Skyrim - Weapons

All One-Handed Weapons

One-Handed is a skill in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. One-Handed directly affects the damage dealt with one-handed weapons. The perks obtained in this skill tree only affect one-handed weapons. Due to a glitch, this included the Two-Handed weapons Ebony Blade and Headsman's Axe prior to patch v1.9.

The One-Handed skill tree allows damage output to be increased by wielding two one-handed weapons simultaneously. This is referred to as "dual-wielding." While this potentially doubles damage output, it also removes the ability to block any attacks. It is advisable, though not necessary, to back up a dual-wielding play style with defensive skill trees, such as Heavy Armor or Restoration. An exploit for "dual-wielding" is to hold both attack buttons to perform a power attack but before it is performed press both the attack buttons again, which results in a stamina-free power attack. Alteration can also bring advantages by allowing the use of various forms of mage armor.

Despite not adding towards the One-Handed skill, unarmed attacks do benefit from Dual Flurry. Perks from other skills that affect one-handed weapons (such as the Backstab perk from the Sneak skill) also seem to affect unarmed attacks.

One-handed weapons have a shorter range than two-handed weapons, but one-handed weapons move faster and leave an open hand for spells, a shield, or another weapon.

Daggers

Daggers hit for less than anything else you can hold, no more than 13 across 28 weapons, and they are the strongest weapon in the game in exactly one situation. With the Assassin's Blade perk a sneak attack with a dagger does fifteen times damage, where every other one-handed weapon does six. That single multiplier is the whole reason the class exists.

Combat

Where it wins

Fifteen times sneak damage against six for any other one-hander. A 12 damage Dragonbone Dagger opens for 180 before perks, where a 16 damage sword opens for 96.
Fastest swing speed of any weapon, so the follow-up after a broken sneak lands sooner.
Lightest weapons in the game, which matters for a stealth build already carrying loot.
The class holds the two best pre-enchanted weapons a low level character can reach: Blade of Woe and Blade of Sacrifice, both far above their tier.

Where it loses

Worst damage in the game once you are seen. A dagger in an open fight is the weakest option on the table.
The multiplier does nothing without Sneak investment, so the class needs a second skill tree before it works at all.
No dagger reaches 14 damage. The class ceiling is Madness Dagger at 13, below the weakest greatsword.
Bladesman, the sword crit perk, does not apply. Daggers get no class perk of their own in the One-Handed tree.

Builds

This is a Sneak build that happens to hold a dagger, not a weapon build. Points go into Sneak first and One-Handed second.

Get to Assassin's Blade. It needs 50 Sneak and it is where the class stops being weak. Nothing else in the tree matters as much.
Then Armsman in One-Handed, which multiplies the base damage the sneak multiplier is applied to.
Where the next chunk of damage comes from: not a bigger dagger. Fortify One-Handed enchantments and the Fortify Smithing loop raise base damage, and the fifteen times multiplier applies to all of it.

Statistic	Lowest	Highest
Damage	4	13
Weight	1 (Alessandra's Dagger)	10 (Nettlebane)
Value	-	800 (Madness Dagger)
In the class	28 weapons

Best Daggers

Weapon	Image	Damage	Weight	Value	Why Take It
Madness Dagger	File:Skyrim Madness Dagger.webp	13	7	800	Highest damage dagger in the game at 13, from the Saints & Seducers Creation.
Dragonbone Dagger		12	6.5	600	12 damage from the base game's last smithing perk. The strongest dagger you can forge without a Creation.
Amber Dagger	File:Skyrim Amber Dagger.webp	12	4.5	700	12 damage, and it needs only Glass Smithing at 70 rather than Dragon at 100.
Daedric Dagger		11	6	500	Highest in class at 11 damage.
Ebony Dagger		10	5	290	Highest in class at 10 damage.

Notes

Assassin's Blade needs 50 Sneak and takes the dagger sneak multiplier to fifteen times normal damage.
The perk applies to daggers only. A sword, mace or war axe stays at six times with the same perk investment.
Backstab, earlier in the tree, is what takes one-handed sneak attacks to six times in the first place.
Daggers draw from the One-Handed skill like any other one-hander, so Armsman still raises their damage.
Dual wielding daggers with Assassin's Blade and Shrouded Gloves takes the sneak attack to a total of thirty times damage.
Every dagger shares an attack speed of 1.3 and a reach of 0.7 whatever its material, so the only thing that changes between them is damage.
Being the smallest weapon, a dagger also absorbs the least when blocking.

All Daggers

Name	Image	Damage	Speed	Weight	Value	Enchantment	Item ID	Level	Upgrade Material	Crafting Perk	Skill	Unique	DLC
Alessandra's Dagger		5	1.3	1	10	Cannot be enchanted	00043E1E	1+	Cannot be upgraded	None	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Blade of Sacrifice		10	1.3	4	144	Cannot be enchanted	00079B1D	1+	Ebony Ingot	None	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Blade of Woe		12	1.3	7	880	Absorb 10 points of health	0009CCDC	1+	Cannot be upgraded	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Bloodthorn		8	1.3	2.5	183	If the target dies within 3 seconds, it fills a soul gem	000A4DCE	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Borvir's Dagger		8	1.3	4	18	Enchantable	000ECD54	1+	Refined Moonstone	Elven Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Daedric Dagger		11	1.3	6	500	Enchantable	000139B6	46+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Dragon Priest Dagger		6	1.3	5	9	Enchantable	0001C1FE	1+	Cannot be upgraded	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Dragonbone Dagger		12	1.3	6.5	600	Enchantable	XX014FCB	46+	Dragon Bone	Dragon Smithing	One-Handed	-	Dawnguard
Dwarven Dagger		7	1.3	3.5	55	Enchantable	00013996	13+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Ebony Dagger		10	1.3	5	290	Enchantable	000139AE	37+	Ebony Ingot	Ebony Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Elven Dagger		8	1.3	4	95	Enchantable	0001399E	20+	Refined Moonstone	Elven Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Glass Dagger		9	1.3	4.5	165	Enchantable	000139A6	27+	Refined Malachite	Glass Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Iron Dagger		4	1.3	2	10	Enchantable	0001397E	1+	Iron Ingot	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Kahvozein's Fang		6	1.3	5	9	Yields Dragon Hearthscales	000D0758	1+	Cannot be upgraded	None	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Keening		8	1.3	4	5	Chance to absorb 10 points of health, magicka and stamina on hit	0006A13C	1+	Cannot be upgraded	None	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Mehrunes' Razor		11	1.3	3	860	Hits have a small chance to instantly kill	000240D2	1+	Ebony Ingot	None	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Nettlebane		6	1.3	10	5	Cannot be enchanted	0001C492	1+	Ebony Ingot	None	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Nordic Dagger		8	1.3	3.5	115	Enchantable	XX01CDAE	1+	Quicksilver Ingot	Advanced Armors Perk	One-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Orcish Dagger		6	1.3	3	30	Enchantable	0001398E	7+	Orichalcum Ingot	Orcish Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Rundi's Dagger		5	1.3	2.5	18	Cannot be enchanted	000ECD53	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Shiv		5	1.3	2	5	Enchantable	000426C8	1+	Cannot be upgraded	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Skyforge Steel Dagger		8	1.3	2.5	25	Enchantable	0009F25D	1+	Cannot be upgraded	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Stalhrim Dagger		10	1.3	4.5	395	Frost Enchants are 25% stronger	XX01CDB5	35+	Stalhrim	Ebony Smithing	One-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Steel Dagger		5	1.3	2.5	18	Cannot be enchanted	00013986	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Valdr's Lucky Dagger		5	1.3	2.5	15	25% chance of a critical hit	000B994E	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Ancient Nord Dagger		5	1.3	3.5	5	Enchantable	XX000E44	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Honed Ancient Nord Dagger		8	1.3	9	8	Enchantable	XX08A1ED	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Nord Hero Dagger		8	1.3	2	55	Enchantable	XX08A1E4	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Rulnik's Dagger	File:Skyrim Rulnik's Dagger.webp	8	1.3	3.5	115	10 points of extra damage to Spriggans	FEXXXECE	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	One-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Fang of Haynekhtnamet	File:Skyrim Fang of Haynekhtnamet.webp	13	1.3	6.5	1446	Target takes 25 points of shock damage, and half as much Magicka damage	XX000ED3		Dragon Bone	Dragon Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Madness Dagger	File:Skyrim Madness Dagger.webp	13	1.3	7	800	Enchantable	XX000BE6	1+	Madness Ingot	Quest	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Amber Dagger	File:Skyrim Amber Dagger.webp	12	1.3	4.5	700	Enchantable	XX000BDD	1+	Amber Ingot	Quest	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Dark Dagger		9	1.3	3	105	Enchantable	XXXXX821	1+	Quicksilver Ingot	Daedric Smithing	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Golden Dagger		8	1	3	105	Enchantable	XX00080E	1+	Gold Ingot	Daedric Smithing	One-Handed	-	Creation Club

