Battleaxes and Nords are an iconic duo within The Elder Scrolls series. These massive two-handed axes can carve through multiple opponents in a single swing. They make for potent weapons in melee combat, but there are also unique variants that are better or offer unique benefits most battleaxes can't.
While two-handed axes have a rather small selection of unique options with seven total choices, some of these unique variants are some of the strongest choices for the earlier or later portions of Skyrim. Ranging from a woodcutter's axe to the blade that took over Skyrim for the Nords, here are all seven unique battleaxes in Skyrim ranked from worst to best.
7 The Woodsman's Friend
A dead woodcutter southeast of the Conjurer's Altar can be found lying next to The Woodsman's Friend, a unique battleaxe that deals slightly more damage than a standard Iron Battleaxe. Sadly, this weapon can not be enchanted and it swings slower than a standard Iron Battleaxe, meaning it deals less damage per second than the game's most common two-handed axe. This should only be obtained by collectors.
6 Rueful Axe
For a Daedric Artifact, the Rueful Axe is rather underwhelming. It deals 22 damage with each swing, but it is one of the slowest attacking weapons in the game, which makes its damage per second dramatically lower than intended. Worse, this weapon does not benefit from any Smithing perks when tempered. Its only benefit is the 20 Stamina drain enchantment, something that is highly underwhelming since maintaining Stamina in Skyrim is rather easy.
5 Headman's Axe
This weapon was almost responsible for the Dragonborn's demise at the start of the game. Only two Headman's Axes exist in Skyrim, one of which was used in the intro. The second person with this weapon is Ahtar, the executioner in Solitude players meet on their first visit.
As for the weapon itself, the Headman's Axe deals a rather low 17 base damage, but this weapon makes up for it by having the longest range out of every melee weapon in Skyrim. If enemies crowd the player, a single swing from this axe will surely hit everyone. If this weapon could be enchanted, it would be much higher on the list.
4 Steel Battleaxe of Fiery Souls
The Steel Battleaxe of Fiery Souls is dramatically better than the previous entries, which is rather telling considering that this is simply a Steel Battleaxe with the Fiery Soul Trap enchantment. Still, the way that players find this weapon makes it unique in its class.
Found resting near the word wall in Ironbind Barrow, this Steel Battleaxe deals 18 base damage alongside 10 points of fire damage. It also fills a soul gem when it defeats a target, making it a fantastic early-game and mid-game option that can make short work of most foes.
3 Drainblood Battleaxe
One of the rarest weapons in Skyrim, the Drainblood Battleaxe is one of four ethereal blades in the game that the player can use. It deals 21 base damage and absorbs 15 Health points with every swing. Unlike most weapons, its enchantment does not deteriorate with use, meaning it never needs to be charged with souls.
Unfortunately, it can not be enhanced through tempering at a grindstone. Unless players are playing on Legendary or are very high level, this shouldn't be too detrimental as the absorb Health effect is more than sufficient. It allows players to be aggressive and trade blows much easier. This axe can be found during the Labyrinthian quest "The Staff of Magnus."
2 Tsun's Battle Axe
Tsun is one of the first characters players will meet during Skyrim's final quest. His skill with a battleaxe is hard to refute, but much of his damage output comes from his signature weapon. Tsun's Battle Axe is one of the strongest two-handed axes in the game with a whopping 27 damage per hit, but this weapon is unobtainable by normal means. Players will need to use console commands or install a mod that allows players to obtain this item. Still, the stats on this weapon make it one of the strongest unique battleaxes in Skyrim.
1 Wuuthrad
The king of all battleaxes is easily Wuuthrad, Ysgramor's signature weapon. Dealing 25 damage per swing, this ancient Nordic blade also has a 1.2x damage multiplier against Altmer, Bosmer, Dunmer, and Falmer. This might sound underwhelming when compared to standard weapon enchantments, but this benefit does not count as an enchantment. In other words, it can support the Elemental Fury Shout or be enchanted outright while keeping this elf bane property.
Obtaining Wuuthrad is a lengthy process, requiring players to join the Companions and complete most of their main questline. Once players reach the "Glory of the Dead" quest, they can find all of Wuuthrad's fragments and bring them to Eorlund Gray-Mane to reforge this signature weapon. It's one of Skyrim's most iconic weapons and also one of its best. When coupled with multiple two-handed skills, Wuuthrad can compete with nearly every weapon in the game excluding crafted weapons. Every two-handed battleaxe character should have this weapon.