No weapon in Skyrim can match the unique appearance of the Mace of Molag Bal. As one of Skyrim’s Daedric artifacts, it has a series of unique enchantments to set it apart from every other item.
These artifacts also come with their own questlines. While the quality on these range from lacking to incredible, obtaining the Mace of Molag Bal is firmly in the latter category. Tied to a horror-themed quest, it is most definitely one of Skyrim’s most unique experiences. The mace isn’t half bad, either. Here is how to obtain the Mace of Molag Bal in Skyrim along with 9 interesting facts about the weapon.
10 Complete “The House of Horrors” Quest
As with most Daedric artifacts in Skyrim, you will need to win over the favor of a Daedric Prince to obtain one of their prized items.
To obtain the Mace of Molag Bal, you will need to complete “The House of Horrors” quest in Markarth. Players will talk to Tyranus, a Vigilant of Stendarr that wants to investigate a haunted house. Enter the house with them to start the quest.
9 Scales With Destruction
Sapping stats off of targets might sound more in line with other schools of magic, but Destruction is the stat the Mace of Molag Bal uses to scale itself.
That means upgrading your Destruction tree and obtaining perks from it will make the Mace stronger. Specifically, the Augmented Flames perk will increase the effectiveness of the Mace’s sapping properties despite not dealing flame damage.
8 Terrifies NPCs While Equipped
Most NPCs in Skyrim have unique dialogue based on what the player has accomplished. Some artifacts also evoke a reaction from some characters, the Mace of Molag Bal being no exception.
Anyone who sees the player wield it will shout, “No… get that accursed mace away from me!” when approached. It’s fitting how the lord of submission can cause so much fear with their signature weapon.
7 Does Not Benefit From Smithing Perks
Unfortunately, the Mace of Molag Bal does not benefit from most Smithing perks. You will need Arcane Blacksmith to even alter the weapon, but don’t expect to take it past Flawless quality unless you enhance your Smithing skill. That is because the weapon is not classified as a Daedric weapon by the game so no perks affect it. You can remedy this by either fortifying your Smithing skill through gear or installing the Unofficial Skyrim Patch mod.
6 Resembles Molag Bal’s Appearance
Molag Bal is one of the most intimidating looking Daedric Princes in The Elder Scrolls universe. His curved horns and vampiric fangs are seen at all of his altars and, of course, his mace.
Since Molag Bal is responsible for the appearance of vampires on Nirn, it makes sense that the Mace of Molag Bal looks like a mace fit for a Vampire Lord. Spikes and a demon with large fangs can be seen at every angle of the mace, making it the most unique weapon in Skyrim on appearance alone.
5 Enchantment Is Not Leveled
Veteran Skyrim players know that most unique items are scaled to be appropriate for the player’s level. In essence, the stronger your character is when they obtain a unique piece of gear, the better its effects are.
The Mace of Molag Bal is one of the few exceptions to this rule. Its enchantment is at a fixed strength when you obtain it that is only affected by the Destruction tree’s perks. While this sounds like a massive negative, it means that players who obtain this weapon early will have an overpowered weapon for over a dozen levels.
4 Unique Sheathing Sound
One small detail Bethesda added to the Mace of Molag Bal is its unique unsheathing noise. It makes a noise similar to unsheathing a fire-enchanted item but with more of a noticeable metal undertone. Weapons rarely have unique unsheathing noises, making the Mace of Molag Bal exceptionally unique in this department.
3 Powered By Blood
The lord of domination thrives off of the submission of others. His method of inflicting as much suffering as possible onto others is what makes Molag Bal so feared amongst most mortals.
That is also how his mace is powered. Players find the mace as a rusted item at the start of “The House of Horrors” quest. Molag Bal explains that it hasn’t seen blood in a long time, hence its weakened state. Once you beat the priest into submission, though, it returns to its true and powerful form.
2 Wielded By Molag Bal’s Champions
You are not the first and certainly not the last person to receive Molag Bal’s unique mace. Molag Bal has various champions that carry out his deeds and, like all mortals, they die off at some point.
As a result, Molag Bal has had many people use the mace before you. The protagonist from Daggerfall, Morrowind, and Oblivion could all complete a quest for Molag Bal and obtain this weapon as well. Chances are the next Elder Scrolls game will let you obtain this weapon as well.
1 Connected To Coldharbour
Enemies that are weakened by the Mace of Molag Bal have much more to worry about that dying. When you bring enemies to their knees with this weapon, Molag Bal is watching and waiting to claim their soul.
The Daedric Prince says as much during the quest to obtain this weapon. It is heavily implied that enemies that die to this weapon are sent to Coldharbour, Molag Bal’s plane of Oblivion. Any soul that resides there is in a perpetual state of torment that makes every other Daedric Prince look merciful by comparison.
NEXT: Skyrim: The 10 Best Skills, Ranked
