"The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” – The Best Build Guides for Beginners

Arc is a self-help author/speaker and AI thinker. He also make apps as a side hustle.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim may be a decade old but the game still doesn't lose it’s popularity and it’s still getting new players. Although you can be a jack-of-all-trades, the only way to beat the hard to kill enemies is to be committed to a build. And that’s what this article is all about. Whether you’re a new player or someone who wanted to try a different variant, you’re in the right place.

Table of contents

1. Paladin

2. Crusader

3. Pure Mage

4. Stealth Archer

5. Barbarian

6. Berserker

7. Dual Wielder

8. Arcane Assassin

9. Armored Monk

10. Thief

11. Vampire Spellblade

12. Shapeshifter Werewolf

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1. Paladin

First in the list is my all time favorite build in any RPG, the Paladin.

My Paladin build in Skyrim can deal large amount of damage with two-handed weapon while being able to defend itself by wearing Heavy Armor and wielding both Restoration and Alteration spells.

This build can also easily kill undead and vampire enemies due to it’s set of sun fire spells.

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Race: Breton

Breton has a natural 25% magic resistance which is perfect for a Paladin build. It can also absorb magicka for 60 seconds with Dragonskin.

Attributes

• Health: Place 50% of all your points here, since this is a melee build.
• Magicka: 30% will be placed here since you’ll be casting a lot of support spells.
• Stamina: The remaining 20% goes to stamina for executing power attacks. This build can restore stamina via Respite perks so there’s no need to worry about not having enough.

Skills

Two-Handed

• Barbarian (5)
• Champion’s Stance
• Deep Wounds (3) or Limbsplitter (3) or Skull Crasher (3) – Choose one depending on what kind of two-handed weapon you’re planning to use.
• Devastating Blow
• Great Critical Charge
• Sweep
• Warmaster

Block

• Shield Wall (5)
• Quick Reflex
• Power Bash
• Deadly Bash
• Disarming Bash

Heavy Armor

• Juggernaut (5)
• Well Fitted
• Fists of Steel – you will just take this for the sake of pre-requisite.
• Cushioned
• Tower of Strength
• Conditioning
• Matching Set
• Reflect Blows

Restoration

• Novice Restoration
• Restoration Dual Casting
• Regeneration
• Apprentice Restoration
• Recovery (2)
• Respite
• Adept Restoration
• Necromage
• Expert Restoration
• Avoid Death

Restoration Spells

• Healing
• Fast Healing
• Healing Hands
• Necromatic Healing
• Sun Fire
• Turn Lesser Undead
• Close Wounds
• Heal Other
• Heal Undead
• Repel Lesser Undead
• Stendarr’s Aura
• Turn Undead
• Vampire’s Bane
• Circle of Protection
• Grand Healing
• Repel Undead
• Turn Greater Undead

Alteration

• Novice Alteration
• Alteration Dual Casting
• Apprentice Alteration
• Magic Resistance (3)
• Adept Alteration
• Stability
• Expert Alteration
• Atronach

Alteration Spells

• Candlelight
• Oakflesh
• Stoneflesh
• Ironflesh
• Waterbreathing
• Ebonyflesh
• Paralyze

Enchanting

• Enchanter (5)
• Soul Squeezer
• Fire Enchanter
• Soul Siphon
• Frost Enchanter
• Insightful Enchanter
• Storm Enchanter
• Corpus Enchanter
• Extra Effect

Alchemy

• Alchemist (5)
• Physician
• Benefactor
• Experimenter (1)
• Snakeblood

Speech

• Haggling (5)
• Allure
• Bribery
• Persuasion
• Merchant
• Investor
• Fence
• Master Trader

Smithing

It’s up to you what kind of weapons and armors you preferred to forge. Just take note that this build uses two-handed weapon and heavy armor.

It’s up to you where you wanted to place the remaining perk points.

Required Equipment

• Two-Handed melee weapon
• Heavy Armor

2. Crusader

Crusader wields one-handed weapon and alternately changing shield, restoration spells, or alteration spells on the other hand. The build specializes in high survivability and convenience of casting support spells. It’s can also kill undead and vampires effectively due to its sunfire dealing spells.

Race: Imperial

Imperial’s versatile skill bonuses is well suited for a Crusader build. Choosing this race can also make you farm coins faster due to Imperial Luck. And for survivability, Voice of the Emperor is great way to survive with group of mobs attacking your character.

