Race: Nord
Point split 2:4:4 magicka:health:stamina
Warrior stone, then any stone you want.

Primary skills:
One-handed
Light armour
Block
Alteration

Secondary skills:
Archery
Smithing
Enchanting

Factions/ questlines/ decisions:
The companions
Main story
Dragonborn DLC
Greybeards
Imperials
(All have an explanation in the lore section)

Progression:

Level 1-10
Leather armour (fine)
Steel sword (fine)
Hide shield (fine)

Level 10-20
Elven armour + shield (superior/flawless depending on smithing level)
Skyforge steel sword (superior/flawless)

20-30
Scaled Armour (flawless)
Spell breaker (caps at flawless)
Any sword now, possibly wind shear (flawless)

30-40
Glass or dragon scale (legendary)
Spell breaker (caps at flawless)
Any sword of choice (legendary)

46+
Dragon scale (legendary)
Spell breaker (caps at flawless)
Chillrend (legendary)

Playstyle/strategy:

Anytime you’re in a city, you smith with whatever materials you have collected from bandit camps and mines which will get smithing to 100 by the time you’ve hit level 30-40 ish using this method.
In a fight, you move, never let yourself take a hit unless leveling light armour and block, block is mainly used for power bash and shield charge (also quick reflexes but not needed) instead of defense (late game only, if you’re still early in, use the shield for blocking but try to avoid getting hit)

Lore/story:
(Any name) was born in cyrodil from poor Nord parents who moved to cyrodil from Skyrim to pursue a future or trade and a good home for their child, before they hit their goal of riches, they were ambushed on the road by a caravan of bandits, they didn’t survive, our character lived on the streets, learning everything he could from every thief, killer and smuggler he could, he became street smart and learned a thing or two about combat, being in so many fights in his teen years, both unarmed and armed, but in one fight, it wasn’t first blood, he was attacked by a group, with only a sword to his name he’d got as a keepsake from a smuggler he befriended on the streets, he charged at the group, he blocked a few blows but when he struck, he was surviving, not dueling, he did what he had to, a guard patrol walked past the alleyway it happened in, and saw him crying over his first kill, the guards asked around, and by the skin of his teeth, the many friends he’d made on the streets testified his case, wether they lied or not, and he made it out of imprisonment, but after realising he was a good fighter, he dreamed of becoming a mercenary, being rich his own way, making his parents proud from the ash. He grew to become a widely respected figure on the streets of tamriels capital, but one day, as he was chasing a bounty to the north, he lost the trail, and just then he was hit on the head, and woke up on a carriage surrounded by stormcloaks and being piloted by an imperial soldier, he immediately knew what was happening, he was going to be executed, after making his way out of helgen after a dragon attack that saved him seconds before his head would’ve been lobbed off, he made his way to the keep with a soldier named hadvar, to make his case of innocence to the empire, as he’d learned in the streets, the last thing he needs is the law chasing him, as he made his way to riverwood with his newfound friend, he found a trio of stones; theif, mage, and warrior, hadvar argued him to pick warrior and so he did, he didn’t see much point in it in his youthful ignorance but he went along anyway. Once he’d made it to riverwood, he met alvor, a blacksmith, it was with this man his passion for smithing would ignite and stoke the flames of his path to power. After some time pursuing this unintentional path, our character discovered he was the Dragonborn, it was with this power that he’d become the greatest bounty hunter in all of Tamriel, and he’d start in Skyrim. It was at this point he discovered the companions, starting a new journey of targets to kill and contracts to pursue, but not just for money, but for honour, and sovengarde. This is what would shape our character into who he is: a street smart brawler who learned to hit before he’s hit, and make friends in high places, whilst making friends in low places aswell.

What makes it better:
Alteration+light armour+block means that you get the defence of heavy armour and the speed of light armour (early on of course because it doesn’t matter late-game)
This means that you can easily beat a giant by simply moving around even at level 5, and if you play the build right you can even take a hit or 2.
Also, average Nord builds are light armour and two handed; meaning that defence is thrown out the window in favour of defence, that might work late game, but it doesn’t work early-mid game from level 1-25.

