The Best One-Handed Weapons In Skyrim

Fans of Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls series regard Skyrim as one of the most engaging in the franchise. This entry in the series fleshes out Oblivion's graphics with a dash of Morrowind's combat ingenuity. Players always look forward to the endgame whenever they make their characters.

Updated on March 23, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam: With hints pointing at Hammerfell as the next destination of the upcoming The Elder Scrolls 6, fans who are eagerly anticipating their arrival in the Redguards’ capital region might want to reacquaint themselves with the dragons of Skyrim - especially for players who want to relive the feeling on taking on dragons by themselves without the help of other warriors in The Elder Scrolls Online. Thankfully, players who prefer donning shields or Magicka on their off-hand would be able to use some of the game’s best One-Handed Weapons in their journey, among which ideal starter options include item variants made from a cousin subset of the Daedra, a Dwarven relic, and even a weapon used by Redguard spies.

42 Remnant Scimitar

Damage: 12

When players get the Redguard Elite Armaments Creation in Skyrim, they have a chance to get the Remnant Scimitar - the signature weapon of a Remnant Warrior. They belong to the Remnants, or “the Eyes that Watch” - pertaining to an elite cadre of Redguard warriors and spies that ensure the Thalmor and Aldmeri Dominion uphold their terms of the Second Treaty of Stros M’Kai that ensured they will not have any of their troops stationed in Hammerfell.

Although technically identical in terms of stats with Steel Weapons, the history and lore attached to the Remnant Scimitar make it quite the alluring find. A copy of the weapon is best found in the bodies of Remnant Warriors, making them worthwhile foes to pursue.

41 Golden Mace

Damage: 13

Players who want an alternate take on the horrific Daedra in The Elder Scrolls lore will appreciate the golden hues of the Golden Saints and their avian-themed armor until they learn these Golden Saints are just a subspecies of Daedra known as the Aureal. Quick to anger and proud of their origins, their arrival in the Saints & Seducers Creation in Skyrim may pose a threat to Tamriel that others might not be aware of. And those who want to exact the fury of a Golden Saint upon others might find their Golden Mace quite an interesting weapon.

As with other Golden Weapons, their stats are weaker than their Glass counterparts but same in damage as Elven Weapons. This is reflected in its design, as the avian motif is also reflected with its eagle-head tip with an open beak that held a golden ball. Unlike the more horrific designs of Daedric weapons, the Aureal’s iteration is more refined in nature.

40 Golden War Axe

Damage: 12

When players download the Saints & Seducers Creation in Skyrim, they will be able to encounter the Golden Saints - Daedra with a golden hue whose allegiance is sworn with the Mad Prince Sheogorath. Despite their angelic nature, these Auriels are extremely proud and arrogant - quick to anger and fury. With something like the Golden War Axe, players can convey terror in the eyes of their opponents as they may never see fury coming from such an elegant weapon.

Despite its size, the Golden War Axe is a bit weaker than its Glass counterpart but its damage output is similar to that of the Elven War Axe - all appropriate comparisons due to their similar aesthetics.

39 Irkngthand War Axe of Fire/Freezing

Damage: 13

When players read the fisherman’s journal at the Bronze Water Cave (just after “The Ultimate Feast”), players will eventually find ancient Dwemer mechanisms - a hint of the true origins of the cave they just found. At the very end of the quest is a chest that contains the Irkngthand War Axe of Fire and Freezing, a pair of War Axes hailing from Irkngthand, a Dwemer ruin below the Pale.

Their rather ancient design seems intentional with its origins, as Irkngthand holds the last depictions of the Ancient Falmer or Snow Elves before the extinct dwarves corrupted them into the Falmers today. Unlike the one-sided Dwarven War Axe, the Irkngthand War Axe has a circular blade that splits near the tip of its handle, with intricate markings denoting its Dwarven origin.

38 Bloodthorn

Damage: 5

Befitting a dagger with an edgy name is Bloodthorn, a unique steel dagger located on the balcony of Hag’s End, which is a Nordic tomb to the northeast of Markarth and to the west of Solitude. However, despite its appearance being identical to that of a steel dagger, Bloodthorn is quite a menace to deal with at the hands of a rogue or a stealth character.

