Update: TOTAL OVERHAUL INCOMING. I've been working on my contest build, and after finishing it, I feel significantly motivated to completely overhaul this build. It was my first, and so far my only posted build, but I feel like it will be an excellent warm up before I start shelling them out.
I've been in a slump for awhile as far as Skyrim goes. I have personal issues with playing boring, or stereotypical characters. I've played the heavy armor dual wield, the sneaky archer, the assassin, the free-spells battlemage. I've used conjuration and destruction and restoration, battled with sword and dagger, mace and waraxe, bow and arrow; I've charged, sneaked, casted, and crept.
After well over a thousand hours spent on this game, however, I've never once touched these three things; the Two-Handed skill, Illusion, and Alteration. So a couple days I thought to myself...how? How can I play this effectively? I thought about the question, and decided that when I had it, I wanted to share my answer, in the form of my very FIRST character build...
So, here is my solemn answer:
Agent of Anarchy
Credit for this art goes to Donoffrio on Deviantart
"As ages come and pass, and those around you turn to dust, you shall remain, my conduit upon mundus. Men and mer who champion my name shall come and pass, yet, you shall remain. Always, you shall remain. My chosen, my child, my agent of absolute anarchy. Go forth, elf; go forth and carve your will upon this world." - Boethiah, Day of Exodus
Introduction
This is by far the most fun I've had with a build in some time. I'll be posting lore and journals sometime soon, to give the entire, glorious tale, but here's the run down: You are Boethiah's agent upon Mundus, an Altmer who was bestowed a fraction of her power at birth. After becoming her conduit, she used you to murder your parents, and put you under the tutelage of her current champion, calling on the elf for service, something the Goddess of Destruction rarely does.
Now, many centuries later, you have arrived in Skyrim. Your travels, and your search for power, has led you through all of the provinces of Tamriel, only to land in the Fatherland, the north, home of the Nords. Upon crossing the border, you are swept up in, your dai-katana confiscated. You choose to travel with the Imperials, despite the massive amounts of magic at your disposal, and refrain from imposing your overwhelming will upon the soldiers.
"On a certain day, at a certain time, the faithful gathered to perform certain rituals, hoping to gain a glimpse of their master." - Boethiah's Proving
Boethiah takes her Ebony Mail from your possession, to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, as well as to make you prove yourself once more, as you have so many times in the past. As the shadowy cuirass disappears, she whispers into your ear of a great power hidden in Skyrim, an artifact of the Spider, the Webspinner, her whispers urging you to seek it out to further your quest. As it happens, fate bends itself to your will as per usual; your journey into the Fatherland after escaping your own execution with the help of a dragon leads you straight to the shadowy power Boethiah promised would await you. After claiming it, and reclaiming your Ebony Mail from your mistress, the Fatherland is yours for the taking.
"So you can tell that heartless Daedra bitch I'm done doing her dirty work." - Champion of Boethiah, shortly before death. "They all say that. Even in death, you'll serve Destruction."- Agent of Anarchy, as his Ebony Blade bites into the Champion's throat.
Recommended Quest Lines
Main Story Line up to Delphine, Companion's up to Circle, The Whispering Door (Max out blade immediately, see http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Ebony_Blade_(Skyrim) for tips on who to kill), College of Winterhold, Boethiah's Calling, Thieve's Guild
The Build
Race: High Elf, for the high starting magic levels, and the flavor of starting with Fury in your spell repertoire.
Stone: Mage to level your three magic trees, then Lord to cover the gaps in your defense due to mixed armors.
Stats: 1 Health/1 Stamina/0 Magicka until both Health and Stamina are 150, then switch to 1 Health/2 Stamina/2 Magicka. Cap your Health at 250, and switch to a 1/1 ratio between Stamina and Magicka.
Major Skills
Two Handed: Your primary weapon, and means of offense, is the Ebony Blade, the Vampire. Due to its incredible swing speed, and less-than-mediocre damage, leveling the Two Handed skill becomes important to up damage.
Illusion: Frenzy and Pacify are your friends here. Through these spells, you exert your will upon the world . You'll also have fear at your disposal; however, I find it far less satisfying than rendering an entire group of bandits non-hostile, or making two giants and a mammoth turn on each other, all three flying into the air,instead of me.
