Fun Builds in Skyrim
So, you’ve entered the frostbitten lands of Skyrim. Good choice! Amid dragons and political squabbles, a question arises: What kind of hero are you? Don’t worry. Building your Dragonborn is more about fun than rigid rules. In Skyrim, you can stumble to victory while shouting at chickens.
Forget chasing the mythical “best” build. The beauty of Skyrim is flexibility. What slices through Draugr for one player might feel like molasses for another. Do you like turning enemies into pincushions? Or maybe you prefer the sneaky approach? Smash everything with a giant hammer? Experiment! That’s the key here. Try different skills and playstyles. You might think you’re a noble knight, only to discover you launch fireballs while giggling. Embrace the chaos.
Popular and Effective Skyrim Builds
Let’s dive into builds that are popular and effective for causing mayhem in Skyrim. “Effective” does not mean “only way to play.” It means “highly likely to make you feel like a badass.”
Stealth Archer: The Sneaky Swiss Army Knife
Ah, the Stealth Archer. It’s practically a meme. And for good reason: it’s effective and easy to play. The core idea? Become one with the shadows. Your bow becomes a mobile siege engine. Enemies drop like flies before they know where the arrows come from. Easy mode? Perhaps.
- Skills: Sneak, Archery, Light Armor. Consider One-Handed or Two-Handed for personal encounters.
- Pros: Damage output? Astronomical. Crowd control? You’ll thin groups of bandits before they coordinate. Vulnerability? Minimal, they can’t hit what they can’t see. Plus, setup is easier than instant noodles.
- Cons: Ranged attacks can be a buzzkill. It requires patience. You can’t just run in bows blazing. But hey, patience is a virtue, especially when it leads to silent carnage.
The Stealth Archer is popular because it’s easy. Enemies wonder why they are suddenly full of arrows. They’re confused while you loot and move to your next victim. Unfair? Maybe, but Skyrim isn’t fair. Especially when giants launch you into orbit.
Spellsword: Magic and Steel, a Match Made in… Sovngarde?
Fancy some versatility? Enter the Spellsword. This build asks, “Why choose between magic and melee?” It blends spells and steel into destruction. Picture Gandalf meets Conan, with less beard and more pointy ears.
- Skills: One-Handed or Two-Handed, Destruction, Restoration, and some Illusion or Conjuration.
- Pros: Versatility is key. Adapt like a Khajiit in a skooma den. Need to blast a dragon? Done. Heal after a nasty bear hug? Easy. Use illusion magic to make enemies punch each other? Go for it! High damage across the board.
- Cons: Requires brainpower to manage magic and melee. Resource management becomes tricky. Some enemies resistant to magic might need you to hit them with a sword. The horror!
The Spellsword is undeniably well-rounded. Two-handed or one-handed? Doesn’t matter. Grab a weapon, swing, and lob fireballs or conjure wolves. Adaptability is key. Plus, who doesn’t love blasting frost trolls with fireballs before charging with a flaming sword?
Assassin: Silent, Deadly, and Fashionable in Black Leather
Do you love shadows and pointy daggers? Want to make enemies disappear? The Assassin build is for you. This focuses on maximizing stealth and delivering sneak attacks. You’ll cause NPCs to whisper when you walk by.
- Skills: Sneak, One-Handed, Light Armor, Illusion, and Alchemy.
- Pros: Damage output? Very high with sneak attack multipliers. Efficiency? Clear dungeons faster than a Khajiit fleeing guards. Stealth is your playground; you’re king (or queen).
- Cons: Ranged attacks and magic are your kryptonite. Running in headfirst gets you killed. Patience is key for delivering sneak attack damage.
Assassin Skills & Perks: The Nitty-Gritty
- Sneak: Shadow Warrior, Assassin’s Blade, Backstab, Invisibility.
- One-Handed: Armsman, Critical Strike, Brutal Stance.
- Light Armor: Wind Walker, Agile-Feet, Unburdened.
- Archery: Deadly Aim, Quick Shot, Ranger.
- Illusion: Novice to Master Illusion perks for higher-level spells.
Assassin Races: Who Does it Best?
- Dark Elf (Dunmer): Fire resistance and bonus to sneak.
