This build was inspired by the herculean myth of the multi-headed sea beast, also known as the Hydra. This build was also greatly influenced by No snakes aLive build, The Manticore, as well as Ponty's build, The Histmaster. Both very well-made builds and deserve praise. Now, I present, a dual-wielding lizard with amazing healing and crowd control capabilities :
The Hydra
Our friendly neighborhood Argonian suits the roll of the Hydra perfectly, with his reptilian appearance, not to mention their racial ability Water Breathing. According to myth, the Hydra had multiple heads, most notably three. Obviously, that is slightly hard to implement into Skyrim. However, you do have shouts, and two weapons, all capable of considerable amounts of damage; if you imagine each weapon as a metaphorical head and you start to get the feel for this build. The myth also said that a Hydra possessed amazing healing abilities; if one head was severed, another would regenerate back into its place. The Argonian's other racial ability, Histskin corresponds with this magnificently, add some healing enchants, Avoid Death, and Konahrik, and you have a beast worthy of its mythology. The myth also speaks of the Hydra being so toxic, that any adventurer who simply walked past this creature would die violently from its breath. Alchemy synergies with this portion of the myth; poisoning your weapons before a hard foe is a great way to easily take them out in a storm of poison and metal. This crippling poison motif, is also the reason for the chosen shout, Marked for Death. Equipment wise, Falmer Armor shall be your slithery sea scales. If you're looking for more interesting choices; Ebony Mail's ability is just icing on the cake, Namira's Ring also, an amazing ability that deserves a look at.
Now lets talk about Alteration. I tested this build on master, and you don't 'have' to roll with Alteration, but I advise it. Even with plate, with no way to block, having the extra defense helps extraordinarily. Plus Paralyze doesn't hurt at all, and adds to the ferocity of Black Marsh's greatest creature.
The Build
Race: Argonian
There really is no other race that suits this build quite as perfect as the Argonian, from aesthetics to racials, I got the idea for this build simply by looking at an Argonian.
Stone(s): Lover, Lady, or Serpent
Start with Lover, because your abilities are spread across all three of the trees. Late game, if you want to compliment your regeneration go with the Lady, or if you want another way to control enemies, go with Serpent. Personally I went Serpent, just because a Hydra is as such, and I felt it was appropriate.
Major Skills: One-Handed, Alchemy, Enchanting
One Handed is your bread and butter, your fangs, if you will. It is your main source of damage, and a beast is nothing without it's teeth. Key perks you want to grab consist of: Armsman, Fighting Stance, Dual Flurry, Critical Charge, and Dual Savagery. Alchemy is where your Hydra toxicity will emerge from. Perks you will be nabbing: Alchemist, Physician, Poisoner, Concentrated Poison, and Snakeblood. Enchanting is where your regeneration will come from. Take Enchanter, Insightful Enchanter, Corpus Enchanter, and Extra Effect.
Minor Skills: Alteration, Heavy Armor, Restoration
Armor wise, if you roll with Alteration it really doesn't matter light or heavy, your own preference. However if you're not, plate is recommended or bring a follower. Personally I used both Alteration and Heavy. Avoid Death is an essential perk for this build, and Fast Healing helps supplement your regeneration.
Ratio: 3 Health, 2 Stamina, 1 Magicka per 6 Levels
Equipment: Falmer Armor or Ebony Mail, Falmer Gloves, Falmer Legs, Konahrik, Namira's Ring or your choice of ring, Chillrend and your choice of weapon.
For aesthetics, I found a set of Falmer Armor definitely complimented this build beautifully, looks as though you just emerged from the depths of the sea. Konahrik is also essential for this build. You can get Ebony Mail, but then you are forfeiting a healing rate enchant on your chest. Namira's Ring has an amazing effect that compliments this build perfectly, but if you rather just have another ring with a healing rate enchant, I wouldn't consider it sacrilege, because a healing rate ring would be a constant gain, while you'd be having to consume enemies in order to maintain that regen, and in fights such as dragons, that might not be so viable; roleplaying wise, a Hydra can most certainly be a man eating beast with its many hungry heads and in many interpretations of the legend, it is such a beast. If you feel comfortable with the ring, roll with it. As for your weapon of choice, Chillrend, is an amazing weapon and works perfectly in this build, plus it looks amazing. As for the other weapon, you can use whichever you choose, I preferred to use a Honed Falmer Sword enchanted with Fiery Soul Trap and Shock Damage.
Shouts: Marked for Death, Ice Form, Frost Breath, Unrelenting Force, and Dismay
Marked for Death is an superb shout and what makes this build viable. Having the ability to lessen your enemies defenses after every shout can be very powerful, after obtaining all three words, one shout will be all it takes to make all your opponents fall to a couple power attacks of poisoned weapons. The rest of your arsenal of shouts have an emphasis on crowd control, and to keep your enemies away in times of urgency.
