I'd like to welcome you to my first attempt at a character build! This build is based loosely off the "rogue" playstyle you can achieve in most RPGs. With most of the characters I play in Skyrim, I've always tended to lean towards placing my perks in the thief skills. The same will go for this one, but with more confrontation and less hiding in the shadows from afar. This build will combine skills and perks to create a great synergy that powers refined swordsmanship, daft hands, and precise arrow strikes. So without further ado, I present...
The Fallen Heir
"You were raised by your father, a world-famous winery owner based in Skingrad, Cyrodiil. You have always known wealth and riches. Travelling with your father your whole life across 
the seas, you learned the merchant arts from watching him conduct business; swordsmanship and dueling from the sailors; and with your father's wealth, received a grand education from the best scholars the empire had to offer. Soon to be your own person, your father surprised you one evening with heavy news. Not only was he running the world's best winery, he was the lord of the most dangerous crime organization in Tamriel. He smuggled moon sugar and skooma all over the Empire. Then he revealed to you that he was dying and needed you to take over the business, but only if you could do one thing - one task to show your loyalty to your father. You accepted. He said you must smuggle a caravan of moon sugars from Bruma into Skyrim, finally arriving in Solitude. His last words were, 'You're special. Akatosh smiles upon you, my son.' You didn't know what he meant but you hired several guards and began your operation to impress. You were nearly to Skyrim when a courier told you the news. Your father had passed away. Sadness took over the rest of the way. Crossing into Skyrim at the border, you were ambushed by the Imperial Legion. Upon finding the vast amounts of moon sugars, they soon assigned you to a chopping block in Helgen, just north of the border. You blacked out...then woke up in a cart full of the "Stormcloaks" you soon recognized from your visits to Windhelm. There was also a horse thief that was talking way to much for his own good. Then you noticed to your right another man, dressed in fine attire -- though he was built like an ox and was as scarred and rugged as the mountains surrounding you. He was revealed to be Ulfric, the rebel Nord-King you heard about so much in the pubs. You arrived in Helgen shortly after. One-by-one you were to step forward when your name was called. The horse thief tried to escape but quickly was put down. But then it was your turn and it was revealed you were not on the list. The commanding soldier sent you to the blockline anyways. It was truly the end. The axe was about to swing but then a shadow consumed everything. You look up and see a huge winged-creature sending out a earth-shattering roar. Your journey...begins here."
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Race: I chose the Imperial because they are known to be the most civil and refined of the human races, and are the natives of Cyrodiil - the seat of the Empire. They also have very fitting racial skills for the build itself. Imperial Luck is a well-received bonus, giving Imperials the innate ability to find more gold where others would find less. Their once-a-day power, Voice of the Emperor, is a great method of crowd-control when numbers overwhelm you, or simply when you need somebody to calm dafuq down. You may become a Vampire Lord or Werewolf, it is your choice. Vampirism provides bonuses to stealth and grants some illusion-type spells to the player under certain circumstances. Lycanthropy provides the player with a more combative experience and a way to defeat the larger opponents when they don't wanna play with swords anymore.
Aesthetics: I tried to create a youthful, "dashing swordsman" look (low complexion, full hair, etc.) in my character, but did apply some ruggedness (light warpaint, short beard, etc.) to reflect his path into the criminal underworld.
Vital Stats: 3/1/2 - Health is needed to make up for the lower armor rating you will have wearing light armor. Magika isn't needed at all, unless you plan on going in depth with the vampire lord. Otherwise, it's useless. Stamina is increased for longer Eagle Eye duration, increased running, and carry-weight. Distribute any remaining points at will.
Standing Stones: Mage Stone - I used this to level up enchanting faster. Thief Stone - I used this to level up light armor and other thief skills faster, as most other skills level up quickly throughout the game. Lord Stone - After you've leveled up your thief skills and enchanting until you are comfortable, switch to this stone for an extra 50 points in your armor rating.
Blessings: Auriel (DG*) - For an archery bonus; Nocturnal - For a stealth bonus; Boethiah (DB*) - For a swordsmanship bonus; Zenithar - for a business bonus. I used multiple blessings for different reasons. I used each blessing depending on what I was doing in-game and how I had been playing. I used the blessing of Zenithar when I was performing larger transactions and when I was buying materials for my Hearthfire* homes.
