Spellbreaker
| Spellbreaker | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Armor Rating | 38 |
| Weight | 12 |
| Value | 277 |
| Slot | Shield |
| Set | - |
| Level | - |
| Class | Shields |
| Skill | Heavy Armor |
| Unique | Yes |
| Item ID | 00045f96 |
| Game/DLC | Skyrim |
Spellbreaker is the Daedric artifact of Peryite and one of the oldest relics in Tamriel. It is a heavy shield of Dwarven make that turns into a magic ward whenever it is raised. A warrior who blocks with it can walk through fire, frost and lightning that would kill an unshielded fighter. Peryite grants it at the end of The Only Cure, a Daedric quest in the Reach that opens from level 12.
Guards notice the shield at once. One remarks that it is a fine shield, and not mere Dwarven. Another says it is Dwarf made, yet seems so much more.
Armor Enchantment
Raising the shield to block creates a ward that stops up to 50 points of spell damage.
The Enchantment Effects page lists every armor enchantment.
Spellbreaker Map Location and Quest Guide
Spellbreaker map location:
Spellbreaker is given by Peryite at the Shrine to Peryite. It is the reward of The Only Cure, which opens from level 12.
- Travel to the Shrine to Peryite and speak to Kesh the Clean.
- Gather vampire dust, a deathbell flower, a silver ingot and a flawless ruby.
- Deliver the ingredients to Kesh.
- Inhale the fumes and speak to Peryite.
- Travel to Bthardamz and kill Orchendor.
- Return to the shrine and report to Peryite.
Map credit by Map Genie.
From level 10, an Afflicted Refugee can point the way to the shrine.
How It Plays
Raising Spellbreaker creates a ward around the wielder. The ward works like a Restoration ward spell, and it is free to use every time. It blocks a fixed amount of magical damage, whether the damage arrives in one blast or as a steady stream. The ward resets each time the shield is raised again.
The ward is strongest against dragons. Fire and frost breath slam into the ward instead of the wielder. A warrior who blocks through the breath and strikes between attacks can fight a dragon on foot with little fear. Draugr shouts are blocked the same way.
Mages and other casters are the second target. Necromancers, conjurers, Draugr Wights and dragon priests all rely on spells. Spellbreaker turns their main weapon into a minor threat. Spray spells such as Flames and Sparks are blocked especially well.
The ward has a limit. A spell stronger than the ward breaks it and staggers the wielder. Very high level mages can break through with their strongest spells. The ward takes about a second to rise, and it lingers for a moment after the shield is lowered.
Spellbreaker is also a solid heavy shield. Its armor rating ties the Madness Shield for the highest of any shield. Blocking with it trains both the Block and Heavy Armor skills.
Perks and Builds
The Block Skill tree carries the shield. Shield Wall raises the amount blocked in five ranks. Deflect Arrows stops arrows that strike the shield. Elemental Protection halves fire, frost and shock damage while blocking. Its bonus works on top of the ward, so the two together turn away almost any Destruction spell.
The Restoration perk Ward Absorb works with Spellbreaker. Spells that hit the ward refill some of the wielder's Magicka. Ahzidal's Gauntlets of Warding add a similar absorption. A spellsword who blocks magic with the shield can then turn that Magicka into spells of his own.
A pure mage can carry the shield too. The Alteration perk Mage Armor keeps working with a shield, since only worn armor switches it off. A mage in cloth robes can block magic with Spellbreaker and keep the perk.
Compared with Other Shields
The Shield of Solitude and the Shield of Ysgramor both resist magic all the time, not only while blocking. Spellbreaker's ward is far stronger while it lasts. A warrior who blocks often prefers Spellbreaker. A warrior who rarely blocks may prefer a shield with a constant bonus.
Daedric, Dragonplate and Ebony shields rely on armor rating and enchantments chosen at the enchanter. Spellbreaker beats them all against magic. It is one of the best shields in the game for a sword and board warrior.
Spellbreaker pairs well with a dragon slaying weapon. Dragonbane in the other hand adds damage against dragons while the shield blocks their breath. Against dragon priests, Dawnbreaker in the other hand adds damage against the undead while the shield blocks their spells.
Quest Background
The Only Cure begins on the road. After level 10, a sick wanderer called an Afflicted Refugee may stop to talk. He says Peryite protects him from a plague and points to Kesh the Clean at the Shrine to Peryite. The shrine lies in the Reach, northwest of Karthwasten.
Kesh is the last worshipper at the shrine. An audience with Peryite needs incense brewed from four items: Vampire Dust, a Silver Ingot, a Flawless Ruby and Deathbell. Once the items go into the cauldron, the fumes carry the hero into a vision. Peryite speaks through a cloud of green mist.
Peryite has a task. He sent a wasting plague to some Breton villages. His monk Orchendor was told to gather the Afflicted and led them into the Dwemer ruin of Bthardamz. Orchendor has since lost his way. Peryite will not stand for betrayal and wants Orchendor dead.
Bthardamz is full of the Afflicted, who vomit poison and pray to Peryite. Orchendor waits deep inside. After his death, Peryite grants Spellbreaker at the shrine.
Lore
Peryite is the Daedric Prince of pestilence. His favor is a plague, which his followers call a blessing. Spellbreaker is an odd treasure for such a Prince, and it has passed through his hands in more than one game of the series.
The shield is tied to the Battle of Rourken-Shalidor in the First Era. King Rourken led his Dwarven clan away from the other Dwemer, who had allied with the Chimer. The shield is said to still seek its original owner and never stay long with anyone else.
Gameplay Tips
- Block to soak up dragon breath and enemy spells.
- Temper it at a workbench with one Dwarven Metal Ingot. The Arcane Blacksmith perk is needed.
- Its 38 armor ties the Madness Shield for the highest of any shield.
Smithing Guide
Enchanted weapons require the Arcane Blacksmith Perk to upgrade.
Upgrades
Spellbreaker is improved at a workbench with one Dwarven Metal Ingot per improvement. An enchanted copy can only be improved with the Arcane Blacksmith perk.
| Quality | Smithing | Armor |
|---|---|---|
| Fine | 14 | +1 |
| Superior | 31 | +3 |
| Exquisite | 65 | +5 |
| Flawless | 100 | +7 |
| Epic | 134 | +8 to +9 |
| Legendary | 168 | +10 |
Notes
Its history goes back to the Battle of Rourken-Shalidor.
Armor Categories
All Shields
Light Armor
All light armor shields are listed below with their armor rating, weight, set and upgrade material.
Heavy Armor
All heavy armor shields are listed below with their armor rating, weight, set and upgrade material.
