Skyrim talk:Ebony Blade/Archive 1

This is an archive of past Skyrim talk:Ebony Blade discussions. Do not edit the contents of this page, except for maintenance such as updating links.

Ebony Blade info

Here to clear up some misconceptions about the Ebony Blade:

One-handed skill, One-handed enchantments, One-handed perks, Two-handed skill

All of these things will increase the base damage of the blade. Yes, both your one-handed skill AND two-handed skill will increase the blades damage. Going to edit the page to reflect this. Dragofireheart 16:03, 9 January 2012 (UTC)

One-handed skill does not increase the blade's damage. Before I wrote that on the page, I tested it. Using the console commands, I set my one handed skill to 0 and the damage remained the same. Then, I set it to 100, and the damage still remained the same. Doing the same process for two-handed skill DOES change the base damage, however. It is impossible to have a weapon use two skills, as that data would be stored in the same spot in the item's file, unless you somehow duplicate that particular data slot and apply both effects. Looking at the source itself, the Ebony Blade does not have two data entries for skills. ZeroTorrent 17:48, 9 January 2012 (UTC)

I'll double check to see if I was wrong but I explicitly remember the Ebony Blade getting stronger from raising the one-handed skill. Granted, this is one the Xbox360 version. Dragofireheart 19:20, 10 January 2012 (UTC)

Let me know the results. It would be very interesting to see if there's a discrepancy between the two versions. ZeroTorrent 19:37, 10 January 2012 (UTC)

Going to settle this once and for all

I originally edited this page and I'm quite certain equipping a Fortify One-Handed enchantment raised the Blade's damage, while Fortify Two-Handed enchantments had no effect. This indicates to me that the bugged Blade derives its damage entirely from the One-Handed skill; Two-Handed is irrelevant. If there is another explanation, please explain; I will double check when I get back home today, and if it remains the case, I'm changing it back. — Unsigned comment by 216.57.203.121 (talk) at 22:51 on 15 January 2012

About the one-handed/two-handed issue...

The format and wording of the notes on this article are quite hard to follow, at least for me. Does anyone else agree? Simplifying presentation might help some.--Admos 23:24, 24 January 2012 (UTC)

I've read it twice and I still don't really get how it's broken.-Zydrate[][] 02:38, 1 February 2012 (UTC)

Using fortify one-handed enchantments such as nightingale gloves increases the damage but I'm not sure if the sword has benefited from my 5/5 one-handed perks...I'll need to see if adding perks to two-handed skill helps... — Unsigned comment by 2.100.118.239 (talk) at 15:37 on 15 May 2012

Ps3 bugs

Possible Bugs should be listed.

"The Ebony Blade can be improved using an Ebony Ingot as long as you have the skill perk Arcane Blacksmith. However, it is not classified as an ebony weapon -- nor is it classified as any other standard weapon material. Therefore, its upgrades do not benefit from any smithing perks."

This is not the case for the Ps3 game for any version. It does not show up in the weapon list on the grind stone, Arcane Blacksmith and even the Ebony Upgrade have no impact.

Randomly, targeted candidates after doing favors for them or trusted subjects don't initiate on their death, even with the friend dialogue, the proper response given to upgrade the ebony blade; however, it may still count as the last dialogue being notified occurred on my test run. (PS3) - Guest — Unsigned comment by 50.88.59.78 (talk) at 00:37 on 25 January 2012

I know what the whole thing is your two handed skill level is what effects the damage but the one handed perk armsman effects the damage as well tada — Unsigned comment by 74.14.201.52 (talk) at 21:53 on 27 February 2012

Improvement through Smithing

This page says "The Ebony Blade can be improved using an Ebony Ingot as long as you have the skill perk Arcane Blacksmith." At least for me, playing on Xbox360, this is not the case. I have the Arcane Blacksmith perk, but I can't improve the Ebony Blade. I couldn't improve it when I first got the sword, or after killing 10 followers to unlock the sword's full strength, or after then unlocking every single Smithing perk. Another site I checked says the Ebony Blade cannot be improved. I would say this is correct, the the UESP page needs to be changed. Thanks. — Unsigned comment by 68.102.76.133 (talk) at 09:14 on 26 January 2012