Attributes

• Health: 50% of points should be invested here since this is a tank build.
• Magicka: 30% on magicka for support spells.
• Stamina: This build can restore stamina via Respite perks so 20% of points is enough here.

Skills

One-Handed

• Armsman (5)
• Fighting Stance
• Bladesman (3) or Hack and Slash (3) or Bone Breaker (3) – Depending on what type of weapon you prefer to use.
• Savage Strike
• Critical Charge
• Paralyzing Strike

Block

• Shield Wall (5)
• Deflect Arrows
• Quick Reflexes
• Power Bash
• Elemental Protection
• Deadly Bash
• Block Runner
• Disarming Bash
• Shield Charge

Heavy Armor

• Juggernaut (5)
• Fists of Steel – For the sake of pre-requisite.
• Well Fitted
• Cushioned
• Tower of Strength
• Conditioning
• Matching Set
• Reflect Blows

Restoration

• Novice Restoration
• Regeneration
• Apprentice Restoration
• Recovery (2)
• Respite
• Adept Restoration
• Necromage
• Expert Restoration
• Avoid Death

Restoration Spells

• Healing
• Fast Healing
• Healing Hands
• Necromatic Healing
• Sun Fire
• Turn Lesser Undead
• Close Wounds
• Heal Other
• Heal Undead
• Repel Lesser Undead
• Stendarr’s Aura
• Turn Undead
• Vampire’s Bane
• Circle of Protection
• Grand Healing
• Repel Undead
• Turn Greater Undead

Alteration

• Novice Alteration
• Apprentice Alteration
• Magic Resistance (3)
• Adept Alteration
• Stability
• Expert Alteration
• Atronach

Alteration Spells

• Candlelight
• Oakflesh
• Stoneflesh
• Ironflesh
• Waterbreathing
• Ebonyflesh
• Paralyze

Enchanting

• Enchanter (5)
• Fire Enchanter
• Frost Enchanter
• Insightful Enchanter
• Storm Enchanter
• Corpus Enchanter
• Extra Effect

Alchemy

• Alchemist (5)
• Physician
• Benefactor
• Experimenter (1)
• Snakeblood

Speech

• Haggling (5)
• Allure
• Bribery
• Persuasion
• Merchant
• Investor
• Fence
• Master Trader

Smithing

The only thing to take note of is that this build uses one-handed weapon and heavy armor. So it’s up to you what kind of weapons and armor you preferred to forge.

It’s up to you where you wanted to place the remaining perk points.

Required Equipment

• One-Handed melee weapon
• Shield
• Heavy Armor

3. Pure Mage

This is a pure dual casting mage build that can deal tremendous amount of annihilation to its enemies. And yes, this build doesn’t need a weapon so save your coins for buying skill books instead.

Race: High Elf (Altmer)

High Elf or also known as Altmer is basically the best race for building a mage due to its Fortify Magicka that passively increases magicka by 50 points. So you already have 150 magicka at the very beginning of the game which I consider an outstanding headstart for playing mage. It’s Highborn also allows you to regenerate magicka faster for 60 seconds, once a day.

Attributes

• Magicka: 70% to 80% goes here since magicka is the life blood of this build.
• Health: Still you’ll be needing health to survive from few hits.

Skills

Destruction

You’ll be needing all the perks from this tree since you’ll be changing different spells depending on what type of enemy you’re going to encounter.

Fire for continuous damage to non-Dunmer enemies.

Frost for non-Nord melee and archer type enemies.

Shock for magicka wielding enemies.

Destruction Spells

• Flames
• Frostbite
• Sparks
• Arniel’s Convection
• Firebolt
• Freeze
• Ice Spike
• Ignite
• Lightning Bolt
• Fire Rune
• Frost Rune
• Lightning Rune
• Chain Lightning
• Fireball
• Ice Storm
• Flame Cloak
• Frost Cloak
• Lightning Cloak
• Whirlwind Cloak
• Icy Spear
• Incinerate
• Thunderbolt
• Wall of Flames
• Wall of Frost
• Wall of Storms
• Blizzard
• Fire Storm
• Lightning Storm

Alteration

You’ll be also needing all the perks from this tree as well for maximum protection. Make sure you’re just wearing clothes or robes to trigger the effect of Mage Armor which multiplies the effect of protection spells from Alteration.

