Best Two Handed Weapons in Skyrim

About
Latest Posts

Having learned the tricks of the trade regarding games journalism at Veryali Gaming, Alex is now a key member of the Scrolls Guided team, and loves nothing more than grabbing a controller and bracing himself for hundreds of hours of content.Alex loves immersive RPGs, has spent more time in Skyrim than he dare admit, and he also loves playing guitar.

Bottom Line-Up Front

If you’re in a rush and need a Two-handed weapon fast, then don’t worry; I’ve got your back. Here are some key takeaways from the article! You can’t go wrong with choosing any of the Two-handed weapons on this list. However, they will waiver in damage and performance depending on your level.

Volendrung and Wuuthrad are essentials for the early game, and if you’re brave enough to take on the Dawnguard DLC, then the Dawnguard Runehammer is by far my favorite option.

It levels your Destruction Magic skill, expends no Magicka, and uses Stamina to deploy Fire Runes on the ground. This neat ability is my favorite, as it gives you extra range and damage output that will help with higher difficulties.

If you own the Dragonborn DLC, then acquiring the Champion’s Cudgel should be a priority of any character, regardless of class.

Selection Criteria

Before I begin, we’ve got to understand what makes the best Two-handed weapons in the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. We know that Two-handed weapons deal heavy damage and have the longest range of any melee weapon type. They also are significantly heavier than any other weapon type in the game.

To piece together this list, I considered the following:

In November 2022, Skyrim had its tenth anniversary; many versions have been released since then, such as the Skyrim Special Edition and Anniversary Edition, so I’ve kept this in mind and added Two-handed weapons included in the Creation Club.
Each Two-handed weapon must have an aspect that makes it best in its field. This could be range, damage, weight, or effect.
The power of a Two-handed weapon’s enchantment should be considered in the overall power of the weapon.

Bloodskal Blade

Weapon Type: Two-handed Greatsword
Required DLC: Dragonborn
Damage: 21
Weight: 16
Tempering: Silver Ingot
Location: Bloodskal Barrow

The Bloodskal Blade is a Two-handed Greatsword and is a weapon unique to the Dragonborn DLC. On the surface, the Bloodskal Blade looks like it has low base damage; however, executing a power attack with the Bloodskal Blade will launch a directional energy blast at your foe. The light deals 30 pure damage on contact with your target!

If you want to get anime levels of value out of this Greatsword, consider installing the More Powerful Bloodskal Blade mod.

This magic-imbued greatsword is not technically enchanted, meaning you don’t need to charge its power up with Soul Gems. Moreover, the energy blast can be used to stagger your target, enabling you to interrupt archers, mages, and even warrior enemies.

The Bloodskal Blade is a perfect weapon to supplement slow characters equipped with Heavy Armor as greatswords, and the Bloodskal Blade, in particular, has a faster swing speed.

To acquire the Bloodskal Blade, you must start “The Final Descent” quest, venture deep into Bloodskal Barrow, and pry it from the cold dead hands of Gratian Caerellius. Check out Bloodskal Barrow Guide and Bloodskal Blade Guide for more details.

Stormfang

Weapon Type: Two-Handed Greatsword
Required DLC: Dragonborn
Damage: 17
Weight: 17
Tempering: Steel Ingot
Location: Brodir Grove

Stormfang is a Two-Handed Steel Greatsword that deals 30 points of Shock damage and half as much Magicka damage to your foes. Its base damage is weak compared to other weapons on this list, but as far as Steel Greatswords go, it’s one of the best!

Found in Brodir Grove in Solstheim. Stormfang can be tempered with Steel Ingots with the Steel Smithing and Arcane Blacksmith perk. But why would you want a low-damage greatsword? Well, the Stormfang is a viable option for a warrior as it excels at bypassing Heavy Armor and Light Armor defenses.

An enemy struck by a regular melee weapon would have damage mitigated by their armor. However, the Stormfang’s Shock and Magicka damage ignores armor, making it a brilliant sword for taking out tanky opponents.

