Skyrim is filled with unique items and locations to discover, but the weapons are the best and most important things. Even if players decide not to mods or do not have access to DLC, there are still plenty of powerful and unique weapons for them to collect around the map.
Some of the strongest weapons are up for grabs in the vanilla game simply by finding their hidden location or completing a quest. Whether players are looking for a bow, an axe, a sword, or a dagger, there are plenty out there with their own special enchantments and styles.
Drainspell Bow
Along with the other spectral-looking weapons in the set, this Drainspell bow could be considered a rare hidden weapon that some players may never find if they never begin the Mages' College. It can be collected in Labyrinthian during "The Staff of Magnus" quest.
Not only does the Drainspell bow have a unique transparent appearance, but it is also one of the most special bows players can collect in the game. Its enchantment absorbs 15 Magicka with each hit, making this an ideal weapon against mages, necromancers, or Dragon Priests. To collect the bow, the Dragonborn is required to face off against a ghostly Draugr champion or sometimes a Deathlord, depending on the player's level. There, they can also collect two other similar weapons in the set.
Volendrung
Volendrung, or "The Hammer of Might," is a Daedric artifact that can be obtained by completing the quest, "The Cursed Tribe." The quest is started by visiting the Largashbur Orcish stronghold near the Jerall Mountains.
This great warhammer is granted as a gift from the Daedric Prince Malacath upon completing the aforementioned quest, and it is perhaps one of the strongest warhammers in the base game. The hammer does a base damage score of 25 points, but its enchantment also absorbs 50 stamina per hit, allowing the player to complete more power attacks back to back. It also swings at the speed of a greatsword, faster than most others of its kind. There are plenty of mods that add new weapons to the game, but Volendrung is a powerful option that players of the base game can obtain.
Chillrend
Chillrend is a special sword in multiple aspects and a weapon some players might easily overlook in their time in Skyrim. It can be found in the hidden tunnels under Riftweald Manor in Riften during the Thieves Guild quest, "The Pursuit," where the Dragonborn is chasing after Mercer Frey.
Chillrend has different immersive qualities that a lot of other weapons do not. It appears like a glass sword but is pale blue instead of green to appear ice-like. It also emits steam and a hissing noise that plays off that 'cold as ice' suggestion. Its enchantment deals up to 30 points of frost damage and has a chance of paralyzing the target for 2 seconds. Although not a Daedric artifact, it is ranked right up there with Dawnbreaker and some of the other most powerful swords.
Dawnbreaker
Dawnbreaker is probably one of the most unique-looking vanilla weapons players can obtain, with its slender blade and differential hilt with a beam of light in the center. It is a Daedric artifact that can be collected by completing the "Break of Dawn" quest, arguably one of the most challenging quests in the base game.
Players can begin the quest by locating the statue of Meridia or after reaching level 12 and looting Meridia's Beacon from a random chest. They will have to fight off necromancers and their powerful leader, Malkoran. The blade does fire damage with each blow and has a chance to cause an explosion if an undead is slain. The explosion then carries over to other enemies, dealing extra damage to undead opponents.
Dragonbane
Dragonbane is an enchanted Akaviri katana that is specialized for defeating dragons. Players can find this gem inside the Sky Haven Temple, but it will not be free to grab until after completing the main quest, "Paarthurnax."
It appears like a regular Akaviri katana without added mods and matches the Blades armor set. It is given its name Dragonbane due to the 20 to 40 points of increased damage it deals out to dragons. During this damage to dragons, a special effect of electricity can be seen flowing over the blade. However, even when not battling dragons, it still proves useful with its shock damage to other enemies.
Blade of Woe
Elder Scrolls fans will recognize this iconic dagger from Oblivion. However, this version is different in appearance. This is the most powerful dagger players can find in the base game and can be snatched by either killing Astrid in the Abandoned Shack or by completing the quests of the Dark Brotherhood, which has some fascinating .
The Blade of Woe is the perfect dagger for assassins or those who prefer stealthier approaches. It has the enchantment to absorb 10 points of health on a hit, making it even easier to dispose of opponents quickly. Players who decide to the Dark Brotherhood are rewarded the blade later by Astrid, or those who do not want to complete that questline can choose to fight Astrid in the Abandoned Shack and take it off her.
Wuuthrad
Though some fans might argue that it is one of the most worthless weapons in the game, Wuuthrad is actually a great weapon to collect in vanilla Skyrim. It can be found in the Companions questline, where players must collect all its broken shards.
When reforged by Eorlund Gray-Mane, Wuuthrad is a deadly two-handed axe with what resembles a screaming face inscribed in its center. Its specialty is extra damage to elves, making it a great weapon against the Falmer and when facing against the Thalmor. Because its effect does not count as an enchantment, the axe can also be enchanted with a different ability. Like any two-handed weapon, it deals significant damage per hit, no matter the enemy.
Nightingale Bow
After working their way through the main quests of the Thieves Guild, players have a chance to be a part of the elite inner circle of the Nightingales. This Nightingale is awarded to the Dragonborn by Karliah after the quest, "Blindsighted."
Like many weapons, this bow is scaled to level and will increase the damage the higher level the player is. The bow alone does base damage of about 19 points. The bow also deals frost and shock damage to the opponent on a hit. The appearance of the bow looks very similar to the Ancient Nord gear but with its own unique twist, as all the Nocturnal gear does, with a sleek black color and intricate carvings.
Mehrunes' Razor
Without a doubt, Mehrunes' Razor is one of the best items that every player needs. It is the Daedric artifact of Mehrunes Dagon, making it a recognizable weapon for all fans who played Oblivion in appearance and association.
Mehrunes' Razor can be collected by completing "Pieces of the Past" and successfully killing Silus Vesuius. It is perhaps the best dagger or secondary weapon in the game because of its special chance to immediately kill a target on hit. Although some boss characters, mainly those from the DLC, are immune to its effects, almost any other enemy is vulnerable. Assassins and players of all classes will want to get their hands on this small but mighty weapon.
Nightingale Blade
The Nightingale Blade is another special weapon players receive when they the Nightingales and are rewarded by Karliah. Like the rest of the Nightingale gear, the blade shares a sleek new design original for its set.
Players must complete the quest "Hard Answers" to receive this weapon from Karliah. Like the Nightingale Bow, the blade has an enchantment that absorbs stamina and health from opponents on hit, making it almost impossible to be killed by opponents and easier to strike with multiple power attacks. Due to its enchantment, it is probably one of the most powerful one-handed swords players can get in the base game and one of the best looking.