- Khajiit: Bonuses to sneak and unarmed combat. Night Eye ability for darkness.
- Bosmer (Wood Elf): Archery and sneak bonuses, nimble and light-footed.
- Argonian: Water breathing and sneak bonuses.
Werewolf: Unleash the Inner Beast (and Lots of Claws)
Tired of subtlety? Want claws instead of daggers? The Werewolf build is your ticket to furry fun. Transform into a beast and tear through enemies. Embrace your inner wolf. Just avoid chewing furniture.
- Skills: Two-Handed, Heavy Armor, Restoration, and Stealth.
- Pros: Damage output? Off the charts. Survivability? Tanky as heck. Controlling your beast form can be tricky.
- Cons: Vulnerable to fire. Unsubtlety could scare locals, leading to conversations and potential bounties. Silver weapons hurt.
- the idea.
Other Fun and Effective Build Archetypes:
- Dual-Wielding Warrior: Two swords are better than one. Maximize attack speed. Overwhelm enemies. Ideal for players who like offense.
- Sword and Shield Knight/Paladin: Classic build. Reliable and tanky. Bash with your shield. Cleave with your sword. Be the hero Skyrim needs or a tough mercenary.
- Elemental Mage: Master destruction magic. Fire, frost, lightning – unleash elements on foes. Harness Magicka. Watch enemies crisp or freeze.
- Bound Weapons Only: Conjure weapons from Oblivion. Become a summoning circle of destruction. Travel light and look like a badass.
Weaponry Wisdom: One-Handed and Two-Handed Best-in-Slot
Let’s talk armaments. A build is as good as the weapon you wield. “Best” is subjective. Here are top-tier choices for mayhem.
Best One-Handed Weapons
- Nightingale Blade: Dagger with a vampiric edge. Absorbs health and stamina. Great for assassins who like life force.
- Windshear: Overpowered weapon. Staggers enemies with hits. Turns tough foes into punching bags.
- Chillrend: Frost damage and paralysis chance. Perfect for slowing frost trolls or chilly bandits.
- Dawnbreaker: Undead hate this sword. Fire damage with a fear effect. Skeleton-smasher and Draugr-dismemberer.
- Mace of Molag Bal/Trueflame: Mace for soul-trapping. Trueflame for pure damage. Infinite charge makes it practical.
- Stahlrim Weapons: Frost enchantments and chaos. Craft these if you can. Solid choices overall.
- Daedric Weapons: Powerful and enchantable. Fortify and absorb health enchantments. A great addition.
- Dragonbone Weapons: High damage and cool dragon style. Great for bragging rights.
Best Two-Handed Weapons
- Wuuthrad: Battleaxe king. Ysgramor’s weapon. Nasty against elves and beasts alike.
- Daedric Greatsword: Bigger and swingier than above. More brutal damage.
- Volendrung: Hammer that paralyzes and absorbs stamina. Smash and stun with ease.
- Champion’s Cudgel: Hammer with chaos damage. Unpredictable elemental destruction.
- Dawnguard Rune Hammer: Extra damage to vampires. Creates runes on the ground for area effects.
- Ebony Blade: Life-stealing sword. Grows stronger with betrayal. Ideal for morally flexible players.
- The Longhammer: Faster swing speed. Hit things quickly.
- Bloodskal Blade: Unleashes energy blasts with power attacks. Sword beams are fun!
Other Build Considerations: The Final Touches
Race, skills, weapons – we’ve talked about the key stuff. Here are final wise thoughts:
- Race Selection: Racial bonuses can direct your choices. Don’t feel trapped. Play what you enjoy. Khajiit Spellsword? Sure! Orcish mage? Absolutely! Decide on race to choose a side in the Skyrim civil war. Learn more here.
- Skills and Perks: Avoid spreading yourself thin. Focus on core skills that complement your build. Perks boost a good build to greatness.
- Experimentation: Mess around! Try different builds. Respec if needed. Skyrim is a playground, not a test. If things get tough, some encounters need new tactics. You can read about challenging moments here. Joining guilds can help too; find top ranked guilds here.
The best build in Skyrim is the one you enjoy the most. So go forth, Dragonborn, experiment, and create your legend. Just avoid getting arrested for shouting at chickens again.
