The best part about Skyrim is that the game is entirely your own. You can play it any style you’d like. Of course, you also can choose the style that kicks the most ass. I’ve done my research, and I’ve come up with a (somewhat) comprehensive list of the best items and how to get them. Take all of this with a grain of salt, granted I’ve found what I’ve found but with a game like Skyrim there could be some insidious sword of death right under your nose.

One-Handed: The Mace of Molag Bal

The Mace of Molag Bal is not new to TES. In fact, the weapon appeared in both Morrowind, Oblivion, and now of course, Skyrim. The mace is one of the strongest weapons in the game not just for its damage, which has a base damage value of 25, and that’s before you level up some of those One-handed perks and upgrade the weapon at a workbench. Not only did I level up my Armsman perk to level 4, but I also got the Smithing perk, Archane Blacksmith. With both of those in tow, and a maxed out Smithing perk (Which I detail how to get here);  I managed to get the mace to have a damage score of 58!

The mace absorbs 25 points each of both Stamina and Magicka; and if your opponent dies within three seconds, then you absorb its soul to replenish your gems. Not too shabby.

To get the mace, you’ll have to complete the House of Horrors quest in the Abandoned House in Markath. Find a guy named Tyranus who’s in front of the house to initiate the quest, and from there just follow through and you’ll have the mace as your reward. Just remember to get the right perks and to level the mace up for even more death-dealing love.

Two-Handed: Daedric Weapons

As far as I know, you can’t get a truly unique Two-Handed weapon in Skyrim that trumps the Daedric set (Email me if you do have the scoop)

The best seems to be the Daedric Warhammer which requires Daedric Smithing (Level 90) and the following materials:

• Three Leather Strips
• Five Ebony Ingot
• One Daedra Heart

If you need help finding these items, follow my quick guide in the Heavy Armor section.

Heavy Armor: Daedric (and Nahkriin)

Daedric Armor comes before the Dragon Armor, but it actually trumps the stats of the Dragon Armor. The only two downsides are that it’s bulky, and it costs quite a bit to produce — you’ll need both Daedric Hearts and Ebony Ingot, both of which can be difficult to obtain.Do remember that you’ll need Level 90 Smithing and the Daedric Smithing perk. Again, I’ve already detailed how to easily get there.

Daedra Hearts can easily be bought from either Enthir who lives in the Hall of Attainment (2nd floor) which is the living quarters for the College of Winterhold. He is rather pricey (roughly $1,100), but will come through with decent quantities in a pinch (two at a time); the other source for a Daedra Hearts is The White Phial, which sometimes sells them, often times cheaper then Enthir (at $750 roughly). Although their stock is usually limited to one.

Ebony Ingot can be bought if you’re a high enough level, but if not then it can be found in two places. The first place that I visited was the Gloombound Mine, which has huge amounts of ore to be mined; aside from actually refining it, this is the easiest and cheapest way to get Ebony Ingots.

To get the armor, you must produce it at a Forge. Easiest one to find is in Whiterun by the entrance, but there’s also one in Solitude up the first set of stairs you see from the entrance. The amounts that you need to smith these items are:

Armor: Three Leather Strips, Five Ebony Ingots, One Daedra Heart

Boots: Two Leather Strips, Three Ebony Ingots, One Daedra Heart

Gauntlets: Two Leather Strips, Two Ebony Ingots, One Daedra Heart

Helmet: Two Leather Strips, Three Ebony Ingots, One Daedra Heart

Shield: One Leather Strip, Four Ebony Ingots, One Daedra Heart

Remember that with your Smithing abilities, it also means that you can improve your Armor and Weapons, so spend some time and Ingots and get your Daedric Armor up to Flawless and Legendary status. It’s worth it if you do!

Note: I love the Daedric Armor, but during the quest “The World-Eater’s Eyrie” you’ll defeat a Dragon Priest known as Nahkriin. After you kill him, take his mask. It is very equal to the Daedric Helmet but adds a +50 to Magicka and both Destruction and Restoration spells cast for 20% less; you’ll only be able to access this area during the quest, so make sure you have space for all the loot you’ll find there, otherwise you’ll miss out on this mask.

Light Armor: Dragonscale Armor

Same rules apply to this armor, make sure your Smithing level is high and that you’ve unlocked the perk. This is the penultimate light armor for the game, once you have the appropriate levels and perks, just make sure you keep those Dragon Scales you get from killing those poor defenseless Dragons as that’s the key ingredient for the Armor. This armor requires Iron Ingots which can be purchased in mass quantities by almost any Blacksmith.

Armor: Three Leather Strips, One Leather, Two Iron Ingots, Four Dragon Scales

Boots: Two Leather Strips,One Leather, One Iron Ingot,  Two Dragon Scales

Gauntlets: Two Leather Strips, One Leather, One Iron Ingot, Two Dragon Scales

Helmet: One Leather Strips, One Leather, One Iron Ingot, Two Dragon Scales

Shield: Two Leather Strips, Two Iron Ingots, Four Dragon Scales

Potion: The White Phial

This is a potion that can be any potion you want. It can restore Magicka, Health, Stamina, etc. To get it, complete the quest given to you by The White Phial shop keeper in Windhelm. This potion is unlimited but does have a cooldown period, so don’t freak out if you lose it, it’ll go to your Misc. area and wait there before it is replenished and is useable again.

Gem: Azuras Star or The Black Star

This gem is also unlimited, meaning that if you want to enchant items or even recharge weapons (like the Mace of Molag Bal) then you’ll need this Gem.

To get the Gem, head to the Shrine of Azura and complete the quest.

Depending on who you return the quest item to determines which you get. I have a preference for returning the star to Aranea as you not only gain Azuras Star but also a companion in the form of Azura’s worshipper, Aranea Ienith. Of course, returning the star to Neclar will yield The Black Star, which is for those who are truly evil.