that, you’ll need to be of level 90 Smithing. Only then can you unlock the Daedric Smithing perk. With that, you’ll be able to craft the Sword. Now you’ll need these items for it.

• 1x Daedric Heart
• 2x Ebony Ingot
• 1x Leather Strips

With all that, you can head to any forge and craft it.

Dawnbreaker

One of the best Skyrim weapons on our list is the Dawnbreaker. It is a powerful Daedric Artifact that belongs to the Daedric Prince Meridia. The Dawnbreaker has a unique design, and inside its hilt is a constant light. That shows that the sword holds in it the power of the Sun, hence the name Dawnbreaker.

Due to that, it burns the Dragonborn’s enemies with a burning effect, as it is told by Meridia. But anything foul will get much more than that.

How To Get

To acquire the Dawnbreaker, you’ll have to complete a quest for the Daedric Prince Meridia. That is The Break of Dawn. In the quest, you’ll have to find and place Meridia’s Beacon on her Statue. Which will then open the way to her Temple. There, defeat Malkoran and then retrieve the Dawnbreaker. And it will complete the quest and you will get the Dawnbreaker to keep.

Dragonbane

Up next we have the Dragonbane, the sword that will help you on your quest to get Skyrim rid of the Dragons. But, before you can go on and get your hands on the sword, you must know one thing. And that is the Dragonbane sword is affected by the player level.

If you are in lower levels, the sword will have lower base damage and a relatively weaker enchantment. At higher levels, it will have a higher level with a powerful enchantment.

How To Get

As the sword is related to the Dragons, you’ll get your hands on it in the Main Questline. During the quest ‘Alduin’s Wall’, you’ll go to the Sky Haven Temple. There, in the main chamber, look for the sword on a table. With that, you will also find the complete Blade Armor set.

Pick them both up to get a high stat set early in the game. Now, remember, if you don’t pick it up then, it will show Stolen later on. That will change when you kill Paarthurnax later on in the game.

Dragonebone Sword

We have another sword on our list that is craftable in the game. The main deal about the Dragonbone Sword is that it has the second-highest base damage in the whole game. But, it is heavy weight so you will have to consider that too. But keep in mind that it is a rather rare sword as it requires Dragon Bone and you will eventually run out of it.

How To Get

There are a few locations where you might find the Dragonbone Sword in the game. We came across it when we were fighting higher-level Dragons. Now that isn’t the only possibility of its locations. A few players on Reddit reported that if you get to level 46 or higher, you’ll find the sword at different Blacksmiths or in loot all over the world of Skyrim. Lastly, you can craft it. For that, you’ll need these items.

• 1x Dragon Bone
• 1x Ebony Ingot
• 1x Leather Strip

Take these to any Forge. And there, after a few clicks or taps, you’ll have your Dragonbone Sword ready.

Drainheart Sword

If you’re looking for a unique sword in your arsenal. Then the Drainheart Sword is surely one that you should go for. It has a ghostly appearance as it belongs to the ghost weapons in Skyrim. You’ll find it with other Ghost Weapons. The Ghost Weapons are Drainblood Battleaxe, Drainspell Bow, Drainheart Sword, and Ghostblade.

How To Get

You’ll find the Drainheart Sword in the quest ‘The Staff of Magnus’. The Dragonborn will have to travel to a special location to recover the Staff. During the quest, you’ll have to find the Staff of Magnus. While doing that, you’ll be attacked by several Draugr. They will carry three of the Ghost Weapons. One of these will be carrying the Drainheart Sword with it. Make sure to defeat them as quickly as you can and loot them.

Ebony Sword

The next weapon on the list, the Ebony Sword isn’t unique. Instead, it is a craftable sword, and you will find tons of its copies throughout the game. The sword, as the name suggests, is made from Ebony. But unlike other swords where the hilt may be made of some different material, it is entirely made of Ebony. That gives it a dark color, which in a way looks good on it.

How To Get

You won’t come across the Ebony Sword early in the game. According to different users on Reddit, you can come across Ebony Sword as quickly as Level 21 in Skyrim. We found our first one while fighting Olaf One-Eye. That was during the quest ‘Tending the Flames’. In the quest, you have to find King Olaf’s verses in Dead Men’s Respite. You’ll find the Sword in random chests and loot it as soon as level 30. Not only that, a few different Merchants and Blacksmiths will have the sword available to sell.