There are mods that introduce the possibility of improving EB - perhaps the author of the note you mention had one of those and forgot about it. It is not upgradable in the vanilla Skyrim, regardless of skills, perks or the weapon charge level.89.69.142.196 23:00, 18 February 2012 (UTC)

I know previously there was a discussion on here about whether or not it was intentional that the Ebony Blade cannot be tempered. I don't see any titles that indicate that discussion anymore, but I think the reference to Admonition Against Ebony should be removed as it is decidedly bugged if you can improve pretty much any other weapon in the game. I wonder if the bug is with the how it upgrades as you kill friends. The enchantment increases, but perhaps it was supposed to upgrade damage-wise at the same time. — Unsigned comment by 75.225.25.213 (talk) at 18:52 on 22 May 2012

Keeps falling out of weapon rack(s)

Not very important, but for me, this blade doesn't like to be stored on a weapon plaque or weapon rack - it keeps falling out of these after a while. I think simply leaving the property and the entering again is enough, or maybe travelling to an other place and then return. — Unsigned comment by 85.66.211.226 (talk) at 23:02 on 28 January 2012

Happens to me, too. Noots 22:56, 11 February 2012 (UTC)

Yes, mine fell off the rack and now I have no idea where it went. I think my wife may have taken it... Oh go- — Unsigned comment by 70.64.65.186 (talk) at 06:54 on 24 February 2012

Hey I think I've found a soultion, If you open one of your display cases and simply drop and drag the blade into the case it will stay there (in my experience anyways on xbox360) hope this works for you let me know !! =] — Unsigned comment by 94.1.93.28 (talk) at 22:36 on 25 June 2012

Ondolemar target for charging the blade?

See my comment on Ondolemar talk page http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim_talk:Ondolemar Luke

Can anyone clarify the ebony blade's mechanics with perks and enchantments?

I have been gathering conflicting information on the ebony blade.

From what I've gathered, the blade's damage output is affected by the armsman Perk for ONE HANDED and not two handed, for a max of 100% stronger. I've gathered that the enchanting that fortifies one handed affects the damage and not the two handed. I have however doubts on the other perks that affect it. I have seen mentioned in other sites that with an empy one handed perk tree but the two handed completed the ebony blade won't get the damage added but the decapitation can be done for example. I've also heard that the ebony blade will benefit from the sweep perk and maybe even the paralysis perk from two handed. Maybe the decapitation works but the 25 lower stamina doesn't nor the 25% bonus damage from the decapitation perk, but the animation will be done.

My question would be if there is someway someday we can figure out what is what with the perks that affects it. If we use the bladesman perk for critical damage, would it affect it from the one handed or two handed? Will the ebony blade be capable of a critical charge from the onehanded or two handed? Can it really benefit from sweep and which paralysis affects it the one handed or the two handed or neither.

Let me know if I can help with this but it seems like we should try both sides. I am asking for the xbox version if that makes a difference. — Unsigned comment by Bp (talk • contribs) at 11:14 on 21 February 2012

I can see that it is considered two handed with the sneak multiplier. — Unsigned comment by Bp (talk • contribs) at 11:46 on 21 February 2012

I just decapitated a bandit with the ebony blade (xbox) and I have only that perk for the two handed tree, so decapitation is derived from the two handed tree, as I don't have any perks in one handed other than armsman ( which I have 60% extra damage one handed and it did raise ebony blades stats by 2 dmg when I raised one handed damage com 40% to 60%) — Unsigned comment by Bp (talk • contribs) at 09:57 on 22 February 2012

Blade's swing speed

Is the Blade's swing speed also that of a 1H Sword? If so, wouldn't that "DPS is lower than Iron Greatsword's before enchantments" statement be false? 189.60.24.92 23:22, 23 February 2012 (UTC)

Possible candidates

After helping the forsworn escape jail, Lisbet retrieve her statue and Eola clear Readcliff Cave, I was able to hear Mephala's voice after killing them. Cannot confirm if all are candidates to power up the weapon but at least 2 of them are. — Unsigned comment by Quatros (talk • contribs) at 23:12 on 24 February 2012

Added a guy to the list...

