Skyrim - Swords
Swords are the largest weapon class in Skyrim at 50 weapons, and the fastest one-hander after daggers. They hit for up to 16, one below a war axe of the same material and two below a mace, and they make it back on speed and on the one class perk that works where the others do not.
Combat
Where it wins
- Bladesman is the only weapon perk that works against undead, Dwarven automatons and anything else with no armour and no blood. Maces and war axes both go dead against those.
- Fastest of the three one-handed classes, so damage per second stays competitive despite the lowest damage per hit.
- Deepest class in the game: 50 weapons, which is where most of the named and quest weapons live.
- Lowest stamina cost per power attack of the one-handers, which matters for a dual wielding build burning stamina on both hands.
Where it loses
- Lowest base damage of the three one-handed classes. A Daedric Sword does 14 where the mace does 16.
- Bladesman is a 20 per cent chance of critical damage at rank 3, and critical damage is a fraction of base damage, not of your total. At 100 skill that works out near 3 per cent more damage per swing.
- No armour penetration and no bleed, so against a heavily armoured target the class has no answer where a mace does.
- The class ceiling is 16, tied with the strongest war axe minus one and well behind any two-hander.
Builds
The sword build is the generalist one-handed build, and its real strength is dual wielding.
- Armsman first, 5 ranks, which is a flat multiplier on every one-handed swing.
- Dual Flurry and Dual Savagery if you are holding two. Sword speed is what makes dual wielding worth the stamina.
- Bladesman only after those. It is the weakest of the three class perks numerically, and it is worth taking mainly for the undead and automaton coverage the others lack.
- Where the next chunk of damage comes from: smithing, not perks. Tempering raises base damage, and Armsman multiplies it.
| Statistic | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|
| Damage | 1 | 16 |
| Weight | 0 (Phantom Sword) | 20 (Madness Sword) |
| Value | - | 3413 (Goldbrand) |
| In the class | 50 weapons | |
Best Swords
| Weapon | Image | Damage | Weight | Value | Why Take It |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miraak's Sword |  |
16 | 3 | 427 | 16 damage and the class ceiling, from Dragonborn. Its tentacle effect also staggers. |
| Madness Sword | File:Skyrim Madness Sword.webp | 16 | 20 | 250 | 16 damage, tied for highest in class, from the Saints & Seducers Creation. |
| Chillrend |  |
15 | 16 | 1442 | 15 damage with a strong frost enchantment, and it levels with you, so the version you get at 46 or above is the one worth having. |
| Dragonbone Sword |  |
15 | 19 | 1500 | Highest in class at 15 damage. |
| Goldbrand | File:Skyrim Goldbrand.webp | 15 | 17 | 3413 | Highest in class at 15 damage. |
Notes
- Bladesman gives swords a 10, 15 or 20 per cent chance of critical damage at 30, 60 and 90 One-Handed.
- It is the only one of the three class perks that functions against armourless and bloodless enemies, which covers draugr, skeletons and Dwarven automatons.
- Critical damage is calculated from the weapon's base damage, so the perk is worth proportionally less the more your skill and smithing raise your total.
- Swords, war axes and maces all draw on Armsman equally. The class perks are the only mechanical difference between them.
