How to Get Dawnbreaker in Skyrim

Last Updated: November 5, 2020

Dawnbreaker is truly a paladin's sword. It shines with Meridia's light and undead fear it. This is how to add it to your collection. Effects include: 22 points of Fire Damage, Turn Undead, Undead Explosion (blue shockwave that arcs out to other undead and kills them all), and good damage rating. Also, inspired by Lord of the Rings' Sting, it shines brightly in the presence of certain monsters like Spiders, Vampires, Bandits, etc.

Steps

1
Travel to Meridia's Shrine. Start at Solitude and go Southwest until you get there, or start from Markarth and travel far to the Northeast.
2
Speak with Meridia and get her quest to find the Beacon.

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3
The beacon is located in a camp tent to the southeast from here (look at the World map for help).
4
Now that you have directions to follow, complete Meridia's quest to receive Dawnbreaker as a reward from Meridia. (Be SURE to answer "I will wield it in your name")

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Community Q&A

Question

What element is the dawnbreaker?

Community Answer

Dawnbreaker deals fire damage, and causes a large fiery explosion when killing undead enemies like Skeletons, Draugr, and the other atrocities of the underworld. This explosion damages and has a chance to make them Turn, just as if you were casting "Turn Undead". Beware of using this if you are a necromancer, however. Should undead die in the explosion this weapon causes, they turn to dust, making them unusable for Corpse reanimation.
Question

I keep approaching the shrine but nothing's happening, what do I do?

Mikel Horner

Community Answer

Then you will eventually find it in a chest. The locations are always random. I had found Meridia's Beacon in Shearpoint when I was hunting for the Dragon Priest masks.
Question

After completing the quest, I have somehow obtained two Dawnbreaker’s? I’m assuming it’s a glitch, but my real question is! What happens if you answer differently to Merida? Instead of “In your name!”

Sheogorath

Community Answer

That sounds like the best glitch ever (especially for the dawn guard). But if you answer differently ,she just says dismissively: "It matters not."
Question

I just found Meridia's Beacon during a dragon bounty. The locations are completely random though.

Sheogorath

Community Answer

I'm pretty sure this is a glitch but I might be wrong. The words are: "A new hand touches the Beacon. Listen. Hear me and obey. A foul darkness has seeped into my temple. Bring the beacon to mount Kilkreath and become the instrument of my cleansing light."

Warnings

You may want to save before the Boss. He's a beast.

Thanks!
Helpful 21 Not Helpful 2
He isn't alone either. There are 4 or more shades with him so step out into the hallway and deal with them first.

Thanks!
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