But I don't know how to make his name or the quest a hyperlink...So I couldn't do that...:( — Unsigned comment by 147.124.146.75 (talk) at 00:50 on February 26, 2012

Done. --Velyanthe 15:53, 26 February 2012 (UTC)

Clarification on powering up the blade

Could someone add a clarification as to whether the Ebony Blade must be used to deliver the killing blow, must be wielded when the NPC dies, must be in your inventory, or none of the above, in order for a kill to count? 68.68.37.248 08:52, 28 February 2012 (UTC)

Done. – Robin Hood↝talk 07:55, 25 March 2012 (UTC)

Ebony Blade given to a follower before using it to kill friends.

Found a glitch. If the Ebony Blade is given to a follower BEFORE using it for the first time to kill friends/allies, I no longer hear Mephala's voice. Thus never know it works or not without the voice. Found the glitch when doing the "Lights' Out" quest by killing the Jaree-Ra siblings, with 2 different characters. If the blade is with me all the time, after killing Jaree-Ra I will get to hear the "Excellent work, Child" voice. If the blade is given to a follower and then retrieve from him/her and use it to kill the siblings, no more voice. — Unsigned comment by 175.142.213.204 (talk) at 11:54 on 28 February 2012

Verulus

I don't think Verulus works, at least if you kill him on the altar in The Taste of Death. I just tried and did not get a charge from him, even though I did tell him that I cleared the hall of the dead earlier and he thanked me with his amulet of arkay. Also, I reloaded to before I killed him and confirmed that my next kill (Banning) did get me a charge. --VSim 20:16, 28 February 2012 (UTC)

I'm comfortable with you removing that one from the list unless someone can verify that it worked for them. You sound familiar with the mechanics. It's a reasonable assumption that it would count, but if you have evidence to the contrary then you should remove it. --Theothersteve7 20:21, 28 February 2012 (UTC)

I've tried this on various saves(one character), and he doesn't register. I second the removal. The Silencer 18:43, 4 March 2012 (UTC)

Possible Candidates

It should be noted that these people need to be friendly by completing their quests, weather radiant or specific The Silencer 05:13, 4 March 2012 (UTC)

I restored the original text, since the entire section was full of ineligible candidates. Whoever wrote it clearly didn't know how it worked. If you're going to make new additions, make sure that they work, and give a reason as to why killing them is practical/not harmful to other quests or gameplay. ThuumofReason 18:28, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

I´m not sure if it was a good idea to wipe that clean because all you had to do (at least about DB kills) was add something like "first sell ore to her" - I tested Narfi, Beitild and Hern on PC with different patches and all worked nicely. Furthermore, I believe that current suggested kills are not needed in order to complete any quests (except for Narfi) but previous all were (it has been mentioned there!) - so I think now it is only more confusing. --Luke the Hero 19:43, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

It's not enough to kill an NPC with the weapon; the NPC has to have a high enough disposition towards you, which almost invariably involves doing some sort of favor for that NPC. Narfi is still in the section (and was originally), because he actually works, provided you did his favor first. But the two Argonians from Lights Out don't have a high enough disposition to raise the level of the blade. Furthermore, the section is for NPC's who are practical to kill, not just those who CAN be killed. Ondolemar, for example, is always surrounded by Thalmor soldiers, and is essentially a government figure, making him a poor target even if he is in fact a target. Remember, the section isn't "Potential candidates", it's "Suggested candidates." ThuumofReason 19:50, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

OK, but solely speak about DB contracts: Narfi works after The Straw that Broke, Beitild after selling some iron ores to her and vampire Hern after selling chopped wood to Hert (not sure why but it is confirmed). About Argonians - I´m not sure either. Boethiah sacrifice worked for me every time; rest of that list I didn´t try so I can not tell.--Luke the Hero 20:04, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

