Dragonbane
| Dragonbane | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Base Damage | 14 |
| Speed | 1 |
| Weight | 14 |
| Value | 2596 |
| Level | Level 46+ |
| Category | Sword |
| Class | Akaviri |
| Variants | Bolar's Oathblade, Akaviri Sword, Blades Sword |
| Skill | One-Handed |
| Unique | Yes |
| Item ID | 000F71D0 |
| Game/DLC | Dragonborn |
Dragonbane is a unique Akaviri katana built for one job: killing dragons. It rests on a table in the armory of Sky Haven Temple in the Reach, and it is taken during Alduin's Wall in the middle of the main quest.
The sword looks like the Blades Sword carried by Delphine and Esbern. Its hilt is wrapped in black leather, and its brass guard is shaped like a coiled serpent. Sparks of lightning crawl along the blade, so it is easy to tell apart from the plain Blades swords on the racks nearby. Its enchantment hits dragons hard and gives every other enemy a small shock.
Weapon Enchantment
Against dragons the blade deals extra damage that scales with level, from 20 points at level 1 to 40 points at level 46 and above. Every other target takes 10 points of shock damage instead, at any level. Sparks of lightning run along the blade while it is drawn.
The Enchantment Effects page lists every weapon enchantment.
| Level | Enchantment |
|---|---|
| 1-18 | 20 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others |
| 19-26 | 25 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others |
| 27-35 | 30 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others |
| 36-45 | 35 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others |
| 46+ | 40 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others |
How to Get Dragonbane Guide
Dragonbane Map Location and Quest Guide
Dragonbane map location:
Dragonbane rests on a table in Sky Haven Temple, beside a full set of Blades armor. It can be taken during Alduin's Wall in the main quest.
- Escort Esbern to Riverwood.
- Travel with Esbern to Sky Haven Temple.
- Gain entrance to the temple.
- Enter the room to the left of the main chamber.
- Take Dragonbane from the table.
Map credit by Map Genie.
Taken at any other time, the sword counts as stolen until Paarthurnax is killed.
How It Plays
Dragonbane shines in the fights that matter most in the main quest. Dragons turn up all over Skyrim once Alduin returns, and they even attack towns. Each hit on a dragon adds a large burst of extra damage on top of the blade's normal damage. Guides rank it among the best dragon killers for a character who trains the One-Handed Skill.
The bonus against dragons is the only part of the enchantment that grows with level. The shock damage stays the same at every level. The sword's level is fixed on the first visit to Sky Haven Temple, not when the sword is picked up. That makes the timing of the first visit the real choice.
Against every other enemy the sword deals a light shock. This shock is different from the usual shock enchantment, because it does not drain magicka. Bandits and draugr take only a small extra hit. Against the wider world, Dragonbane is a light, quick blade with a modest bonus.
The sword only helps once a dragon comes within reach. Dragons spend much of a fight in the air. The Dragonrend shout forces a flying dragon to land for a short time. A bow or spells can wear it down until it lands on its own. The blade then does its work while the dragon bites and breathes at close range.
Perks and Builds
Dragonbane suits a dragon hunter who fights in close and keeps a shield up. The One-Handed Skill tree adds to every swing. Armsman raises the damage of all one-handed weapons, and Bladesman adds critical hits with swords. A shield in the other hand covers the dangerous moments when a dragon breathes fire or frost.
Spellbreaker is the classic partner. The shield raises a ward while blocking, and the ward stops a dragon's breath attack. With Dragonbane in one hand and Spellbreaker in the other, a warrior can soak the breath and strike back at once. This pairing is one of the best ways to fight dragons.
The shock part of the enchantment grows with the Dragon Priest mask Zahkriisos from the Dragonborn DLC. The mask raises shock damage from weapon enchantments by a quarter. The mask is taken from the dragon priest Zahkriisos, deep below Raven Rock Mine on Solstheim. The bonus touches only the shock, so it helps against ordinary enemies rather than dragons.
