With almost 11 years under its belt, Skyrim continues to be cited as one of the best RPGs of all time, and its vast library of weapons and armor sets has certainly been an important factor in keeping it there. Elven, Orcish, Glass, Iron, and even the infamous Daedric weapons, Skyrim is bursting at the seams with unique and interesting loot, bringing players back time and time again to discuss their favorites.
The Ebony set of weapons and armors are widely considered to be some of the best in the game, only being beaten out by the Dragonbone and Daedric sets in terms of popularity and weapon damage/absorption. With weapons that suit every play style, and an armor set that can tank some real damage, the Ebony range is undoubtedly one of the best in Skyrim, and should be a staple of any playthrough.
S-Tier
- Ebony Warhammer: Though it requires a fairly high smithing level of 80, the Ebony Warhammer is one of the best two-handed weapons in Skyrim. It may not swing as quickly as some other two-handed weapons, but it has a base damage output of 25, making it the hardest hitting Ebony weapon.
- Ebony Shield: One of the top dogs when it comes to tanking damage head-on, the Ebony Shield can withstand a lot. Starting with a base armor of 32, the Ebony Shield isn't the best shield in the game, but it makes for a great mid-to-late choice, especially if it's enchanted.
- Ebony Blade: Technically, the Ebony Blade is a Daedric artifact, but it's too good to not include it on a tier list with "Ebony" in the title. One of the most popular weapons in the game overall, the Ebony Blade is incredibly unique, being classed as a two-handed weapon but swinging with the speed of a one-handed sword. The Ebony Blade also absorbs the health of its victims, giving the player 10 hit points with every successful swing. This Absorb Health ability can also be upgraded by sacrificing friendly NPCs to the Blade, maximizing the ability at 30 hit points.
- Ebony Mail: Again, technically a Daedric artifact, the Ebony Mail armor piece actually counts towards the full Ebony armor set bonus, so it certainly counts here. Offering a solid base armor of 45, Ebony Mail is a decent heavy armor piece, though its real advantages lie in its additional abilities. Ebony Mail has a built-in "Muffle" enchantment, that allows the player to move more quietly when crouched, and a poison enchantment, that damages enemies who get too close. Ebony Mail is one of the best armor sets for stealthy players who also frequently find themselves in close-quarters combat regardless.
A-Tier
- Ebony Battleaxe: Though it doesn't hit quite as hard as its Warhammer sibling, the Ebony Battleaxe still packs a decent punch. With a base damage of 25, the Ebony Battleaxe is widely considered to be one of the best Battleaxes in the game.
- Ebony Bow: Though it technically has less damage-per-second than the likes of the Glass Bow or the Dragonbone bow, the Ebony Bow is still a favorite amongst long-time Skyrim fans. With a base damage of 17, the Ebony Bow is one of the more powerful Bows in the game, and its more deliberate animations make it perfect for precise, stealthy players.
- Ebony Armor Set: Being lumped in altogether, the Ebony Armor set includes the base armor, the gauntlets, the helmet, and the boots. On its own, the Ebony Armor piece is very sturdy, offering a base armor of 43. But when it all comes together, the armor set as a whole offers a base armor stat of 96.
B-Tier
- Ebony Greatsword: Though it is a solid two-handed weapon, the Ebony Greatsword doesn't quite live up to other two-handed Ebony counterparts. With a base damage stat of 22, the Ebony Greatsword is still one of the game's more solid two-handed weapons.
- Ebony War Axe: Though it technically has a lower damage output than the Ebony Mace, the Ebony War Axe is often considered to be the better option due to its high DPS, as swings with the Axe are faster than the Mace.
C-Tier
- Ebony Mace: Offering a fairly high damage output of 16, the Ebony Mace is a good weapon for players in the mid-game who are looking to focus on one-handed weapons that hit quickly. Though, there are plenty of other maces out there that can be obtained more easily and do a little more.
- Ebony Dagger: One of Skyrim's more underutilized weapon types, the Ebony Dagger is actually quite a powerful weapon, with a damage stat of 10. This Dagger is only made better through the wealth of enchantments that accompany it.
D-Tier
- Ebony Sword: Beginning to appear in the world after the player hits level 29, the Ebony Sword is a pretty decent weapon for the early-mid game, offering a base damage of 13. Though, this weapon has the lowest damage output of any Ebony one-handed weapon.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.