Windshear
| Windshear | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Base Damage | 11 |
| Speed | 1 |
| Weight | 10 |
| Value | 40 |
| Level | 1+ |
| Category | Sword |
| Class | Steel, Redguard |
| Variants | Bloodscythe, Soulrender, Scimitar |
| Skill | One-Handed |
| Unique | Yes |
| Item ID | 0006EA8B |
| Game/DLC | Skyrim |
Windshear is a unique scimitar that keeps enemies off balance with every blow. It sits at the very tip of the bowsprit of The Katariah, the ship of Emperor Titus Mede II. The ship only appears near Solitude once Hail Sithis! begins, late in the Dark Brotherhood questline.
Its damage is ordinary, but its effect is not. Every normal hit and power attack staggers the target, whatever its size. Players often rank it among the best one-handed swords in the game for that reason alone. It is also one of the easiest unique weapons to miss, since it hangs out of sight above the water at the front of the ship.
Weapon Enchantment
Bash attacks with Windshear have a chance to knock enemies down. A block-bash briefly paralyzes the target, which drops it to the ground for several seconds. Normal attacks also stagger the target every time.
The Enchantment Effects page lists every weapon enchantment.
| Enchantment |
|---|
| Bash attacks made with this weapon have a chance of knocking enemies down |
How to Get Windshear Guide
Windshear Map Location and Quest Guide
Windshear map location:
Windshear is wedged into the bowsprit at the front of The Katariah. The ship can only be boarded once Hail Sithis! has begun.
- Begin Hail Sithis! in the Dark Brotherhood questline.
- Travel to the Solitude docks.
- Board The Katariah.
- Climb to the bow of the main deck.
- Walk up the bowsprit and take Windshear.
Map credit by Map Genie.
Gameplay Tips and Tricks
- Temper it at a grindstone with a Steel Ingot. The Steel Smithing perk doubles the improvement.
- Keep the off hand empty. The knock-down only works through a bash, and a shield, spell or second weapon blocks it.
Smithing Guide
Enchanted weapons require the Arcane Blacksmith Perk to upgrade.
Upgrades
Windshear 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 |
| Crafting Materials | Upgrade Materials | Smithing Level | Smithing Perk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cannot be crafted | 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.
Windshear has the same damage at every character level.
| Level | Damage | Weight | Value | Enchantment | Level ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1+ | 11 | 10 | 40 | Bash attacks made with this weapon have a chance of knocking enemies down | 0006EA8B |
How It Plays
Windshear turns a melee fight into a stun lock. A staggered enemy cannot strike back or retreat while the hits keep coming. Fast, steady attacks keep most foes trapped until they fall. The effect works regardless of the target's size, so large foes are caught as well.
The stagger comes with the blade, not with the off hand. Windshear can be held with a shield, a spell or a second weapon, and its normal hits still stagger. Dual wielding pairs well with it, because more hits mean less time for the enemy to recover.
The bash effect is a separate trick. A block bash has a chance to knock the target down and leave it on the ground for several seconds. That effect needs a free off hand, so it trades away a shield or a spell.
A few enemies resist the stagger. Opponents with the Tower of Strength perk feel only half of it. An enemy with the Reflect Blows perk can even turn the stagger back on the attacker.
Perks and Builds
Windshear suits a fighter who wants control more than raw damage. The One-Handed Skill tree raises its modest damage. Armsman raises the damage of every one-handed weapon, and Bladesman adds critical hits with swords. Dual Flurry speeds up dual wielding, so the stagger lands even more often.
A sword and shield build gets the most safety from it. The shield blocks what little damage gets through, and the sword keeps the target reeling. Block Skill perks such as Power Bash and Disarming Bash add more control, though a bash with the shield does not trigger Windshear's own knock down.
Tempering is cheap and comes early. Steel Smithing is one of the first Smithing perks, so a modest smith can push Windshear to a high quality long before Daedric or Dragon gear is in reach.
Compared with Other Swords
Chillrend is the usual pick for the best one-handed sword. It hits harder, adds frost damage and can paralyze its target, while Windshear wins on control.
Dawnbreaker deals extra fire damage and burns the undead, but it does not stagger. A crafted Daedric Sword or Dragonbone Sword deals far more damage once Smithing and Enchanting are high. Windshear stays useful even then, as a tool for enemies that hit too hard to trade blows with.
Quest Background
The Katariah carries Emperor Titus Mede II, the target of the greatest contract the Dark Brotherhood has taken in centuries. An earlier attempt struck only a decoy, and the Penitus Oculatus then nearly wiped out the Brotherhood. The Night Mother orders the contract finished anyway.
Amaund Motierre, who paid for the contract, is hiding in The Bannered Mare in Whiterun. He reveals that the real Emperor is aboard his ship near Solitude. He also mentions that Commander Maro, the Penitus Oculatus leader behind the trap, stands on the docks of the East Empire Company Warehouse. Killing Maro is an optional chance for revenge before boarding the ship. The way in is the anchor chain at the stern. Sailors and Penitus Oculatus agents guard the decks and cabins. Windshear lies on the open upper deck, so a detour there before the Emperor's Quarters is worth the extra fight.
The Emperor does not resist. He greets his killer calmly and calls the meeting "a date with destiny." He asks only for one favor: kill the person who ordered his death. Amaund Motierre can be killed afterward, which grants that last wish. His dying words are "But... we had a deal..."
The Emperor's Quarters hold more than the target. His bedchamber contains the unique Gilded Wristguards and a second set of the Emperor's Robes. A copy of King, a Two-Handed skill book, sits next to the Emperor's throne on the highest deck. A character who comes for Windshear can collect all of them on the same visit.
The ship stays anchored after the quest, so Windshear can still be collected later. It cannot be taken by a character who chose to destroy the Dark Brotherhood instead of joining it, because the ship then never appears.
Lore
Windshear is one of only three unique scimitars in Skyrim and its DLCs. The other two are Bloodscythe and Soulrender, the twin blades of the pirate Haknir Death-Brand. The scimitar is the curved sword of the Redguards. In Skyrim it is carried by Kematu and his Alik'r warriors, and it turns up mainly in quests tied to Redguards. Windshear shares the common scimitar's look, but its enchantment is its own. That enchantment cannot be removed at an arcane enchanter, so it cannot be learned for other weapons.
The ship that holds the sword has a history of its own. The Katariah is the Emperor's personal ship, and it carries the name of Empress Katariah of the Third Era. A carved figure of an elven woman decorates the bow, just below the bowsprit where Windshear is wedged. The figure is thought to show the Empress herself.
Bugs
The weapon's own description mentions only bash attacks. The stagger on normal hits comes from a separate effect attached to the blade, and it fires every time.
The scimitar can spawn below the bowsprit instead of on it, or drop into the sea. A blade floating in mid air can be knocked loose with an arrow or a spell. It then falls into the water, where it can be picked up from the seabed.
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 |