The Best One-Handed Swords in Skyrim (& Where to Unlock Them)

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim possesses many great weapons, but none more emblematic than the one-handed sword. Whether players dual-wield them, pair them with a shield, or leave a free hand for casting spells, one-handed swords are a fan favorite of many Skyrim players, and luckily the game features some exceptional choices. These blades tend to be unique and often possess powerful effects that players can use to complement their playstyle, while the fact that they only occupy one hand provides a lot of versatility in building characters.

The powerful enchantments that the best weapons in Skyrim possess are often dependant on charges which slowly deplete with use. As these weapons lose their magical properties their special effects wane, and the sword becomes little more than a prettier version of mundane weapons. To keep these weapons charged and up to their true potential, players will need to charge them with Soul Gems, which can be obtained with spells or bought from vendors.

Upgrading unique weapons in Skyrim will require a grindstone, the Arcane Blacksmith perk, and special rare ingots or gems. Additionally, many of these weapons are also classified as leveled loot, meaning that their power will scale with the level at which they are looted. Weapon scaling will often max out at level 46, with a single exception on this list, which means that at that level, its damage and effects will be as strong as they can get without upgrades.

The Best One-Handed Swords in Skyrim and How to Find Them

Dawnbreaker

This weapon is a Daedric artifact associated with Skyrim‘s Daedric Prince Meridia, and its enchantment, Meridia’s Retribution, will burn enemies for 10 points on a hit. However, its real power emerges when fighting undead enemies as killing one within ten seconds of being struck by the Dawnbreaker will have a chance to trigger an explosion that will destroy or turn undead around them. This weapon has a base damage of 12 and can be upgraded with Ebony Ingots.

The Dawnbreaker can be obtained as soon as level 12 by completing the quest “The Break of Dawn”. To get the quest, players must find a Meridia’s Beacon, which spawns randomly in chests at that level or travel to the Statue of Meridia to the west of Solitude. The quest will consist of clearing the Kilkreath Ruins under the statue, at the end of which players will find the Dawnbreker on a pedestal. Picking up the weapon will instantly transport players away and complete the quest, so it is advisable that they loot the temple before obtaining it.

Dragonbane

This blade is also leveled loot and has the appearance of a katana with a unique effect that targets dragons. At level 46, this weapon will inflict 40 points of damage to dragons per hit, making it one of the best dragon-killing blades in Skyrim. Additionally, it will also deal 10 points of shock damage to all enemy types, but unlike similar enchantments, will not damage stamina. The Dragonbane has a base damage of 14 at max level and can be upgraded with a Quicksilver Ingot.

This weapon is obtainable during the “Alduin’s Wall” quest in Skyhaven Temple, which is located in the Reach. To reach the temple, players must first go through the Frostsworn camp of Karthspire to the east of Markarth. After traversing the camp and solving several dragon puzzles, players will find Alduin’s Wall and, to its left, a small room in which the Dragonbane can be found on a wooden table.

Nightingale Blade

The Nightingale is a well-rounded weapon that will work well with most builds in Skyrim. This sword is leveled loot and will scale with a player’s level, meaning that its stats will differ depending on when the players find it. However, because this weapon can only be upgraded if it is found before level 46 (the max it will scale), there is no great reason to wait to get it. At level 46, this blade will absorb 25 points of health and stamina, making for a powerful, if not extraordinarily unique effect. This weapon has a base damage of 14 and requires Ebony Ingots to be upgraded.

To obtain the Nightingale Blade, players will need to join the Thieves Guild in Riften, and follow their questline until they obtain the quest “Hard Answers” which begins at the College of Winterhold with an NPC named Enthir. After traveling across Skyrim in an attempt to decipher the journal of the previous owner of the Nightingale, Gallus Desidenius, players will find themselves back in Winterhold. Speaking with Karliah at the Frozen Hearth’s cellar will complete the quest and reward players with the Nightingale Blade.

Chillrend

This unique glass sword possesses a unique aesthetic and a very powerful enchantment that can incapacitate enemies. Each hit with this blade can inflict up to 30 points of frost damage, depending on what level it is looted, and has a chance to paralyze targets for two seconds, making it an excellent choice when fighting enemies weak to cold damage. This weapon has a base damage of 15 if picked up at level 46 and can be upgraded with a Refined Malachite Ingot.

Similar to the Nightingale Blade, Chillrend is also associated with Skyrim‘s Thieves Guild and will therefore require players to be initiated in it by traveling to Riften. After joining the guild and completing several quests, players will eventually be tasked with infiltrating Riftweal Manor in the “The Pursuit” quest. Players will be able to find the Chillrend in the manor’s basement, locked away behind an expert-level display case.

Miraak’s Sword

This blade has by far the most unique aesthetic in Skyrim, as it is coiled by tentacles that occasionally extend when attacking. However, these tentacles are purely visual and do not extend the range of the weapon. Miraak’s Sword will absorb 15 points of stamina and health per hit and has the highest base damage of any other one-handed sword in the game with a 16 when picked up at level 60. To upgrade this blade, players will not only need Ebony Ingots but also an expensive and rare item in Skyrim, a Daedra Heart.

To acquire Miraak’s Sword, players will need access to the Dragonborn DLC and to have completed “The Way of the Voice” main quest in Skyrim, after which cultists from Solstheim will appear and attack players. Looting their corpses will reveal a letter directing players to Solstheim and begin the Dragonborn DLC storyline. This questline must be completed to reach the end of the DLC, where players must defeat Miraak to loot the sword from his body.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.

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