Bound Weapons vs Smithing.

[Jewbacca]

I knew for sometime, that Smithing makes better stuff, than bound weapons on the long run, but just when Smithing catching, or surpass it. Well here's the answer. (All calculation made for vanilla Skyrim)

I consider bound weapons with Mystic Binding, because anyone who wants that seriously will take it, and because bound weapons are WEAK without it. Even a tempered steel sword is better, than Bound Sword without that. Take note, that bound weapons are WEIGHTLESS which affects power attack stamina cost (40+2*weapon weight). So a normal weapon with same damage isn't good as a Bound Weapon.

Bound Sword's base damage is 14. This equals the NON-tempered version of Daedric sword. Considering, that you can get it on lvl3 it's kinda strong.

With level 30 smithing skill you can make tempered Elven sword which has the same damage, and Dwarven sword which has just 1 less base damage. With level 74 smithing you can create glass sword, and temper it to epic quality which has 21 damage, and with level 80 smithing you can do the same with Ebony sword which is 23 damage. At that point Smithing is clearly superior.

Bound Battleaxe's base damage is 22 which equals non-tempered Glass Battleaxe. 2-handed weapons are heavier than one-handed so the weightless part affect them more however.

At level 31 smithing you can create and temper Elven Battleaxe which has 24 damage, and at level 50 smithing you can make, and temper Orcish battleaxe which has 24 damage too. With the weight calculated it's hard to tell if these weapons are truly better, but the next tier at 74, and 80 are surely are.

Bound Bow comes with 100 arrow, and the combined damage is 48. This is stronger than anything you can create with smithing without tempering. With tempering however.

At 91 smithing Tempered Ebony bow with Ebony arrow has 46 damage witch almost has it. And you can create then temper Daedric Bow which has 29 damage. Complete with Ebony arrow it has 49. With Daedric Arrow it has 53. For light armor users level 100 smithing is needed to surpass bound bow with Dragonbone bow, and arrows.

Some stuff worth noted. Bound weapons can be talented to have soul steal enhancement with unlimited charge at lvl30 conjuration. This makes leveling enchanting much easier, and makes you filthy rich if you use the right enhancement. At level 50 conjuration with the Oblivion Binding your bound weapons kill any conjured, or raised enemy under level 99 with a single strike. This also has unlimited charge. Last but not least bound weapons cannot be taken away, and immune to disarm effects.

In overall Bound weapons are great until you reach some serious level, but takes some perks to use them at good rate. In vanilla game it is recommended to switch to normal weapons at some point. Not just, because Smithing can make better weapons, but those weapons can be enchanted. Using Conjuration only to make weapons WILL have a great payback on the long run. With conjured daedra, or necromancy however it's really worth it, and when it doesn't, then you just grind up smithing, and make Conjuration "legendary".

[Beautiful Ham Sandwich]

Having mod overhauls also makes Bound Weapons a more viable choice, though it still has it's pros and cons. Bound Weapons don't add to your weight, and for normal weapons you need to have the weapon skill itself leveled, along with smithing. With Bound Weapons you only need conjuration. Though unlike normal weapons you get to choose the weapon, the Bound Weapon aesthetics leaves much to be desired. As you also said, you can enchant normal weapons, which is very important as enchantments are really strong. I haven't used Bound Weapons in a while, but if I recall, doesn't the weapon go away when you sheath it? That's also a problem.

Bound Weapon to me isn't as good as just having a normal weapon, but is in no way weak, so I do agree with you.

[hardmaster.92]

i have 100 smithing and 80 alchemy. I enchanted amulet, ring and braces for 52% better smithing, and I can make potions with 112% better smithing. combining these I can make deadric swords with huge amount of damage.

[Jewbacca]

Originally posted by Beautiful Ham Sandwich:

Having mod overhauls also makes Bound Weapons a more viable choice, though it still has it's pros and cons. Bound Weapons don't add to your weight, and for normal weapons you need to have the weapon skill itself leveled, along with smithing. With Bound Weapons you only need conjuration. Though unlike normal weapons you get to choose the weapon, the Bound Weapon aesthetics leaves much to be desired. As you also said, you can enchant normal weapons, which is very important as enchantments are really strong. I haven't used Bound Weapons in a while, but if I recall, doesn't the weapon go away when you sheath it? That's also a problem.

Bound Weapon to me isn't as good as just having a normal weapon, but is in no way weak, so I do agree with you.

You are wrong. Every bound weapon is AFFECTED by it's weapon skills, perks, and skill enhancement on armor in vanilla. Mods can affect these like everything else.

[Jewbacca]

Originally posted by hardmaster.92:

i have 100 smithing and 80 alchemy. I enchanted amulet, ring and braces for 52% better smithing, and I can make potions with 112% better smithing. combining these I can make deadric swords with huge amount of damage.

Yes the enchant alchemy loop exploit. It is possible to make cheat like weapon with it. That's an exploit which is beyond my limits. Most overhauls removes it.