The Ranger
This build has been something that I have spent several playthroughs trying to perfect. I haven't seen many ranger builds on here, so I thought that you guys might like this. Before I go any further with this, keep in mind that this is very roleplay heavy and as a result, this build uses rather "simple" weapons and armor, so for people on master difficuly (I play between expert and adept), will find this rather challenging. This isn't the D&D version of a ranger (Which is basically a dual wielding paladin that happens to carry a bow), but more like the Tolkien representation of a ranger, a skilled woodsman, a pathfinder
Race: Any race (Although a human race fits the lore better)
Stats: 1/2/2 until magika reaches base 150, then 0/32.
Stone: I personally suggest (and use) the lord stone, although the lover, lady, or steed stone are all decent choices too.
Shout: Animal Allegience, Aura Whisper, Elemental Fury, Kyne's Peace (They all fit the lore rather well.)
Quests: Main Quest, Civil War, Companions, Composure Speed and Precision, No One Escapes Cidhna Mine (anti-forsworn), The Book of Love
1. Major Skills
Archery: This is your primary combat skill, your answer to everything, your best friend. Just about every perk in this tree is important, with the exception being critical shot, because the bows you will use won't have a very high base damage, and by extension, will have a very low critical damage.
Overdraw 5/5, Eagle Eye, Steady Hand 2/2
Sneak: Rangers are famous for being able to move quickly and quietly through the woods. You won't need assassin's blade unless you are using daggers and shadow warrior doesn't really fit the roleplaying aspect, but you can spend you points as you wish. Stealth, deadly aim, and silence are the three most important.
Stealth 1/5, Backstab, Deadly Aim, Muffled Movement, Lightfoot, Silent Roll, SIlence
One-Handed: Rangers are also skilled fighters, capable of using all manner of swords and axes. Armsman, dual flurry, and dual savagery are your best bets, but it's up to you weather you want fighting stance or savage strike, and I find critical charge to be almost useless.
Armsman 5/5, Dual Flurry 2/2, Dual Savagry, Fighting Stance, Savage Strike
2. Minor Skills
Light Armor: Light armor means light on your feet, and you will be using light armor. All perks are important except maybe matching set since you might not wear matching armor. And if you are going to wear a hood, then most of these perks are useless.
Agile Defender 5/5, Custom Fit, Unhindered, Wind Walker, Deft Movement
Restoration: Rangers are adept healers (both physically and magically) and they can often patch themselves up in the heat of battle. They are able to healer their followers as well. You really need up to adept restoration and that's about it, though you can get regeneration and recovery if you have points to spare.
Adept Restoration, Regeneration, Recovery 1/2
Alchemy: As skilled woodsman, rangers can craft both potions and poison from what they find in the wilds, and are able to recognize most plants. Alchemist, physician, and benefactor are all important perks, but poisoner is optional.
Alchemist 2/5, Physician, Benefactor
3. Equipment
Rangers lead simple, touch and go, day to day lives. So naturally, they use simple weapons. Steel and iron make up the bulk of their weapons, whether it be swords, axes, or daggers. Their bows do not benefit much either, generally not exceeding imperial quality. If you want to go running around with a daedric bow, then you can, but then you are really missing the roleplaying aspect. Their armor isn't much better: fur, hide, or leather. Or if you wanted, hold guard armor (minus the helmet) fits the look rather well. Rings and necklaces are up to you, whatever you feel fits your character's backstory or specific playstyle best.
4. Playing as a Ranger
The whole idea of a ranger is someone who is independent, free of the dullness of a crowded city life. You would be best off to minimize your time spent in the city, coming in to trade goods or receive new quests from the jarl or their steward. This is pretty open ended and entirely up to you how you want to go about it. You're a pathfinder, so if you want to work for other people and help them with their day to day problems, that's good too. I even hear that the companions could use another archer, someone in touch with nature. The stormcloaks and imperials alike could also use a pioneer to lead their forces. Just do whatever you feel is right.
For the really hardcore players, you can't have any contact with "merchants". Your equipment must come from what you can find and what you may trade with hunters or (if you want) khajiit caravans. You can also play it so you need to eat at least once a day and stop to "sleep" when it becomes night, even when you're traveling. Speaking of which, walk everywhere, never fast travel and try to not use a horse. You a pathfinder, so find a path.
The most important aspect of this build is the roleplay, because that's what seperates you from being just an archer. And at later levels, you will be tempted by more powerful weapons and better armor, and if the game is proving too difficult, make up a reason and get yourself some nice dragonscale armor and a daedric bow with matching swords and arrows. The biggest thing to take away from this is to have fun with it. One of the best parts about being a ranger is having the world wide open to them. Skyrim is a big place with a lot to see and do.