All Swords
| Name | Image | Damage | Speed | Weight | Value | Enchantment | Item ID | Level | Upgrade Material | Crafting Perk | Skill | Unique | DLC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akaviri Sword | 
|
11 | 1 | 10 | 300 | Enchantable | XX014555 | 1+ | Cannot be Upgraded | None | One-Handed | Yes | Dragonborn |
| Amren's Family Sword | 
|
7 | 1 | 9 | 25 | Cannot be enchanted | 000647AC | 1+ | Iron Ingot | None | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Ancient Nord Sword | 
|
8 | 1 | 12 | 13 | Enchantable | 0002C66F | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Blades Sword | 
|
11 | 1 | 10 | 300 | Enchantable | 0003AEB9 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Bloodscythe | 
|
13 | 1 | 10 | 1859 | When wielded with Soulrender, absorbs 15 health and has a chance to lower the target's armor | XX018DDD | 1+ | Ebony Ingot | Daedric Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Dragonborn |
| Bolar's Oathblade | 
|
11 | 1 | 10 | 1014 | Does 25 points of Stamina damage. Creatures and people up to level 12 flee from combat for 30 seconds | 000C1989 | 1+ | Quicksilver Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Ceremonial Sword | 
|
8 | 1 | 12 | 5 | Cannot be enchanted | 0008ADFC | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Chillrend | 
|
15 | 1 | 16 | 1442 | Target takes 30 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina. Chance to paralyze the target for 2 seconds | 000F8318 | Level 46+ | Refined Malachite | Glass Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Daedric Sword | 
|
14 | 1 | 16 | 1250 | Enchantable | 000139B9 | Level 46+ | Ebony Ingot | Daedric Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Dawnbreaker | 
|
12 | 1 | 10 | 740 | Burns for 10–15 points, and if killing undead, a chance to cause a fiery explosion that turns or destroys nearby undead | 0004E4EE | 1+ | Ebony Ingot | None | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Dragonbane | 
|
14 | 1 | 14 | 2596 | 40 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others | 000F71D0 | Level 46+ | Quicksilver Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Dragonborn |
| Dragonbone Sword | 
|
15 | 1 | 19 | 1500 | Enchantable | XX014FCE | Level 46+ | Dragon Bone | Dragon Smithing | One-Handed | - | Dawnguard |
| Drainheart Sword | 
|
11 | 1 | 3 | 73 | Absorb 15 points of stamina | 000F71DD | 1+ | Cannot be Upgraded | None | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Dwarven Sword | 
|
10 | 1 | 12 | 135 | Enchantable | 00013999 | 12+ | Dwarven Metal Ingot | Dwarven Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Ebony Sword | 
|
13 | 1 | 15 | 720 | Enchantable | 000139B1 | 36+ | Ebony Ingot | Ebony Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Eduj | 
|
11 | 1 | 9 | 300 | Target takes 10 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina | 0008FFDF | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Elven Sword | 
|
11 | 1 | 13 | 235 | Enchantable | 000139A1 | 19+ | Refined Moonstone | Elven Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Falmer Sword | 
|
10 | 1 | 18 | 67 | Enchantable | 0002E6D1 | 1+ | Chaurus Chitin | None | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Forsworn Sword | 
|
10 | 1 | 13 | 70 | Enchantable | 000CADE9 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Gauldur Blackblade | 
|
11 | 1 | 15 | 1286 | Absorb 25 points of health | 000F5D1D | Level 36+ | Steel Ingot | Dwarven Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Ghostblade | 
|
8 | 1 | 1 | 300 | Does 3 points of extra damage, ignoring armor | 00094A2B | 1+ | 3 Ectoplasm | None | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Glass Sword | 
|
12 | 1 | 14 | 410 | Enchantable | 000139A9 | Level 27+ | Refined Malachite | Glass Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Grimsever | 
|
12 | 1 | 14 | 727 | Target takes 15 points of frost damage to health and stamina | 00053379 | 1+ | Refined Malachite | Glass Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Harkon's Sword | 
|
