It is easy to overlook the Blades when thinking about the many factions in Skyrim. While they play a large role in the main story, they can be easily forgotten and do not have the same presence that the game's four major factions do. Considering that they have been reduced to a mere two survivors, it does make sense.
You might be wondering how to join this ancient order of dragon hunters or are trying to choose between the Blades and the Greybeards. If you are wondering what the Blades can do for you or how to get the most out of them, this guide is for you.
What The Blades Are
The Blades had been dragon hunters that assisted the Dragonborn many centuries ago. That role changed to be the personal protectors for the Emperor of Tamriel during the Septim dynasty that had started with Tiber Septim, said to have become Talos, and ended with Martin Septim during the Oblivion Crisis.
After the Great War, the Blades were hunted down by the Thalmor, with surviving members going into hiding. You meet one of these survivors, Delphine, during the main story quest A Blade In The Dark. She has you recruit another survivor, Esbern, during the quest A Cornered Rat.
The pair will pressure you into killing Paarthurnax in a quest of the same name. While you can ignore their demand, they will not cooperate with you until the old dragon is slain.
The Greybeards will shun you if you choose to kill Paarthurnax. You can only maintain good relations with one of the two factions.
Rebuilding The Blades
You will be able to rebuild the Blades after finding a new home at Sky Haven Temple during the quest Alduin's Wall. The process starts by talking to Delphine about the fact that there are only two Blades. She will agree that they need recruits and asks you to find more for her.
Delphine will induct most followers you bring into the Blades. You only need to bring them to Sky Haven Temple and talk to Delphine. The recruits will wear Akaviri armor and use Blades Swords instead of their default equipment.
You will not be able to recruit new Blades if they die. To keep your new squad at full strength, try using Essential Followers that cannot die. There is only a small handful of followers that fit the bill.
Erandur, if spared at the end of Waking Nightmare, is one such follower. Frea can be inducted after completing the Fate of the Skaal during the Dragonborn questline. Other candidates would be Ahtar from Solitude and Mjoll the Lioness from Riften.
Once you have three new Blades, you will be sent out on a Dragon Hunting Quest. Esbern will locate a dragon and dispatch you and your new bodyguards to slay the beast. The order will be considered restored when you return.
Rewards For Siding With The Blades
Allying yourself with the Blades will come at the cost of the Greybeards and Paarthurnax. Narrative reasons aside, there are several tangible benefits to siding with the Blades.
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Blades Equipment |
You will be able to take the Akaviri armor and weapons left around Sky Haven Temple. The armor is particularly effective, with the main piece equivalent to Ebony armor. The rest of the set and shield are equivalent to Dwarven armor. It is only available as heavy armor. |
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Dragon Hunts |
The Blades will be able to give you a slow, if steady, supply of Dragon parts and souls through their repeatable hunts. You may find it useful if you are itching to slay dragons and cannot find any. |
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Dragonslayer's Blessing |
Esbern can grant you the Dragonslayer's Blessing, a buff that increases your critical hit chance against dragons by ten percent. It lasts for five days. |
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Esbern's Potion |
The Archivist will offer to make you a potion made from one Dragon Bone and Dragon Scale. It will permanently reduce melee damage from dragons by 25 percent. |