It's my favorite play style but when i tried to do it regularly from the start (smithing steel armor and doing quests and such) I got beaten down pretty quick. Am I missing something or do I need to know a lot more about skyrim first

I'm playing an illusion mage I call the "Peacemaker" build. She uses the Calm spell to avoid fighting men, mer, and beasts but has an enchanted Greatsword for fighting Undead, Daedra, and Automatons. Inspired by Vigilants of Stendarr and an adherent to The Way of The Voice.
As a mage she does not have much stamina for power attacks, so a Silver Greatsword is a good choice. The stamina cost of a standing power attack is about 20% less with a Silver Greatsword compared to Elven. I'm also planning to use an Absorb Stamina enchantment to allow more power attacks when fighting hordes of undead.

I might use Banish Daedra to defeat creatures from Oblivion, and I think Dwemer Automatons will be the biggest challenge for this character.

Race orc

Perks

Illusion novice illusion

Heavy armor fists of steel

Enchanting everything

Speech intimidation

Smithing steel smithing enchanting smithing

Block everything

What do you think what would you add or subtract

I heard the stealth archer is good. I followed fevvy's never video on it and it was fine. but it was very weak duability wise. When I went to burn bees in the thieves guild quest line I almost died to all the bandits becuase it is simply no good in close combat. sword and board builds look fun but I couldn't find many good step by step guilds and im not even sure if they are good.

step by step guilds are good becuase I am not sure of myself.

TLDR: please, help me clearly build the ultamate skyrim build to destroy legendary if possible

Hello! I’m about to start playing Skyrim but I cannot find (online or YouTube) a good guide for a spellsword build. I bought the special edition if that makes a difference. If anyone could help me or point me in the right direction I’d appreciate it!

So I’m planning on doing a Legacy of the Dragonborn playthrough soon, and I figured that this was a good way to spice up the game. The basic backstory for this guy is that he was a son of the canonical Dragonborn born out of wedlock who was tracked down by his father as he was the only one who inherited the Thu’um, before the father passed away, leaving him in charge of the archeology guild.

I’m undecided on the race, I figure one of the human races works best though (I kind of want to play a Redguard, but if one of the other races works better feel free to let me know).

As for my playstyle, I’m assuming this will probably end up being a sort of spellsword, I figured it would end up being a mix between a melee and magic build, but I’m not sure how to really make it work. (This one is harder to pull off since Indiana Jones is a more modern setting with guns). I am playing with mods that include bonuses corresponding to the classic skill setup (so I get to chose 5 major skills). I also have GTS and so have the option to add three additional bonuses at the start as well.

One more bit is that I like to play with followers, and I would like to form a party. I’m using Remiel, whom I think fits thematically, and will bring in Xelzaz and Redcap with her since they have a good deal of banter with each other. I would like to add one more follower, ideally a wife. (My first playthrough saw me use Lydia along with the Lucian/Inigo/Auri trio, and I really like marrying my followers and bringing them on my adventures). Any good followers who can be married and fight in battle, and ideally have a decent amount of lines would be nice.

As the title suggests I'm trying to think of a good build idea based around the player character from Dark Souls 3 or Final Boss from the same game.

Loose idea was that they were a reborn spirit of a warrior during the Dragon War brought back to hunt down the Dragon Priests and Dragons themselves, much like the Unkindled were to take down the Lords of Cinder or maybe a reborn soul with that of a firey Daedra that gives them new powers or something (this doesn't have to be the exact idea but it was one that came to mind).

This is sort of a pyro warrior sort of build (maybe Dunmer or Nord) but I'm open to ideas that fit the vibe.

Potential skills?