Vital Shouts: Aura Whisper, Become Ethereal, Disarm, Marked For Death, Slow Time, Throw Voice, Whirlwind Sprint (Dragon Aspect and Battle Fury are used from Dragonborn*.)
Perk Summary
Major Skills: One-Handed, Sneak, Light Armor, Archery, Block
Minor Skills: Speech, Pickpocket, Smithing, Enchanting
For the official Skyrim Perk Calculator, please click here.
One-Handed - You are an excellent swordsman in his physical prime with all the motive in the world to survive. This skill will be your primary method of combat. Combined with the agility you gain from wearing lighter defenses and your skill parrying and blocking incoming attacks, your speed and precision with a blade dominates the battlefield.
- Important perks to obtain here are Critical Charge, Savage Strike, and Bladesman.
Block - Your skill with a sword and natural agility will be combined with certain block and parry techniques to ensure victory over opponents, no matter their weapon.
- Shield Wall and Quick Reflex must be obtained to show your natural defensive skill with a blade.
Speech - Your speech skill is what ultimately helps you build your criminal empire. With perks allowing for the sales of stolen goods to merchants and bribes to guards, you'll have half of Skyrim's economy and the holds' defenses in your pocket. When combined with Imperial Lucks power to find you more gold and your skills in thievery, you'll be rich and building your empire in no time.
- Every perk placed here is important. This is what allows you to be the silver-tongued rogue you're setting towards being.
Sneak - Your ability to disappear and reappear is what allows you to baffle enemies. When combined with the agility you gain from wearing Light Armor, you will find your opponents running around the room looking for a ghost.
- Important perks to obtain in this skill tree are Backstab and Silent Roll.
Light Armor - You won't always be wearing a full set of armor, but when you do, you make sure it's light and unhindering. Light Armor allows for quick reflexes and fast movement while still protecting the player. Not many perks are placed here, but the one that is can mean life or death.
- Agile Defender will be picked up here as the only perk chosen.
Archery - Your keen sight gained from watching the horizons at sea allows for impeccable accuracy with projectile combat. It is this skill tree that you will depend on for ranged attacks when you're not quite comfortable or fit enough for close-ranged combat. You will place the most perks here, though you may not use the skill as much as others.
- You should obtain every perk here except for Bull's-eye.
Pickpocket - This skill is what allows for that "sabotage" feel that rogues are known so much for. At higher levels, you may steal their arms and armor, or even place poisons in their possession and weaken or kill them. This is also where you'll get more carry weight for all those stolen items. Oh, and of course, plenty of stolen items.
- Obtain all perks here except for Key Master.
*You may tweak the "filling" perks (i.e. 0/5,1/5) at will.
Crafting (Smithing & Enchanting) - Builds that use crafting are usually made to be broken. In this build, light armor isn't perked out as much, so being able to smith and enchant Glass arms and armor evens things out. This will combine with agility and fine swordsmanship to create a dashing rogue that nobody could hope to defeat.
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Equipment & Gear - For heavier battles, use a full set of glass armor (excluding the shield). Otherwise, you should wear Ulfric's full attire and a silver and sapphire circlet - all enchanted accordingly . For role-play, wear fine clothes for common ventures across the land. Your main weapons will be Chillrend, Windshear, the Nightingale Blade, a non-enchanted glass sword, and a twice enchanted glass sword. You will also craft your own glass bow with said effects.
Enchantments:
- Head - Waterbreathing and Fortify Archery
- Chest - Fortify Health and Light Armor
- Hands - Fortify Pickpocket and One-Handed
- Boots - Fortify Sneak and One-Handed
- Ring - One-Handed and Light Armor
- Necklace - One-Handed and Block
- Bow - Fire and Shock Damage
- One Sword - Fire and Shock Damage
Essential Quests - Bards' College, Main Quest, Dragonborn*, Companions, Dawnguard*, Thieves' Guild, Dark Brotherhood - In that order if you want to follow the role-play and get the most in-game benefits. I think you do..or should...for these reasons: Get the Bards' College out of the way, then unlock all the main shouts from the Main Questline, setting you up for a great experience during Dragonborn.* Then complete the Companions quests, obtaining Lycanthropy if you'd like, and if not, then you have an easy cure when you start playing Dawnguard* and finally be corrupted to be a vampire or help fight the Volkihar with the Dawnguard. Going into the darker side of this character, and having had leveled up well to this point, you will begin the Thieves' Guild and obtain the sword Chillrend, a leveled weapon. You will also grab the Nightingale Blade and the power, Shadowcloak of Nocturnal. Then you will allow the criminal mindset to consume you and begin the murderous path towards the Dark Brotherhood. You will obtain a vital shout through this and get the Emperor's Robes, and Windshear.
