[Top 10] Skyrim Best Swords and How to Get Them

Updated:

24 Apr 2020

1.Nightingale Blade

The nightgale blade

The nightingale is only attained after taking control of the thieves’ guild, the blade is only given to the guardians of the thieves’ guild. The only blade better than this blade is made from dragon bone!

Sword Stats

Base Damage: 14
Weight: 15lbs
Base Value: $1,665
Additional Effects: Absorb 25 points of Health and Stamina
Class: One Handed
Upgrade Ebony ingot
Perk: none

What makes the Nightingale Blade Awesome

It absorbs 25 points of health and stamina which increases the base damage from 14 to 39 per hit!
It is also based on your level, so if you want the more powerful version get the blade later in the game however getting the lower level version will allow you to upgrade the sword to be more powerful than the later version

How to get the Nightingale Blade

See the Thieves guild quest to the end and you will be rewarded with one of the best swords in the game.

Skyrim Special Edition: Nightingale Blade Guide

2.Dawnbreaker

Legendary Dawnbreaker

Dawnbreaker is a Daedric artifact which makes it super cool and super rare. Once you complete the quest “The Break of Dawn” and pledge your loyalty to Prince Meridia you will wield his power.

Sword Stats

Base Damage: 12
Weight: 10
Base Value: 740
Additional Effects: Burns for 10 points and if killing an undead enemy there is a chance they will explode.
Class: one hand
Upgrade Ebony Ingot
Perk: None

What makes Dawnbreaker awesome

It explodes the undead, what more do you need?
It causes burn damage with every swing

How to get the Dawn Breaker

Get Meridia’s Beacon
Take it to Meridia’s Shrine
Complete “The Break of Dawn” quest

Skyrim - How To Get Dawnbreaker - Break of Dawn Daedric Weapon Quest Guide

3.Chillrend

Chillrend

This sword stat line is as chilling as its name. Using this sword will stop your enemies in their tracks allowing you to dominate almost any foe.

Sword Stats

Base Damage: 15
Weight: 16
Base Value: 1442
Additional Effects: Target takes 30 points of frost damage. Chance to paralyze for 2 seconds
Class: one handed
Upgrade: Refined Malachite
Perk: Glass Smithing

What makes Chillrend awesome

The blue glow
Paralyzing enemies
Enemies take 30 points of frost damage!

How to get Chillrend

Complete quest “The Pursuit”
Or hop on the roof of the Temple of Mara and get to the balcony of Riftweald Manor

Skyrim How To Get The Chillrend Sword

4.Dragon bone sword

Dragon bone sword at the Skyforge

Sword Stats

Base Damage: 15
Weight: 19lbs
Base Value: $1,500
Additional Effects: none but can be enchanted
Class: one handed
Upgrade: Dragon Bone
Perk: Dragon Bone Smithing

What makes the Dragon Bone Sword awesome

Finally use all those dragon bones and scales you have been collecting
Powerful base weapon that can be upgrade and enchanted to make a crazy fun sword

How to get a dragon bone sword

Upgrade you smithing to level 100 and make one

5.Windshear

Windshear

Sword Stats

Base Damage: 11
Weight: 10
Base Value: 40
Additional Effects: Bash attacks made with this weapon have a chance of knocking enemies down
Class: one handed
Upgrade Steel ingot
Perk: Steel Smithing

What makes Windshear so awesome

Paired with a shield the combo is unstoppable

How to get the Windshear

Complete the Dark Brotherhood quest “Hail Sithis”

Skyrim: How to Get the Windshear

6.Miraak Sword

Lord Miraak

Miraaks sword has the highest base damage of any one-handed sword available. It also has a really cool tentacle feature that looks like a whip when swung, its only cosmetic but it’s still super cool.

Sword Stats

Base Damage: 12-16 depending on the level you are
Weight: 3
Base Value: $410- $1,250
Additional Effects: Absorbs 15 points of stamina
Class: one handed
Upgrade Ebony ingot, Daedra Heart
Perk: Dwarven Smithing

What makes Miraak’s sword awesome

The cool whip features
Leech the stamina from your opponents
The value of this sword increases with your level

How to get Miraak’s sword

Complete the quest “At the Summit of Apocryphia”
Take Miraak’s weapons from his lifeless body

Skyrim:Dragonborn DLC- Miraak's Sword

7.Lunar Steel Sword

Lunar Steel Sword

The Lunar Sword doesn’t pack a big punch during the day but when the moon comes out the damage increases by almost triple.

Sword Stats

Base Damage: 8
Weight: 10
Base Value: 138
Additional Effects: While the moon is out burn targets for 20 points
Class: One handed
Upgrade: Steel Ingot
Perk: Steel smithing

What makes Miraak’s sword so awesome

The burn damage when the moon comes out
The ease in which you can upgrade the sword

How to get the Lunar Sword

Found at the Silent Moons Camp after reaching level 4

Skyrim: The Legend of the Lunar Forge Secret

8.Dragon’s Bane

Dragon's Bane

This an ancient sword once used by the Blades when they served the Septim Empire. The Blades used these weapons to cut down the dragons that plagued the land.

Sword Stats

Base Damage: 10- 14 depending on the level you are
Weight: 10—14lbs
Base Value: $970- $1,560
Additional Effects: 20- 40 points of extra damage to dragons, 10 points of shock damage to others
Class: One handed
Upgrade: Quicksilver
Perk: Steel smithing

What makes Dragonbane awesome

It slices through dragons like a hot knife through butter
It shocks all non-dragon opponents

How to get the Lunar Sword

You will get the Blade during the “Alduin’s Wall”

How to Find Dragonbane (Rare Sword) | Skyrim

9.Harkon’s sword

Vampire Lord Harkon

If you are a vampire, you definitely want this sword. It will aid you in draining everything from your foes, this sword is a prize for all the vampire lord out there.

Sword Stats

Base Damage: 8
Weight: 9lbs
Base Value: $1,472
Additional Effects: Absorbs 15 point of health, magicka and stamina if wielded by a vampire
Class: One handed
Upgrade: Steel Ingot
Perk: Steel Smithing

What makes Harkon’s sword