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Contest Build: The Highborn

Tags: #Character Build Spellsword  #Character Build Elementalist  #Character Build Mage  #Rank:Exemplar  #Race:Altmer  #Contest2 
  • Member
    September 20, 2013

    Character Build: The Highborn

    Once one of the most powerful mages in Tamriel, The Highborn used his powers to slaughter the innocent and plunder from the Kings themselves.

    Silenced by an ancient hero centuries ago, and no longer able to wield his evil craft, he was forced into exile.

    As Dragons return to Tamriel, the Highborn discovers an even greater power.

    The power to absorb their souls and call upon the wrath of the Gods and Daedra themselves to destroy everything which  stands in his path.

    Starting with Skyrim.

    Race

    Altmer. The High Elves make extremely skilled mages and all this build’s skills fall under the Altmer’s starting skillset. The 50 extra magicka enables you to cast stronger spells early on and gain more experience. In tricky situations the Highborn power will give you an edge against even toughest foes.

    Standing Stone

    The Apprentice. Only this gives the true power that the Highborn is all about, but it must be used carefully, otherwise he may fall victim to his own dark chaos. Skillful gameplay and use of Wards can almost completely offset the weakness from the Apprentice Stone, giving us a challenging but rewarding combat style.

    Shouts

    Whirlwind Sprint, Slow Time, Frost Breath, Ice Form, Dragon Aspect and Bend Will. These shouts give you a balance of offence and mobility. Bend Will in particular will be used in most fights, to reflect the superiority of the Altmer race and giving you extra allies to counter your low defensive capabilities.

     

    Major Skills

    Destruction: The Highborn’s primary offence. Death can come to his enemies on many forms, be it an Icy Spear from the shadows or a deadly fall caused by his Whirlwind Cloak. Your main element will be Lightning, best suited for a mobile mage due to its pinpoint accuracy. Frost spells are reserved for tougher warriors, who are slowed to a crawl as they try to reach him. Key Perks are up to Expert cost reduction, Dual Casting and Augmented Shock.

     

    Alteration: The Highborn can reshape the world around him using his mastery of Alteration magic. This skill allows him to seek out enemies who would otherwise be invisible, or protect himself with a powerful Flesh spell. By far the best spell that comes with Alteration is Dragonhide, which gives him almost absolute protection from melee attacks for over a minute. Key perks are up to Master cost reduction, Stability, and Mage Armor.

     

    Enchanting: Every Altmer is somewhat skilled in Enchanting, but the Highborn takes it to the next level, creating magical equipment with potent effects. He specialises in weapon enchants, synergizing some weaker enchantment with his mastery of Shock magic to overcome every situation. Key Perks are Frost and Storm Enchanter, Insightful Enchanter, Corpus Enchanter and Extra Effect.

     3 Magicka/1 Health/0 Stamina

    Minor Skills

    Restoration: A very important skill for the Highborn. Wards are key to block magic since The Apprentice leaves us very vulnerable to even weaker spells. Fast Healing will stay useful until Endgame because we have very little health and high Magicka. Key perks are up to Adept cost reduction, Dual Casting and Regeneration.

     

     

    One Handed: Although he has not studied the finer techniques of swordsmanship, the Highborn uses a variety of enchanted blades to cut through his enemies. This skill will level up naturally but will not be perked.

     

    Combat

    Against warriors: Cast Dragonhide as they approach, then throw on a Whirlwind Cloak and launch a flurry of Ice Storms. Even if they manage to get near you, your cloak will throw them back as you continue your assault. If your large Magicka supply runs dry, switch to a sword and finish them off.

    Against rangers: Shout Slow Time to give you time to cast Dragonhide, then use Thunderbolts from a distance to accurately hit your opponent every time. If you need to deal more damage, Whirlwind Sprint in and use your sword to make the kill.

    Against mages: Use a ward to block their magic while you retaliate with powerful Shock spells. Use Ward Absorb to keep your Magicka high, and mix in Shouts with your regular attacks. If the situation calls for it, use your staff to summon an Atronach which can serve as a useful distraction.

    Against dragons: Summon a Storm Atronach for extra damage while you open fire with Thunderbolts and Icy Spears. Keep a ward in your left hand to block the dragon’s breath, a few seconds of it will kill you on higher difficulties. When the dragon lands, either continue to back away and use spells, or cast Dragonhide and run in with your sword.

    Apprentice Hood (Fortify Magicka 40pts)

    Master Robes (Fortify Magicka Regen 150pts)

    Sorcerer's Grips (Fortify Magicka 50pts, Fortify One-Handed 30pts)

    Sorcerer's Boots (Resist Frost 35pts, Resist Fire 35pts)

    Amulet of the Mage (Fortify Destruction 20pts, Fortify Restoration 20pts)

    Stone of Oblivion (Fortify Destruction 20pts, Fortify Alteration 20pts)

    Silver Sword (Frost Damage 45pts, Absorb Magicka 30pts)

    Staff of the Storm Atronach

    Roleplay

    Kill anyone who crosses you without a second thought, and never accept yields – you have little patience for weaker individuals who do not accept your power.

    Act like a normal citizen in one town, preferably a larger one like Whiterun, Riften or Solitude. Use this as your trading area. When visiting, wear a disguise. For example, a suit of armour will help you pass off as a traveling mercenary.

    Do not use any followers. Outside of the College of Winterhold, who have no idea who you really are, you are aligned with no-one. At early levels, a staff provides you with all the extra help a follower could give.

    Credits

    Zimbu for the Screenshots

    oaco90 (deviantART) for the Equipment Spread Background

    st3to (deviantART) for the Perk Spread Background

    JSfantasy (deviantART) for the Title Image

    Teccam for the Headings idea

    And finally, my brother for helping me with the HTML

    If you enjoyed reading this build, check out my other creations on My Page!

     

     

     

     

     

  • September 20, 2013
    This is the winner! It's got to be! :D Too bad you post this now. It's all about GTA right now, so I won't have the time to make this. :P Super! +1
  • September 20, 2013

    Impressive.

  • Member
    September 20, 2013

    This is a nice build, just like your Ascendant. You might also want to elaborate your enchantments a little more, such as why you use the enchantments and why they're named the way they're named.

  • Member
    September 20, 2013

    Very nice! I like how you presented the gameplay section - its exactly how I imagine the perfect one! Your gear combo is also nice, though I'd second ArcanusLex for Morag Tong gear inconsistency with Mage Armor. Could it be that you used Mage Armor before getting Morag Tong gear and at the point where you got it you switched to Dragonhide? I also very much enjoy the use of wards in combination with Apprentice stone - something truly showing the potential of these amazing spells.

  • Member
    September 20, 2013

    +1 It's a good straight forward looking build. Might want to get a different picture for the gloves and boots because it looks like armor and that would make your mage armor perks useless.

  • Member
    September 20, 2013

    Yeah, I switched to the Morag Tong after I got dragonhide. Beforehand I had a nice combo with Nazir's boots and the Vampire Gloves. I'll try to change it tomorrow, it will take quite a long time since I'll have to make the image all over again.

  • Member
    September 20, 2013

    Just when I am starting to think I could win this, you post this -_-

    Great build, willl try to play this one in the near future!

    +1.

  • Member
    September 20, 2013

    Thanks. I'll change the that as soon as I can!

  • Member
    September 20, 2013

    Your build is very nice - It will definitely be a close call :P