If a player with a high Two-Handed skill could only choose one weapon to use in Skyrim, there's a good chance they will pick Volendrung, the Artifact Warhammer of the Daedric Prince Malacath. Volendrung is a powerful, intimidating-looking Warhammer with an Enchantment that lets players swing as hard as they like, as often as they like, without worrying about Stamina.
As the artifact of Malacath, who is the Daedric Prince of the Outcast and the possible direct ancestor of Skyrim's Orsimer, Volendrung is a weapon to be feared when in capable hands. Getting the weapon, though, is a little bit more complicated than blindly swinging at anything that moves.
Volendrung Stats And Effects
Volendrung, being a Two-Handed Warhammer, hits very hard at a slower rate than One-Handed weapons or Two-Handed Greatswords. However, its Enchantment is exceptionally useful for melee fighters as it steals 50 Stamina with every hit, restoring the wielder's own Stamina.
- Equipment Type: Two-Handed, Warhammer
- Base Damage: 25+
- Inventory Weight: 26
- Enchantment: Absorbs 50 Stamina on hit
- Improved With: Arcane Blacksmith Perk, Ebony Ingot
This essentially means that Volendrung makes it much harder for the player to be staggered in normal combat, as they will never run out of Stamina as long as they keep swinging. It also allows players to do back-to-back Heavy Attacks, as the Stamina used in the wind-up is almost entirely restored on hit. All of this, plus its long reach, makes Volendrung one of the best Two Handed weapons in Skyrim.
How To Get Volendrung
As Volendrung is a Daedric Artifact, it must be earned by completing a questline for its associated Daedric Prince. Malacath is the god of the Orcs, and thus the quest "The Cursed Tribe" can be started at Largashbur, an Orc Stronghold in the south of the Rift. The Orcs can be seen in combat with a Giant upon arrival, who must be slain to continue. Speak with Atub to begin the quest.
Players are told to bring some Troll Fat and a Daedra Heart back to Atub. After Atub conducts a ritual, players must speak with another Orc named Yamarz, who leads them to Fallowstone Cave. Here, Shagrol's Warhammer is recovered after defeating an underground Giant. Head back to Largashbur to complete the quest, and speak with Malacath to transform Shagrol's Warhammer into Volendrung.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is available on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S