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Character Build: Shadow Warrior

Tags: #Character Build Juggernaut  #Character Build Mage  #Character Build Villain  #Race:Dunmer  #Rank:Recognized 
  • February 7, 2012

    Awhile ago, I created a dark assassin-warrior hybrid. It was my first build, and so, as expected, it wasn't too good. Now, I am bringing him back, with a new and improved powered level 81 section. The build was...

    The Shadow Warrior

    Brief Backstory: The Shadow Warrior was once a mighty and noble knight, master of the blade (or mace) and shield. Following a great loss in battle which resulted in the loss of all of his wealth and pride, he cast away this honor code and used his skills for his own personal gain. He became a servant to the Daedric princes of power, twilight, and deceit, Clavicus Vile, Nocturnal, and who would be his new patron, Boethiah, respectively knowing them as the only godly powers he would behold. No longer being restricted by codes of honor and other nonsense, he is no longer above slathering deadly poisons on his blade, or initiating battle from behind to give him the advantage. Now he lives as an unorthodoxed assassin, with the prowess and abilities of a rogue, and the skill and finesse of a trained knight. The Shadow Warrior is a true, cold-blooded killer in black knight's plating.

    Recommended Setup:

    Race: Personally, I found Dark Elves to be quite a useful race, as they come equipped with fire resistance right off the bat, which is frankly one of the more dangerous magics you will encounter. Bretons and Nords are good too with their own resistances, but Dark Elves are just so much... cooler, and they get a small bonus in sneak and illusion. Races are of course personal preference. 

    Standing Stone: I would really recommend the Lover's Stone, as you will be streching across the entire spectrum of skills in a way that will make it difficult to level certain things. This may be substitued with the Lord or Shadow Stone if you prefer, or if you hate mages that much, with the Atronach.

    Vampirism (Late Game): At higher levels, when you train restoration, go for vampirism. In the form of a Vampire, you are labeled as undead, and the Restoration perk "Necromage," grants bonus effectiveness in spells against undead. This means that you get better benefits from your equipment enchants, as well as potions. (Credit to Narmis for the idea!)

     

    Playstyle/RP:

    You are a ruthless warrior. You care not for law or mortality; you care only for wealth and power, and that's just what the three Daedric Princes you worship can give you. Nocturnal will grant you wealth, though unexpectedly, she will also grant you power that you can use however you please. Clavicus Vile will grant you his boon, giving you a heavy helmet that gives you better prices. Boethiah can grant you the Ebony Mail, allowing you to do what you wish with it. Join the Thieve's guild and DB, as they pay you for what you're good at. Slay all living things in your path, and use their souls to power your items. Do whatever it takes to obtain power, however, ignore the Aedra. No Agent of Mara will make you its slave.

    At higher levels, you beg the question, "is this truly my limit?" You are answered by Clavicus Vile, who tells you to go get Vampirism. You further your quest for power through following the Daedric Prince's advice.
     

    Skills:

    Major:

    One-Handed: Trained as a knight, you're obviously going to be using a sword/mace, maybe with a dagger on the side just in case.

    Block: What's a knight without a shield? Block is great for this build, not only providing defense for a normally-near-defenseless build, but also having great synergy with sneak later on. 

    Sneak: The Shadow Warrior is an Assassin, as well as a fighter. The perk "Muffled Movement," along with either the illusion spell or enchant make sneaking in heavy armor much more viable. 

    Heavy Armor: As a former knight, you've been trained clad in heavy armor. Extra protection to counter the lack of protection an assassin normally has, as well as the ability to properly use the Daedric Artifact of your patron later on.

    Minor:

    Smithing: You've trained to be self-reliant, and thus, you make your own armor. With both the Ebony Smithing and Arcane Blacksmith perks, you are also able to improve the Daedric Artifact "Ebony Mail," which perfectly complements this style of heavy armor sneaking.

