Skyrim Skills and Perks Guide: One-Handed

One-Handed Skill is the art of combat using one handed weapons such as daggers, swords, maces and war axes. Those trained in this skill deliver deadlier blows.

This skill tree is good for warriors who want to wield a one handed weapon and a shield, as well as thieves. Conjuration mages planning on using  the Bound Sword can also benefit from this tree.

Level up one handed by hitting your enemies with a one handed weapon. Missing the enemy or swinging your weapon in the air does not increase the skill

TRAINERS

Journeyman Trainer: Amren (Whiterun)
Expert Trainer: Athis (Whiterun)
Master Trainer: Niruin (Riften)

PERKS

Armsman (1/2/3/4/5)
One-Handed weapons do 20/40/60/80/100% more damage
Requires: Armsman 0/20/40/60/80

Note: Great passive boost to your damage output. Spend points in this perk whenever you can.

Hack and Slash (1/2/3)
Attacks with war axes cause extra bleeding damage
Requires: Armsman, One-Handed 30/60/90

Note: Good perk to take if using axes.

Bone Breaker (1/2/3)
Attacks with maces ignore 25/50/75% of armor
Requires: Armsman, One-Handed 30/60/90

Note: No effect on unarmored enemies, but still good perk to take if using maces to cut through armored foes more quickly.

Bladesman (1/2/3)
Attacks with swords have a 10/20/30% chance of doing critical damage
Requires: Armsman, One Handed 30/60/90

Note: Take this perk if you are using swords

Dual Flurry (1/2)
Dual Wielding attacks are 20/35% faster
Requires: Armsman, One Handed  30/50

Dual Savagery
Dual Wielding power attacks do 50% bonus damage
Requires: Dual Flurry, One Handed 70

Note: The above two skills are a great choice for characters focused on dual wielding.

Fighting Stance
Power attacks with one-handed weapons cost 25% less stamina
Requires: Armsman, One Handed 20

Note: Take this skill as soon as possible as it lets you do more power attacks before running out of stamina

Savage Strike
Standing power attacks do 25% bonus damage with a chance to decapitate your enemies
Requires: Fighting Stance, One Handed 50

Note: The decapitation is a visual effect, it does not instant kill or do more damage. Still, cool perk to take just because of the visuals!

Critical Strike
Can do a one-handed power attack while sprinting that does double critical damage
Requires: Fighting Stance, One Handed 50

Paralyzing Strike
Backwards power attack has a 25% chance to paralyze the target
Requires: Critical Strike or Savage Strike, One Handed 100