Daedric Artifact Overhaul
⚪ Last updated 2016⚠️ Install Order · 6 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
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🔍 Analysis
- 👍 3.8% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
- 🏆 #6 of 28 Weapons and Armour mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
This update improves most of the daedric artifacts. The goal is to allow these items to be more useful without making them overpowered. You can also fully improve all the artifacts at the blacksmith now. Each weapon's default stats should be about the same as an un-enchanted daedric weapon.
This update avoids making the Enchanting perks useless. You can still make a more effective weapon on you own if you want to use up your perks on enchanting. But each weapon artifact should have a unique ability that you can't make an enchantment for. And artifacts use up much less enchantment strength per attack. Player enchanted weapons should use up their charges much faster. This should give artifacts a role at any level without being overpowered.
Appreciate feedback, especially if artifacts seem overpowered or are still annoying to use.
Version 1. 0
GENERAL CHANGES:
All daedric weapons set to 5000 enchantment strength (same as Dawnbringer default). Big upgrade for most weapons. Most weapons have reduced per-use cost as well. This makes artifacts less annoying to use than regular weapons without completely removing need for soul gems.
Most artifacts raised to 1000 cash value by default.
Most weapons and armor set to daedric weapon material type, to allow full crafting benefits.
Most weapon stats balanced with standard daedric versions.
SPECIFIC CHANGES:
Rueful Axe: Game lore shows this weapon was a lycanthrope killer. Updated with this in mind. Default stats were weaker than any basic battleaxe, and appear to be a misclassified 1H weapon. Increased swing speed (was slowest in game, now faster than daedric default). Crit damage raised. DPS from 11 to 17 (now same as daedric war axe). Sounds fixed, from 1H sword to 2H axe. Added custom 'poisonous' weapon draw sound. Updated enchantment to magnitude 10 silver. This is half the normal bonus against lycanthropes and undead. Please note that this does not appear in the game text. Updated enchantment to stamina damage 20. Updated enchantment to poison damage 20 with 3 second duration. Enchantment override set to 20. (250 attacks per full charge)
Volendrung: Game lore list this as the hammer of might. Changes reflect an ultra-powerful, super heavy weapon that staggers your foes. Removed drain effect as it doesn't suit the lore. But the new knockback effects are a unique alternative. Increased weight to 33. Reduced swing speed to 0. 5. Increase damage to 34. DPS stays at 17 Increase stagger to 1. 25. Increase crit damage to 15. Updated weapon sounds. Fixed some misclassified 1H sounds and added custom weapon draw. Updated enchantment to magnitude 50 stamina damage. Updated enchantment to area of
Daedric Artifact Overhaul rebalances most daedric artifacts in Skyrim to be more useful without becoming overpowered. It sets enchantment strength to 5000, adjusts weapon stats to match daedric equivalents, and allows full crafting improvements. Requires Dawnguard. Version 1.0, last updated November 2016.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Community-approved with 476 endorsements and over 12k downloads.
- Makes artifacts actually viable without breaking balance—enchanting perks stay relevant.
- Rueful Axe gets a much-needed fix, turning a useless weapon into a proper lycanthrope killer.
⚠️ Cons
- Requires Dawnguard DLC, so if you don't have it, this mod is a no-go.
- Last updated in 2016, so it may have compatibility issues with newer mods or patches.
- Balance changes might not suit everyone—some players may find the artifacts still too weak or too strong.
For Skyrim players who love daedric artifacts but hate how underpowered they feel compared to self-enchanted gear. If you're tired of carrying around a museum piece that can't compete, this mod gives them a purpose. Skip if you prefer lore-friendly stats or don't have Dawnguard.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Make sure you have Dawnguard installed and activated before adding this mod.
- If you're using a mod manager, let it handle the file placement to avoid overwriting issues.
- Test the Rueful Axe on a werewolf or undead enemy to see the new poisonous effect in action.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Skyrim Mods
- Author
- Chromeweasel
- Version
- 1.0
- Downloads
- 12,557
- Endorsements
- 476
- Category
- Weapons and Armour
- Created
- 11/2/2016
- Updated
- 11/2/2016
🔧 How to Install Skyrim Mods
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