5. Combat
As a ranger, you're sort of a glass cannon. There is a large emphasis on getting a first strike, sneak attack. Light on your feet is more than just a cliche, it is a way of life. Dodge, often, keep moving, all the time. You're gonna look more like a dancer at first, but when you get a sense for the flow of combat, you will be able to put moves on a lot better. Don't be afraid of close quarters combat, but try and make that second, behind archery. Sneak often, and don't forget to hug the walls.
When you can't escape melee combat, dual weapons will allow you to dispatch your enemies quickly, but remember to stay nimble. Your max armor rating with this build (without smithing exploits/potions) will be around 300, which translates to about a 50% reduction, but this is late game all perks in light armor plus 100 skill level, so you can't take many hits. Speed is your ally, keeping yourself mobile will allow you to avoid the devastating hits of two handed wielders and dragon bites, which is your biggest threat in this build.
Some tactics to consider may be...
Endless Charge
Slow poison+Slow Time+Power Shot+Quick Shot+Ranger (Or any combination of these)
Your enemies can only watch in horror as the are slowed to a crawl while you continue to move away from them, making their journey to you endless while death approaches them.
Animal Counter AttackAnimal Allegience+Invisibility/Shadow Warrior+Ranger
When the ranger find himself in a situation he can't handle, he retreat from combat and calls upon animals to cover his escape. He then cloaks himself and in the ensuing chaos, eliminates his pursuers.
Windborne Strike
Dual Flurry+Elemental Fury+Dagger and Sword
This Skill allows the ranger to ravage even the largest groups of enemies in mere seconds.
6. Roleplay
As I said, roleplay is a heavy element of this build. There is so much to being a ranger that it's hard to explain it all, so I made a list of thing you can do to help the roleplay aspect. I've already said some of these things, so I apologize in advance for redundancy.
1. Rangers don't really have a side, try to avoid taking one.
2. Archery first, swords second. This is the pinnacle of ranger philosophy.
3. Every wild animal should be prayed on, provided the situation permits.
4. While a sort of Lawful-neutral, rangers can do whatever is necessary to survive.
5. Only enter a hold capital for quests and to sell items. All your gear must be found/scavenged.
6. The forsworn are sworn enemies of rangers, treat them as such.
7. Eat at least meat, bread, and a vegetable/fruit at least once a day.
8. Walk everywhere, no fast travel what so ever.
9. If the situation permits, stop and "make camp" for the night or stay at an inn.
10. Rangers always help those who need it, provided the intentions are good.
The Ranger
This build has been something that I have spent several playthroughs trying to perfect. I haven't seen many ranger builds on here, so I thought that you guys might like this. Before I go any further with this, keep in mind that this is very roleplay heavy and as a result, this build uses rather "simple" weapons and armor, so for people on master difficuly (I play between expert and adept), will find this rather challenging. This isn't the D&D version of a ranger (Which is basically a dual wielding paladin that happens to carry a bow), but more like the Tolkien representation of a ranger, a skilled woodsman, a pathfinder
Race: Any race (Although a human race fits the lore better)
Stats: 1/2/2 until magika reaches base 150, then 0/32.
Stone: I personally suggest (and use) the lord stone, although the lover, lady, or steed stone are all decent choices too.
Shout: Animal Allegience, Aura Whisper, Elemental Fury, Kyne's Peace (They all fit the lore rather well.)
Quests: Main Quest, Civil War, Companions, Composure Speed and Precision, No One Escapes Cidhna Mine (anti-forsworn), The Book of Love
1. Major Skills
Archery: This is your primary combat skill, your answer to everything, your best friend. Just about every perk in this tree is important, with the exception being critical shot, because the bows you will use won't have a very high base damage, and by extension, will have a very low critical damage.
Overdraw 5/5, Eagle Eye, Steady Hand 2/2
Sneak: Rangers are famous for being able to move quickly and quietly through the woods. You won't need assassin's blade unless you are using daggers and shadow warrior doesn't really fit the roleplaying aspect, but you can spend you points as you wish. Stealth, deadly aim, and silence are the three most important.
Stealth 1/5, Backstab, Deadly Aim, Muffled Movement, Lightfoot, Silent Roll, SIlence
One-Handed: Rangers are also skilled fighters, capable of using all manner of swords and axes. Armsman, dual flurry, and dual savagery are your best bets, but it's up to you weather you want fighting stance or savage strike, and I find critical charge to be almost useless.
Armsman 5/5, Dual Flurry 2/2, Dual Savagry, Fighting Stance, Savage Strike
2. Minor Skills
Light Armor: Light armor means light on your feet, and you will be using light armor. All perks are important except maybe matching set since you might not wear matching armor. And if you are going to wear a hood, then most of these perks are useless.