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Gameplay
Character Traits: You are the son of a dead world-renown winery owner and heir to his massive crime organization. You have known wealth and nobility nearly all your life and are a very refined swordsman, but will also well-versed yourself in the lower-classes' stealth arts. You're a gentleman to the public of course, maybe not the nicest one in town, but a gentleman nonetheless. You have seen many places and met many faces. Your speech skill will allow for easier public control and imaging. You're heir to Tamriel's wealthiest drug-throne, but the public doesn't need to know that. Your goal in the game is to buy as much land as you can, have the nicest houses, be a Thane in a majority of the holds, and build up your own crime empire in this frigid land and get back what's rightfully yours someday.
Quest Role-play: For each quest Skyrim has given us, you have your own reason for carrying them out. For example: You will seek out Miraak and save Nirn oncemore, however, it's really your arrogance in being the sole Dragonborn that drives you. Or maybe you will twist the Dark Brotherhood to your own advantage. Or you'll use the Thieves' Guild's connections to regain your illegal inheritance. You've a reason for everything you do.
Combat Dynamics: At a distance, unleash arrows upon arrows until either side closes the gap. When in face-to-face combat, block power attacks with your sword, this will allow the block perk, Quick Reflexes, to take effect. Kite, strafe, and use your agility to out-maneuver your foe and end his life with your blade before he ends yours. "Sabotaging" your enemies will also be a key tactic. This can be done a variety of ways. You, however, must think of the most comfortable tactics for yourself. The thing about this playstyle, is that there are hardly ever "plans" for combat.
Tactical Combos
Bladesman's Wrath: Block an attack, and then lay into their sides with your blade, then use Slow Time and finish them with a spinning power attack.
Arrogance: Use the power, Shadowcloak of Nocturnal. Pickpocket their armor and/or weapons. Reveal yourself and use the shout, Become Ethereal. Continue with a spinning power-attack. Finish him.
Prince Of Crime's Herald: Enter sneak. With your bow, lay down arrows until you're discovered. Use Whirlwind Sprint to close the gap and lay in on them with your variety of swords. If your shout cooldown is not refreshed, sprint towards them and lay out a running, jumping power attack right into their skull.
The Missing Heir's Return: While in sneak mode, using your bow, fire at an enemy and use the shout, Whirlwind Sprint, leaving just a second between your arrows arrival and your sword at their throat.
Special Combos
Nocturnal's Sabotage: Use the power, Shadowcloak of Nocturnal. Enter sneak mode and roll into contact with your opponent. Lash out at them with your sword and then use the shout, Marked for Death. Enter sneak mode once more. Roll away, turn around, and pierce their heart with a well-placed arrow.
Silver-Tongued Snakebite: Using sneak mode to get into position, quickly exit sneak mode and use Whirlwind Sprint to close the distance fast. Strike out with a power attack. Use Voice of the Emperor to calm them down. get into position to perform a running power attack. Finish them.
Bastard Son's Vengeance: Use Dragon Aspect. Sprint towards a group of enemies to perform a running power attack. Use Voice of the Emperor to calm the group of enemies. Continue by slicing away and freezing enemies with Chillrend in a "run-and-gun" type offense.
Echo Of Commerce: Use Throw Voice to misdirect enemies. While distracted, use a running power attack to close the distance. Use Shadowcloak of Nocturnal to disappear. Pickpocket their weapons and armor. Reveal yourself and use Elemental Fury to decimate them in their helplessness with Windshear.
Thank you for reading. If you have any questions, feel free to message me. All opinions and criticisms will be well received.