Alteration: Alteration is used primarily for defense. Before battle, and during when needed, dual cast your strongest armor spell. Stability will make it last longer, and the magic resistance will let you win out in those occasional pesky mage duels.
Minor Skills
Destruction: Now, this almost makes it into the major skill section. However, I put it into minor because it is mainly for my own indulgence. The last five builds I ran made fairly heavy use of archery. Well, those pesky dragons have to come out of the sky somehow, and for the agent, it will not be by arrows. The shock and fire walls are your friends here, and Chain Lightning for the dragons, since they don't have resistance to it.
Block: Only two perks here, the intro and Quick Reflexes. The Ebony Blade is a weapon of finesse, requiring great will, and dexterous skill, to wield. Don't hack and slash in combat like a ninny; interrupt their clumsy power attacks with a well timed, slowed down bash, and start hacking at them with that incredible, lightning-stick swing speed. You'll find that your health, however meager, is rarely below full.
Enchanting: This was against my better judgment. "This will be a no crafting blade, to fit the lore behind the Ebony Blade!" No, that didn't work. No smithing or alchemy, mind you, but enchanting takes a roll here. There are no gloves or boots you can reliably find, as in not based on RND, that match the Ebony Mail for appearance, and yet fortify Two Handed. So, when you're bored, or have gold lying around, since that also takes a back seat here, buy some petty/lesser soul gems, and enchant whatever junk you have on you. You'll get to 100 and that Extra Effect eventually.
Shouts
Bend Will: This shout was made for this build, practically. Once you finish up the necessary quests, retrieving your Mail, acquiring and conquering your Ebony Blade, travel to Solstheim and put down the usurper Miraak in Boethiah's name. While your at it, master this shout, at least to the second word.
Clear Skies: If you wish a clear sky, so it shall be. Let your will loose upon the sky, and watch contently as it obliges. You are a force to be reckoned with; even nature bows before you indomitable will!
Cyclone: This is mainly for shiggles, and not necessary. I simply find this shout to be more effective than Unrelenting Force, and more befitting of a person who sows chaos throughout the land.
Disarm: Call out to them, and let your will be carried in your shout. Lay down your weapons, you say; and so it shall be.
Level 55 Perk Spread
The level 35 Perk Spread is available here: Slide2.PNG
Equipment
Your gear playing this character is nearly as important as your spells, and your perks. Your gear defines you, for every piece is a tribute to power attained, and mastered.
This is the final presentation, your end goal: a masked, shadow cloaked bad ass with no authority to answer to, besides his Goddess, on occasion. Everyone answers to the Goddess of Destruction, though.
Before acquire your final set of gear, due to the lack of smithing, you use what you find. In my play through, I went from a set of enchanted Banded Iron armor I found, in combination with the Iron Hand Gauntlets from that bandit near Whiterun, to unechanted Steel Plate, plus the gauntlets; I used an Orcish Greatsword with Absorb Stamina I found until I got my Ebony Blade. Your ultimate goal is to acquire the final set of gear; worry primarily about the Blade, the Mail, and the Hood; the rest will level with you as your enchanting levels. Those three pieces define you as a character, however.
Combat and Playstyle
Two Handed: Your Ebony Blade is your primary form of offense and survival. Use it whenever you can, and if you can't, try to maneuver yourself into a situation where you can.
When using your Ebony Blade, rely more on normal attacks and well placed bashing; with Quick Reflexes and the rapid swing speed, this is a better route than power attacks, most of the time. This way, you do more damage per second, and are gaining far more life back. You can gain 120 life back doing normal attacks in the time it takes to execute and recover from one power attack, which gains you 30.
Magic: Magic comes in at pivotal points. Start fights with groups off with a well placed Frenzy; tag as many individuals in red as possible, and watch as they turn on each other. Use Frenzy on mobs that are presenting too much of a challenge for you, that have friends; giants and mammoths are an excellent example.