Alteration Spells

• Candlelight
• Equilibrium
• Oakflesh
• Magelight
• Stoneflesh
• Ash Shell
• Ironflesh
• Telekinesis
• Transmute
• Waterbreathing
• Ash Rune
• Ebonyflesh
• Paralyze
• Dragonhide
• Mass Paralysis

Conjuration

• Novice Conjuration
• Conjuration Dual Casting
• Apprentice Conjuration
• Summoner (2)
• Atromancy
• Adept Conjuration
• Expert Conjuration
• Elemental Potency
• Twin Souls
• Master Conjuration

Conjuration Spells

• Conjure Familiar
• Conjure Flame Atronach
• Soul Trap
• Summon Arniel’s Shade
• Summon Arvak
• Conjure Frost Atronach
• Conjure Dremora Lord
• Conjure Storm Atronach
• Deal Thrall
• Flame Thrall
• Frost Thrall
• Storm Thrall

Restoration

Also pick up all the perks from this tree.

Restoration Spell

• Healing
• Lesser Ward
• Fast Healing
• Healing Hands
• Necromatic Healing
• Steadfast Ward
• Turn Lesser Undead
• Close Wounds
• Greater Ward
• Heal Other
• Heal Undead
• Repel Lesser Undead
• Turn Undead
• Vampire’s Bane
• Circle Protection
• Grand Healing
• Repel Undead
• Turn Greater Undead
• Bane of the Undead
• Guardian Circle

Illusion

Pick up all the perks from this tree for a better crowd control capability.

Illusion Spells

• Clairvoyance
• Courage
• Fury
• Vision of the Tenth Eye
• Calm
• Fear
• Muffle
• Frenzy
• Frenzy Rune
• Rally
• Invisibility
• Pacify
• Rout
• Call to Arms
• Harmony
• Hysteria
• Mayhem

For the remaining skill points, either choose Alchemy, Enchanting, or Speech.

Required Equipment

Enchanted Robes of your preferred enchantment.

4. Stealth Archer

Also known as Sneak Archer. The most popular build in Skyrim due to its effectiveness and easy acquisition, allowing you to take down hard to defeat enemies easily. But take note that this build requires patience to play since you’ll be sneaking a lot and slowly picking off enemies one by one.

Race: Wood Elves (Bosmer)

Bosmer provides the most suitable starting skill bonuses for this build.

Attributes

• Stamina: The main stats for this build is stamina. Put 60% to 70% of your points on stamina.
• Health: The rest goes to health. Yes you still need health because you’ll get caught and needs to survive from damage.

Skills

Archery

• Overdraw (5)
• Eagle Eye
• Critical Shot (3)
• Steady Hand (2)
• Power Shot
• Hunter’s Discipline
• Ranger
• Quick Shot
• Bullseye

Sneak

• Stealth (5)
• Muffled Movement
• Backstab
• Light Foot
• Deadly Aim
• Silent Roll
• Silence
• Shadow Warrior

Light Armor

• Agile Defender (5)
• Custom Fit
• Unhindered
• Wind Walker
• Matching Set
• Deft Movement

For the remaining perk points, you can place it on Pickpocket and Lockpicking if you want to be an effective Thief. It’s also a good idea to invest perks on Smithing, Enchanting, and Alchemy in order to craft the best bow or light armor.

Required Equipment

• Bow
• Light Armor

5. Barbarian

Brutal and feared. The Barbarian can deal heavy amount of melee damage while being quick enough to move from one enemy to another.

Race: Nord

Nord’s Battle Cry ability is a life saver when being overwhelmed by enemies. The race starting skill bonuses provide an advantage during early phase of the game.

Attributes

• Health: Place 60% of points here.
• Stamina: 40% in this part since you’ll be executing power attacks and bashes.