I'd like to welcome you to my first attempt at a character build! This build is based loosely off the "rogue" playstyle you can achieve in most RPGs. With most of the characters I play in Skyrim, I've always tended to lean towards placing my perks in the thief skills. The same will go for this one, but with more confrontation and less hiding in the shadows from afar. This build will combine skills and perks to create a great synergy that powers refined swordsmanship, daft hands, and precise arrow strikes. So without further ado, I present...
The Fallen Heir
"You were raised by your father, a world-famous winery owner based in Skingrad, Cyrodiil. You have always known wealth and riches. Travelling with your father your whole life across the seas, you learned the merchant arts from watching him conduct business; swordsmanship and dueling from the sailors; and with your father's wealth, received a grand education from the best scholars the empire had to offer. Soon to be your own person, your father surprised you one evening with heavy news. Not only was he running the world's best winery, he was the lord of the most dangerous crime organization in Tamriel. He smuggled moon sugar and skooma all over the Empire. Then he revealed to you that he was dying and needed you to take over the business, but only if you could do one thing - one task to show your loyalty to your father. You accepted. He said you must smuggle a caravan of moon sugars from Bruma into Skyrim, finally arriving in Solitude. His last words were, 'You're special. Akatosh smiles upon you, my son.' You didn't know what he meant but you hired several guards and began your operation to impress. You were nearly to Skyrim when a courier told you the news. Your father had passed away. Sadness took over the rest of the way. Crossing into Skyrim at the border, you were ambushed by the Imperial Legion. Upon finding the vast amounts of moon sugars, they soon assigned you to a chopping block in Helgen, just north of the border. You blacked out...then woke up in a cart full of the "Stormcloaks" you soon recognized from your visits to Windhelm. There was also a horse thief that was talking way to much for his own good. Then you noticed to your right another man, dressed in fine attire -- though he was built like an ox and was as scarred and rugged as the mountains surrounding you. He was revealed to be Ulfric, the rebel Nord-King you heard about so much in the pubs. You arrived in Helgen shortly after. One-by-one you were to step forward when your name was called. The horse thief tried to escape but quickly was put down. But then it was your turn and it was revealed you were not on the list. The commanding soldier sent you to the blockline anyways. It was truly the end. The axe was about to swing but then a shadow consumed everything. You look up and see a huge winged-creature sending out a earth-shattering roar. Your journey...begins here."
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Race: I chose the Imperial because they are known to be the most civil and refined of the human races, and are the natives of Cyrodiil - the seat of the Empire. They also have very fitting racial skills for the build itself. Imperial Luck is a well-received bonus, giving Imperials the innate ability to find more gold where others would find less. Their once-a-day power, Voice of the Emperor, is a great method of crowd-control when numbers overwhelm you, or simply when you need somebody to calm dafuq down. You may become a Vampire Lord or Werewolf, it is your choice. Vampirism provides bonuses to stealth and grants some illusion-type spells to the player under certain circumstances. Lycanthropy provides the player with a more combative experience and a way to defeat the larger opponents when they don't wanna play with swords anymore.
Aesthetics: I tried to create a youthful, "dashing swordsman" look (low complexion, full hair, etc.) in my character, but did apply some ruggedness (light warpaint, short beard, etc.) to reflect his path into the criminal underworld.
Vital Stats: 3/1/2 - Health is needed to make up for the lower armor rating you will have wearing light armor. Magika isn't needed at all, unless you plan on going in depth with the vampire lord. Otherwise, it's useless. Stamina is increased for longer Eagle Eye duration, increased running, and carry-weight. Distribute any remaining points at will.
Standing Stones: Mage Stone - I used this to level up enchanting faster. Thief Stone - I used this to level up light armor and other thief skills faster, as most other skills level up quickly throughout the game. Lord Stone - After you've leveled up your thief skills and enchanting until you are comfortable, switch to this stone for an extra 50 points in your armor rating.
Blessings: Auriel (DG*) - For an archery bonus; Nocturnal - For a stealth bonus; Boethiah (DB*) - For a swordsmanship bonus; Zenithar - for a business bonus. I used multiple blessings for different reasons. I used each blessing depending on what I was doing in-game and how I had been playing. I used the blessing of Zenithar when I was performing larger transactions and when I was buying materials for my Hearthfire* homes.