Two rewards from Esbern help the same build. After Alduin's Wall he offers the Dragonslayer's Blessing, which raises the chance of critical hits against dragons for five days. Esbern grants it again on any later visit. Later, in the quest Dragon Research, he brews Esbern's Potion from a dragon bone and a dragon scale. Drinking it grants Dragon Infusion, which makes dragons deal a quarter less melee damage.
Compared with Other Swords
Chillrend is the usual pick for the strongest one-handed sword. Its frost damage and paralysis beat Dragonbane against most enemies. Against a dragon, though, Dragonbane's bonus outweighs Chillrend's enchantment. A character who carries both can switch blades when a dragon appears.
Dawnbreaker plays the same trick against a different enemy. Its fire and blast punish the undead, while Dragonbane's bonus punishes dragons. A plain Blades Sword shares Dragonbane's shape. Six of them hang on the racks in the same armory.
Quest Background
Esbern, the Blades loremaster, believes the secret to defeating Alduin lies in Alduin's Wall. The Wall is a great carving made by the ancient Blades. Esbern, Delphine and the Dragonborn travel to the Karthspire in the Reach, fighting through a Forsworn camp on the way. Akaviri puzzles guard the path, and each one is solved with the symbol for Dragonborn.
A stone face of Reman Cyrodiil blocks the last door. The Blood Seal in front of it opens only for the blood of a Dragonborn. Behind it lies Sky Haven Temple, built around one of the first Akaviri military camps in Skyrim. Esbern reads the Wall and learns that the ancient Nords used a Shout to defeat Alduin.
Dragonbane waits in the armory opposite Alduin's Wall, beside a chest holding a full set of Blades Armor. Delphine then makes the temple the new home of the Blades. Up to three followers can join them there later.
Lore
The katana is the classic weapon of the Blades. Dragonbane follows the same Akaviri design as the Blades Sword, and the armory keeps both together. The temple itself honours Reman Cyrodiil, whose stone face guards its door.
Alduin's Wall is the heart of the temple. It shows Alduin's rule over the ancient Nords, the rebellion of those who could Shout, and his defeat by a Shout. The Blades want every dragon dead, and Dragonbane is the tool they leave for the Dragonborn. That aim later sets them against Paarthurnax, the dragon who leads the Greybeards.
Gameplay Tips
- Temper it at a grindstone with a Quicksilver Ingot. The Steel Smithing perk doubles the improvement.
- Wait until level 46 to take it for the strongest version.
- At its top level it matches the Daedric Sword's damage and weighs less.
- Take it during Alduin's Wall. At any other time it counts as stolen until Paarthurnax is killed.
Smithing Guide
Enchanted weapons require the Arcane Blacksmith Perk to upgrade.
Upgrades
Dragonbane is improved at a grindstone with one Quicksilver Ingot per improvement. The Steel Smithing perk doubles the improvement, so each quality tier needs less Smithing skill. An enchanted copy can only be improved with the Arcane Blacksmith perk.
| Quality | Smithing | With Perk | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | 14 | 14 | +1 |
| Superior | 31 | 22 | +3 |
| Exquisite | 65 | 40 | +5 |
| Flawless | 100 | 57 | +7 |
| Epic | 134 | 74 | +8 to +9 |
| Legendary | 168 | 91 | +10 |
| Level | Upgrade Material | Smithing Level | Smithing Perk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-18 | Quicksilver Ingot | - | Steel Smithing |
| 19-26 | Quicksilver Ingot | - | Steel Smithing |
| 27-35 | Quicksilver Ingot | - | Steel Smithing |
| 36-45 | Quicksilver Ingot | - | Steel Smithing |
| 46+ | Quicksilver Ingot | - | Steel Smithing |
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.