For dragons, and other mages, lightning spells are your spell of choice. Eventually, Wall of Shock and Chain Lightning, but early on, a combination of dual cast Sparks and Lightning Bolt will serve you well. As the prodigal champion of the Goddess of Destruction, naturally you have some talent with fire. Enemies who are not using spells and out of reach of your Ebony Blade, or are weak to fire, get a dual cast Firebolt in the face. If they're traveling in packs, throw out a Frenzy and a Fireball in rapid succession.
When confronted with fights you don't want to deal with, somebody who you need to steal from or walk by without harming, or an enemy who's death does not your purposes, pacify them. Peace is the perfect compliment to chaos, which Frenzy embodies.
Shouts: I listed shouts for the build, because they are situationally useful. However, this build could go through the entire game and never once use a shout. Bend Will fits the bill, as does Disarm, and everybody who runs melee uses Dragonrend, which I didn't list. However, they are not integral to the play style; use them at your own risk, for your own amusement.
"You think you're good at magic? I challenge you to a duel!" - Foolish Last Words, by a Challenger
"The Fatherland is an expansive land, full of people to dominate, and places to desecrate. Go forth, and lay waste to all that is sacred to all but yourself. Know that you are the conduit of the Goddess of Destruction, the Deceiver of Nations, upon Mundus; may you carve your will upon the world. May you bring about the downfall of order, and may the reign of chaos and anarchy henceforth begin." - Cultist of Boethiah
Roleplay
The Agent of Anarchy is more than mortal; his ancestry dates back to the days before the Exodus of the Chimer. Immortality was granted to him by his mother, his mistress, his goddess; Boethiah. Since the day of his birth, he was raised by her then-champion; by his fifteenth year, he had supplanted her, and become the True Champion, the Harbinger of Destruction, a seeker of power of all kinds. Given his upbringing, he has a more than mortal code of conduct; his morality is incomprehensible to mortals. Some might call him fickle, others evil. Some may consider him noble, just, good. Most, most simply see him as chaotic and indomitable.
He is to be played as such. Here are some guidelines:
1. Do not kill without reason. The reason can be so small as a woman offering what you consider insignificant payment after assisting her in a task; as long as there is one, slash away. Your Ebony Blade is hungry.
2. You hold no loyalty to anyone, or anything, save Boethiah. Once you have tasted of betrayal and deceit, there is no going back; and your Blade hungers. Friends and allies are for the weak. No followers, no favors without payment or some benefit to you beyond that 'good feeling' from helping someone. That 'good feeling' doesn't help you carve your will upon the world.
3. The law is for pussies. Take and do what you want; when guards attempt to bring you to heel, pacify them and walk away, or send them fleeing in fear. Your will is their will.
4. Dragons hold power, power you can take and harness. Kill every single dragon you come across, even if it takes you several tries, or your most lethal tactics.
5. Enemy mages hold power. The best away to absorb that power is to let them feel the bite of your blade. Deliver the killing blow with your Ebony Blade to enemy mages as often as you are able.
6. You do not sneak in the shadows. Do not cower; enforce your will upon those who would do you harm. Make them dance like dirty, frail minded monkeys.
7. Never kill non hostile animals. They represent tranquility and beauty, and they neither harm nor hinder you. There is no reason to kill them, ever; food is not required to sustain you, thanks to your Ebony Blade.
8. Your blood and soul are pure; never allow yourself to become a vampire, or a lycanthrope. Even the purest blood of the purest vampire (Harkan) is dirtier than yours; do not defile and weaken yourself.
9. When an enemy is too strong for you, turn him on his friends; that, or pacify him. If they are immune, then set them ablaze and let lightning rain down on them. Offensive magic is your last resort.
10. Your soul belongs to Boethiah; to sell it or contract it to another Daedra would be to betray her, and risk her wrath. Do not do it. (Take and keep the Skeleton Key, retain your sanity in your use of the Ebony Blade, turn Azura's Star, etc; )
11. You fight with grace; you are not some clunking nord. Your Ebony Blade swings swiftly, and every blow restores your lifeblood; save your stamina for Quick Reflex bashing. Do not squander it on power attacks.
12. Finally, your will is arbitrary. Fate holds no hold on you; go where you please, side with who you wish. Stay true to the Goddess of Destruction, the Deceiver of Nations, and you shall find true power.