Vital Shouts: Aura Whisper, Become Ethereal, Disarm, Marked For Death, Slow Time, Throw Voice, Whirlwind Sprint (Dragon Aspect and Battle Fury are used from Dragonborn*.)
Perk Summary
Major Skills: One-Handed, Sneak, Light Armor, Archery, Block
Minor Skills: Speech, Pickpocket, Smithing, Enchanting
For the official Skyrim Perk Calculator, please click here.
One-Handed - You are an excellent swordsman in his physical prime with all the motive in the world to survive. This skill will be your primary method of combat. Combined with the agility you gain from wearing lighter defenses and your skill parrying and blocking incoming attacks, your speed and precision with a blade dominates the battlefield.
- Important perks to obtain here are Critical Charge, Savage Strike, and Bladesman.
Block - Your skill with a sword and natural agility will be combined with certain block and parry techniques to ensure victory over opponents, no matter their weapon.
- Shield Wall and Quick Reflex must be obtained to show your natural defensive skill with a blade.
Speech - Your speech skill is what ultimately helps you build your criminal empire. With perks allowing for the sales of stolen goods to merchants and bribes to guards, you'll have half of Skyrim's economy and the holds' defenses in your pocket. When combined with Imperial Lucks power to find you more gold and your skills in thievery, you'll be rich and building your empire in no time.
- Every perk placed here is important. This is what allows you to be the silver-tongued rogue you're setting towards being.
Sneak - Your ability to disappear and reappear is what allows you to baffle enemies. When combined with the agility you gain from wearing Light Armor, you will find your opponents running around the room looking for a ghost.
- Important perks to obtain in this skill tree are Backstab and Silent Roll.
Light Armor - You won't always be wearing a full set of armor, but when you do, you make sure it's light and unhindering. Light Armor allows for quick reflexes and fast movement while still protecting the player. Not many perks are placed here, but the one that is can mean life or death.
- Agile Defender will be picked up here as the only perk chosen.
Archery - Your keen sight gained from watching the horizons at sea allows for impeccable accuracy with projectile combat. It is this skill tree that you will depend on for ranged attacks when you're not quite comfortable or fit enough for close-ranged combat. You will place the most perks here, though you may not use the skill as much as others.
- You should obtain every perk here except for Bull's-eye.
Pickpocket - This skill is what allows for that "sabotage" feel that rogues are known so much for. At higher levels, you may steal their arms and armor, or even place poisons in their possession and weaken or kill them. This is also where you'll get more carry weight for all those stolen items. Oh, and of course, plenty of stolen items.
- Obtain all perks here except for Key Master.
*You may tweak the "filling" perks (i.e. 0/5,1/5) at will.
Crafting (Smithing & Enchanting) - Builds that use crafting are usually made to be broken. In this build, light armor isn't perked out as much, so being able to smith and enchant Glass arms and armor evens things out. This will combine with agility and fine swordsmanship to create a dashing rogue that nobody could hope to defeat.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment & Gear - For heavier battles, use a full set of glass armor (excluding the shield). Otherwise, you should wear Ulfric's full attire and a silver and sapphire circlet - all enchanted accordingly . For role-play, wear fine clothes for common ventures across the land. Your main weapons will be Chillrend, Windshear, the Nightingale Blade, a non-enchanted glass sword, and a twice enchanted glass sword. You will also craft your own glass bow with said effects.
