I have wanted to create a duelist build for some time now. The perameters of the build I had were pretty straighforward. Use a single one-handed sword. No armor. No ranged combat. No crafting. Master difficulty. What could be so hard about that? This isn't some "pirate" build. Think the Three Musketteers, Zorro, or Errol Flynn. I took inspiration from the D&D 5e Swashbuckler class as well. This build is some of the most fun I have had playing Skyrim. I present...
The Swashbuckler
A dashing swordsman wielding a single one-handed sword and no armor. The swashbuckler uses cunning, guile, and charm to ensure a one-on-one fight where he can show off his proficiency with a sword. Quick movement and the ability to even the odds will be key. This is a challenging build that will test your ability to strategize, move in combat, and utilize your sword both as an offensive weapon and defensive counter.
Race
Redgaurd. Redgaurd racial skill bonuses align spectaculaly well with this build and the racial power can be quite useful in combat. That being said, this is Skyrim, racial skill bonuses will quickly become moot. Which means any race is viable in this build. In fact, each race can bring something very useful to this build, which I will dicuss later in Build Customization. The explaination of this build does rely on the Redguard racial power, Adreneline Rush.
Stats
1 M
3 H
1 S
Standing Stone
The Lord Stone
Major Skills
One-Handed (Armsman 5, Savage Strike)
Alteration (Stability, Mage Armor 3)
Illusion (Hypnotic Gaze, Master of the Mind)
Minor Skills
Block (Quick Reflexes, Disarming Bash)
Sneak (Silent Roll)
Restoration (Respite)
Equipment
Skyforged Steel Sword, Silver Sword, Clothes, Boots, Jewlery
Shouts
Unrelenting Force
Whirlwind Sprint
Elemental Fury
Become Ethereal
Marked for Death
Slow Time
Powers
Agent of Dibella
Agent of Mara
Bardic Knowledge
Force Without Effort
Sailor's Repose
Special Moves
Stunning Good Looks. Unrelenting Force + Calm + Elemental Fury.
Riposte. Marked for Death + Quick Reflexes + Elemental Fury.
Dashing Swordsman. Become Ethereal + Power Bash + Adrenaline Rush.
Fancy Footwork. Power Attack + Silent Roll + Become Ethereal.
Combat
Followers
Homes
Proudspire Manor. Solitude is the cosmopolitan center of Skyrim, there is nowhere else a Swashbuckler would want to call home.
Lakeview Manor. Lakeview Manor is your home away from home, a country home if you will. Make sure it is deck out to the nines, just like you.
Build Customization
The Fortune Seeker
Lockpick (Treasure Hunter)
Speech (Merchant)
The Musketeer
Archery
Smithing (Dwarven Smithing)
The Dread Pirate
Conjuration (Dark Souls, Twin Souls)
The Scoundrel
Pickpocket
Speech (Bribery)
The Swordsmith
Smithing (only craft and improve daggers and swords)
The Elemental Duelist
Destruction
Enchanting (only perk Enchanter and left side of tree)
I have wanted to create a duelist build for some time now. The perameters of the build I had were pretty straighforward. Use a single one-handed sword. No armor. No ranged combat. No crafting. Master difficulty. What could be so hard about that? This isn't some "pirate" build. Think the Three Musketteers, Zorro, or Errol Flynn. I took inspiration from the D&D 5e Swashbuckler class as well. This build is some of the most fun I have had playing Skyrim. I present...
The Swashbuckler
A dashing swordsman wielding a single one-handed sword and no armor. The swashbuckler uses cunning, guile, and charm to ensure a one-on-one fight where he can show off his proficiency with a sword. Quick movement and the ability to even the odds will be key. This is a challenging build that will test your ability to strategize, move in combat, and utilize your sword both as an offensive weapon and defensive counter.
Race
Redgaurd. Redgaurd racial skill bonuses align spectaculaly well with this build and the racial power can be quite useful in combat. That being said, this is Skyrim, racial skill bonuses will quickly become moot. Which means any race is viable in this build. In fact, each race can bring something very useful to this build, which I will dicuss later in Build Customization. The explaination of this build does rely on the Redguard racial power, Adreneline Rush.
Stats
1 M
3 H
1 S
Standing Stone
The Lord Stone
Major Skills
One-Handed (Armsman 5, Savage Strike)
Alteration (Stability, Mage Armor 3)
Illusion (Hypnotic Gaze, Master of the Mind)
Minor Skills
Block (Quick Reflexes, Disarming Bash)
Sneak (Silent Roll)
Restoration (Respite)
Equipment
Skyforged Steel Sword, Silver Sword, Clothes, Boots, Jewlery
Shouts
Unrelenting Force
Whirlwind Sprint
Elemental Fury
Become Ethereal
Marked for Death
Slow Time
Powers
Agent of Dibella
Agent of Mara
Bardic Knowledge
Force Without Effort
Sailor's Repose
Special Moves
Stunning Good Looks. Unrelenting Force + Calm + Elemental Fury.
Riposte. Marked for Death + Quick Reflexes + Elemental Fury.
Dashing Swordsman. Become Ethereal + Power Bash + Adrenaline Rush.
Fancy Footwork. Power Attack + Silent Roll + Become Ethereal.
Combat
Followers
Homes
Proudspire Manor. Solitude is the cosmopolitan center of Skyrim, there is nowhere else a Swashbuckler would want to call home.
Lakeview Manor. Lakeview Manor is your home away from home, a country home if you will. Make sure it is deck out to the nines, just like you.
Build Customization
The Fortune Seeker
Lockpick (Treasure Hunter)
Speech (Merchant)
The Musketeer
Archery
Smithing (Dwarven Smithing)
The Dread Pirate
Conjuration (Dark Souls, Twin Souls)
The Scoundrel
Pickpocket
Speech (Bribery)
The Swordsmith
Smithing (only craft and improve daggers and swords)
The Elemental Duelist
Destruction
Enchanting (only perk Enchanter and left side of tree)