The Nightingale Blade is the leveled sword of the Nightingales, once carried by Gallus Desidenius, Guildmaster of the Thieves Guild. Its enchantment, Nightingale’s Talon, steals both health and stamina with every hit.
How to get it
Karliah gives it to you as a reward for completing the Thieves Guild quest Hard Answers.
Leveled stats
Damage, weight, value and enchantment depend on your level when you receive it. The best version comes at level 46+: 14 damage, 15 weight and absorb 25 points of health and stamina. At levels 1–18 you get a 10-damage version that absorbs 5 points – so this is one reward worth delaying if you can.
Enchantment
Absorb Health and Absorb Stamina. The enchantment itself can’t be learned, but with the Extra Effect perk you can put both effects on another weapon to copy it.
Smithing
Improved with an Ebony Ingot (Arcane Blacksmith), but no Smithing perk boosts it. To go past Flawless you need to push Smithing over 100 with gear or potions.
Tips
- At level 46 it matches a Daedric sword’s base damage.
- Pair it with the Nightingale Bow for the full Nightingale look.
- Known bug: the highest version may not show up in the grindstone menu.