Skills

Two-Handed

• Barbarian (5)
• Champion’s Stance
• Deep Wounds (3) or Limbsplitter (3) or Skull Crasher (3) – Choose one depending on what kind of two-handed weapon you’re planning to use.
• Great Critical Charge
• Devastating Blow
• Sweep
• Warmaster

Block

• Shiel Wall (5)
• Quick Reflexes
• Power Bash
• Deadly Bash
• Disarming Bash

Light Armor

• Agile Defender (5)
• Custom Fit
• Unhindered
• Wind Walker
• Matching Set
• Deft Movement

Smithing

• Steel Smithing
• Elven Smithing
• Arcane Blacksmith
• Advanced Armor
• Glass Smithing
• Dragon Armor

Enchanting

• Enchanter (5)
• Insightful Enchanter
• Soul Squeezer
• Fire Enchanter
• Corpus Enchanter
• Frost Enchanter
• Storm Enchanter
• Soul Siphon
• Extra Effect

Alchemy

• Alchemist (5)
• Physician
• Benefactor
• Poisoner
• Concentrated Poison
• Experimenter (3)
• Green Thumb
• Snakeblood

For remaining perks, the good options for this build are Restoration, Alteration, or Speech.

Required Equipment

• Two-Handed melee weapon
• Light Armor

6. Berserker

Berserker is a hard hitting high survivability build that can go toe to toe with multiple enemies.

Race: Orc (Orsimer)

Berserker Rage is the most powerful special ability in the game. The skill increases damage by 100% while reducing damage taken by 50%. This allows you to exchange hits effectively with multiple opponents.

The downside of this ability is the slight blurred vision and that you can only use it once every 24 hours.

Attributes

• Health: 60% goes here in order for the Berserker to survive from blows.
• Stamina: 40% on stamina to execute more power attacks and bashes.

Skills

Two-Handed

• Barbarian (5)
• Champion’s Stance
• Deep Wounds (3) or Limbsplitter (3) or Skull Crasher (3) – Choose one depending on what kind of two-handed weapon you’re planning to use.
• Great Critical Charge
• Devastating Blow
• Sweep
• Warmaster

Block

• Shield Wall (5)
• Quick Reflexes
• Power Bash
• Deadly Bash
• Disarming Bash

Heavy Armor

• Juggernaut (5)
• Fists of Steel
• Well Fitted
• Cushioned
• Tower of Strength
• Matching Set
• Conditioning
• Reflect Blows

Smithing

• Steel Smithing
• Arcane Blacksmith
• Dwarven Smithing
• Orcish Smithing
• Ebony Smithing
• Daedric Smithing
• Dragon Armor

Enchanting

• Enchanter (5)
• Insightful Enchanter
• Soul Squeezer
• Fire Enchanter
• Corpus Enchanter
• Frost Enchanter
• Storm Enchanter
• Soul Siphon
• Extra Effect

Alchemy

• Alchemist (5)
• Physician
• Benefactor
• Poisoner
• Concentrated Poison
• Experimenter (3)
• Green Thumb
• Snakeblood

For remaining perks, the good options for this build are Restoration, Alteration, or Speech.

Required Equipment

• Two-Handed melee weapon
• Heavy Armor

7. Dual Wielder

From the name of the build itself. This build focuses on wielding two One-Handed weapon that can deal insane amount of damage per second.

Race: Redguards

Redguards can continuously chain power attacks via Adrenaline Rush which regenerates stamina 10x faster for 60 seconds. The race also has generous skill bonuses to One-Handed giving you a head start.

Attributes

• Stamina: Your primary focus on this build for chaining triple attacks (also known as power attacks). 60% of perk points should be placed here.
• Health: Of course, don’t forget health for survival. Put the remaining points here.

Skills

One-Handed

• Armsman (5)
• Dual Flurry (2)
• Fighting Stance
• Bladesman (3) or Hack and Slash (3) or Bone Breaker (3) – Depending on what type of weapon you prefer to use.
• Savage Strike
• Dual Savagery

Light Armor

• Agile Defender (5)
• Custom Fit
• Unhindered
• Wind Walker
• Matching Set
• Deft Movement

Smithing

• Steel Smithing
• Elven Smithing
• Arcane Blacksmith
• Advanced Armor
• Glass Smithing
• Dragon Armor

Enchanting

• Enchanter (5)
• Insightful Enchanter
• Fire Enchanter
• Soul Squeezer
• Frost Enchanter
• Corpus Enchanter
• Storm Enchanter
• Soul Siphon
• Extra Effect

Alchemy

• Alchemist (5)
• Physician
• Poisoner
• Benefactor
• Concentrated Poisoner
• Experimenter (1)
• Snakeblood

If you’re planning to use sneak, use a dagger on your other hand and get Assassin’s Blade and Shadow Warrior. For the rest of the perks is up to you.

Required Equipment

One-Handed melee weapon for both hands. If planning utilize sneak ability, the other hand should be holding dagger.