Update: TOTAL OVERHAUL INCOMING. I've been working on my contest build, and after finishing it, I feel significantly motivated to completely overhaul this build. It was my first, and so far my only posted build, but I feel like it will be an excellent warm up before I start shelling them out.
I've been in a slump for awhile as far as Skyrim goes. I have personal issues with playing boring, or stereotypical characters. I've played the heavy armor dual wield, the sneaky archer, the assassin, the free-spells battlemage. I've used conjuration and destruction and restoration, battled with sword and dagger, mace and waraxe, bow and arrow; I've charged, sneaked, casted, and crept.
After well over a thousand hours spent on this game, however, I've never once touched these three things; the Two-Handed skill, Illusion, and Alteration. So a couple days I thought to myself...how? How can I play this effectively? I thought about the question, and decided that when I had it, I wanted to share my answer, in the form of my very FIRST character build...
So, here is my solemn answer:
Agent of Anarchy
Credit for this art goes to Donoffrio on Deviantart
"As ages come and pass, and those around you turn to dust, you shall remain, my conduit upon mundus. Men and mer who champion my name shall come and pass, yet, you shall remain. Always, you shall remain. My chosen, my child, my agent of absolute anarchy. Go forth, elf; go forth and carve your will upon this world." - Boethiah, Day of Exodus
Introduction
This is by far the most fun I've had with a build in some time. I'll be posting lore and journals sometime soon, to give the entire, glorious tale, but here's the run down: You are Boethiah's agent upon Mundus, an Altmer who was bestowed a fraction of her power at birth. After becoming her conduit, she used you to murder your parents, and put you under the tutelage of her current champion, calling on the elf for service, something the Goddess of Destruction rarely does.
Now, many centuries later, you have arrived in Skyrim. Your travels, and your search for power, has led you through all of the provinces of Tamriel, only to land in the Fatherland, the north, home of the Nords. Upon crossing the border, you are swept up in, your dai-katana confiscated. You choose to travel with the Imperials, despite the massive amounts of magic at your disposal, and refrain from imposing your overwhelming will upon the soldiers.
"On a certain day, at a certain time, the faithful gathered to perform certain rituals, hoping to gain a glimpse of their master." - Boethiah's Proving
Boethiah takes her Ebony Mail from your possession, to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, as well as to make you prove yourself once more, as you have so many times in the past. As the shadowy cuirass disappears, she whispers into your ear of a great power hidden in Skyrim, an artifact of the Spider, the Webspinner, her whispers urging you to seek it out to further your quest. As it happens, fate bends itself to your will as per usual; your journey into the Fatherland after escaping your own execution with the help of a dragon leads you straight to the shadowy power Boethiah promised would await you. After claiming it, and reclaiming your Ebony Mail from your mistress, the Fatherland is yours for the taking.
"So you can tell that heartless Daedra bitch I'm done doing her dirty work." - Champion of Boethiah, shortly before death. "They all say that. Even in death, you'll serve Destruction."- Agent of Anarchy, as his Ebony Blade bites into the Champion's throat.
Recommended Quest Lines
Main Story Line up to Delphine, Companion's up to Circle, The Whispering Door (Max out blade immediately, see http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Ebony_Blade_(Skyrim) for tips on who to kill), College of Winterhold, Boethiah's Calling, Thieve's Guild
The Build
Race: High Elf, for the high starting magic levels, and the flavor of starting with Fury in your spell repertoire.
Stone: Mage to level your three magic trees, then Lord to cover the gaps in your defense due to mixed armors.
Stats: 1 Health/1 Stamina/0 Magicka until both Health and Stamina are 150, then switch to 1 Health/2 Stamina/2 Magicka. Cap your Health at 250, and switch to a 1/1 ratio between Stamina and Magicka.
Major Skills
Two Handed: Your primary weapon, and means of offense, is the Ebony Blade, the Vampire. Due to its incredible swing speed, and less-than-mediocre damage, leveling the Two Handed skill becomes important to up damage.
Illusion: Frenzy and Pacify are your friends here. Through these spells, you exert your will upon the world . You'll also have fear at your disposal; however, I find it far less satisfying than rendering an entire group of bandits non-hostile, or making two giants and a mammoth turn on each other, all three flying into the air,instead of me.
