Since its release in 2011 Skyrim has managed to catapult the Elder Scrolls series further into the gaming zeitgeist than ever before. With over 30 million sales (over twice that of Oblivion and Morrowind combined) it still bears a passionate modding community and player base even over ten years after its original release.
While countless discussions have been had about the best weapons, the best quests, and even the best bugs — the "worst" and "weirdest" of Skyrim can go overlooked. A mace that obliterates horkers might not be useful, but it can be just as interesting as its better cousins. An honorable mention does go to the humble fork; it's technically able to be equipped, but it's so bad it actually does less damage than wielding nothing at all.
The following content is accurate as of the 2021 Anniversary Edition of Skyrim
10 Chrysamere, Powerful But Purely Protective
Also known as the "Paladin's Blade" in some appearances, Chrysamere bears a powerful, but limited enchantment. While not the worst weapon to ever grace the province, it doesn't help the player beat an enemy any faster than a mundane weapon.
Previous appearances of Chrysamere have often included powerful magicka that mend the users' wounds and reflect spells back at their casters. Unfortunately, while the version obtained through The Lost Paladin includes a weakened version of the former, it's utterly lacking in the latter, bearing a minor ability to drain magicka in its place.
9 The Ebony Blade Suffers From Growing Pains
While The Ebony Blade can grow into a mighty weapon, the actual path is one best walked carefully. With the starting stats of an early-tier one-handed sword, The Ebony Blade will spend much of its early life weaker than an iron greatsword.
The grim process needed to fuel the sword's growth does little to aid this, as a kill only counts for Mephala's dark desires if the player has already befriended the murdered NPC. This, alongside the weapon being distinctly unstealthy, can make it a very slow and potentially expensive journey.
8 Bolar's Oathblade Is Out-Leveled Swiftly
The personal weapon of the Blade Acilius Bolar, his fury at the Thalmor's destruction of Cloud Ruler Temple seems to have infused this blade with its magic after he fled to a shrine of Talos hidden deep within Bloated Man's Grotto.
Considering the Bolar's Oathblade backstory, it has a disappointing effect — only draining stamina as well as inflicting a fear effect upon low-level enemies. These troubles are compounded by how easily one can be prevented from getting it, as the quest Ill Met By Moonlight drastically alters the grotto and may make Bolar's Oathblade unobtainable.
7 Horksbane Lives Up To Its Name
Horksbane lives up to its name, dealing massive damage to horkers and only horkers. But should the player decide to hunt horkers with it, the enchantment has a habit of fizzling out, leaving them with only a mundane steel mace.
As told in his journal, Horksbane was created by a desperate pirate whose crew had been decimated by an unusually large and aggressive horker. Found on an island off the northeast coast of Solstheim, Horksbane lies beside its fallen creator and is guarded by the very much alive "Lord Tusk".
6 Angi's Bow Is Woefully Mundane
Angi's Bow is an otherwise mundane bow with a name. While it can be improved, the simple hunting bow can only be advanced so far. But despite this, it may be worth going to the trouble to acquire, even if one of the other rewards is a bundle of the worst arrows in the game.
Located on a ridge due-south of Falkreath lies the camp of a woman named Angi, a former inhabitant of Helgen. Living in hiding after an altercation with imperials a few years prior, Angi can teach an interested player a thing or two about archery — netting them at least six free skill points in the process.
5 Froki's Bow Is Outshone By Its Own Quest
Froki's Bow may have "the blessing of Kyne" as Froki Whetted-Blade might put it, but its actual stats leave much to be desired. As a longbow, the weapon is already the weakest form of a bow, and the weak stamina-draining enchantment does little to improve it.
While Froki's Bow is likely to underwhelm, the amulet awarded to players after the quest "Kyne's Sacred Trials" proves to be significantly better. Bearing a unique enchantment that reduces the damage taken from most enemies, it also improves the damage dealt.
4 Valdr's Lucky Dagger Highlights A Combat Issue
With a 25% chance to score a critical hit, Valdr's Lucky Dagger may sound better than it is. The issue arises with the fact that critical hits always deal a set, generally low, amount of bonus damage which never increases no matter how tempered or enchanted a weapon is.
Obtained by clearing out the dangerous spriggan and bear-infested Moss Mother Cavern after healing Valdr from near-death, Valdr's Lucky Dagger is likely to be a very underwhelming reward unless the player acquires it early on their journey. The one saving grace is that the cavern itself has several chances for better loot.
3 Rundi's Dagger Was Partially Cut
An anomaly of a weapon, Rundi's Dagger is found upon an alter overlooking the sea cliffs southeast of Winterhold with its former owner lying dead nearby. This seemingly random name for the mundane steel dagger exists for a good reason, having been part of a quest cut shortly before launch.
Known as "The Missing Apprentices," this quest would have been comprised of searching Skyrim for four missing students of Phinis Gestor, a professor at the College of Winterhold. While all four students (Rundi, Borvir, Ilas-Tei, and Yisra) can still be found, obtaining their respective items and talking to Phinis does nothing.
2 Nettlebane Is For Ritual Purposes
Claimed as part of the quest "The Blessings of Nature", this ebony dagger bafflingly does four less damage than a normal specimen while weighing twice as much. Unable to be enchanted, it can at least be tempered and benefits from normal dagger perks.
Made by hagravens to sacrifice spriggans in dark rituals, that ceremonial nature may be to blame for the Nettlebane's overall weakness as a weapon. While the dagger itself isn't worth much, it can be very rewarding to see life finally return to the Gildergreen after the quest's completion.
1 The Poacher's Axe Is Found With Better Weapons
With five base damage and an enchantment adding three more against animals, The Poacher's Axe can bring itself up to the same power as an iron war axe under the right circumstances. Alternatively, one can simply use an iron war axe, which is both easier to find and always deals at least eight damage.
The real nail in the coffin for The Poacher's Axe is that the player must travel far north of Whiterun — crossing tundra, fighting monsters and maybe even mammoths — just to reach Halted Stream Camp. The axe itself is located deep within the connected mine and requires fighting through dozens of bandits to finally obtain, all while finding better weapons along the way.