Dadric Artifact Series-Dawnbreaker

Overview:

This mod is part of a "series" designed to make deadly artifacts more interesting. I'm first just releasing them individually as a kind of beta (although they should be perfectly playable) with a view to possibly tweaking them for eventual group release.

In my opinion, the "Daybreaker" actually has one of the more interesting and thematic effects than almost any other lethal item, so I chose to keep that "heart" of the vanilla weapon intact, but completely revamp its implementation. I really hope the weapon reflects Merdia's main tenant of "hate the dead/undead, love living things" by interacting with both undead and living characters.

What to do?

The first thing you might notice is that this weapon has 0 damage...huh? you might say. is 0; all its damage is handled through its enchantment, which can only cause 35 points of fire damage to undead characters! It also restores 35 health points to the character when hit by a weapon (this does not count as a hostile action).

In addition, when a powerful attack is made on an undead character for the first time, it will cause an explosion, cause confusion 2 times per second, and cause 10 points of damage per second to all undead characters in the area, and can heal all living creatures (including you), and increase health by 5 points per second, lasting 45 seconds. Subsequent strength attacks against undead have an 18% chance of causing the same explosion. This effect stacks!

Overall the effect is relatively simple. Its gameplay is designed around the Paladin character, who can collect large numbers of undead around and kill them with DOT AOE while passively healing. Of course, it will also work well with companions, as they will benefit from AOE healing, as well as the ability to heal them by smacking them with your sword! Healing also works with the Respite perk (your healing also grants stamina), helping you keep attacking those undead for more bursts of power!

This weapon has the obvious disadvantage of being completely useless against living enemies, but I feel like this gives the artifact a very unique flavor that fits well with Meridia's mantra.