Apart from all that, you can craft it for yourself too. For that, you’ll have to get to Smithing 80 and get the Ebony Smithing perk. When you have that, you’ll need the following items to craft it.

• 2x Ebony Ingot
• 1x Leather Strip

Eduj

Now we have one Sword that belongs to the legends of Skyrim. The sword that we’re talking about is the Eduj. Eduj is said to be favored by Kvenel the Tongue. He was one of the leaders of the Tongues. Greybeards are some of the few Tongues that can still use the voice Thu’um. Apart from Eduj, Kvenel favored a War Axe that was naked Okin.

How To Get

You’ll find Eduj in the Volunruud ruins. You’ll get to go there during the Silenced Tongues quest. In the quest, you will have to find ceremonial weapons. Then, you’ll have to enter the Elder’s Cairn. After progressing a little while, you’ll come across the ghost of Kvenel the Tongue. Once you defeat him, you’ll find the Okin in his remains. As for the Eduj, it can be looted from his body.

Gauldur Blackblade

The Gauldur Blackblade is another worthy Sword to make it to our list of best Swords in Skyrim. It belongs to one of the sons of Arch-Mage Gauldur. The sword is similar to the Ancient Nord Sword in appearance. But in stats, it is a leveled-up version of the sword.

How To Get

You’ll find the Gauldur Blackblade in the quest ‘Forbidden Legend’. In the quest, you’ll have to find the scattered fragments of The Gauldur Amulet. It is a long quest in which you will have to visit travel a lot and later on go through three different ruins.

But for the Gauldur Blackblade, you will have to go to the Folgunthur Nordic Tomb. You will have to defeat Mikrul Gauldurson. When you loot his body, it will have the Gauldur Blackblade, the Gauldur Amulet Fragment, and a few other items.

Ghostblade

We discussed the Drainheart Sword a while ago, but now we have another Ghost Weapon, the Ghostblade. The blade is similar to the Drainheart Sword in appearance. But, the stats are quite different. If you have low carrying capacity and want a weapon that ensures your safety while you’re trying to get to your home. It will provide the necessary safety, as long as you’re not hopping into every single fight.

How To Get

You’ll find the Ghostblade in Ansilvund, the Nordic Tomb. You’ll get to visit the Tomb for a few different quests. But, the quest for the Ghostblade won’t start until you get to the Ansilvund Excavation inside the Tomb. The quest will have one objective, to kill Lu’ah Al-Skaven. She will summon Fjord and Holgeir to attack you. Once you defeat them all, you can pick up the Ghostblade from the Arcane Enchanter.

Glass Sword

The Glass Sword is one of the few powerful craftable swords in Skyrim. It belongs to the Glass Armor set, which is a Light Armor Set in the game. With one look at the Glass Sword, you’ll realize that its design is similar to that of the Chillrend, which is a variant of the sword. Apart from that, the Grimsever is another variant of the sword.

How To Get

You’ll start to come across the Glass Sword after you reach level 27 in the game. A few different merchants and Blacksmiths in the game will sell it to you. Not only that but if you are always out on an adventure, you will find it in a few loot chests too. Apart from that, some higher-level enemies will be found wielding the sword too.

Not only that, once you have acquired the Glass Smithing perk in the Smithing skill tree, you can craft it. But for that, you’ll need to be at least level 80 Smithing. Once you reach that, you’ll need these items to craft at a forge.

• 1x Leather Strip
• 1x Refined Malachite
• 1x Refined Moonstone

Grimsever

We’ve already mentioned that the Grimsever is a variant of the Glass Sword. It is a unique variant, so you will only find one copy of it in the game. It belongs to Mjoll the Lioness, who can, later on, become your follower. And through her, you will acquire it. We’ll explain how to do so in a while.

How To Get

You’ll get the related quest to retrieve the Grimsever for Mjoll the Lioness. The quest’s name is ‘Grimsever’s Return’. For that, you’ll have to go and explore the Mzinchaleft Ruins. You will have to fight a Dwarven Centurion among a lot of different things to retrieve the sword.

Once you return the sword to Mjoll the Lioness, she will become your follower. Later on, you can get the sword by doing the Trade items dialogue when she is your follower. That will open her inventory from where you can take the Grimsever.

Harkon’s Sword

Now we have Harkon’s Sword. The sword resembles the Blades Sword in design. But it is separate from the hand guard and its colors. The Blades Sword is silver in color, whereas the Harkon’s Sword has a golden color. Another thing to point out is that the Sword’s powerful enchantment will only work if the wielder is a vampire.