One-Handed Weapon Categories

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

Maces

Maces hit for the most of any one-handed class, up to 18, and they carry the one class perk that scales instead of flattening out. Bone Breaker makes mace attacks ignore 25, 50 or 75 per cent of the target's armour, and because that is a multiplier rather than a flat bonus it is worth more the stronger your character gets.

Combat

Where it wins

Highest damage of the three one-handed classes. Two more per swing than a sword of the same material, one more than a war axe.
Bone Breaker is the only one-handed class perk that scales with your damage rather than against it. Against high level bandits the effect reaches around 40 per cent bonus damage.
The class holds Scourge at 6,569 gold, the most valuable weapon in the game, and the only weapon that banishes summoned Daedra outright.
Armour penetration answers the one thing swords cannot: a heavily armoured target.

Where it loses

Slowest of the three one-handed classes, so the damage per hit advantage partly disappears in damage per second.
Bone Breaker does nothing against an enemy with no armour rating. Dwarven automatons look armoured and are not, and draugr and skeletons give it nothing either.
That makes the class weakest exactly where a Nordic ruin puts you, which is a large share of the game's dungeons.
No bleed and no critical chance, so against unarmoured targets a mace is a plain damage stick.

Builds

A mace build is a late-blooming one. The class perk is worth little early and a great deal once smithing and enchanting have raised your damage.

Armsman to 5 before anything else, as with every one-hander.
Bone Breaker to 3. Unlike Bladesman it gets better as your damage climbs, so it is worth finishing rather than stopping at rank 1.
Carry a sword for the ruins. Bone Breaker's dead zone is large enough that a second weapon for draugr and automatons is worth the slot.
Where the next chunk of damage comes from: Fortify One-Handed and smithing, both of which Bone Breaker multiplies rather than competes with.

Statistic	Lowest	Highest
Damage	1	18
Weight	7 (Prelate's Mace)	23 (Madness Mace)
Value	-	6569 (Scourge)
In the class	27 weapons

Best Maces

Weapon	Image	Damage	Weight	Value	Why Take It
Scourge		18	22	6569	18 damage, the most valuable weapon in the game at 6,569 gold, and it banishes summoned Daedra up to level 36 outright.
Madness Mace	File:Skyrim Madness Mace.webp	18	23	2200	18 damage, tied for highest in class, from the Saints & Seducers Creation.
Dragonbone Mace		17	22	2000	17 damage, the strongest mace you can forge in the base game, needing Dragon Smithing.
Ebony Mace CC		17	19	1000	Highest in class at 17 damage.
Amber Mace	File:Skyrim Amber Mace.webp	17	18	2100	Highest in class at 17 damage.

Notes

Bone Breaker makes mace attacks ignore 25, 50 or 75 per cent of armour at 30, 60 and 90 One-Handed.
It has no effect on an enemy with no armour rating. Dwarven automatons have none despite their metal shells.
Because it is multiplicative it overtakes the flat perks in the mid game: at 100 damage it adds around 10 where Bladesman adds at most 5.6.
Maces are the slowest one-handers, so the class trades attack speed for the damage and the penetration.

All Maces

Name	Image	Damage	Speed	Weight	Value	Enchantment	Item ID	Level	Upgrade Material	Crafting Perk	Skill	Unique	DLC
Daedric Mace		16	0.8	20	1750	Enchantable	000139B8	1+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Dragonbone Mace		17	0.8	22	2000	Enchantable	XX014FCD	1+	Dragon Bone	Dragon Smithing	One-Handed	-	Dawnguard
Dwarven Mace		12	0.8	16	190	Enchantable	00013998	12+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Ebony Mace		16	0.8	19	1000	Enchantable	000139B0	36+	Ebony Ingot	Ebony Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Elven Mace		13	0.8	17	330	Enchantable	000139A0	19+	Refined Moonstone	Elven Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Glass Mace		14	0.8	18	575	Enchantable	000139A8	1+	Refined Malachite	Glass Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Horksbane		10	0.8	14	250	Especially effective against horkers	XX026490	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Dragonborn
Iron Mace		9	0.8	13	35	Enchantable	00013982	1+	Iron Ingot	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Lunar Iron Mace		9	0.8	13	168	While the moons are out, burns the target for 20 points	0003B0C1	6+	Iron Ingot	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Lunar Steel Mace		10	0.8	14	198	While the moons are out, burns the target for 20 points	0003B0BC	8+	Steel Ingot	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Mace of Molag Bal		16	0.8	18	1257	Deals 25 damage to Stamina and Magicka. If target dies within 3 seconds, fills a soul gem	000233E3	1+	Ebony Ingot	None	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Nordic Mace		13	0.8	16	410	Enchantable	XX01CDB0	1+	Quicksilver Ingot	Advanced Armors	One-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Orcish Mace		11	0.8	15	105	Enchantable	00013990	1+	Orichalcum Ingot	Orcish Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Prelate's Mace		13	0.8	7	330	Cannot be enchanted	00013990	1+	Refined Moonstone	Elven Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Dawnguard
Rusty Mace		7	0.8	13	5	Cannot be enchanted	0022F0F	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Stalhrim Mace		16	0.8	18	1375	Frost Enchants are 25% stronger	XX01CDB7	35+	Stalhrim	Ebony Smithing	One-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Steel Mace		10	0.8	14	65	Enchantable	00013988	2+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Ancient Nord Mace		10	0.9	16	17	Enchantable	XX000E46	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Honed Ancient Nord Mace		13	0.9	18	31	Enchantable	XX08A1EE	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Light of Day		16	0.9	20	1614	30 points of sun damage, undead targets take triple damage	XX13101E	1+	Iron Ingot	None	One-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Sunder		15	0.9	18	1720	Does 5 points of frost, fire, and shock damage each. Does 15 points of damage to stamina and magicka	FEXXX801	1+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Scourge		18	0.8	22	6569	Summoned Daedra up to level 36 are sent back to Oblivion	XX000B5E	1+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Mace of the Crusader		16	0.8	18	2501	Burns the target for 15 points. Targets on fire take extra damage	FEXXX80d	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Ebony Mace CC		17	0.8	19	1000	Enchantable	XX000E37	1+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Madness Mace	File:Skyrim Madness Mace.webp	18	0.8	23	2200	Enchantable	XX000BE8	1+	Madness Ingot	Quest	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Amber Mace	File:Skyrim Amber Mace.webp	17	0.8	18	2100	Enchantable	XX000BDF	1+	Amber Ingot	Quest	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Dark Mace		14	0.8	15	370	Enchantable	XX000824	1+	Quicksilver Ingot	Daedric Smithing	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Golden Mace		13	1	15	370	Enchantable	XX000827	1+	Gold Ingot	Daedric Smithing	One-Handed	-	Creation Club