Dragonbane is leveled. Its damage and enchantment are set by the character's level when it is first picked up, and the strongest version comes at level 46 or higher.
| Level | Damage | Weight | Value | Enchantment | Level ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-18 | 10 | 10 | 789 | 20 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others | 000F1AC1 |
| 19-26 | 11 | 11 | 1046 | 25 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others | 000F71CD |
| 27-35 | 12 | 12 | 1189 | 30 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others | 000F71CE |
| 36-45 | 13 | 13 | 1860 | 35 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others | 000F71CF |
| 46+ | 14 | 14 | 2596 | 40 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others | 000F71D0 |
One-Handed Weapon Categories
All Unique Swords
| Name | Image | Damage | Speed | Weight | Value | Enchantment | Item ID | Level | Upgrade Material | Crafting Perk | Skill | DLC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akaviri Sword | 
|
11 | 1 | 10 | 300 | Enchantable | XX014555 | 1+ | Cannot be Upgraded | None | One-Handed | Dragonborn |
| Amren's Family Sword | 
|
7 | 1 | 9 | 25 | Cannot be enchanted | 000647AC | 1+ | Iron Ingot | None | 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 | 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 | Skyrim |
| Ceremonial Sword | 
|
8 | 1 | 12 | 5 | Cannot be enchanted | 0008ADFC | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | 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 | 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 | 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 | Dragonborn |
| Drainheart Sword | 
|
11 | 1 | 3 | 73 | Absorb 15 points of stamina | 000F71DD | 1+ | Cannot be Upgraded | None | 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 | Skyrim |
| Gauldur Blackblade | 
|
11 | 1 | 15 | 1286 | Absorb 25 points of health | 000F5D1D | Level 36+ | Steel Ingot | Dwarven Smithing | One-Handed | Skyrim |
| Ghostblade | 
|
8 | 1 | 1 | 300 | Does 3 points of extra damage, ignoring armor | 00094A2B | 1+ | 3 Ectoplasm | None | 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 | 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 | 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 | Skyrim |
| Hjalti's Sword | 
|
8 | 1 | 12 | 13 | Cannot be enchanted | 00068976 | 1+ | Cannot be Upgraded | None | 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 | Dragonborn |
| Nightingale Blade | 
|
14 | 1 | 15 | 1665 | Absorb 25 points of health and stamina | 000F6527 | Level 46+ | Ebony Ingot | None | One-Handed | Skyrim |
| Queen Freydis's Sword | 
|
8 | 1 | 10 | 45 | Enchantable | 000AB85D | 1+ | 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 | 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 | Skyrim |
| Vilkas's Sword | 
|
11 | 1 | 10 | 70 | Cannot be enchanted | 0009F25C | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | 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 | Skyrim |
| 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 | Creation Club |
| Master Sword | 
|
12 | 1 | 12 | 235 | Enchantable | XX00081F | 1+ | Refined Moonstone | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | 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 | 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 | Creation Club |
| Goldbrand | 
|
15 | 1 | 17 | 3413 | Burns the target for 30 points. Targets on fire take extra damage | FEXXXD61 | 1+ | Gold Ingot | Daedric Smithing | One-Handed | 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 | Creation Club | |
| Grand Champion's Sword | 
|
14 | 1 | 12 | 2500 | Enchantable | FEXXX807 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Creation Club |
| Blackwater Blade | 
|
12 | 1 | 14 | 1949 | Absorb 30 points of stamina. | XX000A4B | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Creation Club |
| Cyrus' Sabre | 
|
14 | 1 | 6 | 1500 | Enchantable | XX000D63 | 1+ | Steel Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | Creation Club |
| Dawnfang/Duskfang | 
|
14 | 1 | 16 | 2449 | In daytime, deals 7 points of fire damage. At night, deals 7 points of frost damage. | FEXXXD63 | 1+ | Ebony 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 | 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 | Creation Club |
| Remnant Scimitar | 
|
12 | 1 | 10.5 | 325 | Enchantable | FEXXX805 | 1+ | Corundum Ingot | Steel Smithing | One-Handed | 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 | Creation Club |