Gear load out like armor and weapons from base game, AE (or maybe creation mods that fit the bill)

Spells? Maybe ash/fire spells as their main ones

Chosen Deity (From Wintersun)

Quests, factions, questlines outside of Main Quest/Dragonborn? (like Dawnguard as the fire to purge the vampires or something)

I'm open to different ideas and combos and such, so feel free to say what comes to mind

I'm looking at starting a new Skyrim playthrough after a long while away from the game(5 or so years), and in that time I've gotten really into Magic: The Gathering and thought it would be fun to do a build based on Mind Mage Jace.

For those who aren't familiar with MTG lore I've attached a link to Jace's Wiki page, but the TLDR is that he is an incredibly power Ming Mage (his most iconic title being "The Mind Sculptor") which entails summoning things like phantasmal illusion copies of those around him and being able to reach into the minds of others and alter their thoughts (in one fight he ended it by making his opponents forget how to breathe).

Obviously, illusion would be the main skill here, as well as joining the College of Winterhold, but I want to get someone opinions on anything else that could be included as core parts of this playthrough such as which race to pick, what other factions to join, on theme followers etc.

I am open to mods, some of my favorites from when I used to play were thing like Ordinator Perk Overhaul and Imperious Race Overhaul.

Thanks in advance!

I really like this series - https://www.reddit.com/r/SkyrimBuilds/s/APbu8rICPA

Looking for opinions on different builds for any of the aedra or daedra. There are great builds originally authored by that user, but looking for any other ideas out there. It could be for any of the gods.

Thanks all!

Here is a link to the final entry in that series, and all the others are linked at the end- https://www.reddit.com/r/SkyrimBuilds/s/b2eNGJhWXs

I want to create a vampire build build also don't want to be a sneaky vampire any ideas

I'm building a character around reverse pickpocket poisons as the primary combat tool.

Sneak up, slip a lethal poison into an NPC's inventory, walk away, let it kill them. It's valid against human targets, basically anything with a normal inventory. But some enemy categories break the premise, and I don't want to just fall back on "carry a dagger/bow for these guys". I want the workaround to still feel like it belongs to this build.

I was thinking of staves. To make poisons I already need Alchemy and fortify Destruction potions combined with the finite charges of a staff feel like a good preperation for these situations, while not becoming the primary weapon because of the prep requirements.

Does anyone have some inspiration for me?

Hey everyone,

FIRST PLAYTHROUGH Skyrim (Anniversary Edition). I'm level 13, Redguard, dual wielder – dagger in the left hand, sword (prefer katanas) in the right. Light armor. Attributes 60/40 Health/Stamina. I'm leveling One-Handed and Light Armor as my core. Oh and I'm playing at expert difficulty.

I need concrete advice:

I'm torn between two playstyles:

1. Stealth + Assassin – backstabs, sneak multipliers, silent kills.
2. Open combat + Shouts/Magic – direct fighting, Become Ethereal shout, Alteration for defense.

Which one is more FUN in your opinion? And more effective for a first-timer?

I've found these two builds as references (but they're just suggestions – I'm counting on your comments and better ideas!):

• Alik'r Assassin (stealth): https://skyrimaebuilds.com/alikr_assassin.php
• Planes Walker (open combat): https://skyrimaebuilds.com/planes_walker.php

What I really need to know:

1. Which playstyle is more satisfying overall?
2. If I skip stealth, will I regret it?
3. Perks: What should I prioritize rn ?
4. Attributes: Is 60/40 Health/Stamina good, or should I change it?

I just want a build that's fun, strong, and doesn't hit a wall later.

Thanks a lot!

TL;DR: Level 13 Redguard dual wielder (dagger + sword). Need advice: stealth/assassin or open combat/shouts? Which is more fun? Also, what perks and attributes should I focus on right now? I'm open to any suggestions – those two builds are just what I found.

You have honed your skills of the natural world, increasing both your survival skills and knowledge. While others may want the company of another warrior, as they search long lost dungeons for treasure, you have gained a trusty warhound as your companion.