The Shock element is regarded as the strongest type of elemental damage in the game, as few enemies have Shock resistance. Throwing some Perk Points into “Augmented Shock” will significantly improve the amount of Shock damage the Stormfang deals.

This Greatsword has more substance than style. However, if you play Skyrim on PC, consider installing the Stormfang Reborn mod for a new unique Stormfang look.

Ebony Blade

Weapon Type: Two-Handed Greatsword
Damage: 11
Weight: 10
Tempering: Not Possible
Location: Bannered Mare

If a Daedric Artifact is in question, then you will have to do some dirty work to get your hands on it.

The Ebony Blade is a Two-Handed Greatsword with less-than-impressive 11 base damage. However, it holds a terrifying and powerful enchantment that absorbs ten health for a 1-second duration from striking blows at your enemies. This is a great enchantment for tanky warriors equipped with Heavy Armor that would rather land critical hits on their opponent than drink health potions.

You cannot temper the Ebony sword, but you can upgrade its Absorb Health to thirty points by killing ten friendly NPCs you have done favors for. To acquire the Ebony Blade, you must start “The Whispering Door” quest. You must be at least level twenty to acquire the quest. Check out Skyrim Ebony Blade Guide to learn more.

The Ebony Blade may not be the best sword if you’re roleplaying a goody-two-shoes character. However, if you’re a fan of blood magic and conversing with the Daedra, this will be your blade!

Dawnguard Rune Hammer

Weapon Type: Two-Handed Warhammer
Required DLC: Dawnguard
Damage: 22
Weight: 26
Tempering: Steel Ingot
Location: Multiple locations, acquired by completing the “Lost Relic” quest

If you’re looking for a vampire-bashing Warhammer that has the power to combust your enemies from afar, then look no further!

The Dawnguard Runehammer is a powerful unique Two-Handed Warhammer that enables you to create a Fire Rune by block bashing the ground. Using the Fire Rune ability will increase Destruction Magic Skill, so consider this weapon for a Mage/Warrior build.

The Rune Master Perk increases the range of Rune traps by 40 points. Thanks to the Fire Rune, you can easily lure bandits into a trap. However, remember that to cast a Fire Rune, you must use the Warhammer Bash ability, which will alert foes to your location.

You can continue to get value out of this weapon by tempering it with Steel Ingots, although you’ll need the Arcane Blacksmith Perk before upgrading it. The Dawnguard Runehammer deals bonus damage to vampires. This is never stated in the weapon’s description, but you’ll notice the hammer will take a huge chunk out of a vampire and its health bar.

To acquire the Dawnguard Runehammer, you must complete the “Lost Relic” quest obtained at Fort Dawnguard. However, you won’t be able to acquire this two-handed weapon if you join the vampire faction.

Champion’s Cudgel

Weapon Type: Two-Handed Warhammer
Required DLC: Dragonborn
Damage: 24
Weight: 27
Tempering: Not Possible
Location: Fort Frostmoth

The Champion’s Cudgel is a frightening Two-Handed melee weapon that features the Chaos Enchantment. An enchantment that has a 50% chance of striking your opponent with 25 elemental damage and a small chance that it will strike; Shock, Frost, and Fire damage for a massive 75 extra damage!

If that wasn’t scary enough, you can improve the elemental effects of the Champion’s Cudgel by increasing the effectiveness of your Frost, Fire, and Shock elements by allocating Perk Points in the Augmented Shock, Augmented Fire, and Augmented Frost Perks.

The Champion’s Cudgel is a weapon that players from all different builds should acquire. An archer could deal some serious damage from a stealth attack with the Chaos Enchantment applied to a bow. Or better yet, apply it to Stalhrim Two-handed weapons to gain an extra 25% effectiveness.

You will have to complete the “March of the Dead quest” to acquire the Champion’s Cudgel. Travel to Fort Frostmoth, kill Falx Carius, and claim the weapon for yourself!

Wuuthrad

Weapon Type: Two-Handed Battleaxe
Damage: 25
Weight: 25
Tempering: Not Possible

Wuuthrad, or Knife Ear Chopper as I like to call it, is a Two-Handed Battleaxe originally owned by Ysgramor himself. This axe is bound to strike fear in any elven race.

