Weapons, Spells & Shouts of Skyrim

This guide gives a detailed description of the types of spells and weapons combinations that can be used in combat in Skyrim. There are many options to choose from, including two-handed weapons, one-handed weapons, Thu'ums (shouts), bows, staffs, and magic spells of all kinds. Also, a list of all shouts from the vanilla game and the DLCs is presented.

Intro to Combat in Skyrim

Weapons and spells are the main bases for combat in Skyrim. There is a huge variety of weapons from which to choose; from bone-crushing warhammers, to quick, agile daggers. And for anyone who wishes to take combat to a more sophisticated level, a huge amount of spells are available to any mage experienced enough to wield them.

Weapons include one-handed weapons, two-handed weapons, staffs, and bows. One-handed weapons are quicker, and can be dual-wielded with other attack methods, whereas two-handed weapons are slower, but deal out massive damage. Bows are the staple long-range weapon. Many varieties of these weapons can be found or crafted.

For mages, there is a huge variety of spells to choose from, whether you want flames to shoot from your hands, or you want to summon an undead companion to fight for you. There are also the Thu'ums, or shouts, spells cast by the speaking of three words of power.

Introduction to One-Handed Weapons

One-Handed Weapons
One-handed weapons are the ideal tool for anyone looking to deal damage in short, fast strikes. These weapons should not be viewed as inferior because of their low damage rating, because the ability to dual-wield, and the option of combining them with spells and shields, makes one-handed weapons very dangerous tools if put into the right hands. Assassins, mages, and some warriors prefer these weapons.
The One-Handed skill tree offers the following options, for those who are trained in one-handed combat:

Armsman: Increases one handed damage
Bladesman: Attacks with swords have a greater chance of doing critical damage
Bonebreaker: Attacks with maces ignore some armor rating
Hack and Slash: War-axes cause bleeding damage
Dual Flurry: Dual-wielding attacks are faster
Dual Savagery: Dual-wielding does extra damage
Fighting Stance: Power attacks with one-handed weapons cost less stamina
Critical Charge: Sprinting power attack does double damage
Savage Strike: Standing power attacks do more damage and have a chance to decapitate foes
Paralyzing Strike: Backwards power attacks can paralyze the target

Daggers

Dagger
The lightest one handed-weapon is the dagger. This is a quick, short blade that can be used to perform multiple, low-damage strikes. While it is a great tool for Dark Brotherhood and other assassination-based objectives, the dagger may be impractical as a melee weapon, as it does little damage. However, when paired with a spell or another one-handed weapon, it can be used fairly effectively.


Blade of Woe
This dagger is the weapon of Astrid, the leader of the Dark Brotherhood. It has a life-draining effect that causes the user to gain health as they do damage. This dagger can be acquired either by killing Astrid or by completing the Dark Brotherhood main story quests.



Mehrunes' Razor
The Daedric Artifact dagger that can be acquired from the quest "Pieces of the Past" is known as Mehrunes' Razor. It is given to the Dragonborn by Mehrunes Dagon if the player kills the collector, Silus, who has charged him or her with recovering the pieces. The fragments of the dagger can be found in the following places:
Blade: Cracked Tusk Keep
Hilt: Jorgen's House (Morthal)
Pommel: Dead Crone Rock
The special power this dagger posses is the small chance to instantly kill the target. This chance is low, however, and rarely happens.

One-Handed Swords

One-Handed Swords
The one-handed sword is the second-lightest melee weapon available. It can be used to great effect while being dual-wielded, but it still does a low amount of damage. It can also be used in combination with a spell or a staff. The spell "Bound Sword" can be used to summon an incorporeal one-handed sword.

Dawnbreaker
This Daedric Artifact one-handed sword is acquired by doing the "Break of Dawn" quest for Meridia. It does fire damage, and it has an effect that causes undead that have been struck to turn or be destroyed.

One-Handed Axes (War Axes)

One-Handed Axes
One-handed axes, also called war axes, are lighter versions of the heavier two-handed axes. These do a moderate amount of damage, but are slower than one-handed swords. They are effective when dual-wielded, and also work with spells. The spell "Bound Battle Axe" creates a magical one-handed axe that can be wielded with a spell or another weapon.

There is no Daedric Artifact version of the war axe, but there are several unique versions that can be found.