One-Handed Weapon Categories

War Axes

War axes sit between swords and maces on damage, up to 17 across 33 weapons, and their class perk is the only one of the three that ignores armour entirely by going around it. Hack and Slash adds bleeding damage, which is applied over time and is not reduced by the target's armour rating.

Combat

Where it wins

Bleeding damage bypasses armour without needing a penetration percentage, so a war axe keeps working against heavily armoured targets that blunt a sword.
One more damage per swing than a sword of the same material, at effectively the same speed.
Bleed keeps ticking after the swing, which suits a hit-and-move style and stacks while you back off.
The class carries Okin and Boneshaver, both reachable well before their damage tier suggests.

Where it loses

One below a mace on damage, and without the mace's scaling penetration.
Bleed is a damage-over-time effect, so it is wasted on anything that dies to the swing itself, which is most of what you meet outside boss fights.
Like Bone Breaker, Hack and Slash does nothing to bloodless enemies. Skeletons and automatons take no bleed at all.
The class ceiling of 17 is below the weakest two-handed weapon in the game.

Builds

War axes are the middle option and are worth committing to when you fight long fights rather than short ones.

Armsman to 5 first, as always.
Hack and Slash to 3 if your fights last more than a few swings. Against trash that dies immediately the bleed never lands.
Pair with Block, because bleed rewards surviving in melee longer rather than killing faster.
Where the next chunk of damage comes from: the same smithing and enchanting loop as every one-hander. The bleed is a fixed addition and does not scale with it.

Statistic	Lowest	Highest
Damage	1	17
Weight	9.5 (Boneshaver)	22 (Madness War Axe)
Value	-	1900 (Madness War Axe)
In the class	33 weapons

Best War Axes

Weapon	Image	Damage	Weight	Value	Why Take It
Madness War Axe	File:Skyrim Madness War Axe.webp	17	22	1900	17 damage and the class ceiling, from the Saints & Seducers Creation.
Dragonbone War Axe		16	21	1700	16 damage, the strongest war axe forgeable in the base game.
Amber War Axe	File:Skyrim Amber War Axe.webp	16	16	1800	16 damage, and it needs only Glass Smithing at 70 rather than Dragon at 100.
Daedric War Axe		15	18	1500	Highest in class at 15 damage.
Ebony War Axe		15	17	865	Highest in class at 15 damage.

Notes

Hack and Slash adds bleeding damage to war axe attacks at 30, 60 and 90 One-Handed, in three increasing ranks.
Bleeding damage is applied after armour, so it is not reduced by a heavily armoured target.
Bloodless enemies take no bleed, which puts skeletons, draugr and Dwarven automatons outside the perk.
War axes and maces share a swing speed; the sword is the faster of the three.

All War Axes

Name	Image	Damage	Speed	Weight	Value	Enchantment	Item ID	Level	Upgrade Material	Crafting Perk	Skill	Unique	DLC
Ancient Nord War Axe		9	0.9	14	15	Enchantable	0002C672	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Ancient Nordic Pickaxe		5	0.9	10	500	Enchantable	XX0398E6	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	One-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Balgruuf's War Axe		9	0.9	12	55	Cannot be enchanted	00013983	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Ceremonial Axe		9	0.9	14	5	Cannot be enchanted	0008ABFD	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Daedric War Axe		15	0.9	18	1500	Enchantable	000139B3	Level 47+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Dawnguard Rune Axe		11	0.9	13	175	Does 10+ sun damage to undead where n is the number of undead killed with the axe since the last sunrise	XX01668C	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Dawnguard
Dawnguard War Axe		11	0.9	13	55	Enchantable	XX00D098	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	-	Dawnguard
Dragonbone War Axe		16	0.9	21	1700	Enchantable	XX014FCF	1+	Dragon Bone	Dragon Smithing	One-Handed	-	Dawnguard
Dwarven War Axe		11	0.9	14	165	Enchantable	00013993	12+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Ebony War Axe		15	0.9	17	865	Enchantable	000139AB	36+	Ebony Ingot	Ebony Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Elven War Axe		12	0.9	15	280	Enchantable	0001399B	19+	Refined Moonstone	Elven Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Falmer War Axe		11	0.9	21	82	Enchantable	000302CD	1+	Chaurus Chitin	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Forsworn Axe		11	0.9	15	90	Enchantable	000CC829	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Ghorbash's Ancestral Axe		8	0.9	11	30	Cannot be enchanted	0006A8FD	1+	Iron Ingot	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Glass War Axe		14	0.9	16	490	Enchantable	000139A3	Level 27+	Refined Malachite	Glass Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Hoarfrost		5	0.9	10	946	Target take 15 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina, and have a small chance of being frozen solid	XX0179C9	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	One-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Honed Draugr War Axe		11	0.9	16	27	Enchantable	0005BF15	1+	Steel Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Honed Falmer War Axe		13	0.9	21	245	Enchantable	0006F700	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Illusory War Axe		1	0.9	14	15	Cannot be enchanted	000E7A31	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Iron War Axe		8	0.9	11	30	Enchantable	00013790	1+	Iron Ingot	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Lunar Iron War Axe		8	0.9	11	163	While the moons are out, burns the target for 20 points	0003B0C7	Level 6+	Iron Ingot	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Lunar Steel War Axe		9	0.9	12	188	While the moons are out, burns the target for 20 points	0003B0BE	Level 8+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Nord Hero War Axe		12	0.9	11	165	Enchantable	00068C63	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Nordic War Axe		12	0.9	14	350	Enchantable	XX01CDB2	26+	Quicksilver Ingot	Advanced Armors	One-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Notched Pickaxe		5	0.9	10	303	Raises the wielder's Smithing abilities, and does 5 shock damage to enemies on hit	001019D4	1+	Iron Ingot	None	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Okin		12	0.9	11	320	Target takes 10 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina	0008FFDE	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Orcish War Axe		10	0.9	13	90	Enchantable	0001398B	Level 7+	Orichalcum Ingot	Orcish Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Pickaxe		5	0.9	10	5	Enchantable	000E3C16	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Poacher's Axe		5	0.9	10	32	3 points of extra damage to Animals	000AE086	1+	Steel Ingot	None	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Skyforge Steel War Axe		12	0.9	12	80	Enchantable	0009F260	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Stalhrim War Axe		15	0.9	16	1180	Frost Enchants are 25% stronger	XX01CDB9	35+	Stalhrim	Ebony Smithing	One-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Steel War Axe		9	0.9	12	55	Enchantable	00013983	2+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Ulfric's War Axe		9	0.9	12	55	Cannot be enchanted	00013983	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Woodcutter's Axe		5	0.9	10	5	Enchantable	0002F2F4	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	One-Handed	-	Skyrim
Irkngthand War Axe of Fire		13		16	699	Burns the target for 20 points. Targets on fire take extra damage.	XX0009D9	1+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Irkngthand War Axe of Freezing		13		16	742	Target takes 20 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina.	XX04D05E	1+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Rocksplinter	File:Skyrim Rocksplinter.webp	1	1.3	10	5	Cannot be Enchanted	0006A707	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	One-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Madness War Axe	File:Skyrim Madness War Axe.webp	17	0.9	22	1900	Enchantable	XX000BEA	1+	Madness Ingot	Quest	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Amber War Axe	File:Skyrim Amber War Axe.webp	16	0.9	16	1800	Enchantable	XX000BE1	1+	Amber Ingot	Quest	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Dark War Axe		13	0.9	13	320	Enchantable	XX000829	1+	Quicksilver Ingot	Daedric Smithing	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Golden War Axe		12	1	13	320	Enchantable	XX00080A	1+	Gold Ingot	Daedric Smithing	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Cleaver of St. Felms		14	0.9	17	2508	Burns the target for 30 points. Targets on fire take extra damage. Absorb 25 points of magicka.	XX057384	1+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	One-Handed	Yes	Creation Club