8 | 1 | 9 | 1472 | Absorbs 15 points of Health, Magicka, and Stamina if wielded by a vampire | XX0067CF | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Dawnguard |
| Herebane's Courage | 
|
11 | 1 | 13 | 639 | Burns the target for 25 points. Targets on fire take extra damage | 000F9648 | 1+ | Refined Moonstone | Elven Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Hjalti's Sword | 
|
8 | 1 | 12 | 13 | Cannot be enchanted | 00068976 | 1+ | Cannot be Upgraded | None | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Honed Ancient Nord Sword | 
|
11 | 1 | 15 | 23 | Enchantable | 0005BF14 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Dwarven Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Honed Falmer Sword | 
|
12 | 1 | 18 | 205 | Enchantable | 0006F6FF | 1+ | Cannot be Upgraded | None | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Imperial Sword | 
|
8 | 1 | 10 | 23 | Enchantable | 000135B8 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Iron Sword | 
|
7 | 1 | 9 | 25 | Enchantable | 00012EB7 | 1+ | Iron Ingot | None | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Lunar Iron Sword | 
|
7 | 1 | 9 | 158 | While the moons are out, burns the target for 20 points | 0003B0C4 | Level 6+ | Iron Ingot | None | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Lunar Steel Sword | 
|
8 | 1 | 10 | 138 | While the moons are out, burns the target for 20 points | 0003B0BD | Level 8+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Miraak's Sword | 
|
16 | 1 | 3 | 427 | Absorb 15 points of stamina | XX039FB4 | 1+ | Daedra Heart, Ebony Ingot | Dwarven Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Dragonborn |
| Nightingale Blade | 
|
14 | 1 | 15 | 1665 | Absorb 25 points of health and stamina | 000F6527 | Level 46+ | Ebony Ingot | None | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Nord Hero Sword | 
|
11 | 1 | 9 | 135 | Enchantable | 00068C7B | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Nordic Sword | 
|
11 | 1 | 12 | 290 | Enchantable | XX01CDB1 | 26+ | Quicksilver Ingot | Advanced Armors | One-Handed | - | Dragonborn |
| Orcish Sword | 
|
9 | 1 | 11 | 75 | Enchantable | 00013991 | Level 6+ | Orichalcum Ingot | Orcish Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Phantom Sword | 
|
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Cannot be enchanted | 000771B9 | 1+ | Cannot be Upgraded | None | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Queen Freydis's Sword | 
|
8 | 1 | 10 | 45 | Enchantable | 000AB85D | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Red Eagle's Bane | 
|
11 | 1 | 15 | 100 | Undead up to level 13 are set on fire and flee for 30 seconds | 000AB703 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Dwarven Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Red Eagle's Fury | 
|
8 | 1 | 12 | 97 | Burns the target for 5 points. Targets on fire take extra damage | 0009FD50 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Scimitar | 
|
11 | 1 | 10 | 5 | Enchantable | 0007A91A | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Silver Sword | 
|
8 | 1 | 7 | 100 | 20 points of extra damage to undead | 0010AA19 | 1+ | Cannot be Upgraded | None | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Skyforge Steel Sword | 
|
11 | 1 | 10 | 70 | Enchantable | 0009F25C | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Stalhrim Sword | 
|
13 | 1 | 14 | 985 | Frost Enchants are 25% stronger | XX01CDB8 | 35+ | Stalhrim | Ebony Smithing | One-Handed | - | Dragonborn |
| Steel Sword | 
|
8 | 1 | 10 | 45 | Enchantable | 000557F5 | 2+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | - | Skyrim |
| Soulrender | 
|
13 | 1 | 10 | 1000 | When wielded with Bloodscythe, absorbs 15 magicka and has a chance to lower the target's magical defenses | XX036689 | 1+ | Ebony Ingot | Daedric Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Dragonborn |
| The Pale Blade | 
|
11 | 1 | 15 | 914 | Creatures and people up to level 16 flee from combat for 30 seconds. Target takes 25 points of frost damage to Health and 50 points of Stamina damage | 000F5D2D | Level 27+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Vilkas's Sword | 
