Unique weapon enthusiasts of Skyrim will have most likely heard of the Windshear, a special variant of a classic scimitar. Scimitars, a type of curved sword, are already fairly rare within the world ofSkyrim, making Windshear one of the most highly coveted one-handed swords in the game.
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However, Windshear is a weapon that’s incredibly easy to miss due to its strange and unique location. Moreover, its special enchantment can often be misunderstood by players, and therefore many might find it hard to take full advantage of it. Here’s what this sword is really all about.
7Hidden On The Katariah
Windshear can only be acquired from a vesselnearby Solitude called the Katariah, which spawns there during the Hail Sithis! Dark Brotherhood quest. After the quest the ship can still be accessed, so if a player has finishedthe Dark Bortherhood storyline, it’s still possible to return to the ship and grab the sword.
The scimitar is located at the end of a long wooden beam known as the ship’s bow. Walk down the beam at the front and the sword should be visibly stuck into the end of the wood. The deck is usually swarming with Imperial soldiers, so it’s best to come here prepared for a fight.
6One Of Only Three Unique Scimitars
What makes Windshear even more special, other than the fact that it’s a fairly rare one-handed sword type, is that it’s one of only three unique scimitars in the entire base game and its DLCs. TheDragonbornDLC actually introduces two other scimitars, Bloodscythe and Soulrender.
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Aside from these three swords, every other scimitar usually is a generic plain one. On top of that, scimitars in general are incredibly hard to find in Skyrim, aside from a few specific quests that might involve Redguards.
5One Of A Kind Enchantment
Windshear isn’t only unique due to being a rare kind of sword, but also due to its enchantment. It doesn’t possess one of those generic enchantments that most random enchanted loot has. Instead, its special effect, which will be covered further below, isa unique type of enchantmentno other item has.
This also means that it’s impossible to remove this enchantment from Windshear and learn it. That alone should encourage players to go and grab this sword when they have the chance.
4Gives The Ability To Block Bash
The unique ability included in Windshear is called a block bash. This is a stun-like ability, similar to bashing with a shield, which will paralyze and enemy for a short period of time and prevent them from moving.
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However, it’s important to know that for this enchantment to work, the player’s off-hand needs to be empty. It’s one of the most convenient stun abilities in the game, and therefore well worth the sacrifice of an empty off-hand.
3Every Attack Does A Stagger
On top of the bash that Windshear introduces, it has a guaranteed effect of staggering enemies when attacking them normally. This doesn’t require an empty off-hand to work either, which makes it convenient for players who would rather have a spell or a second scimitar equipped as well.
The stagger is fantastic especially when paired with the block bash. Enemies can be quite literally locked from animation, preventing them from either attacking or even running away from the player.
2Upgrade Only Requires Steel
Windshear isn’t a complicated sword. While its power could be compared toa Daedric artifact, it requires far less maintenance when it comes to upgrading it withthe Smithing skill. The player will only need a Steel ingot to apply an upgrade to it.
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The sword only requires for the Steel Smithing perk to be upgraded, which is very convenient since it’s by default unlocked for any character.
1The Most Versatile Weapon In The Game
What makes the Windshear truly one of the best and most underrated swords is also the fact that it’s so versatile compared to a whole range of other unique weapons in the game. Its effects are not limited to a specific type of enemy, and any one-handed fighter will be able to take advantage of its effects.
Most importantly, the block bash and stagger enchantments are viable against any type of enemies, in any kind of fight. Swords as versatile as this, which don’t rely onelemental enchantmentsor specific enemy weaknesses, can be surprisingly hard to come by.
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