Right now im using a dagger and there are plenty of shortswords with better attack. Most of my attacks are sneak attack so im thinking that a shortsword would be better cause of the added damage for the critical hit.

So basically what im wondering is, are there any benefits for using a dagger instead of a shortsword? If it matters, im playing a thief/assassin type character.

Daggers have a very fast attack. That's it though.

Yes. When you use a dagger, you use less fatigue when attacking.

There are two factors for blades (and blunts I guess). Weight and Reach.

You need to find a balance between them, obviously it's good to have a further reach, but if that sword is very heavy, your fatigue is going to drain like crazy. With a dagger, you can hit your enemy several times quickly before your fatigue drains.

As mentioned you have to look at the total attack ( damage per hit, number of hits per second, etc.) to determine which is more effective it is not just the attack strength.

One consideration with a dagger is the enchantment. The key here is that the dagger can strike several times per second.

Pre-enchanted weapons (you earn or find or loot) and sigil stone enchanted weapons deliver their damage instantly: ‘on strike’. Unfortunately, sigil weapons can only be crafted with one effect instead of the multiple effects you can apply at the enchanting altars.

Weapons crafted at the enchanting altars deliver their damage no faster than over the course of one full second. Any strike with such a weapon before the second is up simply resets things before the damage is fully delivered. This is very wasteful and inefficient with a weapon that strikes as quickly as a dagger. The short sword is somewhat better in this regard.

I like a dagger for poison, especially for a stealthy character. You can hit the enemy with a poisoned sneak attack for a big bonus, and then hit them several more times before they can react. Then you dodge away, and stay out of reach until the poison finishes them...

As Acadian points out, the dagger is less efficient for delivering enchantments.

honestly ik its out of character for rangers but long sword is worth usingg