Light Armor

8. Arcane Assassin

The Arcane Assassin uses the element of surprise through casting spells, thanks to Quiet Casting perk. But this build doesn’t rely on spells alone. Although the build doesn’t have any weapon equipped, it can execute melee sneak attack by conjuring Bound Dagger. Speaking of conjuration, this build can also let its conjured summons do the fight while hiding in enemies sight.

Race: Dark Elves (Dunmer)

It’s initial skill bonuses are perfect for this build. Also, the Ancestor’s Wrath comes in handy during difficult melee combat.

Attributes

• Magicka: This build will be casting a lot of spells. Minimum of 70% points should be invested here.
• Health: The remaining points should go to health.

Skills

Destruction

Destruction is your primary source of damage. Pick up all the perks from this tree. You’ll be needing all the elements based on what type of enemies you encounter.

Destruction Spells

• Flames
• Frostbite
• Spark
• Arniel’s Convection
• Firebolt
• Freeze
• Ice Spike
• Ignite
• Lightning Bolt
• Fire Rune
• Frost Rune
• Lightning Rune
• Chain Lightning
• Fireball
• Ice Storm
• Flame Cloak
• Frost Cloak
• Lightning Cloak
• Whirlwind Cloak
• Icy Spear
• Incinerate
• Thunderbolt
• Wall of Flames
• Wall of Frost
• Wall of Storms
• Blizzard
• Fire Storm
• Lightning Storm

Conjuration

• Novice Conjuration
• Mystic Binding
• Summoner (2)
• Apprentice Conjuration
• Adept Conjuration
• Atromancy
• Expert Conjuration
• Elemental Potency
• Master Conjuration
• Twin Souls

Conjuration Spells

• Bound Dagger
• Summon Unbound Dremora
• Conjure Flame Atronach
• Soul Trap
• Summon Arniel’s Shade
• Summon Arvak
• Banish Daedra
• Conjure Frost Atronach
• Conjure Dremora Lord
• Conjure Atronach
• Expel Daedra
• Dead Thrall
• Flame Thrall
• Frost Thrall
• Storm Thrall

Illusion

• Novice Illusion
• Illusion Dual Casting
• Animage
• Apprentice Illusion
• Hypnotic Gaze
• Kindred Mage
• Adept Illusion
• Aspect of Terror
• Quiet Casting
• Rage
• Expert Illusion
• Master Illusion
• Master of the Mind

Illusion Spells

• Clairvoyance
• Courage
• Fury
• Vision of the Tenth Eye
• Calm
• Fear
• Muffle
• Frenzy
• Frenzy Rune
• Rally
• Invisibility
• Pacify
• Rout
• Call to Arms
• Harmony
• Hysteria
• Mayhem

One-Handed

• Armsman (5)
• Fighting Stance
• Savage Strike

Light Armor

• Agile Defender (5)
• Custom Fit
• Unhindered
• Wind Walker
• Matching Set
• Deft Movement

Sneak

• Stealth (5)
• Backstab
• Muffled Movement
• Deadly Aim
• Light Foot
• Assassin’s Blade
• Silent Roll
• Silence
• Shadow Warrior

For the remaining perk points, either choose Restoration or Alteration

Required Equipment

• Enchanted Robe or Light Armor

9. Armored Monk

Yes, it is possible to just use your fists and punch your way out. Believe it or not, it’s one of the most powerful build during early game. But of course, it will be outperformed by other builds later in the game. It may not be the best build in the list but it’s a fun alternative way to play Skyrim. And since this is a monk, it has access to Restoration spells for healing and for killing undead and vampires.

Race: Khajit

Khajit has the highest starting unarmed damage which is equal to equipping a great sword. Not to mention that Khajit’s Night Eye lets you see in the dark.

Attributes

• Health: The build will be taking a lot of hits, so its best to boost up your health. 60% - 70% is the recommended number.
• Magicka: The remaining points should be put here for casting support spells from Restoration and Alteration.