One-Handed Weapon Categories

All Two-Handed Weapons

This page lists all the two handed weapons in Skyrim:The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim from the best weapons that deal the most damage, to the unique two-handed weapons with special enchantments. Each weapon has a specific page with a guide on how to find it and build your character around using it in Skyrim and Skyrim Anniversary Edition.

In Skyrim:The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Two-Handed weapons rely on the Two-Handed Skill, directly affecting their damage. The 19 perks in this skill tree only apply to two-handed weapons. Though much heavier, two-handed weapons deal more damage than one-handed weapons and can attach multiple foes at once, the main trade off is that you cannot duel wield or carry a shield.

The fastest way of leveling the two-handed skill is to obtain a weapon with a high base damage and DPS, then attack enemies as fast as possible, the Longhammer is the perfect weapon to level up your two-handed skill early in Skyrim. With each level of the two-handed weapon skill all two-handed weapons will deal 0.5% more damage.

Greatswords

Greatswords are the fast end of two-handed, up to 26 damage across 24 weapons, and they carry Deep Wounds, which is the two-handed version of the sword crit perk. Where the class earns its place is reach and swing arc: a greatsword covers more ground per swing than anything else, which matters against groups long before Sweep unlocks.

Combat

Where it wins

Fastest of the three two-handed classes, so the damage per second is closest to a one-hander's while the damage per hit is roughly double.
Deep Wounds gives a 10, 15 or 20 per cent chance of critical damage, and like Bladesman it works against armourless and bloodless enemies where Skullcrusher and Limbsplitter do not.
The widest horizontal arc in the game, which is what makes Sweep at 70 Two-Handed worth reaching.
The class holds Umbra and Chrysamere, two of the four most valuable weapons in the game.

Where it loses

Lowest damage of the two-handed classes. The class tops out at 26 where warhammers reach 29.
Deep Wounds is calculated from base damage, so like Bladesman its value shrinks as smithing and enchanting raise your total.
No armour penetration, so a greatsword has no answer to a heavily armoured target beyond raw damage.
Two-handed means no shield and no off-hand spell, and the class does not hit hard enough to obviously repay that.

Builds

A greatsword build is the two-handed build that still wants to move.

Barbarian to 5 first, the flat two-handed multiplier.
Champion's Stance at 20 next, because 25 per cent off power attack stamina is what lets a two-hander power attack repeatedly.
Sweep at 70 is the class payoff: sideways power attacks hit everything nearby, and the greatsword arc is the widest.
Where the next chunk of damage comes from: Devastating Blow at 50, which adds 25 per cent to standing power attacks and can decapitate.

Statistic	Lowest	Highest
Damage	15	26
Weight	12 (Silver Greatsword)	28 (Madness Greatsword)
Value	-	4647 (Umbra)
In the class	24 weapons

Best Greatswords

Weapon	Image	Damage	Weight	Value	Why Take It
Madness Greatsword	File:Skyrim Madness Greatsword.webp	26	28	3100	26 damage and the class ceiling, from the Saints & Seducers Creation.
Dragonbone Greatsword		25	27	2725	25 damage, the strongest greatsword forgeable in the base game.
Chrysamere		25	20	3288	25 damage, and its enchantment works while equipped rather than on a hit: 15 per cent fire resistance and 10 per cent spell absorption.
Shadowrend (Greatsword)		25	23	2500	Highest in class at 25 damage.
Amber Greatsword	File:Skyrim Amber Greatsword.webp	25	22	2925	Highest in class at 25 damage.

Notes

Deep Wounds gives greatswords a 10, 15 or 20 per cent chance of critical damage at 30, 60 and 90 Two-Handed.
Sweep, at 70 Two-Handed, makes sideways power attacks hit every nearby target, and the greatsword's arc gets the most out of it.
Great Critical Charge at 50 lets you power attack while sprinting for double critical damage.
Warmaster at 100 gives backwards power attacks a 25 per cent chance to paralyse, which applies to every two-handed class.