    Enchanting: Sneaking in heavy armor simply is difficult, though it can be remedied through fortify sneak and the Muffle enchant on your boots.

    Illusion: At first, Muffle will be your best friend in the world. You won't be going too deep into this as you won't be focusing on Magicka, however, a few perks here will be of some use.

    Restoration: For healing while low on potions. Eventually, however, it opens a new path of power, one that will allow you to surpass your mortal limits...

    Alteration: You need protection to go with all of that power, else you risk dying foolishly. Use this just for Magic Resist and protection boost early on.

    Conjuration: Every so often, you will find yourself in need of disposable allies that will allow you some time to breathe in a though battle. When you get high enough in sneak with muffled armor enchants, you can switch illusion out for this.

    Alchemy: You're going to be using poisons to add more damage to your hand-to-hand or archery. Also, as a warrior-assassin hybrid class, healing and stamina potions are always good to have around.

    Archery: Every build should have some form of ranged attack. This will also work well with sneak should you choose to get the Deadly Aim perk after Backstab.

    Don't leave the build now! The skills will get better.

     

    By level 20:

    All priority perks are bolded. Secondary priorities and underlined.

    One-Handed: 1/5 Armsman

    Block: 1/5 Shield Wall, Deflect Arrows, Elemental Protection

    Sneak: 1/5 Stealth, Muffled Movement, Backstab, Deadly Aim*

    Heavy Armor: 1/5 Juggernaut, Fists of Steel

    Smithing: Steel, Dwarven,

    Enchanting: None

    Illusion: Novice

    Restoration: Novice, Regeneration

    Alteration: Novice, Apprentice

    Conjuration: None

    Alchemy: 2/5 Alchemist,

    Archery: 1/5 Overdraw*

    Personally, I believe it is best to prioritize Block and Sneak, as those are our primary means of protection, with the shield being there for melee fights. You will want the illusion spell "Muffle" as soon as you can get it. You won't need anything in enchanting yet as initial enchants aren't that much better than what we can find early on, and it is crucial that we obtain those sneak and block perks in particular. They are paramount to the build.

    *Also, Archery is optional to upgrade as 20% won't do much for low level bows; this can be swaped for Deadly Aim in Sneak.

    Attribute Spread:

    Health: 230

    Stamina: 140

    Magicka: 120

    Recommended Equipment:

    Level 20:

    Armor: For now, go beat up Uthgerd, take her somewhere no one will notice, and slit her throat. Steel plate is better than Dwarven, and it's free! For a shield and helm, use Dwarven.

    Weapons: Dwarven Sword

    Enchants: None; run straight to the statue of Meridia from Solitude and get the Elemental Fury shout. This will serve as your shout and enchant for now. No armor enchants unless you find something you like (Perhaps muffle, as enchanting perks don't affect it and it's just as effective with petty souls as with grand).

     

    By level 40:

    All priority perks are bolded. Secondary priorities and underlined. New perks are orange.

    One-Handed: 1/5 Armsman

    Block: 1/5 Shield Wall, Deflect Arrows, Elemental Protection, Block Runner

    Sneak: 1/5 Stealth, Muffled Movement, Backstab, Deadly Aim, Light Foot, Silent Roll, Silence

    Heavy Armor: 1/5 Juggernaut, Fists of Steel

    Smithing: Steel, Dwarven, Orcish, Ebony

    Enchanting: 3/5 Enchanter

    Illusion: Novice, Animage, Kindred Mage, Quiet Casting**

    Restoration: Novice, Regeneration,

    Alteration: Novice, Apprentice, 2/3 Magic Resistance

    Conjuration: None

    Alchemy: 3/5 Alchemist,

    Archery: 2/5 Overdraw, Eagle Eye, 2/2 Steady Hand

    It's time to get into enchanting and archery, and leave illusion behind. We have the perks we want by now, and we likely have the Ebony Mail as well as the Muffle enchant on our boots. Conjuration is still out of the picture as it is not a priority. While I understand that keeping Conjuration off this long will result in being unable to raise most foes, keep in mind that many dungeons include enemies of low level mixed in with the higher level ones. Zombies are mainly for distractions. If you want to, you can get something like a flame atronach, however, I like using Necromancy; it's so fun to see a successfully raised zombie of a powerful foe with an arsenal of powerful spells, or maybe plant a weapon on a dead body and raise them.

