The Nord Hero Battle Axe is an old draugr weapon given a proper restoration. It keeps the shape of the Ancient Nord Battle Axe but looks far more polished, and it is better in every way that matters: 21 base damage, 20 weight and a value of 300.
Like every Nord Hero weapon it is a reward of sorts for the Companions: only after their questline can you have the Skyforge rework an ancient axe into this one. Its damage matches the Honed Ancient Nord Battle Axe and the Skyforge Steel Battleaxe while weighing less, which makes it an appealing pick for two-handed Nord warriors.
Stats
| Type | Battleaxe |
|---|---|
| Skill | Two-handed |
| Material | Nord Hero |
| Damage | 21 |
| Weight | 20 |
| Value | 300 gold |
| Speed | 0.7 |
| Reach | 1.3 |
| Stagger | 1.15 |
| Critical damage | 8 |
| Add-on | Base game |
| Item ID | 00068C79 |
Where to find
The source lists no world locations – this axe is made, not found. Complete the Companions questline, gather an Ancient Nord Battle Axe from a draugr tomb, and craft it at the Skyforge in Whiterun.
Crafting and upgrading
Crafting at the Skyforge: 1 × Ancient Nord Battle Axe, 3 × 
Steel Ingot, 3 × 
Leather Strips.
Improving at a grindstone: 1 × Steel Ingot. The Arcane Blacksmith perk doubles the improvement.
Compared with other battleaxes
Base stats of all regular (unenchanted) battleaxes in Skyrim, weakest first:
| Weapon | Damage | Weight | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Battleaxe | 16 | 20 | 55 |
| Ancient Nord Battle Axe | 18 | 22 | 28 |
| Steel Battleaxe | 18 | 21 | 100 |
| Orcish Battleaxe | 19 | 25 | 165 |
| Dwarven Battleaxe | 20 | 23 | 300 |
| Elven Battleaxe | 21 | 24 | 520 |
| Honed Ancient Nord Battle Axe | 21 | 25 | 50 |
| Nord Hero Battle Axe | 21 | 20 | 300 |
| Nordic Battleaxe | 21 | 23 | 650 |
| Skyforge Steel Battleaxe | 21 | 21 | 150 |
| Glass Battleaxe | 22 | 25 | 900 |
| Ebony Battleaxe | 23 | 26 | 1585 |
| Stalhrim Battleaxe | 24 | 25 | 2150 |
| Daedric Battleaxe | 25 | 27 | 2750 |
| Dragonbone Battleaxe | 26 | 30 | 3000 |
Tips and notes
- The recipe eats one Ancient Nord Battle Axe plus 3 Steel Ingots and 3 Leather Strips, so keep an ancient axe when you clear barrows.
- Temper with a Steel Ingot; the Steel Smithing perk doubles the improvement.
- Pairs naturally with Ancient Nord Armor.
Stats from the Skyrim LE 1.9 master files (Skyrim.esm, record NordHeroBattleAxe). Values are base values before perks, smithing improvements and enchantments.
