The Ice Blade of the Monarch is a frost-enchanted steel greatsword added by The Contest Creation. It is a familiar name for Morrowind veterans, and in Skyrim it is one of the easiest ways to get a strong frost two-hander early – if you don’t mind spiders.
How to get it
The sword is tied to the quest Caught in a Web. Read Adonato Leotelli’s Journal in Candlehearth Hall in Windhelm to start it. The trail leads to Cronvangr Cave, where you have to kill the Web Mother, a huge frostbite spider. The blade is on the bodies of the two contestants who went in before you, Grenwulf the Brawler and Holrik Frost-Sword, along with the Fists of Randagulf gauntlets.
Tips for getting it
- Bring frost or poison resistance – the cave is full of spiders.
- Loot both bodies; the sword and the gauntlets are split between them.
Enchantment
Each hit deals 30 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina and slows the target for 3 seconds. Draining stamina means fewer power attacks and blocks from your enemy, which suits a slow two-hander well. A full charge lasts for about 47 hits.
Stats and handling
17 base damage and a weight of 17 – the same as a Steel Greatsword. It uses the Two-handed skill, with a speed of 0.95 and a reach of 1.3.
Smithing
Improve it with a 
Steel Ingot. You need the Arcane Blacksmith perk, and Steel Smithing doubles the improvement.
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strength: the frost effect hits both health and stamina and slows enemies.
- Strength: cheap to temper with Steel Ingots.
- Weakness: steel-tier base damage falls behind Ebony and Daedric greatswords later on.
Tips
- A good fit for frost-themed builds, such as a “death knight” with frost spells in one hand between swings – or pair it with Destruction for kiting.
- Keep soul gems ready; the enchantment is the reason to keep using it at higher levels.
Added by the The Contest Creation, part of the Skyrim Anniversary Edition. Details checked against UESP and summarised in our own words.