Alteration: Alteration is used primarily for defense. Before battle, and during when needed, dual cast your strongest armor spell. Stability will make it last longer, and the magic resistance will let you win out in those occasional pesky mage duels.
Minor Skills
Destruction: Now, this almost makes it into the major skill section. However, I put it into minor because it is mainly for my own indulgence. The last five builds I ran made fairly heavy use of archery. Well, those pesky dragons have to come out of the sky somehow, and for the agent, it will not be by arrows. The shock and fire walls are your friends here, and Chain Lightning for the dragons, since they don't have resistance to it.
Block: Only two perks here, the intro and Quick Reflexes. The Ebony Blade is a weapon of finesse, requiring great will, and dexterous skill, to wield. Don't hack and slash in combat like a ninny; interrupt their clumsy power attacks with a well timed, slowed down bash, and start hacking at them with that incredible, lightning-stick swing speed. You'll find that your health, however meager, is rarely below full.
Enchanting: This was against my better judgment. "This will be a no crafting blade, to fit the lore behind the Ebony Blade!" No, that didn't work. No smithing or alchemy, mind you, but enchanting takes a roll here. There are no gloves or boots you can reliably find, as in not based on RND, that match the Ebony Mail for appearance, and yet fortify Two Handed. So, when you're bored, or have gold lying around, since that also takes a back seat here, buy some petty/lesser soul gems, and enchant whatever junk you have on you. You'll get to 100 and that Extra Effect eventually.
Shouts
Bend Will: This shout was made for this build, practically. Once you finish up the necessary quests, retrieving your Mail, acquiring and conquering your Ebony Blade, travel to Solstheim and put down the usurper Miraak in Boethiah's name. While your at it, master this shout, at least to the second word.
Clear Skies: If you wish a clear sky, so it shall be. Let your will loose upon the sky, and watch contently as it obliges. You are a force to be reckoned with; even nature bows before you indomitable will!
Cyclone: This is mainly for shiggles, and not necessary. I simply find this shout to be more effective than Unrelenting Force, and more befitting of a person who sows chaos throughout the land.
Disarm: Call out to them, and let your will be carried in your shout. Lay down your weapons, you say; and so it shall be.
Level 55 Perk Spread
The level 35 Perk Spread is available here: Slide2.PNG
Equipment
Your gear playing this character is nearly as important as your spells, and your perks. Your gear defines you, for every piece is a tribute to power attained, and mastered.
This is the final presentation, your end goal: a masked, shadow cloaked bad ass with no authority to answer to, besides his Goddess, on occasion. Everyone answers to the Goddess of Destruction, though.
Before acquire your final set of gear, due to the lack of smithing, you use what you find. In my play through, I went from a set of enchanted Banded Iron armor I found, in combination with the Iron Hand Gauntlets from that bandit near Whiterun, to unechanted Steel Plate, plus the gauntlets; I used an Orcish Greatsword with Absorb Stamina I found until I got my Ebony Blade. Your ultimate goal is to acquire the final set of gear; worry primarily about the Blade, the Mail, and the Hood; the rest will level with you as your enchanting levels. Those three pieces define you as a character, however.
Combat and Playstyle
Two Handed: Your Ebony Blade is your primary form of offense and survival. Use it whenever you can, and if you can't, try to maneuver yourself into a situation where you can.
When using your Ebony Blade, rely more on normal attacks and well placed bashing; with Quick Reflexes and the rapid swing speed, this is a better route than power attacks, most of the time. This way, you do more damage per second, and are gaining far more life back. You can gain 120 life back doing normal attacks in the time it takes to execute and recover from one power attack, which gains you 30.
Magic: Magic comes in at pivotal points. Start fights with groups off with a well placed Frenzy; tag as many individuals in red as possible, and watch as they turn on each other. Use Frenzy on mobs that are presenting too much of a challenge for you, that have friends; giants and mammoths are an excellent example.