Agile Defender 5/5, Custom Fit, Unhindered, Wind Walker, Deft Movement
Restoration: Rangers are adept healers (both physically and magically) and they can often patch themselves up in the heat of battle. They are able to healer their followers as well. You really need up to adept restoration and that's about it, though you can get regeneration and recovery if you have points to spare.
Adept Restoration, Regeneration, Recovery 1/2
Alchemy: As skilled woodsman, rangers can craft both potions and poison from what they find in the wilds, and are able to recognize most plants. Alchemist, physician, and benefactor are all important perks, but poisoner is optional.
Alchemist 2/5, Physician, Benefactor
3. Equipment
Rangers lead simple, touch and go, day to day lives. So naturally, they use simple weapons. Steel and iron make up the bulk of their weapons, whether it be swords, axes, or daggers. Their bows do not benefit much either, generally not exceeding imperial quality. If you want to go running around with a daedric bow, then you can, but then you are really missing the roleplaying aspect. Their armor isn't much better: fur, hide, or leather. Or if you wanted, hold guard armor (minus the helmet) fits the look rather well. Rings and necklaces are up to you, whatever you feel fits your character's backstory or specific playstyle best.
4. Playing as a Ranger
The whole idea of a ranger is someone who is independent, free of the dullness of a crowded city life. You would be best off to minimize your time spent in the city, coming in to trade goods or receive new quests from the jarl or their steward. This is pretty open ended and entirely up to you how you want to go about it. You're a pathfinder, so if you want to work for other people and help them with their day to day problems, that's good too. I even hear that the companions could use another archer, someone in touch with nature. The stormcloaks and imperials alike could also use a pioneer to lead their forces. Just do whatever you feel is right.
For the really hardcore players, you can't have any contact with "merchants". Your equipment must come from what you can find and what you may trade with hunters or (if you want) khajiit caravans. You can also play it so you need to eat at least once a day and stop to "sleep" when it becomes night, even when you're traveling. Speaking of which, walk everywhere, never fast travel and try to not use a horse. You a pathfinder, so find a path.
The most important aspect of this build is the roleplay, because that's what seperates you from being just an archer. And at later levels, you will be tempted by more powerful weapons and better armor, and if the game is proving too difficult, make up a reason and get yourself some nice dragonscale armor and a daedric bow with matching swords and arrows. The biggest thing to take away from this is to have fun with it. One of the best parts about being a ranger is having the world wide open to them. Skyrim is a big place with a lot to see and do.
5. Combat
As a ranger, you're sort of a glass cannon. There is a large emphasis on getting a first strike, sneak attack. Light on your feet is more than just a cliche, it is a way of life. Dodge, often, keep moving, all the time. You're gonna look more like a dancer at first, but when you get a sense for the flow of combat, you will be able to put moves on a lot better. Don't be afraid of close quarters combat, but try and make that second, behind archery. Sneak often, and don't forget to hug the walls.
When you can't escape melee combat, dual weapons will allow you to dispatch your enemies quickly, but remember to stay nimble. Your max armor rating with this build (without smithing exploits/potions) will be around 300, which translates to about a 50% reduction, but this is late game all perks in light armor plus 100 skill level, so you can't take many hits. Speed is your ally, keeping yourself mobile will allow you to avoid the devastating hits of two handed wielders and dragon bites, which is your biggest threat in this build.
Some tactics to consider may be...
Endless Charge
Slow poison+Slow Time+Power Shot+Quick Shot+Ranger (Or any combination of these)
Your enemies can only watch in horror as the are slowed to a crawl while you continue to move away from them, making their journey to you endless while death approaches them.
Animal Counter AttackAnimal Allegience+Invisibility/Shadow Warrior+Ranger
When the ranger find himself in a situation he can't handle, he retreat from combat and calls upon animals to cover his escape. He then cloaks himself and in the ensuing chaos, eliminates his pursuers.
Windborne Strike
Dual Flurry+Elemental Fury+Dagger and Sword
This Skill allows the ranger to ravage even the largest groups of enemies in mere seconds.
6. Roleplay
As I said, roleplay is a heavy element of this build. There is so much to being a ranger that it's hard to explain it all, so I made a list of thing you can do to help the roleplay aspect. I've already said some of these things, so I apologize in advance for redundancy.
1. Rangers don't really have a side, try to avoid taking one.
2. Archery first, swords second. This is the pinnacle of ranger philosophy.
3. Every wild animal should be prayed on, provided the situation permits.
4. While a sort of Lawful-neutral, rangers can do whatever is necessary to survive.
5. Only enter a hold capital for quests and to sell items. All your gear must be found/scavenged.
6. The forsworn are sworn enemies of rangers, treat them as such.
7. Eat at least meat, bread, and a vegetable/fruit at least once a day.
8. Walk everywhere, no fast travel what so ever.
9. If the situation permits, stop and "make camp" for the night or stay at an inn.
10. Rangers always help those who need it, provided the intentions are good.
