[Top 15] Best Skyrim Weapon Mods We Love!

Updated:

15 Jan 2021

It never hurts to add even more cool weapons to your game, right?

When it comes to weapons in Skyrim, there are plenty to choose from. Whether they are acquired from quests, crafting, or guilds, there is a multitude of options to suit your character. However, after playing the game a few times, (especially for completionists who have covered every quest) it’s easy to get tired of the choices. Modders save the day once again by creating their own brand new weapons in the game. Check out these 15 best weapon mods!

15. DX Witcher Swords

Silver for monsters... steel for humans.

This first mod is small but incredibly detailed! This mod started as accessories but was converted into fully functioning weapons for your character. This mod is perfect for fans of the Witcher who want to use these iconic weapons in Skyrim. Both fantasy worlds mesh together nicely, so these swords won’t feel out of place in your game at all!
Features:

Brand new Witcher swords with unique models and textures
The swords are available as both regular swords and greatswords
Craftable at any forge when you have the ‘steel smithing’ perk

Get the mod here./se version.

14. Skyrim Expanded Weaponry

One of many brand new weapons, this sword is inspired by glass weapons.

This mod adds a huge amount of weapons to your game! Skyrim Expanded Weaponry aims to greatly expand the vanilla weapons by adding lots of new variants to the different types. Unlike a mod that just adds overpowered late-game weapons, this mod has something to offer for characters of every level.
Features:

105 brand new weapon variants, using either the vanilla textures or whatever retexture mods you currently use
10 weapons for each type (Steel, Elven, etc.) and 5 for Stalhrim
Crafting version and NPC version available so that you can choose to keep all the items for yourself or have them used by NPCs and sold by merchants

Get the mod here./se version.

13. Weapons of the Third Era

An up close look at the detailed weapons added in this mod.

This mod is full of weapons that are perfect for the nostalgic Elder Scrolls fan. The weapons in this mod are all Morrowind themed. They are all brand new, so they add to the weapons in your game without replacing anything. The version of this mod for special edition has been converted from Skyrim to include some improvements over the old version as well.

Features:

Many brand new weapons with brand new meshes and textures (mostly swords)
All of these weapons can be crafted at a forge and improved at a grinding wheel
Silver weapons have been updated to do extra damage to undead as the vanilla silver weapons do

Get the mod here./se version.

12. DX Faction Crossbows

This mod will add something extra to do for each faction you decide to join.

DX Faction Crossbows is a wonderful mod to have added to your game. The mod is incredibly detailed with plenty of lore. It will fit into your game so seamlessly you’ll forget it hasn’t always been there!

Features:

Craftable crossbow, unique quiver, and four types of bolts for each faction: Companions, Dawnguard, Dark Brotherhood, Thieves Guild, Imperial Legion, and Stormcloaks
All you need is the crafting manual for whichever crossbow and the required materials in the manual
Some factions require you to progress to a certain point in the questline before you can craft their crossbow

Get the mod here./se version.

11. Lore Weapons Expansion

For fans of all the lore The Elder Scrolls has to offer, these weapons are a perfect addition to your game.

Lore Weapons Expansion, if it isn’t obvious by the name, is focused on being as lore-friendly as possible. These new weapons are fully integrated into the game, they can be found as loot or craftable at a forge. The weapons are all either based on designs from previous games or based on other places and characters described in Elder Scrolls lore.

Features:

New weapons are distributed via leveled lists so you come across them while exploring
Once you have the required perks for each type, they will appear in your crafting menu
All weapons are fully upgradable

Get the mod here./se version.

10. Thane Weapons Reborn

No longer be disappointed by the gifts you recieve from the Jarls.

You would expect the weapons you are gifted for being the Thane of a city to be unique, right? Instead, you get boring weapons with different names. With this mod, they can be as nice as you expect them to be!

Features:

These weapons level up along with you so that they aren’t useless by the time you acquire them (optional)
100% unique models for each weapon, great for display in a player home
Each weapon offers its own enchantment to make it even more unique

Get the mod here./se version.

9. Skyrim Weapons Expansion

100+ weapons sounds like a lot, but it looks like much more than you'd think.

If you’re wondering if there’s much variety to the many weapons in this mod, look no further than the picture above! This mod adds a ton of new weapons that are all balanced with the weapons in the vanilla game. The work that went into making sure the weapons were balanced with the vanilla weapons means that this mod will feel very natural in your game.

Features:

100+ brand new weapons that are fully craftable and upgradable
An optional full level list that will make the new weapons show up more frequently in your game
The standard version still distributes the weapons throughout the world

Get the mod here for SE.

8. DX Staff of Necromancy

The small, intricate details on this mod are consistent with every mod that DeserterX (DX) creates.

The Staff of Necromancy is another mod that started as only a detailed accessory for your character. This mod turns it into a fully functioning weapon! This enchanted staff is incredibly detailed and will be perfect for any character whether they are a necromancer or not.