For dragons, and other mages, lightning spells are your spell of choice. Eventually, Wall of Shock and Chain Lightning, but early on, a combination of dual cast Sparks and Lightning Bolt will serve you well. As the prodigal champion of the Goddess of Destruction, naturally you have some talent with fire. Enemies who are not using spells and out of reach of your Ebony Blade, or are weak to fire, get a dual cast Firebolt in the face. If they're traveling in packs, throw out a Frenzy and a Fireball in rapid succession.
When confronted with fights you don't want to deal with, somebody who you need to steal from or walk by without harming, or an enemy who's death does not your purposes, pacify them. Peace is the perfect compliment to chaos, which Frenzy embodies.
Shouts: I listed shouts for the build, because they are situationally useful. However, this build could go through the entire game and never once use a shout. Bend Will fits the bill, as does Disarm, and everybody who runs melee uses Dragonrend, which I didn't list. However, they are not integral to the play style; use them at your own risk, for your own amusement.
"You think you're good at magic? I challenge you to a duel!" - Foolish Last Words, by a Challenger
"The Fatherland is an expansive land, full of people to dominate, and places to desecrate. Go forth, and lay waste to all that is sacred to all but yourself. Know that you are the conduit of the Goddess of Destruction, the Deceiver of Nations, upon Mundus; may you carve your will upon the world. May you bring about the downfall of order, and may the reign of chaos and anarchy henceforth begin." - Cultist of Boethiah
Roleplay
The Agent of Anarchy is more than mortal; his ancestry dates back to the days before the Exodus of the Chimer. Immortality was granted to him by his mother, his mistress, his goddess; Boethiah. Since the day of his birth, he was raised by her then-champion; by his fifteenth year, he had supplanted her, and become the True Champion, the Harbinger of Destruction, a seeker of power of all kinds. Given his upbringing, he has a more than mortal code of conduct; his morality is incomprehensible to mortals. Some might call him fickle, others evil. Some may consider him noble, just, good. Most, most simply see him as chaotic and indomitable.
He is to be played as such. Here are some guidelines:
1. Do not kill without reason. The reason can be so small as a woman offering what you consider insignificant payment after assisting her in a task; as long as there is one, slash away. Your Ebony Blade is hungry.
2. You hold no loyalty to anyone, or anything, save Boethiah. Once you have tasted of betrayal and deceit, there is no going back; and your Blade hungers. Friends and allies are for the weak. No followers, no favors without payment or some benefit to you beyond that 'good feeling' from helping someone. That 'good feeling' doesn't help you carve your will upon the world.
3. The law is for pussies. Take and do what you want; when guards attempt to bring you to heel, pacify them and walk away, or send them fleeing in fear. Your will is their will.
4. Dragons hold power, power you can take and harness. Kill every single dragon you come across, even if it takes you several tries, or your most lethal tactics.
5. Enemy mages hold power. The best away to absorb that power is to let them feel the bite of your blade. Deliver the killing blow with your Ebony Blade to enemy mages as often as you are able.
6. You do not sneak in the shadows. Do not cower; enforce your will upon those who would do you harm. Make them dance like dirty, frail minded monkeys.
7. Never kill non hostile animals. They represent tranquility and beauty, and they neither harm nor hinder you. There is no reason to kill them, ever; food is not required to sustain you, thanks to your Ebony Blade.
8. Your blood and soul are pure; never allow yourself to become a vampire, or a lycanthrope. Even the purest blood of the purest vampire (Harkan) is dirtier than yours; do not defile and weaken yourself.
9. When an enemy is too strong for you, turn him on his friends; that, or pacify him. If they are immune, then set them ablaze and let lightning rain down on them. Offensive magic is your last resort.
10. Your soul belongs to Boethiah; to sell it or contract it to another Daedra would be to betray her, and risk her wrath. Do not do it. (Take and keep the Skeleton Key, retain your sanity in your use of the Ebony Blade, turn Azura's Star, etc; )
11. You fight with grace; you are not some clunking nord. Your Ebony Blade swings swiftly, and every blow restores your lifeblood; save your stamina for Quick Reflex bashing. Do not squander it on power attacks.
12. Finally, your will is arbitrary. Fate holds no hold on you; go where you please, side with who you wish. Stay true to the Goddess of Destruction, the Deceiver of Nations, and you shall find true power.