All Greatswords

Name	Image	Damage	Speed	Weight	Value	Enchantment	Item ID	Level	Upgrade Material	Crafting Perk	Skill	Unique	DLC
Ancient Nord Greatsword		17	0.7	18	35	Enchantable	000236A5	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Balgruuf's Greatsword		17	0.7	17	200	Cannot be enchanted	000946FC	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Bloodskal Blade		21	0.7	16	500	Releases energy blast with power attacks that deals 30 damage	XX01A578	1+	Silver Ingot	Cannot be Upgraded	Two-Handed	Yes	Dragonborn
Daedric Greatsword		24	0.7	23	2500	Enchantable	000139B7	47+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Dragonbone Greatsword		25	0.7	27	2725	Enchantable	XX014FCC	47+	Dragon Bone	Dragon Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Dawnguard
Dwarven Greatsword		19	0.7	19	270	Enchantable	00013997	12+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Ebony Greatsword		22	0.7	22	1440	Enchantable	000139AF	36+	Ebony Ingot	Ebony Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Ebony Blade		11	0.7	10	2000	Absorbs Health from base 10 to max 30, upgraded by killing friendly NPCs	000EA29C	36+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Elven Greatsword		20	0.7	20	470	Enchantable	0001399F	19+	Refined Moonstone	Elven Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Glass Greatsword		21	0.7	22	820	Enchantable	000139A7	27+	Refined Malachite	Glass Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Honed Ancient Nord Greatsword		20	0.7	21	63	Increases Fire Damage by 15%	0005BF13	1+	Steel Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Iron Greatsword		15	0.7	16	50	Enchantable	0001359D	1+	Iron Ingot	None	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Nord Hero Greatsword		20	0.7	16	250	Enchantable	000A3115	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Nordic Greatsword		20	0.7	19	585	Enchantable	XX01CDAF	26+	Quicksilver Ingot	Advanced Armors	Two-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Orcish Greatsword		18	0.7	18	75	Enchantable	0001398F	7+	Orichalcum Ingot	Orcish Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Silver Greatsword		17	0.7	12	160	20 points of extra damage to undead	0010C6FB	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Skyforge Steel Greatsword		20	0.7	17	140	Enchantable	0009F25E	2+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Stalhrim Greatsword		23	0.7	21	1970	Frost Enchants are 25% stronger	XX01CDB6	35+	Stalhrim	Ebony Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Steel Greatsword		17	0.7	17	90	Enchantable	00013987	2+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Stormfang		17	0.7	17	1175	Target takes 30 points of shock damage, and half as much Magicka damage	XX026B0B	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Dragonborn
Umbra		24	0.7	23	4647	If target dies within 20 seconds, fills a soul gem. Absorb 25 points of health. Absorb 25 points of stamina	XX000D62	1+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Ice Blade of the Monarch		17	1	17	1360	Target takes 30 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina	FEXXX815	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Chrysamere		25	0.7	20	3288	When equipped grants 15% resist fire, 10% absorb magic, slow health regen during combat	FEXXXD63	1+	Ebony Ingot, Ruby	Ebony Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Shadowrend (Greatsword)		25	0.7	23	2500	Target is 15% weaker to magic for 30 seconds	FEXXXD63	1+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Madness Greatsword	File:Skyrim Madness Greatsword.webp	26	0.7	28	3100	Enchantable	XX000BE7	1+	Madness Ingot	Quest	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Amber Greatsword	File:Skyrim Amber Greatsword.webp	25	0.7	22	2925	Enchantable	XX000BDE	1+	Amber Ingot	Quest	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Dark Greatsword		20	0.7	18	510	Enchantable	XX000825	1+	Quicksilver Ingot	Daedric Smithing	One-Handed	-	Creation Club
Golden Greatsword		21	1	18	510	Enchantable	XX000826	1+	Gold Ingot	Daedric Smithing	One-Handed	-	Creation Club

Two-Handed Weapon Categories

Battleaxes

Battleaxes are the middle two-handed class, up to 27 damage across 24 weapons, and they carry Limbsplitter, the bleeding perk. They swing slower than a greatsword and faster than a warhammer, and the bleed is what separates them from both.

Combat

Where it wins

Bleeding damage is applied after armour, so a battleaxe keeps working against armoured targets without needing a penetration perk.
One more damage per swing than a greatsword of the same material.
The class holds Akatosh's Talon, which carries the largest fire enchantment on any weapon in the game at 50 points.
Two-handed reach with a damage-over-time effect suits fighting a small number of tough enemies rather than a crowd.

Where it loses

Bleed does nothing to bloodless enemies, which puts skeletons, draugr and Dwarven automatons outside the class perk entirely.
Slower than a greatsword without reaching a warhammer's damage, so the class is the compromise rather than the specialist at either end.
The bleed is wasted on anything that dies to the swing, which is most of what a late game two-hander meets.
Narrower arc than a greatsword, so Sweep gets less out of it.

Builds

A battleaxe build wants long fights, the same as a war axe build one tier down.

Barbarian to 5, then Champion's Stance at 20.
Limbsplitter to 3 only if you fight bosses and armoured enemies rather than clearing draugr barrows.
Devastating Blow at 50 is worth more than the third rank of Limbsplitter for most characters, at 25 per cent on standing power attacks.
Where the next chunk of damage comes from: smithing. The bleed is fixed and does not scale, so raising base damage is what moves the number.

Statistic	Lowest	Highest
Damage	16	27
Weight	5 (Drainblood Battleaxe)	36 (Tsun's Battleaxe)
Value	-	4832 (Akatosh's Talon)
In the class	24 weapons

Best Battleaxes

Weapon	Image	Damage	Weight	Value	Why Take It
Tsun's Battleaxe		27	36	1000	27 damage, tied for the class ceiling, and it cannot be obtained without console commands in an unmodified game.
Akatosh's Talon		27	31	4832	27 damage with a 50 point fire enchantment, the largest on any weapon, and 4,832 gold.
Madness Battleaxe	File:Skyrim Madness Battleaxe.webp	27	31	3300	27 damage from the Saints & Seducers Creation.
Dragonbone Battleaxe		26	30	3000	Highest in class at 26 damage.
Shadowrend (Battleaxe)		26	27	2750	Highest in class at 26 damage.

Notes

Limbsplitter adds bleeding damage to battleaxe attacks at 30, 60 and 90 Two-Handed, in three ranks.
Bleeding is not reduced by armour, and it is not applied to bloodless enemies at all.
Champion's Stance at 20 cuts power attack stamina by 25 per cent, which every two-handed class needs.
The three two-handed class perks divide the same way the one-handed ones do: crit for the sword shape, armour ignore for the hammer, bleed for the axe.