Features:

This staff doesn’t require any crafting, all you have to do is go searching at the Hall of the Dead in Windhelm (or use the AddItemMenu mod if you’d prefer)
The staff is enchanted with the ‘dread zombie’ enchantment to stay true to the necromancy theme
The mod page includes screenshots of the exact location if you’re having trouble finding it

Get the mod here./se version.

7. Gothic 3 Weapons Pack

An up-close look at the gemstones and blade engravings on one of many new weapons.

The Gothic 3 Weapons Pack is a much smaller weapon pack, but with that often comes more detail! This mod is no exception, plenty of detail went into these weapons. These weapons feature fine details including gemstones, which make them perfect for someone who always wants their character to carry visually appealing weapons.

Features:

4 new swords: 3 one-handed and 1 two-handed, as well as 2 enchanted staves
These weapons can be found at Smuggler’s Den (a new location North of Windhelm)
Brand new meshes and textures that still don’t feel out of place in the game

Get the mod here./se version.

6. Nicoroshi Creations

A brand new weapon from this mod equipped by a character in-game.

Nicoroshi Creations is a compilation of all the weapon mods created by the mod author of the same name. As they weren’t originally made as a weapons pack, each weapon is unique so you’re sure to find something you like! This mod also features multiple ways to acquire the new weapons, so you can choose depending on which you prefer.

Features:

Many unique weapon mods combined into one, including unique types of craftable arrows
Mod page features the locations of all the weapons, or they can all be crafted with the corresponding smithing perks
Improvements on weapons to make them better than their separate original releases

Get the mod here./se version.

5. Oblivion Weapons

The Oblivion inspiration is clearly seen here with all of the bright, vibrant colors.

Another mod on this list for nostalgic Elder Scrolls fans! This time, we have a mod that is full of weapons made for Oblivion. These aren’t weapons taken straight out of Oblivion, but they are made for the game and therefore themed around the colorful world of Skyrim’s predecessor. These weapons will make you think of your adventures in Cyrodiil.

Features:

28 new weapons originally created for Oblivion
New meshes and 2k textures
Fully craftable and upgradable with the corresponding perks

Get the mod here./se version.

4. Standalone09’s Weapons

These weapons feature incredibly unique designs featuring detailed dragons and more.

Standalone09’s Weapons is a mod that combines 19 different mods by the mod author of the same name. Each weapon is unique and fits perfectly into the world of Skyrim. Some weapons are themed around dragons like Alduin, and the smallest details like blade engravings in Dovahzul.

Features:

29 new weapons: swords, daggers, and a bow
Weapons can be crafted and tempered but are not distributed to NPCs and merchants by default (optional leveled-lists version available)
All weapons have 2k textures, and some have a 4k option

Get the mod here for SE.

3. Better Bows

These new bows are perfect for all of your stealth archer needs.

Better Bows is a mod that adds new bows to Skyrim. These bows aren’t made to look over-the-top, instead, they are supposed to fit right into your game. These bows use the existing meshes, such as the Elven bow, and alter them to create unique varieties. If you’re looking for new bows for your archer, these are great.

Features:

6 new bows added as new weapons (they don’t replace any vanilla bows)
All bows are available for purchase at The Drunken Huntsman in Whiterun
Each bow has lore written by the mod author on the mod page

Get the mod here./se version.

2. Isilmeriel LOTR Weapons Collection

All of these weapons are inspired by Lord of The Rings, and yes, that includes Legolas' Bow.

Another weapons pack that is great for fantasy fans, the Isilmeriel LOTR Weapons Collection! For fans of Lord of The Rings, this mod adds iconic weapons from the series. Each weapon is wonderfully detailed and many of them include multiple versions to choose from. These weapons feel natural in the world of Skyrim.

Features:

10 different weapons with multiple variants for many of them (between ancient and polished depending on your preference)
Only craftable at the Moonforge (located on the path to High Hrothgar) to not take up your crafting menu at regular forges
High-resolution, hand-painted textures, and each weapon is upgradable as well as unenchanted to allow you to customize them to your liking

Get the mod here./se version.

1. LeanWolf’s Better-Shaped Weapons

Choose between the standard re-shaped weapons or modified versions (like these with gems).

Most of the mods on this list focus on adding new weapons, but LeanWolf’s Better-Shaped Weapons is an important mod to have. With all of the fancy new weapon mods on this list, vanilla weapons won’t seem as nice! This mod works to re-shape the vanilla meshes to be more proportionate and practical. It doesn’t sound like much, but I can attest to this mod making a big difference.

Features:

Tons of work putting into reshaping the meshes for the vanilla weapons
Highly customizable: choose which weapons you want to change during installation
This mod works alongside any retexture mods you have

Get the mod here./se version.