Skills

Heavy Armor

• Juggernaut (5)
• Fists of Steel – This is the most important perk of this build. Get this as quickly as you can.
• Well Fitted
• Cushioned
• Tower of Strength
• Matching Set
• Conditioning
• Reflect Blows

Smithing

• Steel Smithing
• Dwarven Smithing
• Orcish Smithing
• Ebony Smithing
• Daedric Smithing
• Dragon Armor

Enchanting

• Enchanter (5)
• Insightful Enchanter
• Corpus Enchanter
• Extra Effect

Alchemy

• Alchemist (5)
• Physician
• Benefactor
• Experimenter (1)
• Snakeblood

Restoration

• Novice Restoration
• Restoration Dual Casting
• Apprentice Restoration
• Regeneration
• Respite
• Recovery (2)
• Avoid Death
• Adept Restoration
• Ward Absorb
• Necromage
• Expert Restoration

Restoration Spells

• Healing
• Lesser Ward
• Fast Healing
• Healing Hands
• Necromatic Healing
• Steadfast Ward
• Sun Fire
• Turn Lesser Undead
• Close Wounds
• Greater Ward
• Heal Other
• Heal Undead
• Poison Rune
• Stendarr’s Aura
• Turn Undead
• Vampire’s Bane
• Circle of Protection
• Grand Healing
• Repel Undead
• Turn Greater Undead

Alteration

• Novice Alteration
• Alteration Dual Casting
• Apprentice Alteration
• Magic Resistance (3)
• Adept Alteration
• Stability
• Expert Alteration
• Atronach

Alteration Spells

• Candlelight
• Oakflesh
• Stoneflesh
• Ash Shell
• Ironflesh
• Telekinesis
• Transmute
• Waterbreathing
• Ash Rune
• Ebonyflesh
• Paralyze

Sneak

• Stealth (5)
• Muffled Movement
• Light Foot
• Silent Roll
• Silence
• Shadow Warrior

It’s up to you where you wanted to place the remaining perks.

Required Equipment

Heavy Armor. Preferably Daedric or Dragon set for maximum unarmed damage.

10. Thief

This is another popular build in Skyrim because of the enjoyable things to do as a thief. Sneaking is the primary playstyle of this build. You use it either for pickpocketing or for assassinating.

Race: Argonians

Argonians starting skill bonuses is well suited for a Thief build. The race can also breath underwater which is useful for traveling in a safe passage, away from most danger. It’s good for sneaking as well.

Attributes

• Health: 50% of perks goes here.
• Stamina: The other 50% goes here.

Skills

One-Handed

• Armsman (5)
• Fighting Stance
• Savage Strike
• Dual Flurry (2)
• Dual Savagery

Sneak

• Stealth (5)
• Backstab
• Muffled Movement
• Deadly Aim
• Light Foot
• Assassin’s Blade
• Silent Roll
• Silence
• Shadow Warrior

Light Armor

• Agile Defender (5)
• Custom Fit
• Unhindered
• Wind Walker
• Matching Set
• Deft Movement

Pickpocket

• Light Fingers (5)
• Night Thief
• Cutpurse
• Extra Pockets
• Keymaster
• Misdirection
• Perfect Touch

Lockpicking

• Novice Locks
• Apprentice Locks
• Quick Hands
• Adept Locks
• Golden Touch
• Treasure Hunter

Smithing

• Steel Smithing
• Elven Smithing
• Arcane Blacksmith
• Advanced Armors
• Glass Smithing
• Dragon Armor

Enchanting

• Enchanter (5)
• Insightful Enchanter
• Corpus Enchanter
• Fire Enchanter
• Frost Enchanter
• Storm Enchanter
• Extra Effect

Alchemy

• Alchemist (5)
• Physician
• Poisoner
• Benefactor
• Concentrated Poison
• Experimenter (1)
• Snakeblood

It’s up to you where you wanted to place the remaining points.

Required Equipment

• Dagger for both hands
• Light Armor

11. Vampire Spellblade

Being vampire is already powerful enough thanks to its Vampire Lord perk. But if you don’t want to play your character in Vampire Lord form, you can still have a very powerful vampire thanks to necromage perk from restoration school.

This in turn, will make the following spells and perks from this build more powerful.

Enchantments from apparels

• Atronach
• Snakeblood
• Dual Flurry
• Magic Resistance
• Recovery
• Wind Walker
• Dragonskin

This is a dual wielding vampire that uses enchanted daggers to deal magicka damage. It is also aided by conjuration by summoning animated dead.

Race: Dark Elves (Dunmer)

Dunmer is the perfect race for a vampire build because the mentioned race negates vampire’s weakness to fire. To make it more detailed, vampires receives 50% more damage from fire while dunmer is 50% resistant to fire damage.