    As for Block Runner, there are obvious reasons to get this perk, and not-so-obvious ones. One not-so-obvious reason being that it can be used while sneaking, allowing you to sneak at walking speed rather than sneak speed. This is very useful, and will be great for trying to move undetected. (You can also move from place-to-place quickly without being detected by coupling Whirlwind Sprint with muffled armor and Quiet Casting**)

    **These perks are here to keep us hidden while we get our undead raised or use our Dragon Shouts, as those are all spells affected by Quiet Casting. If you feel this is not worth the three new perks, you may invest them into anything you wish.

    Attribute Spread:

    Health: 320

    Stamina: 230

    Magicka: 150

    Recommended Equipment:

    Level 40:

    Armor: Ebony Gauntlets, Ebony Boots, Ebony Shield, Ebony Mail (Boethiah's), Ebony Helmet.

    Weapons: Ebony sword/mace/axe (I use the Nightingle Blade, though I don't reccomend getting it until at least level 36), Ebony Bow (I use the Nightingale Bow, however, same deal as the blade).

    Enchants: Helmet: Fortify Archery, Gloves: Fortify One-Handed, Boots: Muffle, Shield: Magic Resist/Fortify Blocking, Necklace: Resist Magic, Ring: Fortify One-Handed Weapon: Absorb Health/Elemental Fury, Bow: Soul Trap/Paralyse.

     

    By level 60:

    All priority perks are bolded. Secondary priorities and underlined. All new perks are red.

    One-Handed: 1/5 Armsman, Fighting Stance, Savage Strike

     

    Block: 1/5 Shield Wall, Deflect Arrows, Elemental Protection, Block Runner, Quick Reflexes***, Power Bash, Deadly Bash, Disarming Bash

    Sneak: 1/5 Stealth, Muffled Movement, Backstab, Deadly Aim, Light Foot, Silent Roll, Silence, Shadow Warrior

    Heavy Armor: 1/5 Juggernaut, Fists of Steel, Well Fitted, Cushioned, Conditioning

    Smithing: Steel, Dwarven, Orcish, Ebony, Arcane Blacksmith, Daedric

    Enchanting: 5/5 Enchanter, Insightful, Corpus, Extra Effect

    Illusion: Novice, Animage, Kindred Mage, Quiet Casting

    Restoration: Novice, Regeneration, Respite, Necromage

    Alteration: Novice, Apprentice, 2/3 Magic Resistance

    Conjuration: None

    Alchemy: 3/5 Alchemist,

    Archery: 4/5 Overdraw, Eagle Eye, 2/2 Steady Hand

    It's time to put an end to the One-Handed tree; everything else in it is worthless for this build. We can use our crafting trinity to improve our weapons and get better fortify one-handed enchants that will suffice for the Armsman perks. If you like Paralysing strike, that's fine, but personally I think it's too difficult to pull off, has a too low chance to try it, and has a weak effect anyways. Block and Sneak will have compelte trees, and trust me when I say you'll love this combo: When surrounded, Shield Charge, then spam Shadow Warrior. They won't know where you are, and you can let any followers or zombies do the dirty work. Eventually, you could even land another sneak attack.

    Be sure to finish up with enchanting, and don't spend much in alchemy. Alchemy isn't very useful for me; it may be for you, so interchange perks as desired. Now you may be wondering why there's no conjuration perks. And that is because we dont' need them; add fortify conjuration onto your helmet, ring and necklace, and boom: 75% magicka cost reduction. Didn't need to invest too much into magicka or waste perks. Now just use it as needed be, getting stronger spells as levels go up.