One-Handed Maces

One-Handed Maces
The one-handed mace is the heaviest of the one-handed weapons, making it the slowest, and the most clumsy. However, what it lacks in agility, it makes up for in power. The one-handed mace does more damage than any of the one-handed weapons, and can be wielded effectively with another one-handed weapon, or with a spell.
The Mace of Molag Bal
This Daedric Artifact weapon can be found by doing the "House of Horrors" quest. This mace does damage to stamina and magicka per hit, and also steals the victim's soul if they die within three seconds.

Bows & Crossbows

Bows
Bows are useful assets for all character types in Skyrim, and are effective long range weapons, providing the needed accuracy and power for a deadly ranged attack. Though sometimes slow to reload, the powerful punch packed by these weapons makes up for the draw back time. A perk in the archery skill tree allows the Dragonborn to zoom in their sight, although this slowly reduces stamina the longer it is held. Another perk allows this function to slow down time. The spell "Bound Bow" allows the caster to create a phantom bow that can be effectively used in combat.

Auriel's Bow
This is a special weapon found in the Dawnguard DLC. If used with either Bloodcursed Arrows or Sunhallowed Arrows, shooting at the sun can either create a flash of blinding light that causes vampires to take damage, or cause the sun to turn into a black-hole in the sky.




Crossbow
Another weapon only available in the Dawnguard DLC is the crossbow. This weapon generally does more damage than a bow, and uses bolts instead of arrows. It is also especially effective against vampires, but the reload time is slower than with a bow. Dawnguard crossbows ignore 50% of enemies armor rating.

Introduction to Two-Handed Weapons

Two-Handed Weapons
Two-handed weapons are the heaviest melee weapons available in Skyrim. Though they may seem slow and clumsy, the power dealt by these massive weapons more than makes up for their slowness.
The two-handed skill tree offers many new feats, if you have the skill to learn them.

Barbarian: Two-handed attacks are more powerful
Champion's Stance: Power attacks cost less stamina
Devastating Blow: Standing power attacks do more damage, with a chance to decapitate
Great Critical Charge: Can do a sprinting power attack that does double damage
Sweep: Horizontal power attacks hit all targets in front of your weapon
Warmaster: Backwards power attacks have a 25% chance to paralyze
Deep Wounds: Greatswords have a chance of doing more critical damage
Limbsplitter: Attacks with axes cause more bleeding
Skullcrusher: Warhammers ignore more of an enemy's armor rating

Two-Handed Swords (Greatswords)

Two-Handed Swords
The greatsword is the fastest two-handed weapon, but does the least damage. Like all two-handed weapons, it cannot be wielded with anything else, but shouts can still be used in combination. Many warriors prefer these weapons over the clumsier hammers, as the greatsword allows for more hits in quick succession.


Ebony Blade
This greatsword can be acquired from doing "The Whispering Door" quest. It absorbs health on every hit, but can only be upgraded by killing friendly characters.

Two-Handed Axes (Battle-Axes)

Two-Handed Axes
Battle-axes fall in the middle of the two-handed weapons, in terms of speed and damage. While it is a relatively slow weapon, the battle-axe deals enough damage to make up for that.

The Rueful Axe
This axe is given as an option in the quest "A Daedra's Best Friend." It does stamina damage on every hit.

Two-Handed Maces (Hammers)

Two-Handed Maces
Hammers are the slowest of all melee weapons. They deal massive damage, but are sluggish and clumsy to wield. For warriors who prefer to defeat their enemy in a few solid hits, this type of melee weapon is perfect.

Volendrung
This Daedric Artifact hammer absorbs stamina on every hit.

Thu'um (Shouts)

Thu'um
Thu'um, or Dragon Shouts, are spells that can be cast via the Dragonborn's speech. Equipping these does not take up any slot aside from that for shouts. Shouts are learned from Shout Walls, which are large stone walls often found at the end of dungeons or at dragon roosts. The Dovahkiin can use dragon souls (acquired by killing dragons) to learn shouts. Here is a list of all the shouts:

. Animal Allegiance
. Aura Whisper
. Battle Fury (Dragonborn)
. Become Ethereal
. Bend Will (Dragonborn)
. Call Dragon
. Call of Valor
. Clear Skies
. Cyclone (Dragonborn)
. Disarm
. Dismay
. Dragonrend
. Dragon Aspect (Dragonborn)
. Drain Vitality (Dawnguard)
. Elemental Fury
. Fire Breath
. Frost Breath
. Ice Form
. Kyne's Peace
. Marked for Death
. Slow Time
. Soul Tear (Dawnguard)
. Storm Call
. Summon Durnehviir (Dawnguard)
. Throw Voice
. Unrelenting Force
. Whirlwind Sprint

Staffs

Staffs
The staff is a weapon used for delivering magical spells. Some are destructive, some are conjuration-based, some illusion-based, etc.