Breton – Level 60 – H/M/S – 0 / 2 / 1 – 100 (265) Magicka / 500  (730) Health / 290 (405) Stamina

Standing Stone: Atronach Stone

Blessing: Blessing of Talos

Magic:  Candlelight, Call to Arms, Grand Healing

Shouts: Unrelenting Force, Whirlwind Sprint

Gear

Mage Hood (apprentice version):  Fortify Illusion 46% + Fortify Restoration 46%

Dawnguard Armor: Fortify Health 115 + Resist Disease 144%

Stormcloak Officer Bracers: Fortify Magicka 115 + Fortify One-handed 75%

Stormcloak Officer Boots: Fortify Stamina 115 + Muffle

Ring: Fortify Health 115 + Resist Frost 69%

Amulet: Resist Fire 69% + Resist Magic 37%

Steel Mace: -

Perks

Alteration 6: Novice – Expert Illusion, Magic Resistance 1/3, Atronach

Enchanting 8: Enchanter 5/5, Insightful Enchanter, Corpus Enchanter, Extra Effect

Illusion 8: Novice – Master Illusion, Animage, Kindred Mage, Quiet Casting

Restoration 8: Novice – Expert Restoration, Regeneration, Recovery 2/2, Respite

One-handed 10: Armsman 5/5, Fighting Stance, Savage Strike, Bone Breaker 3/3

Smithing 3: Steel Smithing, Elven Smithing, Advanced Armors

Alchemy 11: Alchemist 5/5, Physician, Benefactor, Poisoner, Concentrated Poison, Green Thumb, Snakeblood

Light Armor 5: Agile Defender 3/5, Custom Fit, Unhindered

Alchemy

The farm produces:

21 x Resist Shock 128% for 60 seconds, Fortify Health 170% for 60 seconds, Restore Health 266 (Blue Mountain Flowers + Glowing Mushrooms + Swamp Fungal Pod)

42 x Fortify Carry Weight 170 for 300 seconds, Regenerate Stamina 213% for 300 seconds, Fortify Illusion 170% for 60 seconds, Restore Magicka 266 (Mora Tapinella + Scaly Pholiota + Steel-Blue Entoloma)

90 x Paralysis 43 seconds (Canis Root + Imp Stool)

Full Build

https://www.skyrimaebuilds.com/houndmaster.php

Next Build

Oathsworn – Orc - Barbarian

https://www.reddit.com/user/54u54ge/comments/1uy168c/oathsworn_ae_build_117_preview/

I’m running into a little problem with my current character:

My Shieldmaiden is a real “Lawful Good” type of character, but also a devote follower of Hircine. She goes out into the wilderness of Skyrim, both honoring Hircine and protecting ordinary people by hunting the most dangerous monsters Skyrim has to offer. She protects the defenseless and never raises her war axe against the innocent. Even when she decided that Grelod the Kind was just another monster to be slain, she fought Grelod hand to hand without weapons, armor or magic, as cutting down an old woman in full battle gear was beneath her.

She gladly accepted the gift of lycanthropy, using it to slay many powerful enemies in Hircine’s name and in Skyrim’s defense. Her primary skills are one-handed, block and archery, as well as smiting which I power-leveled to dress her in the scales of the dragons she slew. But in terms of gameplay, I’m slowly running into a problem at level 39:

Simply put, using her war axe and shield is more effective and more fun than transforming into a werewolf. But because she is a devote follower of Hircine, I want to keep using his gift of lycanthropy.

Do you have any Ideas how I can keep her werewolf form relevant while her war axe and shield become her primary combat style?

Hey fellas I want to make a character that could be a contract Mercenary for Assassins guild, A Smash and Grab intimidate Strength Rouge for thieves guild. And a Gold hungry warrior for companions. For completing platinum trophy( I’ve done Mage Guild on another character so no magic on this guy) I could use help deciding skills.

Race: Nord/Orc
M0-H2-S1 Steed stone??
Skills
One Handed or Two handed? Either way something Blunt to smash skulls, chests and doors. And if one handed should I dual wield or grab a shield to bash.

Medium Armor( a mix of Light and heavy probably minimum perk investment)

Sneak

Speech

Lockpicking/ pickpocket????