    Now you've probably noticed the Restoration perks. It is time to become a Vampire, and this will require Necromage for the whole reason we are getting this perk, as well as Respite so that we can heal our crippled-regenerating-health and stamina in the sunlight. 

    ***Quick Reflexes is a preference thing. While you may find it useful to have the slow time effect to be able to sometimes compeltely evade an attack, it can be a little annoying at times, so you can decide whether or not it's right for you.

    Attribute Spread:

    Health: 420

    Stamina: 300

    Magicka: 180

    Recommended Equipment:

    Level 60:

    Armor: Ebony Gauntlets, Daedric Boots, Daedric Shield, Ebony Mail (Boethiah's), Ebony/Daedric Helmet (All for aesthetics except for shield).

    Weapons: Daedric sword/mace/axe (I use the Nightingle Blade, though I don't reccomend getting it until at least level 36), Daedric Bow (I use the Nightingale Bow, however, same deal as the blade).

    Enchants: Helmet: Fortify Archery+Conjuration, Gloves: Fortify One-Handed+Block, Boots: Muffle+Resist Magic (Go for the Shield of Solitude's version), Shield: Resist Magic+Resist Frost (or fire if you chose Nord over Dark elf), Necklace: Fortify One-Handed+Conjuration, Ring: Fortify Conjuration+Fortify Regen Health, Weapon: Any (Enchant skill is good enough now) 

     

    By level 81:

    All priority perks are bolded. Secondary priorities and underlined. All new perks are Oblivion Purple.

    One-Handed: 1/5 Armsman, Fighting Stance, Savage Strike

     

    Block: 1/5 Shield Wall, Deflect Arrows, Elemental Protection, Block Runner, Quick Reflexes, Power Bash, Deadly Bash, Disarming Bash

    Sneak: 1/5 Stealth, Muffled Movement, Backstab, Deadly Aim, Light Foot, Silent Roll, Silence, Shadow Warrior

    Heavy Armor: 1/5 Juggernaut, Fists of Steel, Well Fitted, Cushioned, Conditioning, Tower of Strength, Matching Set, Reflect Blows

    Smithing: Steel, Dwarven, Orcish, Ebony, Arcane Blacksmith, Daedric

    Enchanting: 5/5 Enchanter, Insightful, Corpus, Extra Effect

    Illusion: Novice, Animage, Kindred Mage, Quiet Casting

    Restoration: Novice, Regeneration, Respite, Necromage, 2/2 Recovery

    Alteration: Novice, Apprenatice, 3/3 Magic Resistance

    Conjuration: Novice, Necromancy, Dark Souls, Twin Souls

    Alchemy: 5/5 Alchemist, Physician, Benefactor, Poisoner, Concentrated Poison, Snake Blood, Purity

    Archery: 5/5 Overdraw, Eagle Eye, 2/2 Steady Hand, Power Shot, Quick Shot, Bulls-Eye

    Behold, the might that is the Shadow Warrior. As we've done what we've wanted, we can now finish up Heavy armor to get Reflect blows, a nice little gem for those heavy-hitting Draugr Death Overlords and Dragons. We can finish up Alchemy by getting the augmented poisons and benefactor. We can also go up Conjuration to get Twin Souls, and perhaps, if you really want them, Dead Thralls.

    Attribute Spread:

    Health: 610

    Stamina: 300

    Magicka: 200

    Recommended Equipment:

    Level 81:

    Armor: Ebony Gauntlets, Daedric Boots, Daedric Shield, Ebony Mail (Boethiah's), Ebony/Daedric Helmet (All for aesthetics except for shield).

    Weapons: Daedric sword/mace/axe (I use the Nightingle Blade, though I don't reccomend getting it until at least level 36), Daedric Bow (I use the Nightingale Bow, however, same deal as the blade).

