I've been doing the thieve's guild test and while coming across some info on the net, I read something that disturbed me. According to several sources from the net, quest items received from quests are weaker if recieved at a lower level. In other words, people who finish a certain quest and receive a equipment reward at a low level receive an inferior version of the item set. Say, two people finished the same quest and received the same items. The first person who was level 16 will get an inferior version of the item than the latter person who is level 25.

Does it work this way? I'm worried because I will be getting the nightingale armor soon and if I'm considered a low level for the theives guild questline (level 19), then I want to know the level needed for me to get the standard nightingale armor set. Also I just recieved the Nightingale blade and it's damage is 18 compared to the standard 32. Am I stuck with this inferior version forever? Or can I still get the weapon to the standard? Sad, I really want to continue the Theieves guild questline, unfortunately, if I do so at this level, I'll be getting permanent inferior weapons, this is what I fear.
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Yes this does happen, and also nightinggale becomes useless once you get high enough enchanting, so don't worry

According to the UESP it is a scaled item: http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Nightingale_Armor#Nightingale_Armor

if you want an enchantable set of armor that has some sort of "style" to it... find yourself a set of "worn shrouded" armor from the dark brotherhood chain. You won't be able to improve it via smithing, but you can enchant it.

EDIT: if you're a thief/assassin type... you shouldn't be getting struck in combat anyway, so the armor ratings should be irrelevant to your needs.

Can I still get this Nightingale armor up to its best form? Or am I stuck with this inferior version? Btw, thanks for the link on scaled armor, it healed a lot.

As far as I know the nightingale armor is not scaled only the bow is.

No, it is scaled depending on your level. You need to be 32+ according to UESP to get the best.

I see sorry about the false information, gotta make sure to read the right wiki in the future.

They are both good, depends on what you're looking for really. UESP just happens to have better info on the leveled items. Though I do believe the TES Wiki says it scales also, just doesn't have the info on the levels and such.

I like TES Wiki better for my alchemy ingredients, nicely laid out with effects and which ingredients can be used for each, but I digress.

Oh my bad, I meant my Nightingale blade. Can I still get it to its best form? Or am I stuck with the current inferior version i just received forever?

Same deal as with the armor, you're stuck with it.

Well, if you're on PC there are mods. But if not then yea. Levelled items strike again.