All Battleaxes

Name	Image	Damage	Speed	Weight	Value	Enchantment	Item ID	Level	Upgrade Material	Crafting Perk	Skill	Unique	DLC
Ancient Nord Battleaxe		18	0.7	22	28	Enchantable	0001CB64	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Daedric Battleaxe		25	0.7	27	2750	Enchantable	000139B4	47+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Dragonbone Battleaxe		26	0.7	30	3000	Enchantable	XX014FC3	47+	Dragon Bone	Dragon Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Dawnguard
Drainblood Battleaxe		21	0.7	5	266	Absorb 15 points of health	000F82FA	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Dwarven Battleaxe		20	0.7	23	300	Enchantable	00013994	12+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Ebony Battleaxe		23	0.7	26	1585	Enchantable	000139AC	36+	Ebony Ingot	Ebony Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Elven Battleaxe		21	0.7	24	520	Enchantable	0001399C	19+	Refined Moonstone	Elven Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Glass Battleaxe		22	0.7	25	900	Enchantable	000139A4	27+	Refined Malachite	Glass Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Headsman's Axe		17	0.7	11	15	Enchantable	000BE25E	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Honed Ancient Nord Battleaxe		21	0.7	25	50	Enchantable	0005BF12	1+	Steel Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Iron Battleaxe		16	0.7	20	55	Enchantable	00013980	1+	Iron Ingot	None	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Nord Hero Battleaxe		21	0.7	20	300	Enchantable	00068C79	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Nordic Battleaxe		21	0.7	23	650	Enchantable	XX01CDAD	26+	Quicksilver Ingot	Advanced Armors	Two-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Orcish Battleaxe		19	0.7	25	165	Enchantable	0001398C	7+	Orichalcum Ingot	Orcish Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Skyforge Steel Battleaxe		21	0.7	21	150	Enchantable	0009F25F	2+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Stalhrim Battleaxe		24	0.7	25	2150	Frost Enchants are 25% stronger	XX01CDB8	35+	Stalhrim	Ebony Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Steel Battleaxe of Fiery Souls		18	0.7	21	320	If target dies within 5 seconds, fills a soul gem. Burns the target for 10 points. Targets on fire take extra damage	00040002	2+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Steel Battleaxe		18	0.7	21	100	Enchantable	00013984	2+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Rueful Axe		22	0.7	10	1183	Does 20 points of Stamina damage	0001C4E6	1+	Ebony Ingot	None	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
The Woodsman's Friend		17	0.7	20	28	Cannot be enchanted	00022265	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Tsun's Battleaxe		27	0.7	36	1000	Cannot be enchanted	0005BF18	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Wuuthrad		25	0.7	25	2000	Does 1.2x Damage to Elves	000956B5	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Shadowrend (Battleaxe)		26	0.6	27	2750	Target is 15% weaker to magic for 30 seconds	FEXXXD62	1+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Headman's Cleaver		25	0.6	24	2900	Enchantable	FEXXX803	1+	Orichalcum Ingot	Orcish Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Madness Battleaxe	File:Skyrim Madness Battleaxe.webp	27	0.7	31	3300	Enchantable	XX000BE4	1+	Madness Ingot	Quest	Two-Handed	-	Creation Club
Amber Battleaxe	File:Skyrim Amber Battleaxe.webp	26	0.7	24	1600	Enchantable	XX000BDB	1+	Amber Ingot	Quest	Two-Handed	-	Creation Club
Dark Battleaxe		21	0.7	22	575	Enchantable	XX000839	1+	Quicksilver Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Creation Club
Golden Battleaxe		22	1	22	575	Enchantable	XX000810	1+	Gold Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Creation Club

Two-Handed Weapon Categories

Warhammers

Warhammers hit harder than anything else in Skyrim, up to 29 damage across 25 weapons, and they carry Skullcrusher, which ignores 25, 50 or 75 per cent of the target's armour. That combination of the highest base damage with the only scaling penetration perk makes this the highest ceiling class in the game against an armoured target.

Combat

Where it wins

Highest damage per hit of any weapon class. Madness Warhammer reaches 29, three above the best greatsword.
Skullcrusher's armour penetration is multiplicative, so it grows with your damage instead of shrinking against it, exactly like Bone Breaker one tier down.
Highest stagger of any weapon class, which interrupts most enemies outright.
The class holds Stendarr's Hammer at 28 and Volendrung, both artefact weapons above their material tier.

Where it loses

Slowest weapon in the game by a wide margin. Damage per second is the worst of the two-handed classes despite the best damage per hit.
Skullcrusher does nothing against enemies with no armour rating, which is most of what a Nordic ruin holds.
Heaviest class to carry. Stendarr's Hammer weighs 100, more than three times any other warhammer.
The slow swing means a missed power attack costs more than it does with any other weapon.

Builds

A warhammer build is the anti-armour build, and it is the two-handed class that most needs stamina management.

Barbarian to 5, then Champion's Stance at 20. The stamina discount matters more here than anywhere else.
Skullcrusher to 3. Like Bone Breaker it improves as your damage climbs, so it is worth finishing.
Carry a greatsword for ruins. Skullcrusher's dead zone against draugr and automatons is the same problem maces have.
Where the next chunk of damage comes from: Fortify Two-Handed and smithing, both multiplied by Skullcrusher rather than competing with it.

Statistic	Lowest	Highest
Damage	18	29
Weight	18 (The Longhammer)	100 (Stendarr's Hammer)
Value	-	4600 (Madness Warhammer)
In the class	25 weapons

Best Warhammers

Weapon	Image	Damage	Weight	Value	Why Take It
Madness Warhammer	File:Skyrim Madness Warhammer.webp	29	34	4600	29 damage, the highest of any weapon in the game, from the Saints & Seducers Creation.
Dragonbone Warhammer		28	33	4275	28 damage, the strongest warhammer forgeable in the base game.
Stendarr's Hammer		28	100	4575	28 damage, but it weighs 100 and drains 20 stamina from you on every hit.
Amber Warhammer	File:Skyrim Amber Warhammer.webp	28	29	4475	Highest in class at 28 damage.
Daedric Warhammer		27	31	4000	Highest in class at 27 damage.

Notes

Skullcrusher makes warhammer attacks ignore 25, 50 or 75 per cent of the target's armour rating at 30, 60 and 90 Two-Handed.
It has no effect on an enemy with no armour rating, so it is dead against skeletons, most draugr and Dwarven automatons.
Warhammers have the highest stagger in the game, which is often worth more in practice than the raw damage.
Warmaster at 100 Two-Handed gives backwards power attacks a 25 per cent chance to paralyse.

