Oblivion Remastered’s Most Powerful Weapons

If there’s one thing The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered gets absolutely right, it’s the thrill of swinging, stabbing or shooting with the perfect weapon. The right sword, mace or bow can turn a tough fight into a quick win. While some weapons just deal high base damage, the best ones come with enchantments that chip away enemies’ health using fire, frost and more.

Related
Review: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
This isn’t a remake by any means, but the updated visuals create the world of Cyrodill that’s been in your mind for years.
This list is about weapons that can actually make a difference in combat. We’re looking at how their effects work, how they hold up in real fights and when they’re worth equipping.
10
Frostwyrm Bow
Slows Enemies Down with Frost Damage
The Frostwyrm Bow comes with a frost effect that does more than just damage health. It slows enemies down slightly with each shot. While it doesn’t freeze them in place, it chips away at their speed, making it harder for them to close in or dodge.
This bow works best when you’re fighting in open areas where you can stay at a distance. You can fire, watch your enemy slow down and keep backing up to fire again. It gives you more control over the fight. It’s also a great weapon to pull out early in a battle to weaken enemies before they reach you. Hit them with frost shots, then switch to another weapon if needed. It softens targets and buys you time.
9
Hatreds Heart
Burns and Slows Enemies at the Same Time
Hatreds Heart is one of the best maces because it uses two enchantments with each strike. When you hit an enemy, the first effect deals fire damage. This means the target takes extra health loss right away, on top of the regular weapon damage. The second effect slows the enemy down, making it harder for them to move or escape. Both effects activate every time you land a blow and they don’t need any spells or skills to work.
If you’re in a small space like a dungeon or cave, slowing enemies with the Hatreds Heart makes it much harder for them to surround you. Against fast or aggressive enemies like daedric beasts or bandits, the slow effect gives you more time to react, while the fire wears them down even if they block or resist your normal attacks.
8
Mace of Molag Bal
Drains Enemy Strength and Magic with Every Hit
The Mace of Molag Bal is a blunt weapon that hits hard, but its real power comes from what it takes away from your enemies every time you swing it. With every blow you land, the enemy gets weaker, both physically and magically. Strength affects how much damage an enemy can do with their weapons, while Magicka is what they need to cast spells. So when you use this mace, you’re not only hurting them, but also cutting off their ability to fight back.

Related
Best Birthsigns in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Which birthsign is the best option for you in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered?
If you land another blow before the effect wears off, it starts again. In longer fights, this can make a big difference. After a few swings, a strong enemy starts hitting like a weak one and a mage may not have enough Magicka left to cast anything dangerous.
7
Blackwater Blade
Makes Enemies Fatigued
Blackwater Blade is a decent longsword when it comes to regular damage, but its enchantment is where it shines. Every strike makes your enemies fatigued. And fatigue in Oblivion is what powers your attacks, blocks, running and jumping. When your fatigue drops too low, your attacks do less damage, your blocks are weaker and you’re more likely to get staggered or fall over.
Unlike many enchanted weapons, Blackwater Blade doesn’t need to be recharged with soul gems. The Blackwater doesn’t have high base damage and it won’t impress those looking for big flashy effects. But what it does offer is control, letting you wear down tough enemies by sapping their stamina while keeping yours full.
6
Hatreds Soul
Burns Enemies and Slows Them Down from a Distance
Those who prefer to stay out of melee range and pick off enemies from far away will find this bow extremely useful. It’s one of the hardest-hitting bows in the game, but its enchantments are what makes it cool. Once a target is hit with this weapon, they become slow as a snail, giving you all the time you need to line up more shots or back away without getting cornered.
The Hatreds Soul also causes burn damage. You don’t stumble across this ranged weapon by accident. It’s locked away inside the Fume Vaults, a sealed section within an Oblivion Gate near Chorrol. You only gain access after completing the “Dagon Shrine” quest. You’ll have to cross broken walkways, survive daedric ambushes and navigate a tower partly swallowed by lava. The bow sits inside a hidden room near the bottom, right beside another artifact called Hatreds Heart.
5
Debaser
Cuts Down Enemies’ Willpower and Endurance
Debaser is a magical shortsword you can get early in the game. What makes this sword special is how it weakens your enemy each time you land a hit. It drains two important stats: Willpower and Endurance. Willpower affects how fast enemies recover magicka and resist spells, while Endurance controls their fatigue and total health.

Related
How to Get the Skeleton Key in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
Never use lockpicks again in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
So every strike with Debaser chips away at both their defense and their ability to keep fighting back. That said the Debaser also deals decent physical damage. While it doesn’t reach the same damage level as weapons like Chillrend or Goldbrand, it still holds its own in a fight.
4
Chillrend
Best Shortsword with Frost Damage
Chillrend is one of the strongest shortswords you can get. It’s fast, sharp and loaded with frost enchantment. Every time you hit an enemy with it, Chillrend not only cuts deep with 22 base damage, it also freezes them for an extra 20 frost damage. This makes them weaker to frost right after, which means your next frost damage will hurt even more.
To get this sword, you need to finish a quest called “The Killing Field.” You’ll meet Valus Odiil at the Gray Mare in Chorrol. He’ll ask you to help his two sons defend their farm from goblins. If both sons survive the fight, he’ll give you Chillrend as a reward. It’s important to save your game before the battle starts because sometimes too many goblins spawn at once, and one of the sons can die quickly. If that happens, no sword for you.
3
Perfect Madness Longsword
Hits Hard and Heals You at the Same Time
The Perfect Madness Longsword deals a base damage of 27, which makes it one of the strongest one-handed swords in the game. When you enchant it, the sword also drains 20 points of health from your enemy with every hit and gives that health back to you. So every time you strike, you’re not just hurting your target, you’re healing yourself too.
This sword is perfect for players who like getting in close and trading hits. Instead of backing off to heal, you keep fighting and let the sword do the work for you.
2
Umbra
Easiest Way for Capturing Souls Without Casting Spells
Umbra is a powerful longsword that comes with one very useful enchantment. It casts Soul Trap on every hit, so you don’t need to cast a separate spell or carry scrolls. If you land a blow, the enemy’s soul will be marked for capture for the next 120 seconds. That means you have plenty of time to finish them off and fill a soul gem.

Related
How to Get the Ebony Armor in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
The Ebony Armor in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered can be earned surprisingly quickly.
This one feature makes Umbra valuable to anyone who relies on enchanted weapons or armor, since soul gems are the key to recharging gear and creating custom enchantments. To get the sword, you’ll have to go to Vindasel, an old Ayleid ruin just southwest of the Imperial City. Inside waits Umbra, the warrior who carries the blade. She’s tough, heavily armored in full ebony gear and doesn’t go down easily.
1
Goldbrand
Great for Dealing Fire Damage
Goldbrand is a golden katana that deals serious physical damage and adds a strong fire enchantment on top. What makes this combination powerful is how fast and consistently it applies pressure. Even if your target blocks part of the physical damage, the fire enchantment still goes through.
Goldbrand is made for clean, direct combat. You don’t need to adjust your strategy or rely on timing complicated enchantments. It’s perfect for players who want to take the fight to their enemies and finish off the battle quickly.

Next
The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion Remastered – Top 10 Side Quests
While completionists know each satisfying side quest, some players may have missed the best side quests Oblivion has to offer.