With Bethesda Studio's new game Starfield having its release date pushed back to 2023, the potential release date of the massively anticipated The Elder Scrolls 6 seems to get further and further away. With The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim being one of the most well-known and best-received games ever made, The Elder Scrolls 6 has a lot to live up to.
Luckily for fans, the massive world, large number of quests, and dozens of different potential play styles, Skyrim can keep players entertained in the years to come as they discover and re-discover Skyrim's many secrets. And part of the fun is finding some of the rarest and most difficult-to-find weapons and armor Skyrim has to offer.
Aetherium Equipment
Aetherium equipment are special one of a kind items that are forged from the exceptionally rare Aetherium shards and can only be forged in the Aetherium forge. While Dwarven ruins such as Blackreach are potentially covered with Aetherium as the walls are filled with similarly blue glowing minerals, the walls cannot be mined for the ore.
After reading the book "The Aetherium Wars", the Dragonborn is tasked with the quest to travel Skyrim to obtain 4 Aetherium shards. While the shards are not exactly hidden, the dungeons that need to be conquered are quite difficult. After an exceptionally difficult battle when the forge is tracked down, the Dragonborn has to make one of the most important choices in Skyrim of choosing between the Aetherium Crown, Shield, and Staff.
Notched Pickaxe
The Notched Pickaxe is a unique pickaxe found at the peak of The Throat Of The World. Though it possesses the unique enchantments of doing additional shock damage if used as a weapon and raising the player's Smithing Skill by 5 points, it is in no way distinguishable from other pickaxes.
The Throat Of The World can only be reached after the Dragonborn has proceeded a significant amount into the main story's quest line. As The Throat of The World is a small area and most players are focused on talking to Paarthunax, exploration of the area is often overlooked. If searched, the pickaxe can be found buried near the peak into the side of the mountain.
Wind-Shear
Wind-Shear is a unique Scimitar that is enchanted with both the Paralyze and Stagger effects that when used on enemies cause them to fall helpless to the floor and stumble backward respectively. Though not exceptionally powerful, when dual-wielded with a stronger weapon, enemies can be quickly incapacitated and defeated giving the player time to re-position in combat.
Found exclusively on the Emperor's ship The Katariah, this weapon cannot be accessed if the quest Hail Sithis! has not been started where you are tasked with killing the Emperor. Therefore, if the choice is made to kill all members of the Dark Brotherhood, this weapon will be completely inaccessible. If Hail Sithis! is started, Wind-Shear is frustratingly hidden on the tip of the ship's bow which is both easily overlooked and easy to fall from.
Konahrik
Konahrik is the final Dragon Priest mask obtained in Skyrim's base game. Konahrik's enchantments include the potential to have a grand healing spell, and flame cloak spell cast on the Dragonborn and their allies when the Dragonborn drops to 15% HP. When activated, there is also a small chance of a spectral ally being summoned to further assist the Dragonborn.
Once the Dragonborn has killed all of the Dragon Priests in Skyrim and looted their masks, Konahrik becomes available. The Dragonborn must travel to a location known as The Labyrinthian and find a small altar hidden in a burial mound. At the altar is a Wooden Mask which when worn and all other masks are placed into their spots on the altar, will transfer you to "the past" and allow you to claim Konahrik.
Ahzhidahl's Armor
Ahzhidahl's Armor refers to a full set of Ancient Nord armor consisting of Armor, Gauntlets, Boots, a helmet, and 2 unique rings. When 4/6 items are equipped, on top of various enchantments, a special enchantment that boosts enchanting is activated. As Ahzhidahl himself is a dragon priest, when you find and defeat him you can also acquire his mask.
Ahzhidal's armor was introduced as a reward for completing various stages of the quest Unearthed in the Dragonborn DLC. As the quest costs an exponentially growing monetary cost for each milestone, many players do not take the quest due to its fishy quest giver and potentially not having the funds depending on the level they attempt it leading to either skipping the quest or giving up partway.
Bolar's Oathblade
As a weapon, Bolar's Oathblade is relatively insignificant with its most notable difference being a slightly altered unique sword handle. If during gameplay a player misses getting the sword it will be more of an issue for players who attempt to collect all named items.
Found in Bloated Man's Grotto relatively close to the game's start point, Bolar's Oathblade is easy to both find and miss. If the quest Ill Met By Moonlight which requires you go to the sword's location is started before the sword is obtained, the sword will disappear from the game entirely. Many players have missed their chance to acquire the sword due to the very easy possibility of starting the quest without knowing the location's quirk.
Visage of Mzund
The Visage of Mzund is a unique helmet that shares appearances with the classic Dwarven Helmet. Interestingly, the Visage of Mzund gives the Dragonborn the ability to release a steam breath attack similar to steam attacks used by Dwarven Centurion enemies. It also boasts the highest defense of any helm armor tied alongside Konahrik.
Found in the Dragonborn DLC Dwarven Ruin Fahlbathrz, the helmet is easily passed up as being indistinguishable from similar helms except for its unique name. With it being located deep in the ruin, players often skip over common equipment due to limited inventory space and miss the helm. It is highly collectible as it sports the only non-Dragon Shout breath attack.
Auriel's Shield
Auriel's Shield is a unique Elven Shield introduced as a part of the Dawnguard DLC. When traveling through the Frozen section of the Forgotten Vale on one of Skyrim's best side-quests, and after defeating a certain Frost Giant, a Ruby Paragon will be acquired that allows access through a certain gate. When you enter the special section, a Falmer will be carrying the shield. Once it and the other Falmer are killed, Auriel's Shield can be safely acquired.
Auriel's Shield has the unique ability to store damage received from enemies and depending on the level of charge can literally blast enemies backward. Though acquired relatively late in the game, this enchantment allows players to distance themselves from opponents and time to recover.
Giant's Club
The Giant's Club is a highly recognizable weapon but little known as an acquirable one. The Giant's club is unable to be equipped or acquired by the Dragonborn, unlike most other weapons. However, if the Dragonborn is traveling with a companion, they can be ordered to acquire it.
When traveling to Tumble Arch Pass and looting the area, a Giant's Club not wielded by a Giant will be laying against a rock. While not all followers will choose to wield the large weapon, they will on occasion use the weapon and do enough damage to deal with most enemies on their own, unless they happen to die first.
Glass Bow Of The Stag Prince
The Glass Bow of The Stag Prince is an incredibly rare Glass Bow found at the Ramshackle Trading Post on the Island of Solstheim introduced in the Dragonborn DLC. However, often times the trader does not spawn when he is supposed to, and when he does there is a chance that he will have the bow equipped rather than for sale. A large sum of money, high thieving skills, and luck are all necessary to acquire this bow.
While the bow is nowhere near the strongest in the game, its difficult acquisition requirements and level of frustration getting the event to trigger properly makes it a crown jewel for any weapon collection. It boasts a unique enchantment that boosts the players' Health and stamina for killing a certain number of animals, making it a worthwhile bow for any Skyrim hunter.