|
11 | 1 | 10 | 70 | Cannot be enchanted | 0009F25C | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Windshear | 
|
11 | 1 | 10 | 40 | Bash attacks made with this weapon have a chance of knocking enemies down | 0006EA8B | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Wooden Sword | 
|
2 | 1 | 3 | 25 | Enchantable | 03004D91 | 1+ | Firewood | None | One-Handed | - | Hearthfire |
| Dragon's Oath | 
|
14 | 1 | 10 | 3103 | Burns the target for 30 points. Targets on fire take extra damage | FEXXX84F | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Creation Club |
| Master Sword | 
|
12 | 1 | 12 | 235 | Enchantable | XX00081F | 1+ | Refined Moonstone | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Skyrim |
| Storm-Bear Sword | 
|
14 | 1 | 10 | 3230 | Target takes 30 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina | FEXXXD61 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Creation Club |
| Torment | 
|
18 | 1 | 16 | 3163 | Burns the target for 30 points. Targets on fire take extra damage | XX000B5F | 1+ | Ebony Ingot | Daedric Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Creation Club |
| Ebony Scimitar | 
|
15 | 1 | 14 | 800 | Enchantable | XX000E38 | 1+ | Ebony Ingot | Daedric Smithing | One-Handed | - | Creation Club |
| Goldbrand | File:Skyrim Goldbrand.webp | 15 | 1 | 17 | 3413 | Burns the target for 30 points. Targets on fire take extra damage | FEXXXD61 | 1+ | Gold Ingot | Daedric Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Creation Club |
| Sword of the Crusader | 
|
14 | 1 | 13 | Burns the target for 15 points. Targets on fire take extra damage | FEXXX80c | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Creation Club | |
| Grand Champion's Sword | 
|
14 | 1 | 12 | 2500 | Enchantable | FEXXX807 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Creation Club |
| Blackwater Blade | File:Skyrim Blackwater Blade.webp | 12 | 1 | 14 | 1949 | Absorb 30 points of stamina. | XX000A4B | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Creation Club |
| Cyrus' Sabre | File:Skyrim Cyrus' Sabre.webp | 14 | 1 | 6 | 1500 | Enchantable | XX000D63 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Creation Club |
| Dawnfang/Duskfang | 
|
25 | 1 | 47 | 3750 | Fire/Frost damage 15pts on strike | 00079066 | 30+ | Ebony Ingot | Ebony Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Creation Club |
| Madness Sword | File:Skyrim Madness Sword.webp | 16 | 1 | 20 | 250 | Enchantable | XX000BE9 | 1+ | Madness Ingot | Quest | One-Handed | - | Creation Club |
| Amber Sword | File:Skyrim Amber Sword.webp | 15 | 1 | 14 | 1600 | Enchantable | XX000BE0 | 1+ | Amber Ingot | Quest | One-Handed | - | Creation Club |
| Dark Sword | 
|
12 | 1 | 11 | 250 | Enchantable | XX000823 | 1+ | Quicksilver Ingot | Daedric Smithing | One-Handed | - | Creation Club |
| Golden Sword | 
|
11 | 1 | 11 | 250 | Enchantable | XX000822 | 1+ | Gold Ingot | Daedric Smithing | One-Handed | - | Creation Club |
| Bloodthirst | 
|
14 | 1 | 16 | 1619 | Absorbs 15 points of health. Increases speed by 7%. Targets take additional bleed damage. | FEXXXC92 | 1+ | Ebony Ingot | Daedric Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Creation Club |
| Boneshaver | 
|
11 | 1 | 9.5 | 605 | Attacks cause 3 points of extra bleeding damage for 4 seconds. | FEXXX8D6 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Creation Club |
| Remnant Scimitar | 
|
12 | 1 | 10.5 | 325 | Enchantable | FEXXX805 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Creation Club |
| Remnant Scimitar of Fire | 
|
12 | 1 | 10.5 | 759 | Burns the target for 20 points. Targets on fire take extra damage. | FEXXXE44 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Yes | Creation Club |
One-Handed Weapon Categories
Subcategories
This category has the following 7 subcategories, out of 7 total.
Pages in category "Skyrim - Swords"
The following 200 pages are in this category, out of 240 total.
