Maces are another class of melee weapon in Skyrim and are one-handed in nature. Although maces are slow, it deals a pretty high damage.
If you prefer range weapons, maybe check out some of the best bows in Skyrim here.
Otherwise, here are some of the best maces in Skyrim (top 10) and they are listed based on the damage points they deal.
1. Dwarven Mace
Coming at the bottom of this list is the Dwarven mace which is brass in color. It has a base damage of 12 and a weight of 16. There are actually plenty of ways to get this weapon.
How to get it:
Unenchanted versions of the mace is available all around Skyrim when you’re level 12, and enchanted versions pop up at level 13. You can get them from blacksmiths, general goods merchants, loot from enemies or even from chests.
This mace is also found at Calcelmo’s Museum.
Another option is to craft it via a level 30 smithing skill and the Dwarven smithing perk.
2. Elven Mace
Next on the list is Elven Mace and is typically brass in color, with some gold, white and pearl colors in smaller portions.
It has a higher base damage than the Dwarven mace, with 13 damage points and a weight of 17.
How to find it:
There are different ways to get it. You can actually find unenchanted versions at level 17 and enchanted ones at level 20.
It will be available at blacksmiths, general goods merchants, with enemies or as random loot. Enemies like Thalmor Justiciars usually carry this mace.
You can also find it in fixed areas like the Understone Keep where Ondolemar carries one, or with the Thalmor Interrogator, or even inside the Shalidor’s Maze.
Crafting is also applicable when you have a level 30 smithing skill and the Elven smithing perk.
3. Prelate’s Mace
Next on the list of best maces in Skyrim is the Prelate’s Mace, which is Elven. Unfortunately this one can’t be obtained by regular play, but by console commands.
It has a base damage of 13 and a very light weight of 7. You may not be able to use it though. I thought it deserved a mention here.
4. Nordic Mace
Fourth on the list is the Nordic mace, which is also commonly found in Skyrim when you’re at level 25 and 26 (for unenchanted and enchanted respectively).
It has a similar base damage of 13 and a weight of 16. It’s probably on par with the Elven mace but it’s narrowly lighter.
How to get it:
You can actually get this mace at any level if you go to Solstheim from Windhelm and you find Thirsk Mead Hall. Just do the quest “The Chief of Thirsk Hall“.
Another way is to forge it at the blacksmith using the Advanced Armors perk.
5. Glass Mace
Another strong mace is the Glass Mace which is sort of brass and green in color. It looks much better than the previous maces.
It has a higher base damage of 14 and a weight of 18.
How to find it:
Unenchanted versions of this mace will appear at level 27 and enchanted maces are found at level 28. You can get it at general goods merchants, blacksmiths, enemies and as a random loot.
There’s also a fixed area to get it, i.e. at Northwatch Keep on a weapons rack (inside a room with Thorald Gray-Mane).
You can also forge it at the blacksmith with a level 70 smithing skill and the Glass smithing perk.
6. Stalhrim Mace
Stalhrim mace is another one-handed weapon that makes this list and it looks considerably different from the rest. This one has a stone-like head.
Its base damage is also higher at 16 points and it’s heavy with a weight of 18.
How to get it:
Stalhrim mace is actually sold at areas like Skaal Village (by Baldor), Raven Rock (by Glover) and can be found as a random loot.
Otherwise, you can forge it at the blacksmith with a smithing level of 80 and the Ebony smithing perk. Before that, you need to first complete the quest “A New Source of Stalhrim”.
7. Mace of Molag Bal
Finally, we see a mace that is actually quest related. The Mace of Molag Bal is related to the quest “The House of Horrors” and it starts when your character enters the abandoned house in Markarth.
It has a base damage of 16 and a weight of 18, which is pretty good. This mace has an enchantment as well, which deals damage of stamina and magicka. It can also cast a soul trap.
It is a good way for people to fill their soul gems as it comes with a soul trap skill. This mace is also preferable to breeze through early stages of the game since the stats are the same even if your character is a low level.
8. Daedric Mace
The Daedric mace is no doubt one of the best maces in Skyrim and it has a base damage of 16 and a weight of 20. It’s considered as one of the strongest after upgrading (most weapons can be upgraded).
You’ll probably encounter this mace more towards the end game as it requires a high smithing level.
How to get it:
Unenchanted versions appear at level 46 and enchanted ones at level 47.
You can find it at general goods merchants, blacksmiths, as random loot, by monsters like Revered or Legendary Dragons or even with the Dremora Merchant.
It can be forged with a smithing level of 90 and you need the Daedric smithing perk as well.
An alternative way is to craft it at the Atronach Forge, but you need the Sigil Stone (which requires a level 90 conjuration skill).
9. Ebony Mace
Next on the list is the Ebony mace which looks like something Sauron would use. It is black and silver in color.
It has a pretty high damage of 16 and a weight of 19. Like the Daedric mace, it is also an end game kind of weapon, but this Ebony mace is slightly lighter.
Where to find it:
You can get it at levels 36 and 37 for unenchanted and enchanted versions respectively.
It is sold at general goods merchants or forged by blacksmiths. You can also find enemies like Draugr Deathlord and other overlords holding them. It is also a random loot in chests.
You will need a level 80 smithing skill and the Ebony smithing perk to craft this weapon.
10. Dragonbone Mace
Unsurprisingly, the Dragonbone mace may be the strongest mace in Skyrim. It has a base damage of 17 and its pretty heavy with a weight of 22. This mace definitely packs a punch.
How to get it:
You can get it from one of the keepers in Soul Cairn that actually wields this mace. However, you have to fight a keeper that is above level 45 and it may drop this Dragonbone mace as loot.
Another way is to forge it at the blacksmith but you require the maximum level 100 smithing skill and the Dragon Armor perk.
What are the best maces in Skyrim?
I would go with the Dragonbone Mace as it has the highest base damage albeit slow, or maybe the Ebony mace since it’s much lighter although weaker.
The damage per second (DPS) balances out between speed and base damage.
What are your thoughts on this?
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