Attributes

• Magicka: 40% points goes to magicka since you’ll be needing a lot for casting your support spells.
• Health: 40% points goes to heath since this is a melee build.
• Stamina: 20% points to stamina. You won’t be running out with stamina since respite from restoration will take care of it.

Skills

One-Handed

• Armsman (5)
• Dual Flurry (2)
• Dual Savagery
• Fighting Stance
• Savage Strike

Conjuration

• Novice Conjuration
• Apprentice Conjuration
• Adept Conjuration
• Expert Conjuration
• Necromancy
• Dark Souls
• Twin Souls

Conjuration Spells

• Raise Zombie
• Conjure Boneman
• Reanimate Corpse
• Soul Trap
• Summon Arvak
• Revenant
• Dread Zombie

Restoration

• Novice Restoration
• Respite
• Regeneration
• Apprentice Restoration
• Recovery (2)
• Avoid Death
• Adept Restoration
• Necromage
• Expert Restoration

Restoration Spells

• Healing
• Fast Healing
• Necromatic Healing
• Sun Fire
• Turn Lesser Undead
• Close Wounds
• Heal Undead
• Poison Rune
• Repel Lesser Undead
• Stendarr’s Aura
• Turn Undead
• Vampire’s Bane
• Circle of Protection
• Grand Healing
• Repel Undead
• Turn Greater Undead

Alteration

• Novice Alteration
• Apprentice Alteration
• Magic Resistance (3)
• Adept Alteration
• Stability
• Expert Alteration
• Atronach

Alteration Spells

• Oakflesh
• Stoneflesh
• Ironflesh
• Telekinesis
• Transmute
• Ebonyflesh
• Paralyze

Destruction

• Novice Destruction
• Augmented Flames (2)
• Augmented Frost (2)
• Augmented Shock (2)

Enchanting

• Enchanter (5)
• Insightful Enchanter
• Corpus Enchanter
• Fire Enchanter
• Frost Enchanter
• Storm Enchanter
• Extra Effect

Smithing

• Steel Smithing
• Arcane Blacksmith
• Elven Smithing
• Advanced Armors
• Glass Smithing
• Dragon Armor

Light Armor

• Agile Defender (5)
• Custom Fit
• Unhindered
• Wind Walker
• Matching Set
• Deft Movement

Alchemy

• Alchemist (1)
• Physician
• Benefactor
• Experimenter (1)
• Snakeblood

It’s up to you where you wanted to place the remaining points.

Required Equipment

• Enchanted daggers on both hands
• Light Armor

12. Shapeshifter Werewolf

This is an overpowered build with minimum requirements and low maintenance. It just take some time and effort to get the Beast Form which grants the ability to transform into werewolf. When it comes to perks, you will only be needing the passives that will increase your resistance.

Race: Nord

Nord’s ability Battle Cry will come in handy when you’re in a difficult situation to transform. Resist Frost is also a good passive against frost casters.

Attributes

• Health: 60% or 70% points to health to make your werewolf hard to kill.
• Stamina: 30% or 40% points to stamina for power attacks and doing long sprint.

Skills

Alteration

• Novice Alteration
• Apprentice Alteration
• Magic Resistance (3)
• Adept Alteration
• Stability
• Expert Alteration
• Atronach

Alchemy

• Alchemist (1)
• Physician
• Benefactor
• Experimenter (1)
• Snakeblood

Restoration

• Novice Restoration
• Respite
• Regeneration
• Apprentice Restoration
• Adept Restoration
• Recovery (2)
• Avoid Death

Enchanting

• Enchanter (5)
• Insightful Enchanter
• Corpus Enchanter
• Extra Effect

Light Armor

• Agile Defender (5)
• Custom Fit
• Unhindered
• Wind Walker
• Matching Set
• Deft Movement

For remaining perk points, you have options to put it on speech, pickpocket, lockpicking, or sneak.

Required Equipment

• Hircine’s Ring: Grants unlimited werewolf transformation. This item is rewarded for siding with Sinding during Ill Met by Moonlight quest.
• Clothes or Light Armor

How about surviving legendary difficulty?

Legendary difficulty is only recommended for players who prefer challenges rather than a smooth gaming experience. To give you an idea, you need a vast resources to in order to craft the best equipment and brew the best potions.

Please see this guide for a more detailed explanation on how to afford powerful items in the game.

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