Enchantments:
- Head - Waterbreathing and Fortify Archery
- Chest - Fortify Health and Light Armor
- Hands - Fortify Pickpocket and One-Handed
- Boots - Fortify Sneak and One-Handed
- Ring - One-Handed and Light Armor
- Necklace - One-Handed and Block
- Bow - Fire and Shock Damage
- One Sword - Fire and Shock Damage
Essential Quests - Bards' College, Main Quest, Dragonborn*, Companions, Dawnguard*, Thieves' Guild, Dark Brotherhood - In that order if you want to follow the role-play and get the most in-game benefits. I think you do..or should...for these reasons: Get the Bards' College out of the way, then unlock all the main shouts from the Main Questline, setting you up for a great experience during Dragonborn.* Then complete the Companions quests, obtaining Lycanthropy if you'd like, and if not, then you have an easy cure when you start playing Dawnguard* and finally be corrupted to be a vampire or help fight the Volkihar with the Dawnguard. Going into the darker side of this character, and having had leveled up well to this point, you will begin the Thieves' Guild and obtain the sword Chillrend, a leveled weapon. You will also grab the Nightingale Blade and the power, Shadowcloak of Nocturnal. Then you will allow the criminal mindset to consume you and begin the murderous path towards the Dark Brotherhood. You will obtain a vital shout through this and get the Emperor's Robes, and Windshear.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gameplay
Character Traits: You are the son of a dead world-renown winery owner and heir to his massive crime organization. You have known wealth and nobility nearly all your life and are a very refined swordsman, but will also well-versed yourself in the lower-classes' stealth arts. You're a gentleman to the public of course, maybe not the nicest one in town, but a gentleman nonetheless. You have seen many places and met many faces. Your speech skill will allow for easier public control and imaging. You're heir to Tamriel's wealthiest drug-throne, but the public doesn't need to know that. Your goal in the game is to buy as much land as you can, have the nicest houses, be a Thane in a majority of the holds, and build up your own crime empire in this frigid land and get back what's rightfully yours someday.
Quest Role-play: For each quest Skyrim has given us, you have your own reason for carrying them out. For example: You will seek out Miraak and save Nirn oncemore, however, it's really your arrogance in being the sole Dragonborn that drives you. Or maybe you will twist the Dark Brotherhood to your own advantage. Or you'll use the Thieves' Guild's connections to regain your illegal inheritance. You've a reason for everything you do.
Combat Dynamics: At a distance, unleash arrows upon arrows until either side closes the gap. When in face-to-face combat, block power attacks with your sword, this will allow the block perk, Quick Reflexes, to take effect. Kite, strafe, and use your agility to out-maneuver your foe and end his life with your blade before he ends yours. "Sabotaging" your enemies will also be a key tactic. This can be done a variety of ways. You, however, must think of the most comfortable tactics for yourself. The thing about this playstyle, is that there are hardly ever "plans" for combat.
Tactical Combos
Bladesman's Wrath: Block an attack, and then lay into their sides with your blade, then use Slow Time and finish them with a spinning power attack.
Arrogance: Use the power, Shadowcloak of Nocturnal. Pickpocket their armor and/or weapons. Reveal yourself and use the shout, Become Ethereal. Continue with a spinning power-attack. Finish him.
Prince Of Crime's Herald: Enter sneak. With your bow, lay down arrows until you're discovered. Use Whirlwind Sprint to close the gap and lay in on them with your variety of swords. If your shout cooldown is not refreshed, sprint towards them and lay out a running, jumping power attack right into their skull.
The Missing Heir's Return: While in sneak mode, using your bow, fire at an enemy and use the shout, Whirlwind Sprint, leaving just a second between your arrows arrival and your sword at their throat.
Special Combos
Nocturnal's Sabotage: Use the power, Shadowcloak of Nocturnal. Enter sneak mode and roll into contact with your opponent. Lash out at them with your sword and then use the shout, Marked for Death. Enter sneak mode once more. Roll away, turn around, and pierce their heart with a well-placed arrow.
Silver-Tongued Snakebite: Using sneak mode to get into position, quickly exit sneak mode and use Whirlwind Sprint to close the distance fast. Strike out with a power attack. Use Voice of the Emperor to calm them down. get into position to perform a running power attack. Finish them.
Bastard Son's Vengeance: Use Dragon Aspect. Sprint towards a group of enemies to perform a running power attack. Use Voice of the Emperor to calm the group of enemies. Continue by slicing away and freezing enemies with Chillrend in a "run-and-gun" type offense.
Echo Of Commerce: Use Throw Voice to misdirect enemies. While distracted, use a running power attack to close the distance. Use Shadowcloak of Nocturnal to disappear. Pickpocket their weapons and armor. Reveal yourself and use Elemental Fury to decimate them in their helplessness with Windshear.
Thank you for reading. If you have any questions, feel free to message me. All opinions and criticisms will be well received.
