Ebony Mail
| Ebony Mail | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Armor Rating | 45 |
| Weight | 28 |
| Value | 5000 |
| Slot | Body |
| Set | - |
| Level | - |
| Class | Chest Armor |
| Skill | Heavy Armor |
| Unique | Yes |
| Item ID | 00052794 |
| Game/DLC | Skyrim |
The Ebony Mail is the Daedric artifact of Boethiah, the Prince of deceit and betrayal. It is a heavy ebony cuirass that lets its wearer sneak in plate. It muffles every step and wraps the wearer in a cloud of black smoke that poisons anyone close. It is taken from the Champion of Boethiah at Knifepoint Ridge, northwest of Falkreath, during Boethiah's Calling, a Daedric quest that opens from level 30.
The Ebony Mail looks much like ordinary Ebony Armor. The shoulder plates are gone, and black chainmail replaces the cloth parts. When the enchantment wakes, the wearer turns into a dark silhouette in a haze of black and green smoke.
Armor Enchantment
The wearer moves more quietly. Enemies that come close take 5 points of poison damage per second. The effect switches on while sneaking or in combat and wraps the wearer in dark smoke.
The Enchantment Effects page lists every armor enchantment.
Ebony Mail Map Location and Quest Guide
Ebony Mail map location:
The Ebony Mail is taken from the Champion of Boethiah at Knifepoint Ridge. It is the reward of Boethiah's Calling, which opens from level 30.
- Read Boethiah's Proving or travel to the Sacellum of Boethiah.
- Find the cult at the Sacellum of Boethiah.
- Lure someone onto the Altar of Sacrifice and kill them there.
- Kill all the cultists at the shrine.
- Travel to Knifepoint Ridge and kill everyone inside.
- Take the Ebony Mail from the Champion of Boethiah and equip it.
Map credit by Map Genie.
Clearing Knifepoint Ridge before the quest can block it.
How It Plays
The Ebony Mail is the best cuirass for a warrior who sneaks. Heavy armor is normally loud, and that noise gives away a sneaking warrior. The mail's muffle removes it completely while the wearer sneaks. A character in heavy plate can then creep up on enemies like a thief in leather.
The poison cloak works in combat. Every enemy who stands close takes poison damage every second. The damage is small, but it never stops while the fight lasts. Groups of melee enemies wear down quickly while they surround the wearer. The cloak even hurts draugr, vampires and Dwarven automatons, which ignore normal poison.
The armor is also very light for its class. It is the lightest heavy cuirass in the game, with the best armor for its weight. Daedric, Dragonplate and Stalhrim armor offer only a few more points, yet they weigh far more. A warrior who picks the Ebony Mail gives up very little protection for a lot of carrying space.
The smoke can act as an alarm. It rises as soon as a hostile creature comes near. A careful player notices the smoke before the enemy shows itself.
Drawbacks
The poison cloak is not selective. It also harms any non-hostile character who stands too close. Walking through a crowded market can start a fight. Pickpocketing and some sneak attempts can fail, because the poison reveals the wearer to the target.
Brawls are a special trap. The poison counts as a real attack, so a fistfight in a tavern can earn a bounty. Take the mail off before agreeing to a brawl.
The smoke can block the view in first person. The problem is worst while aiming a bow or standing still. A sneak archer may find the haze annoying when lining up a hidden shot.
Perks and Builds
The Heavy Armor Skill tree carries the mail. Juggernaut raises its rating, and Well Fitted adds a set bonus with three other heavy pieces. Conditioning removes the weight of worn heavy armor and lets the wearer sneak and sprint freely. Matching Set adds another bonus when all four pieces are ebony.
The Sneak Skill tree turns the build into an assassin in plate. Backstab and Assassin's Blade multiply hidden dagger strikes. Deadly Aim multiplies hidden arrows.
Quest Background
Boethiah's Calling begins once the character reaches level 30. Copies of the book Boethiah's Proving appear in the world. Cultists of Boethiah may also attack on the road and carry a copy. The path leads northeast from Windhelm, past Traitor's Post, to the Sacellum of Boethiah in the mountains.
A Priestess of Boethiah demands proof that the newcomer can wield a lie. She hands over the Blade of Sacrifice. A follower must be lured onto the Pillar of Sacrifice and killed there. Boethiah then speaks through the dead body. She orders the cultists to fight to the death, and the last one standing earns her favor.
Once the cultists are dead, Boethiah speaks again. She wants a new champion. Her old champion hides in Knifepoint Ridge, a mine full of bandits. The new champion must kill him and take his place. After the old champion falls, the Ebony Mail must be put on. Boethiah then speaks one last time and names the wearer her champion.
Lore
Boethiah is the Daedric Prince of deceit, conspiracy and secret plots. Her worship rewards betrayal and murder, which is why the quest begins with a sacrifice of trust. The Ebony Mail is her artifact in earlier games of the series as well, always the mark of her chosen champion.
Bugs
Wearing the Ebony Mail can make it harder to absorb a dragon's soul after the kill. Take it off before finishing a dragon if a soul matters.
Giving the Ebony Mail to Malborn during Diplomatic Immunity is risky. The mail can be missing from the chest of smuggled gear afterward.
The Champion of Boethiah puts the mail back on each time he is raised with Dead Thrall. Wearing the mail together with the Masque of Clavicus Vile can make the wearer's head vanish from view.
Gameplay Tips
- Its 45 armor beats the 43 of Ebony Armor, and it weighs 10 less.
- Temper it at a workbench with one Ebony Ingot. The Ebony Smithing perk doubles the improvement, and the Arcane Blacksmith perk is needed.
Smithing Guide
Enchanted weapons require the Arcane Blacksmith Perk to upgrade.
Upgrades
Ebony Mail is improved at a workbench with one Ebony Ingot per improvement. The Ebony 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 | Armor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | 14 | 14 | +2 |
| Superior | 31 | 22 | +6 |
| Exquisite | 65 | 40 | +10 |
| Flawless | 100 | 57 | +13 |
| Epic | 134 | 74 | +17 |
| Legendary | 168 | 91 | +20 |
Armor Categories
All Chest Armor
Light Armor
All light armor chest pieces are listed below with their armor rating, weight, set and upgrade material.
Heavy Armor
All heavy armor chest pieces are listed below with their armor rating, weight, set and upgrade material.