You seem to be misunderstanding the fundamental point of the section. As I said, it's not enough to kill someone with the weapon; the person you kill has to be close to you. This article is about the Ebony Blade, not quests which require you to kill people, making the newer version completely irrelevant in addition to being patently false. The purpose of the section is to explain which NPCs are viable candidates for empowering the blade AND are particularly suitable to do so. The newer version did neither, nor did it explain what made the proposed NPCs better candidates than any other NPC. The previous version listed NPC's who were actual candidates, as well as giving an explanation for why they could be killed without any major effect on gameplay. Finally, it listed the requirements to raise their disposition towards the player, which is rather important information.

The reason that the Boethia candidate doesn't work in this section is because for Boethia you only need a follower, not a close friend. The mercenary in the Drunken Huntsman in Whiterun can be sacrificed to Boethia, but killing her will not advance the blade's abilities because her disposition isn't high enough.

(←) Well, I used a mercenary (I think from Windhelm) and it worked fine (sure, this could recquire some more research). --Luke the Hero 20:40, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

As for the last two DB victims, you'll have to forgive me for being a bit skeptical about the claim that selling things to them makes them your close friends. That isn't the case with regular merchants, after all. ThuumofReason 20:15, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

About Beitild I saw that coming because she didn´t attack me even if I threatened her (after I sold her iron ore). In Hern´s case I was just surprised as you but I did that quest yesterday so I remember it very well (I suspect the fact that Hern is added to game after accepting contract and I sold wood to Hert much more erlier).--Luke the Hero 20:40, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

Selling ore is a radiant quest, and radiant quests raise their dispositon. It's not about being close friends but about being friendly. The quests that require killing someone are useful in terms of timing, as none of these people have a larger role to play in skyrim, they are after all scripted to die for these quests, otherwise take away the Narfi during the Kill Narfi Quest suggestion. I was going to argue about ondelmar but seeing as the blade is bugged, achieving a one hit kill while he is sleeping, i.e. alone, is all but impossible. Jaree-ra and his sister do have a favourable dispositon towards you after you extinguish the light, it does not get lowered because you did nothing towards them. A note about raising these people and killing them again would be apt if it works. And a note explaining what this section encompases will be needed, I have an idea of the wording but you seem to have a good idea of that(no offense), so I'll let you start.--The Silencer 20:42, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

Simple note: I think it wouldn´t be such bad idea to split Suggested kills into 2 categories: 1) people scripted to kill as part of the quest (e.g. DB contracts), 2) befriended people easy to kill (such as Lucianus). --Luke the Hero 20:52, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

(←) I thought about this but what to call them. Quest Kills, and People who can be killed with little to no impact upon the world. Suggested Kills is both and should have an adinum that nearly everyone in skyrim works.--The Silencer 21:11, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

I suggest at least Quest Kills category because all those people would die anyway so why waste those kills when you can charge your Ebony Blade with them.--Luke the Hero 21:16, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

Again, people scripted to die as part of a quest are irrelevant if their relationship value isn't right and there isn't something that makes them good targets; people you have to fight for quests are rarely as easy to kill as unarmed and/or untrained civilians, after all.

Again, I ment people who you previously befriended (favors, selling ores/wood) BUT you have to kill them in order to complete certain quests (usually DB quests). I hope that is clear to everyone now. --Luke the Hero 22:06, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

(←) That being said, upon further testing, I have determined that Hert is in fact a viable option, so go ahead and add her if you want, just make sure you say that she doesn't serve any irreplaceable functions (reason why it's okay to kill her without any lasting repercussions), is not a particularly strong fighter (what makes her a better candidate than someone else), and explain that you have to sell firewood to her first (criteria for raising her disposition).