How To Get

You get Harkon’s Sword in the quest Kindred Judgment. In that quest, you go and confront Harkon for his actions. It is also the final quest of the Dawnguard DLC. Lord Harkon is a powerful foe so you will have to be careful with each of your attacks. Make sure that you’re using the Auriel Bow against him as it has fire damage among many other benefits. With that, the fight will end relatively early. In the end, you can loot Harkon’s Sword from his body.

Apart from that, you can take the Harkon’s Sword from him earlier in the game too. For that, you will have to pickpocket him. For that, you’ll need the Misdirection perk. But, it will be a lot more difficult to manage, unless you have perfected pickpocketing.

Hjalti’s Sword

Now we have another Sword that resembles the Ancient Nord Sword. That is the Hjalti’s Sword. According to some records, Hjalti Early-Beard was the original name of Tiber Septim. That leads to the belief that Hjalti’s Sword originally belonged to Tiber Septim himself. Making it an important relic in the history of Skyrim.

How To Get

When you visit the Old Hroldan Inn to the Southeast of Markarth, you’ll find that a Ghost is haunting that Inn. When you talk to the Ghost of Old Horldan, you’ll find that he was once promised by Hjalti the sword as proof that they are sworn, brothers. You will have to find and retrieve the Sword from him. The Innkeeper will then point you to one of the nine different locations. There you will find the sword.

Now, if you want to use the sword or test it out, you can keep it for a while. You won’t have to return it to the Ghost. But, when you feel that it is falling back in damage or that you are looking for new weapons, you can give it back to the Ghost. That will finish the Quest.

Lunar Steel Sword

The next weapon in the list of the Best unique swords of the game is the Lunar Steel Sword. The sword empowers in the presence of the Moon and it deals additional damage to it. Now, the game says that the Dragonborn can use the Lunar Forge (where they are found) to craft the Lunar weapons. But upon our testing, we found out that there was no such thing.

How To Get

When you visit Whiterun for the first time, if talk with Proventus Avenicci, the Steward, he will give you the quest. The quest will simply state ‘Kill the Bandit Leader at Silent Moon Camp’. When you go there, you’ll find that the location is infested with bandits. Defeat them and climb up the stairs. There will be the Lunar Forge. Besides the Lunar Forge, you’ll find the Lunar Steel Sword with the Lunar Iron Sword.

Miraak’s Sword

The Miraak’s Sword has to be the most unique sword in the game. And that isn’t because you won’t find any other copy of it without console commands, it is because of its shape. With each attack, the blade turns into a tentacle, and it grows in length. The tentacle doesn’t affect its range at all, as it will still have a typical sword’s range. But that no doubt is a unique animation of the sword’s attacks.

How To Get

During the quest ‘At the Summit of Apocrypha’ quest, you’ll get to acquire Miraak’s Sword along with other possessions of Miraak. The quest becomes available only if you have the Dragonborn DLC. In the DLC, Miraak is the final boss that you have to fight. You will have to learn a new Thu’um and then fight  Miraak in his temple. When he is defeated, you can loot the sword from his body. With that, it will have his Staff and Armor set too.

Nightingale Blade

Up next, we have a powerful sword that belongs to Gallus Desidenius. He was the former Grandmaster of the Thieves Guild. Nightingale Blade has the 3rd highest base damage of all swords in the game. That alone makes it worthy of keeping with you. But to get that stats, your character needs to be of a higher level. Make sure that you’re at least level 46 before you get on the quest.

How To Get

You will get the Nightingale Blade during the quest ‘Hard Answers’. In the quest, you’ll have to decipher Gallus’s Encoded Journal which is written in a special language. For that, you’ll have to get the help of Enthir. From there on, you will have to find Calcelmo’s Stone which is a Falmer Translating Guide. Show it to Enthir and then he will decipher the code. Then, when you talk with Karliah, she will reward you with the Nightingale Blade.

Red Eagle’s Bane

Then, we have a sword that belongs to one of the legends of the First Era. That legend was known as the Red Eagle. He lived in the 10th century when the Reach was attacked by a certain empress. Then, Red Eagle used his sword, Red Eagle’s Bane to kill thousands of enemies before he was killed. The sword is unique in another manner as you get it by converting a different sword to it.