All Warhammers

Name	Image	Damage	Speed	Weight	Value	Enchantment	Item ID	Level	Upgrade Material	Crafting Perk	Skill	Unique	DLC
Aegisbane		18	0.6	24	180	Target takes 5 points of Frost damage to Health and Stamina	000D2AFE	1+	Iron Ingot	None	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Champion's Cudgel		24	0.6	27	1767	50% chance for each element of fire, frost and shock to do 25 points of damage	XX01A578	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	Yes	Dragonborn
Daedric Warhammer		27	0.6	31	4000	Enchantable	000139BA	47+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Dawnguard Warhammer		22	0.6	26	110	Enchantable	000139BA	47+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Dawnguard
Dawnguard Rune Hammer		22	0.6	26	500	Bashing places a rune on a nearby surface; the rune explodes for 50 points of fire damage when enemies come in contact	000139BA	47+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Dawnguard
Dragonbone Warhammer		28	0.6	33	4275	Enchantable	XX014FD0	47+	Dragon Bone	Dragon Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Dawnguard
Dwarven Warhammer		22	0.6	27	325	Enchantable	0001399A	13+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Ebony Warhammer		25	0.6	30	1725	Enchantable	000139B2	36+	Ebony Ingot	Ebony Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Elven Warhammer		23	0.6	28	565	Enchantable	000139A2	19+	Refined Moonstone	Elven Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Glass Warhammer		24	0.6	29	985	Enchantable	000139AA	27+	Refined Malachite	Glass Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Iron Warhammer		18	0.6	24	60	Enchantable	00013981	1+	Iron Ingot	None	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Nordic Warhammer		23	0.6	27	700	Enchantable	XX01CDB3	26+	Quicksilver Ingot	Advanced Armors	Two-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Orcish Warhammer		21	0.6	26	180	Enchantable	00013992	1+	Orichalcum Ingot	Orcish Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
Shagrol's Warhammer		21	0.6	26	200	Cannot be enchanted	000223FB	1+	Orichalcum Ingot	Orcish Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Stalhrim Warhammer		26	0.6	29	2850	Frost Enchants are 25% stronger	XX01CDBA	35+	Stalhrim	Ebony Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Dragonborn
Steel Warhammer		20	0.6	25	110	Enchantable	0001398A	2+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Skyrim
The Longhammer		21	0.6	18	90	Can be swung 30% Faster than a regular warhammer	000AE085	1+	Orichalcum Ingot	Orcish Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Trollsbane		20	0.6	25	121	Burns Trolls for 15 points	0006AF63	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Volendrung		25	0.6	26	1843	Absorb 50 points of Stamina	0002ACD2	1+	Ebony Ingot	None	Two-Handed	Yes	Skyrim
Ancient Nord Warhammer		20	0.6	26	42	Enchantable	XX000E47	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Honed Ancient Nord Warhammer		23	0.6	19	76	Enchantable	XX08A1EF	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Nord Hero Warhammer		23	0.6	24	350	Enchantable	XX08A1E6	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Stendarr's Hammer		28	0.6	100	4575	Damages the target for 22 points. Depletes 20 Stamina from wielder per hit	FEXXXD62	1+	Ebony Ingot, Flawless Sapphire	Ebony Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Akatosh's Talon		27	0.6	31	4832	Burns the target for 50 points. Targets on fire take extra damage	FEXXXD62	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Two-Handed	Yes	Creation Club
Madness Warhammer	File:Skyrim Madness Warhammer.webp	29	0.6	34	4600	Enchantable	XX000BEB	1+	Madness Ingot	Quest	Two-Handed	-	Creation Club
Amber Warhammer	File:Skyrim Amber Warhammer.webp	28	0.6	29	4475	Enchantable	XX000BE2	1+	Amber Ingot	Quest	Two-Handed	-	Creation Club
Dark Warhammer		23	0.6	26	620	Enchantable	XX000828	1+	Quicksilver Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Creation Club
Golden Warhammer		24	1	26	620	Enchantable	XX000809	1+	Gold Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Two-Handed	-	Creation Club

Two-Handed Weapon Categories

All Ranged Weapons

One of the key combat strategies involves the use of ranged weapons. Ranged weapons in Skyrim primarily include bows and arrows, and crossbows and bolts. These weapons allow players to attack enemies from a distance, providing a strategic advantage in various combat scenarios.

The effectiveness of these weapons is dictated by the Archery Skill. As players progress and their Archery skill improves, they can deal more damage with these weapons. Additionally, the damage output can be further enhanced through smithing, weapon enchantments and Sneak Skill.

Bows

Bows are a ranged weapon used by archers in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Bows come in various types across Skyrim, each differing in damage, arrow speed, weight, how quickly you can shoot, and their value. They are always held with both hands while in use. Below you can compare a list of all the standard and unique bow locations in Skyrim to help you find the best bow for your character build.

The overall damage a bow does is based on the base damage of the bow, the players archery perks and skill level and the base damage of the arrows being used. Arrows can also critical hit the target increasing the damage even further. When sneak attacks are taken into consideration faster attacking bows like Zephyr are capable of outputting more damage than others.

Name	Image	Damage	Speed	Weight	Value	Enchantment	Item ID	Level	Upgrade Material	Crafting Perk	Skill	Unique	DLC
Ancient Nord Bow		8	0.875	12	45	Enchantable	000302CA	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Archery	-	Skyrim
Angi's Bow		7	0.937	7	50	Cannot be enchanted	000CC392	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Archery	Yes	Skyrim
Auriel's Bow		13	1	11	1000	21 points of sun damage. Undead targets take triple damage	XX000800	1+	Refined Moonstone	Elven Smithing	Archery	Yes	Dawnguard
Bow of the Hunt		10	0.937	7	434	Animals take 20 points of extra damage	000AB705	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Archery	Yes	Skyrim
Daedric Bow		19	0.5	18	2500	Enchantable	000139B5	47+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Archery	-	Skyrim
Dragonbone Bow		20	0.75	20	2725	Enchantable	XX0176F1	47+	Dragon Bone	Dragon Smithing	Archery	-	Dawnguard
Drainspell Bow		14	0.875	6	458	Absorb Magicka 15 points	000F82FC	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Archery	Yes	Skyrim
Dravin's Bow		7	0.937	7	50	Cannot be enchanted	0006B9AD	1+	Leather Strips	Steel Smithing	Archery	Yes	Skyrim
Dwarven Bow		12	0.75	10	270	Enchantable	00013995	12+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	Archery	-	Skyrim
Dwarven Black Bow of Fate		13	0.75	10	1446	50% chance for each attribute to absorb 25 pts. of Health, Stamina, and/or Magicka	XX02C01A	1+	Ebony Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	Archery	Yes	Dragonborn
Ebony Bow		17	0.562	16	1440	Enchantable	000139AD	36+	Ebony Ingot	Ebony Smithing	Archery	-	Skyrim
Elven Bow		13	0.687	12	470	Enchantable	0001399D	19+	Refined Moonstone	Elven Smithing	Archery	-	Skyrim
Falmer Bow		12	0.75	15	135	Enchantable	00038340	1+	Chaurus Chitin	None	Archery	-	Skyrim
Falmer Supple Bow		15	0.75	20	410	Enchantable	00083167	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Archery	-	Skyrim
Firiniel's End		13	0.687	12	785	Target takes 20 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina	00017059	1+	Refined Moonstone	Elven Smithing	Archery	Yes	Skyrim
Forsworn Bow		12	0.875	11	145	Enchantable	000CEE9B	1+	Steel Ingot	Steel Smithing	Archery	-	Skyrim
Froki's Bow		6	1	5	307	Does 10 points of Stamina damage	000C0186	1+	Iron Ingot	None	Archery	Yes	Skyrim
Gauldur Blackbow		14	0.875	18	972	Absorb 30 points of magicka	000F5D22	36+	Steel Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	Archery	Yes	Skyrim
Glass Bow		15	0.625	14	820	Enchantable	000139A5	27+	Refined Malachite	Glass Smithing	Archery	-	Skyrim
Glass Bow of the Stag Prince		16	0.625	14	375	Wielder receives an increasingly powerful blessing for every 20 animals killed by the bow	XX018ED5	1+	Refined Malachite	Glass Smithing	Archery	Yes	Dragonborn
Hunting Bow		7	0.937	7	50	Enchantable	0010E2DD	1+	Leather Strips	Steel Smithing	Archery	-	Skyrim
Imperial Bow		9	0.75	8	90	Enchantable	00013841	1+	Steel Ingot	None	Archery	-	Skyrim
Karliah's Bow		25	0.625	9	5	Cannot be enchanted	000DEED8	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Archery	Yes	Skyrim
Long Bow		6	1	5	30	Enchantable	0003B562	1+	Firewood	None	Archery	-	Skyrim
Nord Hero Bow		11	0.875	7	200	Enchantable	00068C57	1+	Steel Ingot	None	Archery	-	Skyrim
Nordic Bow		13	0.6875	11	580	Enchantable	XX026232	26+	Quicksilver Ingot	Advanced Armors	Archery	-	Dragonborn
Orcish Bow		10	0.812	9	150	Enchantable	0001398D	7+	Orichalcum Ingot	Orcish Smithing	Archery	-	Skyrim
Stalhrim Bow		17	0.5625	15	1800	Frost Enchants are 25% stronger	XX026231	35+	Stalhrim	Ebony Smithing	Archery	-	Dragonborn
Supple Ancient Nord Bow		14	0.875	18	235	Enchantable	0005D179	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Archery	-	Skyrim
Nightingale Bow		19	0.5	18	3405	Freezes the target for 30 points and shocks the target for 15 points	000F652C	46+	Ebony Ingot	None	Archery	Yes	Skyrim
Zephyr		12	1	10	670	Fires 30% faster than a standard bow	XX00CFB6	1+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	Archery	Yes	Dawnguard
Bow of Shadows		19		18	2500	Weapon draw is 20% faster and casts invisibility for 30 seconds.	XX000807	1+	Ebony Ingot	Arcane Blacksmith	Archery	Yes	Creation Club
Ruin's Edge		12	0.875	7	750	Randomly applies one of these effects to the target: - Demoralize, 100 pts for 20 seconds - Drain Magicka, 1000 pts for 20 seconds - Frenzy, 100 pts for 20 seconds Frost Damage, 25 pts - Paralyze, for 15 seconds Paralyze, for 1 second	FEXXXD63	1+	Daedra Heart	Daedric Smithing	Archery	Yes	Creation Club
Madness Bow	File:Skyrim Madness Bow.webp	21	0.5	21	3050	Enchantable	XX000BE5	1+	Madness Ingot	Quest	Archery	-	Creation Club
Amber Bow	File:Skyrim Amber Bow.webp	20	0.5	14	2925	Enchantable	XX000BDC	1+	Amber Ingot	Quest	Archery	-	Creation Club
Dark Bow	File:Skyrim Dark Bow.webp	13	0.5	10	495	Enchantable	XX000802	1+	Quicksilver Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Golden Bow		11	1	10	495	Enchantable	XX00080F	1+	Gold Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club