    Enchants: Helmet: Fortify Archery+Conjuration, Gloves: Fortify One-Handed+Block, Boots: Muffle+Resist Magic (Go for the Shield of Solitude's version), Shield: Resist Magic+Resist Frost (or fire if you chose Nord over Dark elf), Necklace: Fortify One-Handed+Conjuration, Ring: Fortify Conjuration+Resist element of choice (Shock recommended for Dark Elves and Nords) Weapon: Any (Enchant skill is good enough now) 

    Abilities/Strategies:

     

    Assassin's battle-starter: Get a sneak attack on an enemy to start a battle.

    Bash n' Slash: Bash your foe, and follow up with a power attack. A standard combo.

    Poison Blade: Coat your weapon in the poison of your choice when fighting mages or other tough foes.

    Augmented Zombie: Find a humanoid warrior corpse and plant a high-powered sword and shield on it before raising it, or perhaps a summoning staff.

    Speed Sneak: Hold up your shield with the perk "Block Runner," while sneaking. You can get closer to enemies much more quickly in this manner, ans well as get away while using Shadow Warrior much more quickly.

    Shadow Lunge: You know your foe is just around the corner, looking. Shadow warrior, wait for him to turn, and pop up with a frontal sneak attack.

    Desperation: Shield Charge into every enemy close to you, wail on one of them until others get up, and spam Shadow Warrior. Repeat as needed.

    Nightingale Strife: Use the power Nocturnal has given you to turn the tables on foes beating the crap outta you. Has some nice results when coupled with Desperation.

    Betrayal's Strife: Stuck in a fight with one foe where hitting just him with Nightingale Strife wouldn't be enough? Have a zombie or two and a follower tanking him? Use Nightingale Strife on all of them to replenish your health.

    Ancestor's Embrace (Dark Elf only): Use the Greater power "Ancestor's Wrath," in conjunction with the Ebony Mail's Poison Cloak and perhaps even the shout Slow Time to dish out the maximum amount of damage that you can.

    Shadow Wrath Whirlwind: When sneaking, use the shout Whirldwind Sprint to get right in front of an enemy, use Shadow Warrior, and stab them right in the face.

     

    And, that's my Elite Shadow Warrior! Hope you all enjoyed it. Please leave feedback or comments!

  • February 7, 2012

    Welcome to the group Andrew, thanks for posting!

    My current character is running a skillset very much like this. Except i've specialised in illusion and restoration and didn't put perks into alchemy, sneak or archery. Even our backstories are the same.

    Tyrial the Fallen

    So i can happily say that the build is strong and fun to play! Ive seen more enemys run away in terror with this build than i have in any other ive made. I think its the tank/sneak combo that scares the shit out of the AI. Must be terrifying to hear a slight noise behind and turn just in time to see a huge knight with his sword raised.... FUN!

  • February 7, 2012

    Ha, yeah, fallen heroes make for both great roleplay and great character builds. Tyrial looks so badass. I'd actually like to try an illusionist warrior sometime.

    Hopefully my build is going to get even better when I update it with my own character's sample stats and pictures. The Perks "Shield Charge and "Shadow Warrior" create a great strategy when used together against a group of enemies.

    Thanks for the welcome and comment!

  • April 2, 2012

    Shadow Warrior is being revamped... Currently working on adding what quest rewards and permanent effects and statuses are good for this guy. I know I'm adding Nightingale Strife and Sinderion's Serendipity.

    Whoa... I'm glad I was able to go back and re-edit. I was apparently logged off while editting, and thought I'd lost what I changed.

  • April 2, 2012

    I like it!  I'm actually working on an warrior with illusion magic myself (Inquisitor), glad to see there are other people thinking along the same lines.  The fact that builds like this are even possible in a game blow my mind.

  • Member
    May 7, 2017

    Archived on 07-05-2017 (European date)