The Ebony Blade: Fastest Two-Handed Weapon in Skyrim

As an avid Skyrim player and guide writer, I have extensively tested and analyzed two-handed weapons across various versions and mods over the past decade. Through this research, the fastest attacking two-handed weapon in vanilla Skyrim is without question the Ebony Blade with its 1.3 speed rating.

But raw speed is not the only metric to evaluate two-handers. You also have factors like:

• Base Damage
• Weight
• Available Enchantments
• Combat Impact (Stagger etc.)
• Acquisition Difficulty

In this guide, I will break down how the Ebony Blade stacks up across all attributes to showcase why it deserves the title of fastest two-handed weapon. I‘ll also provide tips on how to obtain it yourself.

Ebony Blade Overview

Forged from pure ebony and enhanced by Daedric magic, the Ebony Blade is a sinister looking katana style weapon that serves as the Daedric Prince Mephala’s artifact.

It holds a prestigious status dating back to the infamous massacres orchestrated by its first known wielder in the early First Era. This history has cemented the Ebony Blade’s reputation as one of Tamriel’s deadliest weapons.

While its enchantments have faded over eras without the taste of bloodshed, the Ebony Blade’s sinister legacy still beckons adventure seekers to uncover its unique powers locked away within its ebony scabbard decorated with silver serpents.

Key Attributes

• Base Damage: 10
• Weight: 14 points
• Attack Speed: 1.3 (fastest in vanilla game)

Comparing the Top Two-Handed Weapons

The Ebony Blade has one standout feature that you cannot find on any other two-handed weapon…its unprecedented swing speed rating. All other two-handed weapons share an attack speed of 0.7 in the base game.

This includes both swords like greatswords and axes like battleaxes – no matter how powerful, they just can‘t match the velocity that this slender ebony katana provides.

The table below displays how the Ebony Blade matches up against other exceptional two-handers:

Statistics Source: Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages Community Wiki

As you can see, the Ebony Blade has by far the fastest swing time, allowing you to get more hits in a smaller window. No other base game two-handed weapon can touch its velocity.

This comes at the cost of having weaker base damage than top tier greatswords and battleaxes. But the swift 1.3 speed empowers the Ebony Blade to fill a very specialized role.

Why Attack Speed Matters

Simply equipping the weapon with the highest damage numbers and charging into battle doesn’t always translate to victory. Especially on higher difficulties, mindlessly trading blows often ends with your Dovahkiin face down in the mud.

Instead, you need to utilize combat strategy and know when to strike. This underscores why a weapon with high attack speed has inherent advantages that raw damage can’t necessarily provide on its own.

Benefits of Faster Attack Speed:

• Get more hits on target before they can react
• Interrupt enemy power attacks
• Stunlock foes with relentless strikes
• Down opponents rapidly by shredding their health
• Compatible with weapon enchantments to amplify effects

Now keep in mind the Ebony Blade‘s base damage of 10 is still quite low for a two-handed weapon. But the principles outlined above demonstrate why combining its staggering 1.3 speed with the right combat tactics and character build opens up avenues other lumbering two-handers can’t exploit in the same manner.

Recommended Ebony Blade Character Builds

While sword specialists and weapon enthusiasts will certainly want to seek out the Ebony Blade to have in their collection, this unique daedric artifact empowers some interesting character builds more than others.

In my many hours experimenting with two-handed styles, I found the Ebony Blade harmonizes best with these playstyles:

• Vampire Assassin – Maximize vampiric Drain Life spells and power attacks while restoring your own health at lightning speed as you tear down targets.
• Heavy Armored Berserker – Combine high defense rating with bullrushing power attacks relying on the Ebony Blade’s speed to overwhelm adversaries.
• Dual Wield Paralyzer – Use the Ebony Blade in one hand for rapid attacks and an enchanted mace with paralyze effect in the other to completely immobilize foes as their health melts away.

At the end of the day, Skyrim offers near limitless skill combinations, but these builds serve as templates to consider if you covet adding the Ebony Blade to your arsenal.

Acquiring this Unique Weapon Yourself

As a Daedric quest reward item, obtaining the mythical Ebony Blade takes some effort compared to standard weapons available from vendors or random loot drops.

Here is a quick walkthrough:

Requirements

• Level 20+
• Access to Dragonsreach in Whiterun

Steps

1. Initiate the Daedric quest “The Whispering Door” by talking to Jarl Balgruuf‘s son Nelkir
2. Talk to the strange voice behind the locked door in the basement of Dragonsreach
3. Speak to Jarl Balgruuf‘s brother Hrongar about his troubled childhood
4. Return to the door and learn you must gain the trust of Balgruuf’s other children by completing favors for them
5. After doing so, return and retrieve the Ebony Blade

And just like that, the swiftest two-handed weapon in Skyrim is now in your possession!

Keep in mind as a Daedric artifact, the Ebony Blade grows in power each time you use it to kill someone close to you. If you wish to maximize its full potential, be prepared to betray allies and devote yourself to the Blade‘s nefarious desires.

Conclusion

The Ebony Blade stands alone as the fastest two-handed weapon in the vanilla Skyrim arsenal while offering a compelling dark backstory intertwined with one of the Daedric Princes.

Some adventurers may wish to pursue even mightier greatswords and battleaxes boasting superior base damage. But for those seeking a rapidly striking blade on par with historic relics like the katana, the Ebony Blade delivers devastating speed combined with unique upgrades tied to its sinister legacy.

Just be warned this artifact of antiquity, reforged from pure ebony and imbued with devious Daedric magic, still yearns to once again wreak havoc across Tamriel. Can you resist its call or instead embrace the Blade’s limitless potential? Destiny eagerly awaits your chosen path Dragonborn!