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Character Build: Arch Mage Shalidor

Tags: #Race:Nord  #Character Build Elementalist  #Character Build Mage  #Character Build Enchanter  #Rank:Recognized 
  • October 2, 2012

    I recently decided to try my hand at another sorcerer build, however having made a pure mage, thief mage and a battlemage I was a bit at a loss for what to do. So I took to looking through the Elder Scrolls lore in an attempt to find a new type of mage to play. I came across Shalidor, famous Arch Mage of the First Era and architect of the legendary labyrinthian. Reading through the lore the only really specific thing I came across to implement into this build was Shalidor's fascination with Peryite's artifact Spellbreaker. The shield was used against him in a battle with the dwemer and this sparked his fascination with it. In skyrim, he will finally obtain the Shield he coveted for so long. Working from this I came up with a build that utilises this artifact, while still remaining mostly a mage. Shalidor was a male Nord mage who was obsessed with the Spellbreaker and its abilities to reflect magic back at opponents. He studied the artefact thoroughly and came up with a spell that allowed him to reflect spells back at their casters.

    With the lack of this spell in skyrim i turned to the combination of both Spellbreaker and the Ward Absorb perk from restoration. At first I thought about just using a plain old ward to represent the move. However considering Shalidor's fascination with the Shield I decided it would be cooler for him to finally gain possession of the shield. I then found another great use for the Shield. The Ward absorb perk causes your wards to absorb 25% of the Magicka of spells cast at you. When playing with a Ward I found this was only really sufficient to negate the cost of the ward itself, rather than giving you more magicka to use for other spells. With Spellbreaker however, the shield casts the ward with no drain on your magicka. This means that not only are you warded against magical attacks, but that you still have full magicka for your spell casting. Combine this with Ward Absorb and against mages you get a rapidly regenerating battery of Magicka ensuring a never-ending pool from which to cast spells.

     So without further ado, I present: Arch Mage Shalidor.

     

    In the First Era, I was known as one of the mightiest mages ever to walk the earth. Arch Mage, architect of the Labyrinthian, I was legendary. But then it happened. Exploring an abandoned Dwemer settlement in search of clues that would lead me to Spellbreaker, I stumbled apon a strange device of incredible construction. Suddenly blue light engulfed me and I fell to my knees. Yet where there had been cold stone and metal, now was grass and earth. Above me where had once been the beautiful workings of the Dwemer, now was the open sky. Where I had been moved I did not know, yet I was sure it had been the machinations of the Dwemer that had brought me here. After weeks in this new land I had learned I was no longer even in my own time. The Dwemer had seemingly discovered a way to  manipulate the very fabric of time and space. I feel no wish to return however, I had learned all I could about the Dwemer and their workings in that time. However it seems that in this time, the Dwarves have vanished, leaving behind all of their master works of technology for me to study without interuption. As I approach Skyrim, I feel confident that here, I will finally lay my hands on Spellbreaker and perhaps some other mighty Dwemer arftifacts whose secrets, in time, I will learn.

    Race: Shalidor was a Nord, and so for a role play this is what we will choose. It is also a fun contradiction, what with all the nord/mage animosity in Skyrim. If you aren't so interested in the role play aspect then any of the more magically inclined races would be best, especially Breton's with their magic resistance and absorption.

    Stone: Early on take the mage stone to level our magical skills. Late game the Atronach stone is good for magic absorption, which is what much of this build centres on.

    Stats: We want to increase our magicka early on, but we will also want some stamina for our power bashes. I would suggest a ratio of 4/1/3 in Magicka/Health/Stamina.

    Major Skills:

    Destruction: Destruction is one of our most important skills and as such we are going to take a lot of perks. Up to at least adept spells, or higher if you want. Dual Casting and Impact will make our casts that much more potent. Be sure to take shock as a primary as it makes us even more potent against mages as well as frost spells to weaken warrior foes. I decided to round it off by mastering fire as well but this is up to you. Our primary use of destruction is going to be Cloak spells. A dual cast lightning cloak, while slashing our opponents down with an enchanted blade is a devastating combo.