How To Get

While reading the book ‘The Legend of Red Eagle’. In the quest, you’ll have to find the Red Eagle’s Fury in the Red Eagle Redoubt. There, you’ll have to fight a bunch of Forsworn. They are some hard-to-beat foes so you will have to go prepared. When you get inside, you’ll have to fight your way through them until you get to the Forsworn Brainheart. He will have the Red Eagle’s Fury.

Then, there will be a pedestal where you’ll have to place the sword which will open the door to the Red Eagle’s Tomb. You’ll have to defeat him. When looted, he will have the Honed Ancient Nord Greatsword of Burning on him. After that, when you remove the Red Eagle’s Fury from the pedestal, it will be converted into the Red Eagle’s Bane.

Silver Sword

If you have to go down in crypts and fight Draugr or are on a quest to defeat the Vampires, then the Silver Sword is one that you should get. Although it has low base damage, it is quite deadly to undead and vampires. Making them vulnerable to it. You’ll find it at several different locations so it isn’t a ‘rare’ sword in the game.

How To Get

You’ll find that the members of the Silver Hand will always carry the sword. And apart from one location, you won’t find it anywhere other than with the Silver Hand. That location is Castle Volkihar, where you’ll find it on a shelf near the Vampire Royal Armor. If you joined the Companions, you’ll find yourself fighting against the Silver Hand. That way, you’ll get your hands on the Silver Sword fairly easily.

Stalhrim Sword

The Stalhrim Sword is not a unique weapon as it can be crafted in the game. But to get it, you will have to get the Dragonborn DLC of the game. Because it is not a part of the vanilla game. If you have the Skyrim Special Edition or the Anniversary Edition, the Stalhrim Sword will already be a part of the game. You’ll note that it is similar to the Ebony Sword in damage.

How To Get

There are a few confirmed locations where you will find the Stalhrim Swords. We found out that in the Skaal Village, Baldor Iron-Shaper, and at Raven Rock, Glover Mallory sold the Stalhrim Sword. Apart from that, you will find it in random chests throughout the game too.

In addition to all that, you can craft it new. But for that, you will need to complete the ‘A New Source of Stalhrim’ too. Not only that, but you’ll also need to be of level 80 Smithing and get the Ebony Smithing perk. With that, you will need these items to craft them at any forge.

• 1x Leather Strip
• 2x Stalhrim

The Pale Blade

The Pale Blade is surely one of the unique weapons in the game. Although its appearance is similar to that of the Ancient Nord Sword, it can have a higher base damage, depending on the Player’s Level. The Sword belongs to The Pale Lady, and it has a powerful enchantment that will make it even more powerful.

How To Get

You’ll find the Pale Blade in the quest named ‘The Pale Lady’. The quest starts when you enter the Frostmere Crypt. There, a group of bandits will be attacking Eisa Blackthorn. Save her and she will inform you of the quest. If she dies in the process, you can read from the journal on her. Then you’ll have to enter the Crypt and find The Pale Blade. When you retrieve it, you’ll have to kill The Pale Lady to get the blade.

Windshear

One of the most powerful Swords in all of Skyrim Special Edition is the Windshear. That is not because of its damage or anything else. But it is due to the powerful enchantment that the sword has. Not only that, it is one of the rare weapons, too, that is thanks to the place where it is hidden. Chances are, you’ll never find it if you’ve never looked for it on forums or guides.

How To Get

Now, to get the Windshear, you will have to get the Dark Brotherhood’s quest line. In it, you’ll find the sword during the quest ‘Hail Sithis!’. In the quest, you’ll have to get on The Katariah ship and assassinate Emperor Titus Mede II. When you get on the ship, get on its deck and go to the front of the ship. There, get on the wooden beam on the bow. On it, you will find the Windshear wedged into the wooden beam.

If you didn’t manage to get the sword during the quest, you could get it after it too. Just go there and get on the ship, it will be at the same location. 

The world of Skyrim is vast. It gives the player different options on how they want to play. You can play it easily by learning the Transmute spell and making gold out of thin air. Or, You can work your way up by learning different skills such as Alchemy and making a powerful build in turn. It all depends on how you want to play the game.

In addition to all that, the game lets you take wives. Or you can have some powerful followers such as Serana. It all depends on how you want to play the game. 

Next:

• Best One-handed Weapons in Skyrim
• Skyrim: Armor Cap
• Skyrim: Fortify Enchanting Guide