Quests: Thieves Guild (For Chillrend*, however there are methods of getting it without starting the quest line), Companions (Optional), Boethiah's Calling (Ebony Mail), Taste of Death (Ring of Namira), College of Winterhold (Easy access to Paralysis, and this quest line is required to get Morokei in order to get all the Dragonpreist masks).
*If you're going to get Chillrend, it's best to wait till level 46 for its most powerful version. Yes you can improve it, however the enchant will stay at whichever level threshold you received it at.
Enchants
Armor*: Fortify Healing Rate & Fortify Alteration
Gloves: Fortify One-Handed & Fortify Stamina
Boots: Fortify One Handed & Fortify Stamina
Amulet: Fortify Healing Rate & Fortify One-Handed
Ring**: Fortify Healing Rate & Fortify One-Handed
* Obviously if you do use Ebony Mail, you will be bypassing this after level 30.
** If you are getting Ring of Namira, disregard this.
Combat
You will be starting out each encounter with a flesh spell, then Marked for Death. Then, into the fray with you, unleash some dual-standing power attacks onto your foe. If there's multiple, you might want to open with Ice Form or Dismay to help you focus one at a time. If the fight gets heavy, pop Histskin and/or switch a weapon out for a Fast Healing. For foes with large health pools, such as Dragons, you might want to opt for a more stally strategy by hitting him Marked for Death then running away, and keep doing that for a couple shouts; when he lands, one standing flurry should strike him down. Late game, you can mitigate the amount of targets on you by opening with Paralyze/Mass Paralyze/Serpent Stone and/or Ice Form.
Special Moves
Frozen Venom
Ice Form > Poison Weapon > Critical Charge
This combo is for those situations where you find yourself outmatched. First you Ice Form, then coat your weapon in your choice of poison, and crack him open with a Critical Charge. It can change the tides of a fight very quickly.
Thousand Heads
Histskin > Konahrik + Avoid Death
This combination allows you to feel unbeatable, if your opponents do somehow manage to damage you enough through Histskin, your Avoid Death will kick in, then if by some luck, they manage to break through that line of defense your Konahrik might proc, giving you even more life, and a Flame Cloak. Just as the legend says, just as one head is severed, another one takes its place.
Serpentblood
Histskin > Mass Paralysis > Ice Form > Serpent Stone
One important strength of this build, is its ability to immobilize many targets at once. Start with Histskin, so you can give yourself some buffering time to cast Mass Paralysis, follow up with Ice Form, then Serpent Stone.
This build was inspired by the herculean myth of the multi-headed sea beast, also known as the Hydra. This build was also greatly influenced by No snakes aLive build, The Manticore, as well as Ponty's build, The Histmaster. Both very well-made builds and deserve praise. Now, I present, a dual-wielding lizard with amazing healing and crowd control capabilities :
The Hydra
Our friendly neighborhood Argonian suits the roll of the Hydra perfectly, with his reptilian appearance, not to mention their racial ability Water Breathing. According to myth, the Hydra had multiple heads, most notably three. Obviously, that is slightly hard to implement into Skyrim. However, you do have shouts, and two weapons, all capable of considerable amounts of damage; if you imagine each weapon as a metaphorical head and you start to get the feel for this build. The myth also said that a Hydra possessed amazing healing abilities; if one head was severed, another would regenerate back into its place. The Argonian's other racial ability, Histskin corresponds with this magnificently, add some healing enchants, Avoid Death, and Konahrik, and you have a beast worthy of its mythology. The myth also speaks of the Hydra being so toxic, that any adventurer who simply walked past this creature would die violently from its breath. Alchemy synergies with this portion of the myth; poisoning your weapons before a hard foe is a great way to easily take them out in a storm of poison and metal. This crippling poison motif, is also the reason for the chosen shout, Marked for Death. Equipment wise, Falmer Armor shall be your slithery sea scales. If you're looking for more interesting choices; Ebony Mail's ability is just icing on the cake, Namira's Ring also, an amazing ability that deserves a look at.
Now lets talk about Alteration. I tested this build on master, and you don't 'have' to roll with Alteration, but I advise it. Even with plate, with no way to block, having the extra defense helps extraordinarily. Plus Paralyze doesn't hurt at all, and adds to the ferocity of Black Marsh's greatest creature.
The Build
Race: Argonian
There really is no other race that suits this build quite as perfect as the Argonian, from aesthetics to racials, I got the idea for this build simply by looking at an Argonian.
Stone(s): Lover, Lady, or Serpent
Start with Lover, because your abilities are spread across all three of the trees. Late game, if you want to compliment your regeneration go with the Lady, or if you want another way to control enemies, go with Serpent. Personally I went Serpent, just because a Hydra is as such, and I felt it was appropriate.