The Wabbajack
This staff can be acquired by completing the "Mind of Madness," a quest for the Daedric Lord of Madness, Sheogorath. The Wabbajack causes random reactions to whatever it hits, from healing to exploding to turning the victim into a chicken. Transmutation effects are temporary, but damage can be done.
Skull of Corruption
This staff can be found by completing the "Waking Nightmare" quest. It does normal damage, but if charged with the dreams of people, it does extra damage. Five dreams can be collected by casting it at a sleeping person, but casting it at a conscious person will count as an attack.
The Sanguine Rose
This staff is given to the Dragonborn by Sanguine, the Daedric Prince in the "A Night to Remember" quest. Using this staff summons a powerful Dremora to fight for its caster for 60 seconds.

Destruction Spells

Destruction Spells
Destruction spells are spells that are damage based only. These spells are great for combat, with a wide variety from ranged to up close. Here is a list of destruction spells:

Fire Spells
. Flames (Novice, magicka cost: 14 per second)
. Firebolt (Apprentice, magicka cost: 41)
. Fire Rune (Apprentice, magicka cost: 234)
. Fireball (Adept, magicka cost: 133)
. Flame Cloak (Adept, magicka cost: 289)
. Incinerate (Expert, magicka cost: 298)
. Wall of Flames (Expert, magicka cost: 118 per second)
. Fire Storm (Master, magicka cost: 1426)
Frost Spells
. Frostbite (Novice, magicka cost: 16 per second)
. Ice Spike (Apprentice, magicka cost: 48)
. Frost Rune (Apprentice, magicka cost: 293)
. Ice Storm (Adept, magicka cost: 144)
. Frost Cloak (Adept, magicka cost: 316)
. Icy Spear (Expert, magicka cost: 320)
. Wall of Frost (Expert, magicka cost: 137 per second)
. Blizzard (Master, magicka cost: 1106)
Shock Spells
. Sparks (Novice, magicka cost: 19 per second)
. Lightning Bolts (Apprentice, magicka cost: 51)
. Lightning Rune (Apprentice, magicka cost: 323)
. Chain Lightning (Adept, magicka cost: 156)
. Lightning Cloak (Adept, magicka cost: 370)
. Thunderbolt (Expert, magicka cost: 343
. Wall of Storms (Expert, magicka cost: 145 per second)
. Lightning Storm (Master, magicka cost: 138 per second)

Restoration Spells

Restoration Spells
Restoration spells are used for healing, either the caster or other characters. Also, wards and protection from undead are included in restoration. The spell "Healing Hands" and "Heal Other" allow you to heal other people (followers, NPCs, enemies, etc.). Here is a list of restoration spells:

Healing
. Healing (Novice, magicka cost: 12 per second)
. Fast Healing (Apprentice, magicka cost: 73)
. Healing Hands (Apprentice, magicka cost: 25 per second)
. Close Wounds (Adept, magicka cost: 126)
. Heal Other (Adept, magicka cost: 80)
. Grand Healing (Expert, magicka cost: 254)
Wards
. Lesser Ward (Novice, magicka cost: 34 per second)
. Steadfast Ward (Apprentice, magicka cost: 58 per second)
. Greater Ward (Adept, magicka cost: 86 per second)
Protection from Undead
. Turn Lesser Undead (Apprentice, magicka cost: 84)
. Repel Lesser Undead (Adept, magicka cost: 115)
. Turn Undead (Adept, magicka cost: 168)
. Repel Undead (Expert, magicka cost: 353)
. Turn Greater Undead (Expert, magicka cost: 276)
. Circle of Protection (Expert, magicka cost: 171)
. Guardian Circle (Master, magicka cost: 716)
. Bane of the Undead (Master, magicka cost: 988)