It’s no wonder because Wuuthrad’s special ability deals 20% bonus damage to all elf races in Skyrim. To fit the axe has a terrifying brutish but ornate design of an elf screaming and looking as if it were trapped within the axe. Spooky stuff!

If you’re looking for an even scarier version of Wuuthrad, consider Iconic’s Wuuthrad Retexture mod. This mod gives the Battleaxe a Daedric feel.

To acquire Wuuthrad, the player must retrieve fragments of Wuuthrad stolen by the Silver Hand during the “Purity of Revenge” quest and later be taken to Eorlund Gray-Mane to be reforged in the “Glory of the Dead” quest.

I’ve seen mixed opinions on Wuuthrad, stating that it’s a mediocre Battleaxe. It’s true that it cannot be tempered, but it can be enchanted and upgraded by leveling the Limbsplitter Perk to cause Bleed damage granting this Battle Axe four weapon effects!

Volendrung

Weapon Type: Two-Handed Warhammer
Damage: 25
Weight: 26
Tempering: Ebony Ingot
Location: Largashbur

Volendrung is a Daedric Warhammer that is perfect for those roleplaying a Daedra worshipping Orc. Technically the Warhammer is Dwarven, but from the size of it, I can’t imagine it suiting any other race. Sorry Nords, the Orcs are just stronger!

Volendrung not only looks hellish and otherworldly, but it packs a punch! Volendrung absorbs 50 points of Stamina on each hit, meaning that you will never get tired as long as there are enemies to kill. Like a weapon that the Doomslayer himself would wield.

This Daedric Warhammer is also the second fastest-swinging Warhammer in the game, losing only to The Longhammer.

Unlike the other Two-handed melee weapons on this list, it’s possible to get Volendrung very early in the game, even before level 10! Its Stamina Absorb ability makes Volendrung extremely useful at early levels where your character lacks Stamina points. To acquire Volendrung, the player must complete “The Cursed Tribe” quest.

The Volendrung may taper off in damage later in the game. However, you can upgrade it with Ebony Ingots if you have unlocked the Ebony Smithing and Arcane Blacksmith perks.

The Longhammer

Weapon Type: Two-handed Warhammer
Damage: 21
Weight: 18
Tempering: Orichalcum Ingot
Location: Liar’s Retreat

The Longhammer is the fastest Two-handed Warhammer in the game. It’s also light as a feather compared to most warhammers in Skyrim. This Warhammer is an absolute beast when paired with the Elemental Fury shout enabling to enables the player to swing it even faster.

This weapon is perfect for an Orc warrior as the Berserker’s Rage race ability enables them to deal double damage with each attack! Unsurprisingly you can upgrade The Longhammer with Orichalcum Ingots; luckily, its weapon effect does not count as an enchantment, and therefore The Longhammer does not need the Arcane Blacksmith perk.

The Longhammer is by far the best Two-handed weapon in the game, as it only gets stronger the more you level your character. Leveling the Skullbasher skill lets you ignore 75% of the target’s armor. Moreover, if you apply badass enchantments such as Fiery Souls Trap or an Absorb Health enchantment, you’ve got a life-stealing soul-sucking Warhammer.

Steel Battleaxe of Fiery Souls

Weapon Type: Two-Handed Battleaxe
Damage: 18
Weight: 21
Tempering: Steel Ingot
Location: Ironbind Barrow

The Steel Battleaxe of Fiery Souls makes it on my list top tier Two-handed weapons thanks to it featuring an essential enchantment. The Fiery Souls Trap enchantment is a two-for-one deal:

Applies 10 points of Burn damage on hit.
Fill an empty Soul Gem if the target dies within five seconds after being hit.

It may only have 18 points of damage but let me tell you, the Steel Battleaxe of Fiery Souls is a fantastic weapon and will deal extra hidden damage as enemies inflicted by burn take extra damage when hit! Pair this with the Limbsplitter perk to deal bleed damage on top, and you’ve got yourself a monster Battleaxe.

