Rueful Axe

Base Damage	22
Speed	0.7
Weight	10
Value	1183
Level	1+
Category	Battleaxe
Class	Daedric Artifact
Variants	None
Skill	Two-Handed
Unique	Yes
Item ID	0001C4E6
Game/DLC	Skyrim

The Rueful Axe is a unique battleaxe that Clavicus Vile once gave to the wizard Sebastian Lort. It deals 22 base damage and weighs only 10, but it is the slowest melee weapon in the game. Clavicus Vile lets it be kept at the end of A Daedra's Best Friend, but only if Barbas is killed with it.

Weapon Enchantment

Each hit deals 20 points of Stamina damage.

The Enchantment Effects page lists every weapon enchantment.

Enchantment
Does 20 points of Stamina damage

How to Get Rueful Axe Location

Rueful Axe Map Location and Quest Guide

Rueful Axe map location:

The Rueful Axe is Clavicus Vile's reward in A Daedra's Best Friend. It is kept only by killing Barbas with the axe instead of handing it over.

Find Barbas on the road near Falkreath.
Travel with Barbas to Haemar's Shame.
Speak to Clavicus Vile at his shrine.
Retrieve the Rueful Axe with Barbas.
Return to the shrine and kill Barbas with the axe.
Speak to Clavicus Vile to keep the axe.

Map credit by Map Genie.

Gameplay Tips and Tricks

Temper it at a grindstone with an Ebony Ingot.
The Masque of Clavicus Vile, the other reward on offer, is the one that counts toward the Oblivion Walker achievement.

Smithing Guide

Enchanted weapons require the Arcane Blacksmith Perk to upgrade.

Upgrades

Rueful Axe is improved at a grindstone with one Ebony Ingot per improvement. An enchanted copy can only be improved with the Arcane Blacksmith perk.

Quality	Smithing	Damage
Fine	14	+1
Superior	31	+3
Exquisite	65	+5
Flawless	100	+7
Epic	134	+8 to +9
Legendary	168	+10

Crafting Materials	Upgrade Materials	Smithing Level	Smithing Perk
Cannot be crafted	Ebony 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.

Rueful Axe has the same damage at every character level.

Level	Damage	Weight	Value	Enchantment	Level ID
1+	22	10	1183	Does 20 points of Stamina damage	0001C4E6

Notes

Sebastian Lort wished to end his daughter's werewolf curse, and Clavicus answered by giving him the axe.
Guards may remark that the blade looks sharp enough to cut through a god.

Two-Handed Weapon Categories

All Unique Battleaxes

Name	Damage	Speed	Weight	Value	Enchantment	Item ID	Level	Upgrade Material	Crafting Perk	Skill	DLC
Drainblood Battleaxe	21	0.7	5	266	Absorb 15 points of health	000F82FA	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	Skyrim
Headsman's Axe	17	0.7	11	15	Enchantable	000BE25E	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	Skyrim
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	Skyrim
Rueful Axe	22	0.7	10	1183	Does 20 points of Stamina damage	0001C4E6	1+	Ebony Ingot	None	Two-Handed	Skyrim
The Woodsman's Friend	17	0.7	20	28	Cannot be enchanted	00022265	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	Skyrim
Tsun's Battleaxe	27	0.7	36	1000	Cannot be enchanted	0005BF18	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	Skyrim
Wuuthrad	25	0.7	25	2000	Does 1.2x Damage to Elves	000956B5	1+	Cannot be Upgraded	None	Two-Handed	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	Creation Club
Headman's Cleaver	25	0.6	24	2900	Enchantable	FEXXX803	1+	Orichalcum Ingot	Orcish Smithing	Two-Handed	Creation Club