Skyrim Guide: How To Get Unique Weapons

Learn where to find unique weapons like the Mace of Molag Bol, the Nightingale Bow, and Dragonbane with this guide for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition.

Now that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition has released for PC and new-gen consoles, fans everywhere are resuming their adventures as the powerful Dovahkiin. On their adventures, they will come across a wide variety of weapons that can be useful in killing enemies like bandits and fire-breathing dragons, but some weapons are more special than others. The following unique weapons are worth hunting down for anyone that wants a combative edge in the game.

Axes

One of the best axes in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is found by playing through radiant quests in the Dawnguard expansion, which luckily comes bundled with the game's Special Edition. The axe is simply called the Dawnguard Rune Axe, and it is most useful for killing undead enemies.

Whereas the Dawnguard Rune Axe is best used against the undead, the Wuuthrad Battleaxe is helpful against elves. The only way to acquire the Wuuthrad Battleaxe is by joining the ranks of the Companions and playing that quest line to the end.

In addition to the Dawnguard Rune Axe and the Wuuthrad Battleaxe, players can also pick up a pair of unique axes called Eduj and Okin by going through the "Silenced Tongues" quest. It's important to note that these axes can be improved greatly by someone that has the Steel Smithing perk, so players may want to unlock that before seeking these two axes out.

Finally, players will want to find the Rueful Axe. The Rueful Axe is a weapon that can be found by completing one of the game's Daedric Quests, "A Daedra's Best Friend." At the end of this quest, players will be given a choice. In order to leave the quest with the Rueful Axe in tow, they need to kill Barbas using the axe.

Bows

Unlike the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout, Skyrim is fairly limited in terms of ranged weaponry. Basically, players only have bows to rely on when it comes to ranged weapons, and there's three bows in particular that players should find.

The Nightingale Bow is an especially powerful bow, made even more powerful depending on the level players collect it. The Nightingale Bow inflicts both freeze and shock damage on enemies, and players can get it by completing the Thieves Guild quests. More specifically, players get the Nightingale Bow for completing the Thieves Guild quest called "Blindsided."

For those interested in hunting wildlife in Skyrim, they should get the Glass Bow of the Stag Prince. It provides bonuses based on the number of animals players manage to kill with the Glass Bow, which can be purchased from the Ramshackle Trading Post at Stolstheim.

Daggers

In Skyrim, there are two daggers of note, the first being Mehrune's Razor. The damage stat for Mehrune's Razor is 11 points, but that's not what makes it special. Whenever an enemy is hit with Mehrune's Razor, there is a chance it will kill the opponent instantly, making it an especially powerful weapon in the game. To obtain it, players need to complete the quest "Pieces of the Past," which is given to them by a courier after they reach level 20.

The other unique dagger in Skyrim is the Blade of Woe. The Blade of Woe deals more damage than Mehrune's Razor, and while it can't kill enemies in a single blow, it does regenerate health for the user. To obtain the Blade of Woe, players need to go through the Dark Brotherhood quest line.

Hammers

As far as weapons go, hammers deal some of the most damage at the expense of speed. There are two in Skyrim that are especially worth seeking out, the first being the Volendrung Warhammer. To get this hammer, players need to complete the Daedric quest "The Cursed Tribe," which is started by speaking with the orc Ugor in Largashbur.

The second hammer, the Dawnguard Rune Hammer, is found by completing the Lost Relic radiant quests in the Dawnguard expansion, not unlike how players obtained the Dawnguard Rune Axe. The Dawnguard Rune Hammer has a special ability that allows players to place explosive runes to damage enemies, giving them more options than just beating them to death with the hammer itself.

Maces

When it comes to maces in Skyrim, the most desirable is the Mace of Molag Bol. It deals a decent amount of damage on its own, has powerful enchantments, and allows players to fill soul gems. Acquiring the Mace of Molag Bol is a matter of completing the Daedric quest "House of Horrors," which takes place in the city of Markarth.

Swords

Some of the most common weapons players will find while exploring the snowy mountainsides of Skyrim are swords. They are the weapon of choice for a great portion of the enemies and allies players will encounter during their adventures, and so there's more unique swords to collect than other weapon types. We will explain how players can collect the following blades: Bloodscythe and Soulrender, Bloodskal Blade, Chillrend, Dragonbane, Gauldur Blackblade, and Miraak's Sword.

Chillrend is a glass sword that deals frost damage, and it also has a chance to paralyze any enemies struck by it. Getting Chillrend isn't easy, however; players will need to have a high level lockpicking skill, as it is stowed away in a case in the home of Mercy Frey, the leader of Skyrim's Thieves Guild. Players have an opportunity to steal Chillrend during the Thieves Guild quest "The Purist."

Whereas Chillrend is a good weapon to use against enemies weak to frost damage, Dragonbane is a sword that is powerful against dragons. Dragonbane can be obtained during the quest Alduin's Wall, which is somewhat far into the main story. During this quest, players visit Sky Haven Temple, and Dragonbane can be looted from there.

Miraak's Sword is a weapon that in the past could only be obtained after purchasing the Dragonborn DLC. Since The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Special Edition comes with all of the DLC expansions released for the original, players can come across it without having to pay extra. Simply go through the Dragonborn quests, and Miraak's Sword can be looted off a dead body found at the end of the quest line.

Also found in the Dragonborn DLC is the greatsword called Bloodskal Blade, which is a powerful weapon that fires a blast of energy at opponents. The side quest "The Final Descent" found at Raven Rock will lead players to this weapon.

Two other swords can be found in the Dragonborn DLC. Bloodscythe and Soulrender are a pair of swords that players are meant to dual-wield in order to enhance their enchantments, and both are located in Solstheim. Once players hit level 36, they can read a book called Deathbrand in Raven Rock temple, which will lead them to the swords.

Another sword players can find by reading a book is Gauldur Blackblade. Gauldur Blackblade is a sword that has stats depending on the level players pick it up, so adventurers will want to be a relatively high level before seeking it out. Anyway, players can read the book Lost Legends, which kicks off the quest "Forbidden Legend," which leads directly to Gauldur Blackblade.