Illusion Spells

Illusion Spells
Though not normally used in combat, illusion spells can be effective assets. They cause appearances to be altered, or cause enemies to become confused. Here is a list of illusion spells:
. Clairvoyance (Novice, magicka cost: 25 per second)
. Courage (Novice, magicka cost: 39)
. Fury (Novice, magicka cost: 67)
. Calm (Apprentice, magicka cost: 146)
. Fear (Apprentice, magicka cost: 153)
. Muffle (Apprentice, magicka cost: 144)
. Frenzy (Adept, magicka cost: 209)
. Rally (Adept, magicka cost: 113)
. Invisibility (Expert, magicka cost: 334)
. Pacify (Expert, magicka cost: 290)
. Rout (Expert, magicka cost: 316)
. Call to Arms (Master, magicka cost: 655)
. Harmony (Master, magicka cost: 1052)
. Hysteria (Master, magicka cost: 866)
. Mayhem (Master, magicka cost: 990)

Alteration Spells

Alteration Spells
Alteration spells cause the target or the caster to change form or gain magical protection. These can be used to reenforce armor rating, breath underwater, paralyze enemies, and create light. Here is a list of illusion spells:
. Oakflesh (Novice, magicka cost: 103)
. Stoneflesh (Apprentice, magicka cost: 194)
. Ironflesh (Adept, magicka cost: 266)
. Ebonyflesh (Expert, magicka cost: 341)
. Dragonhide (Master, magicka cost: 837)
. Candlelight (Novice, magicka cost: 21)
. Magelight (Apprentice, magicka cost: 84)
. Detect Life (Adept, magicka cost: 100 per second)
. Detect Dead (Expert, magicka cost: 148 per second)
. Equilibrium (Magicka cost: 1 per second + 25 health per second)
. Telekinesis (Adept, magicka cost: 170 per second)
. Waterbreathing (Adept, magicka cost: 222)
. Transmute (Adept, magicka cost: 100)
. Paralyze (Expert, magicka cost: 450)
. Mass Paralysis (Master, magicka cost: 937)

Conjuration Spells

Conjuration Spells
Conjuration spells are used to summon or conjure up allies or weapons. These can be helpful in combat situations, as atronachs, dremora, and undead can be used as powerful allies. Here is a list of conjuration spells:
. Conjure Familiar (Novice, magicka cost: 107)
. Conjure Flame Atronach (Apprentice, magicka cost: 150)
. Conjure Flaming Familiar (Apprentice, magicka cost: 57)
. Conjure Frost Atronach (Adept, magicka cost: 215)
. Conjure Storm Atronach (Expert, magicka cost: 322)
. Conjure Dremora Lord (Expert, magicka cost: 358)
. Summon Unbound Dremora (Magicka cost: 100)
. Flame Thrall (Master, magicka cost: 900)
. Frost Thrall (Master, magicka cost: 1100)
. Storm Thrall (Master, magicka cost: 1200)
. Raise Zombie (Novice, magicka cost: 103)
. Reanimate Corpse (Apprentice, magicka cost: 144)
. Revenant (Adept, magicka cost: 183)
. Dread Zombie (Expert, magicka cost: 302)
. Dead Thrall (Master, magicka cost: 1000)
. Bound Sword (Novice, magicka cost: 93)
. Bound Battleaxe (Apprentice, magicka cost: 169)
. Bound Bow (Adept, magicka cost: 207)
. Soul Trap (Apprentice, magicka cost: 107)
. Banish Daedra (Adept, magicka cost: 196)
. Expel Daedra (Expert, magicka cost: 215)

Conclusion

There are many different ways to do battle in Skyrim, whether you prefer hard-hitting maces or flame spells that will vaporize your enemy. I hope this guide has been informative and helpful in leading you on the path of your desired combat style.

Please, feel free to leave a comment and a rating if you liked this guide, and recommend it to others.

[Kiros]

"descriptions of available shouts (vanilla game only) are presented, along with which ones are the best for certain situations."
Where?
there's zero effort put into the Shouts info, almost no info there.

[󠀡󠀡]

Great man :D

[Argos]

Wonderful guide, very useful when using console commands to spawn spell books as well as looking for the most powerful version of a spell.

[General-Reevis]

Helpful! Good work!