You can acquire this weapon at any level from Ironbind Barrow. It’s an essential item no matter what build or class your character is because of its unique enchantment.

You will need the Arcane Blacksmith perk to upgrade the Steel Battleaxe of Fiery Souls, so it’s unlikely you’ll be upgrading it early in the game.

Headsman’s Axe

Weapon Type: Two-handed Battleaxe
Damage: 17
Weight: 11
Tempering: Not Possible
Location: Solitude

The Headsman’s Axe is odd; it may not be one of the biggest damage dealers on this list. However, it has impeccable range making it the longest Two-handed weapon in the game!

This weapon is nothing to scoff at once the player acquires the Sweep perk. This perk enables you to strike all those in the range of a sideways power attack! Granted, this perk is pointless if you have the Precision mod installed, but for vanilla players, this combination is amazing!

Partner the Sweep perk with the Limbsplitter perk, and you’ve got yourself a Bleed effect DOT, AOE. To acquire the Headsman’s Axe, you must befriend or kill Ahtar, the Solitude Headsman, by killing an escaped prisoner. In return, Ahtar will join you as a follower enabling you to take his axe from his inventory.

Headsman’s Axe is best used with Light Armor equipped rather than Heavy Armor this is because the unique Battle Axe requires faster gameplay and decision-making. Moreover, the Headsman’s Axe is a fantastic choice for combat overhaul mods such as the Elden Ring Step Dodge mod and Inpa Sekiro Combat mod that gives Skyrim Souls-like combat.

Note that being the longest Two-handed weapon in the game has its drawbacks; as with these mods installed, the axe can get stuck on walls in dungeons.

Umbra

Weapon Type: Two-handed Greatsword
DLC Required: Creation Club
Damage: 24
Weight: 23
Tempering: Ebony Ingot
Location: Champion’s Rest

Umbra is a Creation Club Two-handed Greatsword that deals damage equal to that of the Daedric Greatsword. The Umbra makes it on the list of Best Two-handed weapons thanks to it being unique in having three enchantments:

Soul Trap for twenty seconds.
Absorb 25 points of Health on hit.
Absorb 25 points of Stamina on a hit.

As you can see, this is a powerful Two-handed weapon that is perfect for when you’re hunting for Souls to fill your Soul Gems. To upgrade this weapon, you will need the Daedric Blacksmith perk and Arcane Blacksmith perk. Sweep is a powerful perk that will grant you significant life steal depending on the number of enemies you strike in a power attack.

Moreover, Umbra is devastating when conjunct with Great Critical Charge and the Deep Wounds skills. Despite being a Creation Club item, this Greatsword is lore-friendly. You can acquire it from Champion’s Rest while completing the “Vile Whispers” quest.

Daedric Two-Handed Weapons

Weapon Type	Daedric Greatsword	Daedric Warhammer	Daedric Battleaxe
Damage	24	27	25
Weight	23	31	27

Daedric Two-handed weapons are the best-crafted Two-handed weapons in Vanilla Skyrim, just below Dragonbone weapons. I added them to the list as they are extremely versatile, where some unique weapons may drop off in damage or use. Daedric weapons are malleable and can be tempered and enchanted to make some of the best weapons in the game.

Crafting Daedric weapons is no easy task, as you will need expensive materials such as Ebony Ingots and Daedra Hearts. Thankfully these expensive weapons only require Ebony Ingots to be tempered on a Grindstone.

The Daedric Greatsword is a fantastic pick of the three, thanks to its weight. However, at this point, it’s a personal preference and up to your playstyle.

daedric warhammer — Image source: Elder Scrolls Fandowm Wiki

Stalhrim Two-Handed Weapons

Weapon Type	Stalhrim Greatsword	Stalhrim Warhammer	Stalhrim Battleaxe
Damage	23	26	24
Weight	21	29	25

Stalhrim Two-handed weapons are only available if you own the Dragonborn DLC; I think these are the best looking Two-handed weapons in the game. Although extremely similar to Daedric weapons, they do have some slight differences that distinguish them from Daedric weapons.