Well, I ment HERN (Hert´s husband and DB target; Hert can survive contract on him). Hert is easy to kill too but she buys wood so she has some purpose after all - killing her is questionable (you could add all workers at wood mills this way because after you sell them wood they are all friendly and usually far away from towns).--Luke the Hero 22:06, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

I have also tested mercenaries, and I have determined that hiring a mercenary does not make him friendly, so mercenaries still don't work. ThuumofReason 21:38, 12 March 2012 (UT

You know, normally you put your responses AFTER mine, not in the middle of them. Anyway, Hert's function is replaceable, and the only purpose it really serves is getting the achievement. I do understand what you're saying, and I have since the first post. It was never an issue of clarity, it was an issue of content. Nobody's saying you can't do things your way, but we have to keep information in this article relevant to this article, and the relevance is just not there. ThuumofReason 23:09, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

You see, we can not agree on this topic. My thinking: to charge Ebony Blade, you must slay befriended people for Mephala -- you can befriend certain people who you must kill during some (other) quests -- why not put these people on page about Ebony Blade (since we have section called Suggested kills) when you have to kill them and (under specified conditions) their deaths count towards charging. In my opinion this information is relevant for players. --Luke the Hero 23:29, 12 March 2012 (UTC)

I have started a sandbox at. Can we move the discussion there. Narfi cannot be included if Beitald is refused. People who will not be missed have less relevance than those who must be killed.--The Silencer 14:40, 13 March 2012 (UTC)

Just a heads-up: I moved the sandbox to the user namespace, so it's now at. The discussion for the article should stay here on the talk page, but it's definitely not a bad idea to use your sandbox as a place for people to work on the list. –Eshe^talk 15:00, 13 March 2012 (UTC)

(←) How do we include all those people from Chop Wood/Gather Wheat/Mine Ore? They are pretty easy to kill and usually far away from civilisation which makes them perfect targets. I would rule out marriageable (and maybe all related to some quest, I am not sure about this). --Luke the Hero 18:09, 16 March 2012 (UTC)

Let's try this one last time: We don't need to list EVERY POSSIBLE PERSON, since you only need to kill ten of them at most to fully restore the blade's power. If you just check the notes section, the first note pretty much covers who is eligible, so the list should be a short list of suggestions rather than a comprehensive one. We can certainly add a note saying that people whose sole function is to buy wood or ore make good targets. In fact, that's preferable to listing every one of them, since that just makes the page longer. Beitild and Hert are both fine to include if you want, but if you list them, include 3 things in the entry: What makes them better candidates than most (Beitild because she dies for a quest and can be goaded into attacking you, thus preventing a bounty; Hert because she is not a skilled fighter and spends her time away from guards), why they can be killed without any lasting repercussions (Neither serve any important function, and the functions they do serve aren't unique to them), and how their dispositions can be raised (mining ore for Beitild and selling wood to Hert). I've listed what needs to be done in the simplest terms I know, multiple times. I've told you what the section is for and what it is NOT for at least as many times. I've done all I can to explain, and I have no interest in discussing the matter any further at this time. ThuumofReason 19:01, 16 March 2012 (UTC)

On second thought, scratch that. Since everybody is going to have his or her own opinions about what constitutes a suitable target, and articles are intended to convey facts, keeping it is just going to create more edit wars. I clearly have my own opinions on what the section should contain, and you clearly have yours, so maybe it would just be better to leave it off altogether. I added a note that suggested targets based on the criteria we each think are important. Hopefully this will resolve the dispute. ThuumofReason 22:11, 16 March 2012 (UTC)

I think it is fine as it is now, since there's probably a lot of targets, but there should be a consensus over whether people prefer how it is now or with a list (as in The Silencer's sandbox) before we edit the page in regards to this any more. I do not see very much harm in having a list of people whose deaths will not affect the game, though. --Velyanthe 22:25, 16 March 2012 (UTC)

What about a new page of people who will always die to complete a quest, either from kill quests (Narfi) or non optional deaths like Severio Pelagia if doing the civil war quest. It could be used to detail all people who will die during quests with a side note that some in paticular can be used to fill ebony blade. This might help people decide if they want to do a quest if it kills someone they are fond of. It seems most anyone in skyrim can be used for the blade, my thoughts are that if someone must die, why not use it to your advantage. There are not very many NPCs that die in quests that can be friendly towards you. I will accept the majority decision on this issue if we can get one.--The Silencer 22:46, 16 March 2012 (UTC)