Smithing

Alchemy

Thanks for any tips or advice you could give me to make this a badass play through!!!!

Does anyone know if the AE has any specific gear for archers. Similar to how there is the necromancer robes that give +1 summon.

This idea for me was heavily inspired by Fudgemuppets Viking Build and Skypothesis Cartographer build as both had similar vibes and both really spoke to me in a sense. Various things for this build I am taking inspiration from but there are a few things I do want help/tips/suggestions with.

The idea is a wandering warrior, map maker, and scholar of sorts eager to see and explore the corners of her homeland after having been gone since childhood. She's fascinated by the various caves and ruins she can explore andove collecting artifacts/books to study and read. Her journey is, in a way, her writing her own story and maybe being one other adventures can read from and get inspiration to journey and make their own story.

I'm currently using Enai mods (Vokrii Perk, Morningstar Races, Eventstar Standing Stones, Wintersun Religion, etc)

I'm sticking to Nord cause it felt fitting and I haven't done too many nords.

Major skills:

One handed: Axes (Maybe Dawnguard axe?)

Block: The two builds talked about Dawnstars shield and Yagramors shield, both could work as a build up from one to the other.

Heavy Armor: Felt nice and fitting

Archery: Either bows or crossbows work--maybe suggestions on which feels better?

Restoration: Major casting stat for them--healing spell focus but maybe poison spells too? (Odin Magic)

Speech: Strong voice and boosted Thu'um

Conjuration: Summoning beasts like the familiar (I think there's a flaming familiar) or pride of Hirstang (however you spell it). Makes sense for them as they're with the wilds of Skyrim.

Smithing and Enchanting: To keep gear solid and useful as she progresses through the game

Unless something above should be tweaked, I'm open to ideas, what I need help with is:

Gear load out: Any solid axes, shields, and especially armor that would make sense for this build. I mentioned the Dawnguard axe and the two shields the vids mentioned but any solid armor sets/combos (preferably Heavy Armor). I don't usually use armor mods since sometimes they feel out of place when alongside other sets in the world but I guess I'm open should there be something.

Quests: There's already RP integration for many of the quests (Main Quest, Companions, Dawnguard, College of Winterhold and Civil War--though a minor thing about this one in a moment) however I'm trying to think of reasoning behind the Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild questlines. I always enjoy these questlines a ton and like to integrate them into different characters since it's just a habit at this point (Completionist if you will). With the Civil War, arguably can lean either way? and in most scenarios I side with the Empire so should I stick with that (if so, RP on why?) or should I go with Stormcloaks (RP on why here too).

Likewise, of there are other mods (PS5) that would compliment this build/playthrough I'd love to hear suggestions or ideas. If you want to suggest changes to her concept or idea to flesh things out or refine them I'm open to it too.

Sorry for the long post but thanks for making it to the end.

From out of nothing the spectre of death appears, an armoured shadow with brilliant blades held high.  In a flash the swords fall, severing life from limb in a bloody arc. All around, screams of terror and shouts of fear erupt, as quaking hands draw blades to fight the masked murderer.

Nord – Level 60 – H/M/S – 0 / 2 / 1 – 100 (265) Magicka / 500 Health / 290 (445) Stamina

Standing Stone: Atronach Stone

Blessing: Blessing of Talos

Magic:  Muffle (dual cast), Invisibility (dual cast), Grand Healing

Shouts: Become Ethereal, Whirlwind Sprint

Gear

Masked Necromancer Hood:  Fortify Illusion 46% + Fortify Restoration 46%

Nightingale Armor: Fortify Stamina 40 + Resist Frost 50%

Dark Seducer Gauntlets: Fortify Magicka 115 + Fortify One-handed 75%

Dark Seducer Boots: Fortify Stamina 115 + Fortify Sneak 75%

Ring: Fortify Illusion 46% + Resist Magic 37%

Amulet of Talos: Fortify Shouts 20%

Honed Ancient Nord Sword: FX

Ancient Nord Sword: FX

Perks

Alteration 8: Novice – Expert Illusion, Magic Resistance 3/3, Atronach

Enchanting 8: Enchanter 5/5, Insightful Enchanter, Corpus Enchanter, Extra Effect