Stalhrim weapons weigh slightly less than Daedric weapons, although the Stalhrim Greatsword only differs by one point. The Stalhrim Battleaxe and Stalhrim Warhammer weigh even less.

Although it’s not the weight nor damage that sets these two weapon types apart, Stalhrim Two-handed weapons gain additional an additional 25% effectiveness compared to Frost and Chaos enchantments. Therefore if you have the best crafting materials and the highest Blacksmith and Enchanting level, you can make Stalhrim Two-handed weapons better than Daedric weapons.

stalhrim warhammer — Image source: Elder Scrolls Fandom Wiki

Dragonbone Two-Handed Weapons

Weapon Type	Dragonbone Greatsword	Dragonborn Warhammer	Dragonborn Battleaxe
Damage	25	28	26
Weight	27	33	30

Dragonbone Two-handed weapons are only available if you own the Dawnguard DLC and require the Dragon Armor perk to be crafted. These weapons are the highest damage-dealing weapons in the game! Using heavy Dragon Bones as materials for crafting Two-handed Dragonbone weapons comes at a cost to the weapon’s weight.

It’s possible to navigate around this with enchantments to increase your character’s carrying capacity. That said, by this point late in the game, the player will own multiple houses and bases to store items. I highly recommend suiting up your warrior followers with Dragonbone heavy armor and a Dragonbone Warhammer and watching them single handily take on dragons.

Dragonbone weapon materials are much easier to acquire as Daedric Hearts are very rare, so this is something to consider when crafting.

dragonborn warhammer — Image source: Elder Scrolls Fandom Wiki

FAQs

Question: Can I Apply More than One Enchantment to Equipment in Skyrim?

Answer: Yes, to enchant equipment with multiple enchantments, you will need the “Extra Effect” perk unlocked at level 100 of the Enchanting skill tree. You can create some extremely powerful Two-Handed weapons with the “Extra Effect” perk.

For example, the Chaos Enchantment learned from disenchanting the Champion’s Cudgel combined with the Fiery Soul Trap enchantment learned from disenchanting the Steel Battleaxe of Fiery Souls will grant you an extra ten base fire damage and will Soul Trap enemies that die within 12 seconds of striking them. On top of the elemental damage unleashed from the Chaos Enchantment.

Question: What are the Differences Between Two-Handed Weapons in Skyrim?

Answer: There are three types of Two-handed weapons in Skyrim, and each has different stats and mechanics. The Greatsword is the fastest Two-handed weapon but sacrifices damage; the Battleaxe is faster than a Warhammer but slower than a Greatsword but deals more damage. The Warhammer is typically the heaviest and slowest of the Two-handed weapons and has a powerful bash ability that can be used while blocking to stagger your opponent.

Question: Can you Block with Two-Handed Weapons in Skyrim?

Answer: Yes! There’s a common misconception that the Block skill is best utilized with One-Handed and a Shield. However, training your Block skill for a Two-handed warrior is extremely powerful. Perks such as Deadly Bash, Disarming Bash, and Quick Reflexes give you both extra offensive and defensive capabilities in combat.

Best Two Handed Weapons In Skyrim: Conclusion

In conclusion, all these weapons, whether labeled as unique, rare, legendary or as regular, are all great choices for a Two-handed warrior build. Acquiring all these weapons is possible if you have the Dragonborn and Dawnguard DLC installed. However, you won’t get access to the Dragonborn and Dawnguard weapons until you’ve leveled up enough to take on the expansions.

As a Greatsword user, I tend to disenchant the Champion’s Cudgel and Steel Battleaxe of Fiery Souls and apply these enchantments to Daedric Greatsword or Dragonbone Greatsword. This makes crafted Daedric and Dragonbone weapons viable options if tempered and enchanted correctly.

You may want to consider whether the weapon can be upgraded, as weapons are usually balanced to be improved through other methods such as enchanting, skill level, and perks. Weapons that can be tempered will have greater pure damage, trading off elemental damage.