Crossbows

Crossbow are the most powerful ranged weapons found in The Elder Scrolls: V Skyrim that use bolts as ammunition. Below you can find a list of all the Crossbow locations in Skyrim.

Bows Vs Crossbows:

Damage: Crossbows have higher base damage than bows.
Fire Rate: Crossbows have a slower fire rate than bows.
Accuracy: Crossbows are slightly less accurate than bows.
Enchantment: Crossbows ignore 50% of enemies armor, have a 50% chance to stagger, and can be enchanted in addition.
Noise: Crossbows create more noise when fired than bows, making it hard to sneak with.

Name	Damage	Speed	Weight	Value	Enchantment	Item ID	Level	Upgrade Material	Crafting Perk	Skill	Unique	DLC
Crossbow	19	1	14	120	Enchantable	XX000801	1+	Steel Ingot	Advanced Armors	Archery	-	Dawnguard
Dwarven Crossbow	22	1	20	350	Enchantable	XX00B647	12+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	Archery	-	Dawnguard
Enhanced Crossbow	19	1	15	200	Attacks ignore 50% of armor, Enchantable	XX00F19E	1+	Steel Ingot	Advanced Armors	Archery	-	Dawnguard
Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow	22	1	21	550	Attacks ignore 50% of armor, Enchantable	XX00F19F	12+	Dwarven Metal Ingot	Dwarven Smithing	Archery	-	Dawnguard
Ebony Crossbow	23	1	25	610	Enchantable	FEXXX8A6	36+	Ebony Ingot	Ebony Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Enhanced Ebony Crossbow	24	1	25	870	Attacks ignore 50% of armor, Enchantable	FEXXX8AE	36+	Ebony Ingot	Ebony Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Elven Crossbow	21	1	23	480	Enchantable	FEXXX801	19+	Refined Moonstone	Elven Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Enhanced Elven Crossbow	22	1	23	630	Attacks ignore 50% of armor, Enchantable	FEXXX809	19+	Refined Moonstone	Elven Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Daedric Crossbow	28	1	20	1400	Enchantable	FEXXX808	46+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Dragonbone Crossbow	30	1	22	1500	Enchantable	FEXXX809	46+	Dragon Bone	Dragon Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Glass Crossbow	25	1	16	800	Enchantable	FEXXX80A	27+	Refined Malachite	Glass Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Imperial Crossbow	20	1	14	200	Enchantable	FEXXX80B	1+	Steel Ingot	None	Archery	-	Creation Club
Nordic Crossbow	23	1	15	400	Enchantable	FEXXX80C	18+	Quicksilver Ingot	Advanced Armors	Archery	-	Creation Club
Orcish Crossbow	22	1	15	700	Enchantable	FEXXX80D	6+	Orichalcum Ingot	Orcish Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Silver Crossbow	21	1	14	600	Enchantable	FEXXX80E	1+	Quicksilver Ingot	Advanced Armors	Archery	-	Creation Club
Stalhrim Crossbow	27	1	18	1100	Enchantable, Frost Enchants are 25% stronger	FEXXX80F	35+	Stalhrim	Ebony Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Enhanced Daedric Crossbow	28	1	20	1700	Attacks ignore 50% of armor, Enchantable	FEXXX814	46+	Ebony Ingot	Daedric Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Enhanced Dragonbone Crossbow	30	1	22	2000	Attacks ignore 50% of armor, Enchantable	FEXXX815	46+	Dragon Bone	Dragon Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Enhanced Glass Crossbow	25	1	16	1000	Attacks ignore 50% of armor, Enchantable	FEXXX816	27+	Refined Malachite	Glass Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Enhanced Imperial Crossbow	20	1	14	400	Attacks ignore 50% of armor, Enchantable	FEXXX817	1+	Steel Ingot	None	Archery	-	Creation Club
Enhanced Nordic Crossbow	23	1	15	700	Attacks ignore 50% of armor, Enchantable	FEXXX818	18+	Quicksilver Ingot	Advanced Armors	Archery	-	Creation Club
Enhanced Orcish Crossbow	22	1	15	900	Attacks ignore 50% of armor, Enchantable	FEXXX819	6+	Orichalcum Ingot	Orcish Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club
Enhanced Silver Crossbow	21	1	14	700	Attacks ignore 50% of armor, Enchantable	FEXXX81A	1+	Quicksilver Ingot	Advanced Armors	Archery	-	Creation Club
Enhanced Stalhrim Crossbow	27	1	18	1300	Attacks ignore 50% of armor, Enchantable, Frost Enchants are 25% stronger	FEXXX81B	35+	Stalhrim	Ebony Smithing	Archery	-	Creation Club