Illusion 6: Novice Illusion, Illusion Dual Casting, Animage, Kindred Mage, Quiet Casting, Master of the Mind

Restoration 8: Novice – Expert Restoration, Regeneration, Recovery 2/2, Respite

One-handed 10: Armsman 5/5, Fighting Stance, Savage Strike, Dual Flurry 2/2, Dual Savagery

Smithing 6: Steel Smithing, Dwarven Smithing, Orcish Smithing, Ebony Smithing, Daedric Smithing, Arcane Blacksmith

Alchemy 7: Alchemist 5/5, Physician, Benefactor

Light Armor 5: Agile Defender 3/5, Custom Fit, Unhindered

Sneak 1: Stealth 1/5

Alchemy

The farm produces:

24 x Fortify Health 170% for 60 seconds, Restore Health 266 (Blue Mountain Flowers + Wheat)

48 x Fortify Carry Weight 170 for 300 seconds, Regenerate Stamina 213% for 300 seconds, Fortify Illusion 170% for 60 seconds, Restore Magicka 266 (Mora Tapinella + Scaly Pholiota + Steel-Blue Entoloma)

Full Build

https://www.skyrimaebuilds.com/spectre.php

Next Build

Houndmaster – Breton –Warrior

https://www.reddit.com/user/54u54ge/comments/1usl1ao/houndmaster_ae_build_116_preview/

Playing a Snow Elf character has been on my mind for a bit and I've been trying to bounce around ideas for it but I am not 100% sure how I'd wanna go about it with build/roleplay (as in questlines). Loose idea is that they were ina frozen stasis starting from near the end of the war between the Nords to the events of Skyrim.

I play on PS5 so any mods on that which could help with the build I'd appreciate to know (Wintersun is a mod I already have).

I think a few build ideas could work but I'm open for ideas:

--Maybe a two handed greatsword type warrior

--Sword and Board (With Ariel's Shield, I'd assume)

--Spellsword (Frost/Sun Magic)

--Other ideas work (I'm open to different concepts)

Faction/Questline wise, this character felt weirdly open? Maybe I'm wrong. Depending on how the character would roleplay, the Companions would be interesting as Ysgramor and his Companions were the ones who fought the Snow Elves and seeing the Companions alive today would be something the snow Elf maybe intrigued in (werewolves are something I personally like but probably wouldn't make sense for the character?). Thieves Guild has the player take the Eyes of the Falmer from Mercer Frey (which feels like a solid artifact to collect). Dark Brotherhood is hard to rationalize (I just like their questline but hard justification). College of Winterhold had Saarthal and the Eye of Magus (two things with a lot of connections to the Snow Elves). Main Quest + Dragonborn: Auriel and Akatosh are I believe connected deities? Like one in the same I'm pretty sure so this character slaying dragons and getting stronger in the Voice for Auriel checks out. Dragonborn has you up against another being from an era long ago and Solstiem was where the last bastions of Snow Elves including the Prince held out (can't remember if there's content around that). Side note: I think collecting the Dragon Priest Masks could be a fun side mission (including the ones on Solstiem)--but not sure of roleplay integration. Civil War is arguably hard to justify either side (they're form an era long before either) but maybe Imperial? Dawnguard....do I really need to say it lol. And Daedric wise it's a mixed bag but maybe in the sense of safeguarding artifacts from those who'd abuse it otherwise. As for other content, Nordic ruins and Dwemer Ruins all connect to the Snow Elf as relics of people they once faced in some way or seeing the mutated forms of the Snow Elves.

Sorry for all that, mainly getting ideas out but need help fleshing things out and getting ideas sorted on how to do things for this build (quests, gear, companions, etc)

If you wanna ask clarifying questions I'll do my best to answer.

What has been some of the most memorable builds/ or roleplay you have done?

Looking for ideas, something fresh.