Major Skills: One-Handed, Alchemy, Enchanting
One Handed is your bread and butter, your fangs, if you will. It is your main source of damage, and a beast is nothing without it's teeth. Key perks you want to grab consist of: Armsman, Fighting Stance, Dual Flurry, Critical Charge, and Dual Savagery. Alchemy is where your Hydra toxicity will emerge from. Perks you will be nabbing: Alchemist, Physician, Poisoner, Concentrated Poison, and Snakeblood. Enchanting is where your regeneration will come from. Take Enchanter, Insightful Enchanter, Corpus Enchanter, and Extra Effect.
Minor Skills: Alteration, Heavy Armor, Restoration
Armor wise, if you roll with Alteration it really doesn't matter light or heavy, your own preference. However if you're not, plate is recommended or bring a follower. Personally I used both Alteration and Heavy. Avoid Death is an essential perk for this build, and Fast Healing helps supplement your regeneration.
Ratio: 3 Health, 2 Stamina, 1 Magicka per 6 Levels
Equipment: Falmer Armor or Ebony Mail, Falmer Gloves, Falmer Legs, Konahrik, Namira's Ring or your choice of ring, Chillrend and your choice of weapon.
For aesthetics, I found a set of Falmer Armor definitely complimented this build beautifully, looks as though you just emerged from the depths of the sea. Konahrik is also essential for this build. You can get Ebony Mail, but then you are forfeiting a healing rate enchant on your chest. Namira's Ring has an amazing effect that compliments this build perfectly, but if you rather just have another ring with a healing rate enchant, I wouldn't consider it sacrilege, because a healing rate ring would be a constant gain, while you'd be having to consume enemies in order to maintain that regen, and in fights such as dragons, that might not be so viable; roleplaying wise, a Hydra can most certainly be a man eating beast with its many hungry heads and in many interpretations of the legend, it is such a beast. If you feel comfortable with the ring, roll with it. As for your weapon of choice, Chillrend, is an amazing weapon and works perfectly in this build, plus it looks amazing. As for the other weapon, you can use whichever you choose, I preferred to use a Honed Falmer Sword enchanted with Fiery Soul Trap and Shock Damage.
Shouts: Marked for Death, Ice Form, Frost Breath, Unrelenting Force, and Dismay
Marked for Death is an superb shout and what makes this build viable. Having the ability to lessen your enemies defenses after every shout can be very powerful, after obtaining all three words, one shout will be all it takes to make all your opponents fall to a couple power attacks of poisoned weapons. The rest of your arsenal of shouts have an emphasis on crowd control, and to keep your enemies away in times of urgency.
Quests: Thieves Guild (For Chillrend*, however there are methods of getting it without starting the quest line), Companions (Optional), Boethiah's Calling (Ebony Mail), Taste of Death (Ring of Namira), College of Winterhold (Easy access to Paralysis, and this quest line is required to get Morokei in order to get all the Dragonpreist masks).
*If you're going to get Chillrend, it's best to wait till level 46 for its most powerful version. Yes you can improve it, however the enchant will stay at whichever level threshold you received it at.
Enchants
Armor*: Fortify Healing Rate & Fortify Alteration
Gloves: Fortify One-Handed & Fortify Stamina
Boots: Fortify One Handed & Fortify Stamina
Amulet: Fortify Healing Rate & Fortify One-Handed
Ring**: Fortify Healing Rate & Fortify One-Handed
* Obviously if you do use Ebony Mail, you will be bypassing this after level 30.
** If you are getting Ring of Namira, disregard this.
Combat
You will be starting out each encounter with a flesh spell, then Marked for Death. Then, into the fray with you, unleash some dual-standing power attacks onto your foe. If there's multiple, you might want to open with Ice Form or Dismay to help you focus one at a time. If the fight gets heavy, pop Histskin and/or switch a weapon out for a Fast Healing. For foes with large health pools, such as Dragons, you might want to opt for a more stally strategy by hitting him Marked for Death then running away, and keep doing that for a couple shouts; when he lands, one standing flurry should strike him down. Late game, you can mitigate the amount of targets on you by opening with Paralyze/Mass Paralyze/Serpent Stone and/or Ice Form.
Special Moves
Frozen Venom
Ice Form > Poison Weapon > Critical Charge
This combo is for those situations where you find yourself outmatched. First you Ice Form, then coat your weapon in your choice of poison, and crack him open with a Critical Charge. It can change the tides of a fight very quickly.
Thousand Heads
Histskin > Konahrik + Avoid Death
This combination allows you to feel unbeatable, if your opponents do somehow manage to damage you enough through Histskin, your Avoid Death will kick in, then if by some luck, they manage to break through that line of defense your Konahrik might proc, giving you even more life, and a Flame Cloak. Just as the legend says, just as one head is severed, another one takes its place.
Serpentblood
Histskin > Mass Paralysis > Ice Form > Serpent Stone
One important strength of this build, is its ability to immobilize many targets at once. Start with Histskin, so you can give yourself some buffering time to cast Mass Paralysis, follow up with Ice Form, then Serpent Stone.
