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So i was doing this quest which involved killing a couple of ghosts. Experience from playing morrowind told me to use silver or higher level weapons against them. But I got pretty surprised by my dwarven mace "not having any effect" on them. Aren't they considered special weapons along with the others like glass, elven and ebony? In morrowind, the only weapons considered normal were iron, steel and maybe chitin weapons. Although enchanted weapons still do have an effect on them, despite being normal variety.

As far as I am concerned only silver weapons and enchanted weapons can deal damage to ghosts and the like. Charged or not (concerning enchanted weapons).

And Daedric.

I presume, but don't know for certain, it includes dropped Dremora weapons.

I happened to look up on the weapons page. I think it is implied that all weapons in oblivion, except silver, daedric and enchanted ones are considered normal weapons. I still don't know why they categorized the others as normal weapons in this game.
And I sold that silver longsword when i found a 'better' dwemer shortsword...smh.

Weirdness ensues with the weapons of the Dark Seducers and Golden Saints of the Shivering Isles. Some of them affect ghosts, others do not. Which is weird, because, technically, they're Daedric.

The Honorblade of Chorrol also works even though it is not enchanted, as does the dagger you get from the Dark Brotherhood (while it is still 'normal').

My personal head-canon says weapons like the Honorblade have Silver incorporated into it somehow.

Silver is actually a horrible metal to make weapons out of in real life, but it's perfect for decorative ceremonial weapons like the Honorblade. In-game this is represented by Silver weapons having poor durability compared to Steel.

Daedric weapons are just Ebony infused with the soul of a Daedra which essentially makes them haunted. I guess that's why they can hurt ghosts.

You can find a Silver Shortsword in a couple Fighters Guild Halls. Chorrol, Bruma, and Leyawiin I think. And the Sharpened Steel Cutlass/Fine Steel Cutlass can hurt ghosts. Can't remember where you find them though. I think they're wielded by the wraiths in the Ghost Ship in Anvil Harbor.

Hmm i've never coma across a cutlass yet, though i've seen those pirates in the waterfront carrying it. Anyways, I now have this nice silver warhammer i found and can be excellent against any future ghosts i enounter.