(previous page) (next page)A
B
- Skyrim:Balgruuf's Greatsword
- Skyrim:Balgruuf's War Axe
- Skyrim:Blackwater Blade
- Skyrim:Blade of Sacrifice
- Skyrim:Blade of Woe
- Skyrim:Blades Sword
- Skyrim:Bloodscythe
- Skyrim:Bloodskal Blade
- Skyrim:Bloodthirst
- Skyrim:Bloodthorn
- Skyrim:Bolar's Oathblade
- Skyrim:Boneshaver
- Skyrim:Borvir's Dagger
- Skyrim:Bow of the Hunt
C
D
- Skyrim:Daedric Battleaxe
- Skyrim:Daedric Bow
- Skyrim:Daedric Dagger
- Skyrim:Daedric Greatsword
- Skyrim:Daedric Mace
- Skyrim:Daedric Sword
- Skyrim:Daedric War Axe
- Skyrim:Daedric Warhammer
- Skyrim:Dawnbreaker
- Skyrim:Dawnfang/Duskfang
- Skyrim:Dawnguard Rune Axe
- Skyrim:Dawnguard Rune Hammer
- Skyrim:Dawnguard War Axe
- Skyrim:Dawnguard Warhammer
- Skyrim:Dragon Priest Dagger
- Skyrim:Dragon's Oath
- Skyrim:Dragonbane
- Skyrim:Dragonbone Battleaxe
- Skyrim:Dragonbone Bow
- Skyrim:Dragonbone Dagger
- Skyrim:Dragonbone Greatsword
- Skyrim:Dragonbone Mace
- Skyrim:Dragonbone Sword
- Skyrim:Dragonbone War Axe
- Skyrim:Dragonbone Warhammer
- Skyrim:Drainblood Battleaxe
- Skyrim:Drainheart Sword
- Skyrim:Drainspell Bow
- Skyrim:Dravin's Bow
- Skyrim:Dwarven Battleaxe
- Skyrim:Dwarven Black Bow of Fate
- Skyrim:Dwarven Bow
- Skyrim:Dwarven Crossbow
- Skyrim:Dwarven Dagger
- Skyrim:Dwarven Greatsword
- Skyrim:Dwarven Mace
- Skyrim:Dwarven Sword
- Skyrim:Dwarven War Axe
- Skyrim:Dwarven Warhammer
E
- Skyrim:Ebony Battleaxe
- Skyrim:Ebony Blade
- Skyrim:Ebony Bow
- Skyrim:Ebony Dagger
- Skyrim:Ebony Greatsword
- Skyrim:Ebony Mace
- Skyrim:Ebony Scimitar
- Skyrim:Ebony Sword
- Skyrim:Ebony War Axe
- Skyrim:Ebony Warhammer
- Skyrim:Eduj
- Skyrim:Elven Battleaxe
- Skyrim:Elven Bow
- Skyrim:Elven Dagger
- Skyrim:Elven Greatsword
- Skyrim:Elven Mace
- Skyrim:Elven Sword
- Skyrim:Elven War Axe
- Skyrim:Elven Warhammer
- Skyrim:Enhanced Crossbow
- Skyrim:Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow
F
G
- Skyrim:Gauldur Blackblade
- Skyrim:Gauldur Blackbow
- Skyrim:Ghorbash's Ancestral Axe
- Skyrim:Ghostblade
- Skyrim:Glass Battleaxe
- Skyrim:Glass Bow
- Skyrim:Glass Bow of the Stag Prince
- Skyrim:Glass Dagger
- Skyrim:Glass Greatsword
- Skyrim:Glass Mace
- Skyrim:Glass Sword
- Skyrim:Glass War Axe
- Skyrim:Glass Warhammer
- Skyrim:Goldbrand
- Skyrim:Grand Champion's Sword
- Skyrim:Grimsever
H
- Skyrim:Harkon's Sword
- Skyrim:Headsman's Axe
- Skyrim:Herebane's Courage
- Skyrim:Hjalti's Sword
- Skyrim:Hoarfrost
- Skyrim:Honed Ancient Nord Battleaxe
- Skyrim:Honed Ancient Nord Greatsword
- Skyrim:Honed Ancient Nord Sword
- Skyrim:Honed Draugr War Axe
- Skyrim:Honed Falmer Sword
- Skyrim:Honed Falmer War Axe
- Skyrim:Horksbane
- Skyrim:Hunting Bow
I
L
N
- Skyrim:Nettlebane
- Skyrim:Nightingale Blade
- Skyrim:Nightingale Bow
- Skyrim:Nord Hero Battleaxe
- Skyrim:Nord Hero Bow
- Skyrim:Nord Hero Greatsword
- Skyrim:Nord Hero Sword
- Skyrim:Nord Hero War Axe
- Skyrim:Nordic Battleaxe
- Skyrim:Nordic Bow
- Skyrim:Nordic Dagger
- Skyrim:Nordic Greatsword
- Skyrim:Nordic Mace
- Skyrim:Nordic Sword
- Skyrim:Nordic War Axe
- Skyrim:Nordic Warhammer
- Skyrim:Notched Pickaxe
