ESODecoded

Impaling Shards

Warden · Winter's Embrace · Active — base skill and all 2 morphs, exact values.

data retrieved 2026-08-23 · datamined via UESP

At a glance

Class / categoryWarden
Skill lineWinter's Embrace
Skill typeActive
Morphs2
Base cost3240 Magicka
Unlocks atLevel 4

Base skill & morphs

BASE Impaling Shards3240 Magicka · unlocks lvl 4

Conjure icy shards around you to skewer enemies in the area, dealing 405 Frost Damage every 1 second for 12 seconds. Enemies hit are overcome with bitter cold, reducing their Movement Speed by 30% for 3 seconds. Damage done is based on your Max Health, and has a higher chance to apply the Chilled status effect.

MORPH Gripping Shards2970 Magicka · unlocks lvl 4

Conjure icy shards around you to skewer enemies in the area, immobilizing them for 3 seconds and dealing 419 Frost Damage every 1 second for 12 seconds. Enemies hit are overcome with bitter cold, reducing their Movement Speed by 30% for 3 seconds. Damage done is based on your Max Health and has a higher chance to apply the Chilled status effect.

MORPH Winter's Revenge3240 Magicka · unlocks lvl 4

Conjure icy shards at the target location to skewer enemies in the area, dealing 294 Frost Damage every 1 second for 12 seconds. This damage increases by 30% if cast with a Destruction Staff equipped. Enemies hit are overcome with bitter cold, reducing their Movement Speed by 30% for 3 seconds. This ability has a higher chance to apply the Chilled status effect.

Morph differences

What each morph changes relative to the base skill — exact datamined text only, no recommendation of which to pick.

Impaling Shards BASE

Conjure icy shards around you to skewer enemies in the area, dealing 405 Frost Damage every 1 second for 12 seconds. Enemies hit are overcome with bitter cold, reducing their Movement Speed by 30% for 3 seconds. Damage done is based on your Max Health, and has a higher chance to apply the Chilled status effect.

Gripping Shards MORPH

Changes vs base: Conjure icy shards around you to skewer enemies in the area, immobilizing them for 3 seconds and dealing 419 Frost Damage every 1 second for 12 seconds. Damage done is based on your Max Health and has a higher chance to apply the Chilled status effect.

Winter's Revenge MORPH

Changes vs base: Conjure icy shards at the target location to skewer enemies in the area, dealing 294 Frost Damage every 1 second for 12 seconds. This damage increases by 30% if cast with a Destruction Staff equipped. This ability has a higher chance to apply the Chilled status effect.

Champion Points that modify Impaling Shards (5)

Matched by us from the datamined text on both sides — the star's own condition and this skill's own damage — not a relationship the game ships. Universal stars (Precision, Piercing, Fighting Finesse, Backstabber) apply to every damaging ability and are left out on purpose.

StarWhenThe star saysMatches because this skill…
Thaumaturgeonly while slotteddamage done with damage over time effectsdeals damage over time
Master-at-Armsonly while slotteddamage done with direct damage attacksdeals direct damage
Biting Auraonly while slotteddamage done with area of effect attackscan hit more than one enemy
War Magealways activeWeapon and Spell Damage to Magical attacksdeals Frost Damage (Magical)
Wrathful Strikesonly while slottedWeapon and Spell Damage to your damaging abilitiesdeals damage

FAQ

What are the morphs of Impaling Shards?

Impaling Shards has 2 morphs: Gripping Shards, Winter's Revenge.

What's the difference between the Impaling Shards morphs?

Gripping Shards: Conjure icy shards around you to skewer enemies in the area, immobilizing them for 3 seconds and dealing 419 Frost Damage every 1 second for 12 seconds. Damage done is based on your Max Health and has a higher chance to apply the Chilled status effect.

Winter's Revenge: Conjure icy shards at the target location to skewer enemies in the area, dealing 294 Frost Damage every 1 second for 12 seconds. This damage increases by 30% if cast with a Destruction Staff equipped. This ability has a higher chance to apply the Chilled status effect.

How much does Impaling Shards cost?

3240 Magicka.

Where does Impaling Shards come from?

Warden · Winter's Embrace skill line.