Fans ofBethesdaand itsElder Scrollsseries know the next-level immersionSkyrimoffers to its fans. The acclaimed 2011 title boasts both an interesting narrative and a massive world for players to explore. Those who prefer to explore and hunt Skyrim’s various monsters might enjoy the game’s more evolved combat system. The game has quite a lot of rare weapons and armors players may want to use against the province’s toughest foes.
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However, those looking for a challenge might be interested in trying out some of the most mundane - yet oddly powerful - weapons in the game. In fact, those who don’t want to bother looking for rare weapons might find these weapons great companions for their monster-hunting experience.
10Orcish Weapons
Players who want better weapons to use outside their Steel should rely on the easily-acquired Orcish Weapons around Skyrim. Their unique appearance is courtesy of the Orcish signature smithing techniques, alongside the usage of Orichalcum. Moreover, players can craft Orcish Items with the Orcish Smithing Perkwhen they level up the skill Smithingto 50.
By themselves, Orcish Weapons only trump Steel and Iron in terms of quality. However, Orcish Weapons are more lightweight compared to their Dwarven superiors. Players can also start encountering Orcish Weapons in leveled lists as early as Level 6, making Orcish Weapons a great starting upgrade to Steel Weapons.
9Dwarven Weapons
Players with a flair for the exotic might want to get Dwarven Items - especially Dwarven Weapons - inSkyrim. As they may know, the Dwemer or Dwarves serve as the most technologically-advanced civilization to ever grace Tamriel. Unfortunately, no one knows why they have gone extinct. In fact, no one knows how to create Dwarven Metal - making it, alongside Steel, the two metals that cannot be mined. However, Dwemer ruins have a ton of ingot that players can use to craftaesthetic Dwarven Armorand Weapons.
Dwarven Weapons also become easy to come by when players reach Level 12. Moreover, players can craft their own Dwarven Weapons with the Dwarven Smithing Perk, one of the earliest unlockable Perks under Smithing.
Dwarven Weapons might belong on the lower end of the weapon rating spectrum. However, they’re much better than Orcish, Steel, and Iron weapons.
8Nordic Weapons
Despite the “central” status of the Nords inSkyrim, their exclusive Nordic Items have middling statistics. In terms of weapons, Nordic Weapons match Elven Weapons in terms of strength but boast being more lightweight. As such, these weapons work well with stealth builds that require speed and mobility.
Unfortunately, despite being much lighter than Eleven Weapons, Nordic Items do require theDragonbornDLC. Accessing these weapons may require other purchases from players. Additionally, players only need the Advanced Armors Smithing Perk to craft Nordic Items.
7Elven Weapons
Of all materials inSkyrim, Elven Items perhaps fall along the medium-quality tier. In terms of weapons, Elven Weapons appear more inferior compared to Glass and Ebony Weapons. However, Elven Weapons appear in leveled lists as early as Level 19, making them ideal for players just experimenting with their builds. The Elven Smithing Perk just requires Smithing 30, something players can achieve easily within a few hours of gameplay.
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Guards also get a unique dialogue when players use an Elven Sword. They may ask “Nord steel not good enough for you?” when players walk by, referring to the lighter Nordic Weapons.
6Nord Hero Weapons
Players can encounter the Companions and the Skyforge in Whiterun just within a few hours of the base game. Interestingly, the Companions will soon grant players access to forge unique items through its forge. However, of these items, players should probably pay attention to what they could do with draugr weapons. Throughout various quests, players might encounter the undead draugr and obtain their Ancient Nord weapons. Interestingly, with the Steel Smithing Perk, players can further enhance these Ancient Nord weapons into Nord Hero counterparts.
As a result, Nord Hero Weapons have statistics that classify them as medium-quality weapons such as Nordic and Elven. However, they rank the same with Iron as the lightest weapons in the game. Nord Hero Bows have faster draw time, and the Nord Hero melee weapons have lower Stamina costs for heavy attacks.
5Glass Weapons
Glass Weapons inSkyrimboast a unique green and “glassy” texture courtesy of Malachite, the rare material used to craft them. However, despite their glassy appearance, they’re actually the fifth best weapon type inSkyrimbased on weapon rating and damage. In turn, they fall behind Stalhrim, Ebony, Daedric, and Dragonbone Weapons. However, despite their low ranking in the damage tiers, they’re one of the easiest weapon types for mid-level players to come by.
For instance, while players can craft Glass Items with the Glass Smithing Perk, they can purchase Malachite materials from various sources beginning Level 18. Glass Items appear in leveled lists beginning Level 27 and 36 for weapons and armor, respectively. Interesting, Glass Weapons are much easier to acquire despite having aesthetics similar to those ofvisually-appealing rare weapons.
4Dragonbone Weapons
Players who want to max out the quality of their weapons should watch out for Dragonbone weapons. They boast the highest weapon ratings and damage in the game, given their rare nature as made from dragon parts. These weapons don’t appear in leveled lists. However, players can only get Dragonbone Weapons if they have installed theDawnguardadd-on. With this add-on, they can go to theDawnguard-exclusive Soul Cairn to fight various Keepers who all wear and wield Dragon Items.
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Alternatively, players can also simply max out their Smithing skill toget the Dragon ArmorSmithing Perk. With this Perk, players can also get twice as many improvements when bolstering or enchanting their Dragonbone weapons with dragon bones.
3Stalhrim Weapons
Despite being considerably weaker compared to Ebony, Daedric, and Dragonbone Weapons, Stalhrim Weapons do boast an element of creativity with both its aesthetic and properties. Players get access to Stalhrim with theDragonbornDLC. Moreover, players can craft Stalhrim-based weapons via the Ebony Smithing tool. Unfortunately, while Stalhrim resources refill over time, players only have access to 19 deposits in Solstheim.
However, Stalhrim Weapons possess unique properties. For instance, they weigh less than Ebony Weapons but deal the same damage. Moreover, frost-based and chaos damageenchantmentsget a 25-percent boost in Stalhrim Weapons. Lastly, multiple merchants in Solstheim also sell Stalhrim Items. Unfortunately, fans do need theDragonbornDLC to access these weapons.
2Daedric Weapons
Players without theDawnguardexpansion can still rely on the Daedra to forge mighty weapons for them. Those with a knack for darkness might appreciate Daedric Weapons, as they’re considered the best in terms of “standard” weaponry inSkyrim. In fact, players can start obtaining Daedric Items by the time they reach Level 46. Unfortunately, despite being on a leveled list, Daedric Weapons can be extremely hard to come by.
Players who plan on crafting Daedric Weapons via the Daedric Smithing Perk needs valuable Daedric Hearts. Unfortunately, players can only obtain Daedric Hearts from slain Dremora, which are difficult enemies to fight and even much more difficult to encounter - sometimes harder to encountercompared to some bosses.
1Ebony Weapons
Despite the weapon rating and damage difference between Ebony Weapons and Dragonbone as well as Daedric Weapons, Ebony Weapons seem to be themost sensible common weapons to acquirethroughout the base game. Players can start seeing Ebony Weapons from monsters beginning Level 36, and they can craft Ebony Items with the Ebony Smithing Perk.
Interestingly, despite being weaker by nature from Daedric Weapons, the Ebony War Axe and Ebony Mace are actually slightly better-performing compared to their Daedric counterparts. Given how Ebony Weapons are much easier to come by, they may just as well become the go-to powerful standard weapons of adventurers especially against some ofSkyrim’s toughest bosses.
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