Dragonbane is the leveled Akaviri katana of the Blades – a sword made for exactly one job, and it does that job very well. Sparks of electricity crawl along the blade, and dragons take a lot of extra damage from every hit.
How to get Dragonbane
It lies on a table in a side room off the main chamber of Sky Haven Temple, next to a full set of Blades armor, during the main quest Alduin’s Wall. Take it while you’re there: if you leave it, it counts as stolen (together with the armor) until you’ve dealt with Paarthurnax the way the Blades want.
Leveled stats
The version you get depends on your level the first time you enter Sky Haven Temple. The best one appears at level 46+: 14 damage, 14 weight and 40 points of extra damage to dragons. Lower versions start at 10 damage and 20 extra dragon damage. Only the dragon damage scales with level – the 10 points of shock damage against everything else stays the same.
Enchantment
Extra damage against dragons plus 10 shock damage to other targets. Unlike normal shock enchantments it doesn’t drain magicka, and it can’t be disenchanted.
Smithing
Improve it with a Quicksilver Ingot (Arcane Blacksmith required). Steel Smithing doubles the improvement.
Is it worth it?
At level 46 it matches a Daedric sword’s base damage while weighing less – and against dragons it’s in a league of its own. If you’re dragon hunting with a one-hander, this is the sword.