After talking with Vel, the idea of having a subpage for the Ebony Blade with the list of kills on it came up. Vel is open to the idea, but wants more opinions, so it would be great if you guys would weigh in here. ThuumofReason 11:58, 17 March 2012 (UTC)

Ability's

Does Ebony Blade have a hidden Fear abiity? I have attacked many humanoids and done little damage but they run away. Am on PS3, haven't looked for animals as i am trying to level it at the minute. The Silencer 01:27, 5 March 2012 (UTC)

No, it doesn't have any Fear ability that I can see. So far as I can tell, everything on the page is accurate. –Eshe^talk 21:47, 10 March 2012 (UTC)

Orc village kills

Hello. Don't know of this is something you're all aware of yet, but if you've been accepted by the Orc villages, they count as friends, in terms of powering up the blade. I don't know what the consequences are, but each village has four-six orcs in it and are largely self-contained, so no need to worry about your bounty spreading to 'proper' towns.— Unsigned comment by 81.109.240.156 (talk) on 18 March 2012

Ebony charge for the "good guy"

These are 10 possible candidates for those who don't want to kill innocent people "intentionally":

• The siblings Deeja and Jaree-Ra of the quest Lights Out. (2 charges)
• Banning and Eola of the quest The Taste of Death. Have to do Banning's simple quest first. Have to kill everyone at the feast and fail the quest deliberately. (2 charges. If do not hear Mephala's voice during the "mass" killing, then may have done something wrong.)
• Kill Narfi of Dark Brotherhood quest. Have to do Narfi's simple quest first. (1 charge)
• Kill Beitild of Dark Brotherhood quest. Have to do Beitild's simple mine ore quest first. (1 charge)
• Kill Hern of Dark Brotherhood quest. Have to do Hert's (his wife) simple chop wood quest first. (1 charge)
• Kill Helvard of Dark Brotherhood quest. Have to become Thane of Falkreath first. (1 charge)
• Gaius Maro of the quest Breaching Security. Killing his father Commander Maro afterwards won't count. (1 charge)
• Kill Amaund Motierre of the quest Hail Sithis! (1 charge)

Which mean if you finish all these quests like the order I listed above, after you finish the Dark Brotherhood quest line you should get 10 full charges of the Ebony Blade. — Unsigned comment by 175.143.160.20 (talk) at 13:20 on 7 April 2012

Well, seeing as a "good guy" would destroy the Brotherhood, half of those are invalid. (Eddie The Head 13:39, 7 April 2012 (UTC))

I know. But Destroy the Brotherhood is boring, and Commander Maro is not that "decent" after all. You just kill these people based on the quests available, not based on "whim" (kill for the sake just to feed the blade). :) — Unsigned comment by 175.143.160.20 (talk) at 14:19 on 7 April 2012

Most of the suggestions are already on the page linked, so take them there and show your support for that page. The Silencer has spoken 14:34, 7 April 2012 (UTC)

Ebony Blade Backstabs?

Just a quick query about the Ebony Blade’s one-handed versus two-handed blade mechanics. Does anyone know whether while performing a sneak attack with the blade if it is counted as a one-handed (x3 to x6 damage) attack or a two-handed (x2 damage) attack? With its general theme of being the blade of betrayal and its inability to be tempered, I thought it could be an okay weapon for a stealth-based character rather than combat, but if its damage bonus is just x2, I’m not sure if it would be worth building the character. Thank you for your time and consideration. -- Cait Feirr, Monday, the 30th of April, 2012, 11:37 PM EST.

According to the Creation Kit...it's a mess. As far as the Backstab perk goes, it counts as a two-handed weapon, but it's considered to be a one-handed sword in terms of benefitting from One-handed perks. The internal data is very mismatched on several one-handed vs. two-handed issues. The USKP settles on two-handed. – Robin Hood↝talk 03:28, 2 May 2012 (UTC)

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