If you’ve ever walked the snow-drenched paths of Skyrim and thought, “I wish I had a soul-sucking spiked war mace forged by a god of domination,” then you, dear Dragonborn, are in luck.
The Mace of Molag Bal is not just another Daedric weapon—it’s the Daedric weapon for anyone leaning into the dark side of Tamriel’s morality scale. Heavy, brutal, and soaked in lore, this unholy mace delivers serious punishment and drips with dread.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get the Mace of Molag Bal, dive into its dark backstory, and give you tips on how to wield it like the fearsome Warden of Oblivion you were meant to be.
The Lore: Who is Molag Bal?
To understand the Mace, you need to understand the twisted deity behind it. Molag Bal is one of the seventeen Daedric Princes of Oblivion. He’s the Daedric Prince of Domination and Enslavement of Mortals, known for his desire to assert control over mortals through fear, corruption, and suffering.
Molag Bal is also the creator of vampires in the Elder Scrolls universe. He turned the first mortal into a vampire, cementing his legacy as a master of domination and undeath.
How to Get the Mace of Molag Bal
Step 1: Go to Markarth
To kick off this sinister quest, you need to visit Markarth, the city built into the cliffs of The Reach.
- Once there, talk to a man named Vigilant Tyranus.
- He’ll be standing outside an abandoned house, rambling about a dark presence.
- Agree to help him investigate. This begins the quest: “The House of Horrors.”
Step 2: Explore the Abandoned House
As you enter, things start to get… creepy. The house is filled with strange noises, objects flying, and disembodied voices. Welcome to one of Skyrim’s spookiest side quests.
- Follow Tyranus through the house.
- Continue deeper into the house with Tyranus until Molag Bal makes his presence known.
- Tyranus eventually panics and attempts to escape, but Molag Bal turns the situation against you and Tyranus becomes hostile.
- Defeat Tyranus to continue deeper into the house and reach Molag Bal’s altar.
Pro Tip: Save often during this quest—it’s not difficult, but the moral implications may tempt you to reload.
Step 3: Find and Trap Logrolf the Willful
Molag Bal wants revenge on a priest of Boethiah named Logrolf the Willful. Your task is to:
- Follow the quest marker to find Logrolf the Willful. His location is randomised between several Forsworn camps.
- Deal with the Forsworn guarding him, free Logrolf and convince him to return to the abandoned house in Markarth.
- Once released, Logrolf will make his way back to Molag Bal’s shrine, where the final and darkest part of the quest begins.
Fun Fact: You can persuade Logrolf or just lead him with the promise of freedom. Either way, he ends up back at the shrine.
Step 4: Break Logrolf’s Will
Once Logrolf returns to the abandoned house, follow him down to Molag Bal’s altar. The Daedric Prince traps him and gives you the Rusty Mace, ordering you to break the priest’s will. Attack Logrolf until he falls. Molag Bal isn’t finished with him yet, though — he revives the priest and forces you to continue until Logrolf finally submits and pledges himself to Molag Bal. Molag Bal then gives you one final order: kill Logrolf.
Finish the job and the Rusty Mace is transformed into the fully powered Mace of Molag Bal, completing The House of Horrors and giving you one of Skyrim’s most memorable Daedric artifacts.
It’s grim, even by Skyrim’s standards — but that’s Molag Bal for you.
Mace of Molag Bal: Stats and Perks
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Base Damage | 16 |
| Weight | 18 |
| Upgrade Material | Ebony Ingot |
| Base Value | 1257 gold |
| Enchantment | Deals 25 stamina and magicka damage per hit; traps soul if target dies within 3 seconds |
| Type | One-Handed Mace (Heavy Weapon) |
Why It’s Awesome:
- Built-in Soul Trap: Killing an enemy within three seconds of striking them can fill an appropriate empty soul gem, making the mace particularly useful for players investing in Enchanting.
- Punishes mages and melee fighters: Every enchanted hit damages both Magicka and Stamina, giving the weapon some useful utility beyond its physical damage.
- Strong early-game reward: With 16 base damage and a powerful enchantment, the Mace of Molag Bal can remain useful for a long stretch of a playthrough.
- Can be improved: The mace can be upgraded at a grindstone with an Ebony Ingot if you have the Arcane Blacksmith perk.
Combat Tips for the Mace of Molag Bal
- Use Against Mages: Draining magicka makes it incredibly effective against necromancers and wizards.
- Pair With Soul Gem Farming: Combine it with a bow for ranged kills, then switch to the mace for the finishing blow.
- Enchant Your Gear for More Power: Stack Fortify One-Handed to boost its already devastating power.
Final Thoughts: Power With a Price
The Mace of Molag Bal is one of the most thematically rich and rewarding Daedric artifacts in Skyrim. From its spine-tingling questline to its soul-harvesting gameplay benefits, it represents everything that makes Skyrim’s Daedric weapons unforgettable.
So if you’re looking to add a little darkness to your Dragonborn’s tale, or just want to terrorize bandit camps with a spiked soul trap, look no further.
Molag Bal is always watching. And now? You’re holding his wrath in your hands.