    Block: Spellbreaker is our primary form of defence and as such Block is a very important skill. One perk in shield wall is good enough, but we are then going to want to reach at least Elemental Protection and Disarming Bash. Apart from the rest of Shield wall, I took all of the block perks to make my mage a much more effective combatant.

    Alteration: Alteration is our secondary form of defence but its primary use is in Magic Resistance and the Atronach perk. The combination of Magic resistance/Absorption will make us an even more formidable combatant against mages.

    Enchanting: Having created Labyrinthian, a maze filled with magic, Shalidor was evidently a master enchanter. We will in part be using it to reduce cost of our spells but also to improve our magic resistance. A variety of enchanted swords to serve different purposes will also be very useful.

    Minor Skills:

    Conjuration: Our summons our going to play the roll of additional tanks. We are going to take up to Expert Spells and to Twin souls via the atronach side. Once we reach Twin souls we will be able to effortlessly outnumber as well as outclass our opponents.

    One Handed: While wielding Spellbreaker our enchanted swords are going to form our back up offence. Against non-mages, Spellbreaker becomes an ordinary shield, and our swords are their to back us up when the magicka pool runs dry.

    Restoration: Restoration is actually a very important skill as Ward Absorb is one of the primary parts of the build. However apart from this perk nothing else is essential, but it is always good to have a few points in restoration, as well as recovery to increase our Magicka regen. Also before we get spellbreaker, we will be using wards regularly. 

    Optional Skills:

    Heavy Armour:  Not necessary, but I took a few perks here as I wore Dwarven Gauntlets and Boots to improve my defence, as well as fitting with Shalidor's fascination with the Dwemer.

    Smithing: If you want to improve Spellbreaker, or smith armours this will be useful. I took up to Daedric as well as Arcane smithing so I could smith my shield and create armours.

    Equipment:


    Spellbreaker: Our main tool for this build. We want to acquire this as soon as possible, so as to take full advantage of the build's strengths.

    Arch Mage's Robes: The robes you wear are a personal choice, but I took the Arch Mage robes partly for the role play (Shalidor was Arch Mage after all) but also the awesome bonuses they provide.

    Dwarven Gauntlets/Boots: I wore these because they look awesome and provide a nice defensive boost. Also in keeping with Shalidor's interest in Dwemer artifacts it seemed fitting. My gloves had fortify Block/Magicka enchantments and boots with Fortify Stamina Regen/One Handed.

    Jewellery: Necklace of fortify destruction/magic resistance makes spell casting much quicker and improves our skill against mages. A ring of similar enchantments should suffice, although it is really up to personal preference. 

    Mage's Bane: Sword enchanted with magic absorption and lightning damage. The ultimate anti-mage tool.

    Warrior's Downfall: Sword enchanted with Stamina absorption and frost damage. Should give us the edge against warriors who would be more of a challenge than mages. 

    The Reaper: Sword enchanted with Soul Trap and Fire damage. The reaper will harvest souls, used to power our enchanting skills and forge mighty weapons and armor.

    Aetherial Staff: This will allow us to summon a Dwarven Sphere to defend us, which ties in with Shalidor's fascination with Dwemer artifacts.

    Essential Quests: 

    The Only Cure: Do this as early on as possible as Spellbreaker is the most important part of the build.

    College of Winterhold: Shalidor was Arch Mage of the College and he will be again. This is also a great place to pick up spells and training, as well as other quests which will pit us against mages. 

    Main Quest: A great way to pick up some useful shouts as well as practice for our block skill. Spellbreaker is incredibly useful against dragon breath and as such we will be able to increase our block skill quickly.

    Lost To The Ages: This quest invoves much searching through Dwarven ruins (as befits the roleplay) but also rewards us with one of three awesome treasures. I took the Aetherial Staff which will allow us to summon a Dwarven Spider/Sphere to defend us.

