The Elven Sword is a broad, double-edged blade with a bright, polished finish and a small crossguard shaped like wings. It deals 11 base damage and weighs 13, which is respectable for a sword from the light material path.
Elven gear is the first step up the light armor ladder, with glass right above it. It pairs naturally with Elven Armor, though guards may tease you for not trusting Nord steel.
Stats
| Type | Sword |
|---|---|
| Skill | One-handed |
| Material | Elven |
| Damage | 11 |
| Weight | 13 |
| Value | 235 gold |
| Speed | 1 |
| Reach | 1 |
| Stagger | 0.75 |
| Critical damage | 5 |
| Add-on | Base game |
| Item ID | 000139A1 |
Where to find
- Unenchanted versions appear from level 19, enchanted from level 20, from blacksmiths, general goods merchants, enemies and random loot.
- In a display case in the Jarl’s quarters of Dragonsreach.
- On a shelf inside the counter of the Black-Briar Meadery in Riften.
- Carried by Redoran guards on Solstheim, including near Old Attius Farm and outside Ashfallow Citadel during Served Cold.
- On a skeleton in the Forgotten Vale, on the path to the frozen lake south-west of the Wayshrine of Learning.
- Can be pickpocketed from Lleril Morvayn, and Ma’randru-jo always has one for sale.
- A reward for killing General Tullius on the Stormcloak side.
Crafting and upgrading
Crafting at a forge: 1 × 
Iron Ingot, 1 × 
Refined Moonstone, 1 × 
Leather Strips, 1 × 
Quicksilver Ingot. Requires the Elven Smithing Smithing perk.
Improving at a grindstone: 1 × Refined Moonstone. The Arcane Blacksmith perk doubles the improvement.
Compared with other swords
Base stats of all regular (unenchanted) swords in Skyrim, weakest first:
| Weapon | Damage | Weight | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Sword | 7 | 9 | 25 |
| Ancient Nord Sword | 8 | 12 | 13 |
| Imperial Sword | 8 | 10 | 23 |
| Silver Sword | 8 | 7 | 100 |
| Steel Sword | 8 | 10 | 23 |
| Orcish Sword | 9 | 11 | 75 |
| Dwarven Sword | 10 | 12 | 135 |
| Falmer Sword | 10 | 18 | 67 |
| Forsworn Sword | 10 | 13 | 70 |
| Blades Sword | 11 | 10 | 300 |
| Elven Sword | 11 | 13 | 235 |
| Honed Ancient Nord Sword | 11 | 15 | 23 |
| Nord Hero Sword | 11 | 9 | 135 |
| Nordic Sword | 11 | 12 | 290 |
| Scimitar | 11 | 10 | 5 |
| Skyforge Steel Sword | 11 | 10 | 70 |
| Glass Sword | 12 | 14 | 410 |
| Honed Falmer Sword | 12 | 18 | 205 |
| Ebony Sword | 13 | 15 | 720 |
| Stalhrim Sword | 13 | 14 | 985 |
| Daedric Sword | 14 | 16 | 1250 |
| Dragonbone Sword | 15 | 19 | 1500 |
Tips and notes
- Forging needs Smithing 30 and Elven Smithing, plus an iron ingot, a quicksilver ingot, a leather strip and a refined moonstone.
- Improve it with refined moonstone; Elven Smithing doubles the improvement.
- Guards may ask why you need an elven blade when Nord steel is right there.
Stats from the Skyrim LE 1.9 master files (Skyrim.esm, record ElvenSword). Values are base values before perks, smithing improvements and enchantments.
