Bloodskal Blade
| Bloodskal Blade | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Base Damage | 21 |
| Speed | 0.7 |
| Weight | 16 |
| Value | 500 |
| Level | 1+ |
| Category | Greatsword |
| Class | - |
| Variants | - |
| Skill | Two-Handed |
| Unique | Yes |
| Item ID | XX01A578 |
| Game/DLC | Dragonborn |
The Bloodskal Blade is a unique greatsword from the Dragonborn DLC, and a melee weapon with its own ranged attack. Every power attack throws out a ribbon of red energy that cuts through enemies at a distance. The blade lies on the remains of Gratian Caerellius deep beneath Raven Rock Mine on Solstheim, at the end of the side quest The Final Descent.
The sword is also a key. Gratian found it two centuries ago and guessed that its energy could open the sealed door of the barrow where he died. The quest cannot be finished without it, so every character who completes The Final Descent leaves the mine with the blade in hand.
Weapon Enchantment
Each power attack sends out an energy blast that deals 30 damage. Side and backward power attacks make a horizontal wave, while forward and standing ones make a vertical wave. The effect has unlimited charge. The waves also open the sealed doors inside Bloodskal Barrow.
The Enchantment Effects page lists every weapon enchantment.
| Enchantment |
|---|
| Releases energy blast with power attacks that deals 30 damage |
How to Get Bloodskal Blade
Bloodskal Blade Map Location and Quest Guide
Bloodskal Blade map location:
The Bloodskal Blade lies on the remains of Gratian Caerellius deep in Bloodskal Barrow. Crescius Caerellius sends for Gratian's journal in The Final Descent.
- Speak to Crescius Caerellius.
- Find out what the East Empire Company sealed away in Raven Rock Mine.
- Enter Bloodskal Barrow.
- Take the Bloodskal Blade and the journal from Gratian Caerellius's remains.
- Escape Bloodskal Barrow.
- Return to Crescius Caerellius.
Map credit by Map Genie.
Gameplay Tips and Tricks
- Temper it at a grindstone with a Silver Ingot.
- The energy blast can hit enemies during Become Ethereal without ending the shout.
Smithing Guide
Enchanted weapons require the Arcane Blacksmith Perk to upgrade.
| Crafting Materials | Upgrade Materials | Smithing Level | Smithing Perk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannot be crafted | Silver Ingot | - | None |
Weapon Levels
Some weapons in Skyrim are Levelled. The power of a levelled weapon is based on your charcters level when you get them. Some get stronger in both physical and magical aspects, while others only improve their enchantments. These items don't get better as your character levels up.
Bloodskal Blade has the same damage at every character level.
| Level | Damage | Weight | Value | Enchantment | Level ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1+ | 21 | 16 | 500 | Releases energy blast with power attacks that deals 30 damage | XX01A578 |
How It Plays
The Bloodskal Blade plays like a normal greatsword with a bonus attached to every power attack. The red wave flies forward for a short distance and hits every enemy in its path. It can reach an archer or a caster who keeps out of sword range. It even passes through walls.
The direction of the swing sets the shape of the wave. Side and backward power attacks throw a flat wave that sweeps across a group. Forward and standing power attacks throw an upright wave that suits a single target. Choosing the right swing turns a crowd fight into a short one.
The wave has a few limits. A horizontal power attack cannot be made while sneaking, so the flat wave is lost to a stealth approach. Power attacks from horseback fire no wave at all. Followers who carry the sword swing it as a plain greatsword, because only the Dragonborn can release the energy.
The wave also hits innocent bystanders in its path. A flat wave in a crowded town or camp can hurt a guard or a shopkeeper and draw a bounty. Aim it with care when friendly people stand nearby.
Perks and Builds
The Two-Handed Skill tree supplies the base damage. Barbarian raises the damage of every two-handed weapon. Champion's Stance makes two-handed power attacks cost less stamina, which matters because every wave costs a power attack. Sweep lets sideways power attacks hit all nearby targets, and it pairs well with the flat wave.
Stamina is the real fuel of this build. Power attacks drain it fast, and a fighter who wants a steady stream of waves needs a large stamina pool. Fortify Stamina gear and Stamina potions keep the waves coming in long fights.
The blade is tempered with a Silver Ingot. It needs the Arcane Blacksmith Perk, but no other Smithing perk improves it. A high Smithing Skill, boosted by potions or enchanted gear, lifts it further.
Compared with Other Greatswords
The Bloodskal Blade has the base damage of a Glass Greatsword. A crafted Dragonbone Greatsword or Daedric Greatsword hits harder, and a skilled enchanter can add any effect to them. In raw melee damage, the Bloodskal Blade falls behind those late game swords.
Its wave is what keeps it in use. Its ranged strike fills a gap that a pure melee fighter usually covers with a bow. Guides rate it for that reason, even while they point out its modest base damage.
Quest Background
Raven Rock was once a rich ebony mining town of the East Empire Company. When the mine dried up, the town began to fade. Crescius Caerellius, an old miner, believes the company hid something in the mine. His great-grandfather, Gratian Caerellius, died there almost two hundred years ago. The company blamed a rockfall. Crescius is sure the tunnels would never collapse like that.
His wife, Aphia Velothi, fears for him. She says she loves him dearly, but she cannot let him chase the idea, or he may end up "joining Gratian in a rocky grave." Crescius hands over Gratian's key and an unsent letter, and asks for the truth. The locked section of the mine opens onto an old Nordic barrow full of draugr. Gratian's journal entries turn up along the way. He describes finding "the strangest weapon I've ever laid eyes upon" resting on a pedestal.
Gratian's bones lie by a huge round door, in a pool of blood. His journal explains his last idea: swinging the sword in different directions might solve the puzzle of the door. His final entry asks the finder to tell his wife that he loves her. Power attacks at the glowing red lines around the door open it. Beyond lies the tomb of a dragon priest, and in a side chamber the Black Book The Winds of Change.
Crescius is overjoyed to hold the journal. He now has proof that the rockfall story was a lie to keep people away from the tombs. Raven Rock Mine reopens, and miners return to work its ebony again.
Zahkriisos
The dragon priest Zahkriisos guards the chamber beyond the round door. His name means "sword blood" in the dragon language, a fitting name for the keeper of a tomb that only the Bloodskal Blade can open. He rises from the water of a flooded hall and fights with powerful shock magic. At higher levels he casts Lightning Storm. He also calls up Seekers from Apocrypha and protects himself with Greater Ward and Ebonyflesh.
The blade itself is a good answer to him. Its red wave strikes from range, which helps against a caster who floats above the water and keeps his distance. When he falls, his mask Zahkriisos can be taken from his ashes, and the word wall at the end of the hall teaches a word of Dragon Aspect.
Bugs
The blade can lose its energy wave, so power attacks become ordinary swings. This can happen as soon as the blade is picked up. Without the wave, the door puzzle in the barrow cannot be solved, so save before taking the sword.
The blade does not sit well in weapon racks and display cases. After a return to the room, it may drop to the floor or drift out of place.
Notes
- The blade first appeared as Bloodskal in Bloodmoon, the Morrowind expansion.
- The energy wave deals bonus damage to the dragon priest Zahkriisos.
Two-Handed Weapon Categories
All Unique Greatswords
| Name | Image | Damage | Speed | Weight | Value | Enchantment | Item ID | Level | Upgrade Material | Crafting Perk | Skill | DLC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balgruuf's Greatsword | 
|
17 | 0.7 | 17 | 200 | Cannot be enchanted | 000946FC | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | Two-Handed | 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 | Dragonborn |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Creation Club |