The Pale Blade
| The Pale Blade | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Base Damage | 11 |
| Speed | 1 |
| Weight | 15 |
| Value | 914 |
| Level | Level 27+ |
| Category | Sword |
| Class | Ancient Nordic |
| Variants | Ancient Nord Sword, Eduj, Gauldur Blackblade, Red Eagle's Bane, Red Eagle's Fury, Hjalti's Sword, Ceremonial Sword, Nord Hero Sword, Honed Ancient Nord Sword, Ghostblade, Drainheart Sword |
| Skill | One-Handed |
| Unique | Yes |
| Item ID | 000F5D2D |
| Game/DLC | Skyrim |
The Pale Blade is a unique leveled ancient Nord sword that strikes with fear and frost. At level 27 and above it deals 11 base damage. It is won from the Pale Lady deep inside Frostmere Crypt during The Pale Lady.
Weapon Enchantment
Each hit deals frost damage and makes weaker creatures and people flee for 30 seconds. Both parts scale with level. At level 27 and above it deals 25 points of frost damage and frightens targets up to level 16.
The Enchantment Effects page lists every weapon enchantment.
| Level | Enchantment |
|---|---|
| 1-5 | Creatures and people up to level 5 flee from combat for 30 seconds. Target takes 5 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina |
| 6-11 | Creatures and people up to level 7 flee from combat for 30 seconds. Target takes 10 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina |
| 12-18 | Creatures and people up to level 10 flee from combat for 30 seconds. Target takes 15 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina |
| 19-26 | Creatures and people up to level 12 flee from combat for 30 seconds. Target takes 20 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina |
| 27+ | 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 |
How to Get The Pale Blade Guide
The Pale Blade Map Location and Quest Guide
The Pale Blade map location:
The Pale Blade is won from the Pale Lady deep inside Frostmere Crypt. Eisa Blackthorn starts The Pale Lady outside the crypt.
- Travel to Frostmere Crypt.
- Talk to Eisa Blackthorn outside the entrance.
- Fight deeper into the crypt after the thieves.
- Defeat the Pale Lady and take The Pale Blade.
Map credit by Map Genie.
The blade is leveled to the character.
Smithing Guide
Enchanted weapons require the Arcane Blacksmith Perk to upgrade.
Upgrades
The Pale Blade is improved at a grindstone with one Steel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | Steel Ingot | - | Steel Smithing |
| 6-11 | Steel Ingot | - | Steel Smithing |
| 12-18 | Steel Ingot | - | Steel Smithing |
| 19-26 | Steel Ingot | - | Steel Smithing |
| 27+ | Steel 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.
The Pale Blade 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 27 or higher.
| Level | Damage | Weight | Value | Enchantment | Level ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-5 | 8 | 12 | 169 | Creatures and people up to level 5 flee from combat for 30 seconds. Target takes 5 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina | 000D37CE |
| 6-11 | 8 | 12 | 286 | Creatures and people up to level 7 flee from combat for 30 seconds. Target takes 10 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina | 000F5D2A |
| 12-18 | 11 | 15 | 452 | Creatures and people up to level 10 flee from combat for 30 seconds. Target takes 15 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina | 000F5D2B |
| 19-26 | 11 | 15 | 667 | Creatures and people up to level 12 flee from combat for 30 seconds. Target takes 20 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina | 000F5D2C |
| 27+ | 11 | 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 |
How It Plays
The Pale Blade turns a fight into a rout. Its enchantment makes weaker enemies turn and run for half a minute. Each hit also deals frost damage and drains the target's stamina.
The fear works best against crowds of low level foes. Groups of weak enemies scatter instead of ganging up. A frightened enemy turns its back and stops fighting. The frost damage slows the fleeing foes, which makes them easier to catch and finish.
The stamina drain hurts warriors most. An enemy with no stamina cannot power attack or sprint away. Against strong foes above the fear limit, the sword still drains their stamina and deals frost damage.
The blade can be recharged for free. Placing it back on its pedestal in Frostmere Crypt refills its charge. Taking it off the pedestal again brings the Pale Lady back, so expect another fight.
Perks and Builds
The Pale Blade suits a character who prefers control over raw damage. Making enemies flee spares the wielder many long melee brawls.
The frost part of the enchantment grows with the Augmented Frost perk in the Destruction skill tree. Both ranks of Augmented Frost raise the fear limit as well, even though the weapon description keeps the old figure. The Dragon Priest mask Dukaan raises it further. With both ranks and Dukaan, the fear reaches enemies up to level 28. Fortify Destruction potions push the limit higher still.
The One-Handed skill carries the rest of the build. Armsman raises the damage of every one-handed weapon, and Bladesman adds critical hits with swords.
Quest Background
The Pale Lady starts outside Frostmere Crypt. A group of bandits is attacking one of their own, a woman named Eisa Blackthorn. Her friend Ra'jirr has stolen a sword from the gang's leader, and the gang blames her for it. "Friend of mine went crazy and stole the boss' sword," she says. Eisa's journal starts the quest as well if she does not survive.
Journals inside the crypt tell the rest of the story. The bandits dug into a hidden underground forest while looking for treasure. Soon after, Ra'jirr began to lose his mind. He stole the sword to stop the Pale Lady, a figure who haunted his dreams. He then fled into the tunnels, with the bandit leader Kyr close behind.
The tunnels lead through mines and old crypt halls to Frostmere Depths. Kyr lies dying on the way. Further in, Ra'jirr is fighting the Pale Lady and her wisps beside an altar.
The quest can end in two ways. Placing the blade on the pedestal calms the Pale Lady, and she leaves. Killing the Pale Lady lets the Dragonborn keep the sword. The sword can also be returned to the pedestal in the middle of the fight to banish her for a while.
Boss Fight
The Pale Lady is a named Wispmother, a ghostly spirit of ice and wisps. Like other Wispmothers, she can split into copies of herself during the fight. Her wisps fight at her side.
Fighting her is the more rewarding choice. The battle is often praised as one of the better boss fights among the side quests. The underground forest around the altar also hides more loot, including a chest with a master lock and an orichalcum vein beside a stream.
Notes
The Pale Blade is a different sword from the Blade of the Pale, the reward for becoming Thane of the Pale.
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 |