Related

The Elder Scrolls: 8 Most Arrogant Characters In The Games, Ranked

The Elder Scrolls games are home to an array of egotistic characters, but these particular examples are arguably the most arrogant of the bunch.

Posts

By  Alex Daniel Reid

While it only has 5 Base Damage, its 2.5 Weight allows players to dish out mean damage extremely quickly. At its core, if Bloodthorn kills a target within three seconds of being attacked, it produces a soul gem. This can be enchanted via a steel ingot and the Arcane Blacksmith, which can double its effects.

37 Dragonbone Dagger

Damage: 6

Forged from the bones of dragons, the Dragonbone Dagger is one of the most powerful dagger types in Skyrim. This small dagger has a simple iron handle and a fine feather-like blade. Players can forge this dagger with a leather strip and a dragon bone. They can further upgrade the weapon via a grindstone with double the improvement if they have the Dragon Smithing Perk.

The Dragonbone Dagger is tied with the Blade of Woe in terms of damage output. However, the Dragonbone Dagger bests the Blade of Woe in terms of speed. Theoretically, the Dragonbone Dagger can have higher DPS than the latter.

36 Grimsever

Damage: 12

For a one-handed sword named Grimsever, it's quite ironic that its appearance is just a typical glass sword. However, this unique weapon has quite a unique acquisition method as well. Players can get this weapon before and once they begin the “Retrieve Grimsever” quest for Mjoll the Lioness. This is located next to the blood splatter on the ground at the end of the Mzinchaleft Gatehouse.

While players give Grimsever back to Mjoll, they can also get this weapon permanently after the quest. Once she becomes a follower, players can trade the weapon for her. In combat, Grimsever always deals an extra 15 Frost Damage to both Health and Stamina of opponents on top of its initial 12 Damage, making it a mean early-game weapon.

35 The Pale Blade

Damage: 11

Following its themes of lowkey Lovecraftian horror, one of Skyrim’s most decent weapons lies in The Pale Blade. Taking the appearance of an Ancient Nord sword, the Pale Blade initially has 8-11 Damage and 12-15 Weight, similar to the weapon. However, once players acquire this from the body of Ra’jrr in Frostmere Crypt after his death at the hands of the Pale Lady. Players who pick up the blade and place it on the nearby pedestal will appease the Pale Lady and cause her to leave. However, players who want to get this weapon will have to defeat her as she reappears to defend the weapon after it’s picked up.

The Pale Blade is a worthy acquisition, however. While equipped, targets take an extra 25 Frost Damage on hit. Not only that, but people and creatures hit with this weapon will flee from combat for a good 30 seconds, provided they’re until Level 16.

34 Valdr’s Lucky Dagger

Damage: 5

Don’t look down on Valdr’s Lucky Dagger just because it looks like an ordinary steel dagger. While it only boasts the 5 Attack and 2.5 Weight of a typical steel dagger, Valdr’s Lucky Dagger does have quite a unique effect. At its core, it has a 25-percent chance of scoring a critical hit. Considering how it could be upgraded, Valdr’s Lucky Dagger can become a mean weapon at early levels considering the sheer speed of dagger strikes.

Related

Skyrim: The 32 Best Two-Handed Weapons (& Where To Get Them)

The world of Skyrim is filled with two-handed weapons. Here's a look are some of the absolute best available and how to get them.

Posts 1

It also helps that Valdr’s Lucky Dagger is a relatively easy acquisition. Players can get this from Valdr after finding him in Moss Mother Cavern, where an injured Valdr gives this to the player since his friend Niels and Ari were already killed prior to their adventure.

33 Bolar's Oathblade

Damage: 11

Fans of katanas would appreciate the Blades Sword for adopting this appearance, despite its base 11 Damage and 10 Weight. As such, looking at Bolar’s Oathblade might seem like looking at an ordinary Blades Sword with a fancy name - although with black leather and a serpentine guard. Players can get this weapon inside the Bloated Man’s Grotto, where the blade is located under the shrine of Talos alongside a note with its oath.

Once belonging to Acilius Bolar, the Oathblade accompanied this Imperial Blades member during the attack on Cloud Ruler Temple. Players who use this weapon can deal 25 Stamina Damage to opponents, as well as force people and creatures up to Level 12 to flee the battlefield for as long as 30 seconds.