    Shouts:

    Fire/Frost Breath: Shalidor is an elemental master and as such can command them through the power of voice alone.

    Ice Form: A great way to incapacitate enemies if a hasty retreat is needed. Use this if your health is dropping dangerously low. Use only against warriors in a defensive manner.

    Become Ethereal: Similar to the Volikhar build we will use this shout in combination with a cloak spell in order to become invincible while still dealing damage. Also a good way to heal without risk.

    Disarm:  Warriors pose a greater threat than mages to Shalidor. Use against them to greatly reduce the threat they pose. Disarm is useful even in conjunction with Disarming Bash as it will allow us to rid multiple enemies of their Shields at once rather than just one opponent.

    Storm Call:  The ultimate offensive attack as Shalidor summons the power of the heavens to strike down his foes.

    Whirlwind Sprint:  Shalidor dashes forward, rapidly closing the distance between him and his foe, bringing them in range of his blade and cloak of swirling destruction.

    Playstyle:


    The basic playstyle for this build is to summon an ally, put up armor and cloak spells, then proceed to wade into battle with your Shield ready. Adjust your playstyle to your opponent type. Against warriors, use frost spells in order to drain their stamina. This will take away their ability to power attack, reducing the threat. Once your magicka is drained, draw your blade and commence battle. Against mages this build truly shines. Utilise shock spells to keep the enemies magicka low. Keep your shield raised against their spells giving yourself a permanent supply of magicka. This will allow you to hurl your opponents spells straight back at them. By late game I was using the Aetherial Staff to summon a Dwarven Sphere, combined with a dremora lord (or storm atronach against mages), firing up a cloak, and then massacring anyone who was in my way. For a role play you will want to explore as many Dwemer ruins as you can, which will often lead to some pretty awesome rewards.

  • Member
    October 3, 2012

    I agree with this Ashkhan, add a perk spread, it would be kind of helpful.

    Also, yes, Shalidor and Spellbreaker were on the field together, but correct me if i'm wrong but I think Spellbreaker was used against him by the dwarves. Either way, +1 from me.

  • October 3, 2012

    Thanks, I've now uploaded the perk spread I was using at level 25.

    Hope you enjoy the build.

    Also Spellbreaker was used by the Dwemer against Shalidor in battle, which is the reason he tried so hard to recreate the effects. For this build I worked along the lines that Shalidor finally obtained the shield in Skyrim, and put it to excellent use. 

  • Member
    October 3, 2012

    Okay, I got ya :) Great build!

  • October 3, 2012
    A like from me. Very cool concept. I was looking into the old Arch-Mages, as I was curious about Gauldur. May have to resurrect him =)
  • October 4, 2012

    Thanks

    Im restarted a playthrough as this dude to remind myself how I played him, and il be making a few tweeks soon. The disarming bash is great for disarming the single threat in front of you, however Disarm (when all three words used) disarms a group of people in front of you, which can be a life saver when confronted by a group of warriors. 

    Spellbreaker actually only absorbs 25% of magicka from spells. Elemental resistance will further reduce damage from the elements. I took it primarily as a protection from dragonfire, which has a way of working its way round magicka absorption.

  • October 4, 2012

    I've updated the build with a backstory for Shalidor based on what I like to think happened to the Dwemer. I like to believe they somehow invented the technology to effect time, either moving their race into the future (which may mean we get to meet them in future games) or far back into the past. 

  • October 4, 2012

    I've now updated the build with some of the things I changed in my re-playthrough. Tried to tighten it up a bit as well. 

  • October 4, 2012

    Its always fun resurrecting old mages as their much more interesting than most warriors or thieves. Hope you come up with something great for gauldur and enjoy this build.

  • Member
    November 5, 2012

    This.  This is an excellent idea for a build, especially since I personally believe Nord Mages need more love.  And more people need to learn about Shalidor himself, especially those who believe he's from one of the races of Mer simply because he's an Arch-Mage/magic-user in general.  

    Sorry, didn't mean to go into rant-mode.    Regardless, well done on the build.