Build Theme
An injured Redguard youth is discovered by a troop of Ash'abah warriors at the bottom of a shaft down into an old crypt. He is found surrounded by the charred remains of fallen undead. The Ash'abah take him in, only to discover the reason for his abandonment in the cursed shaft: a strange, unpredictable power that first manifests when they attempt to heal him, when his body absorbs their magic and blasts the healers away from him.
He was dangerous, but no magic could touch him, and he could heal faster and run farther than any other member of the company. His powers proved valuable. So he remained, raised by the Ash'abah, but an outcast even among these outcasts. Upon coming of age, he set out on his own, looking for place that would see his powers as gift. Searching for a people that won't see him as a curse.
The Build
I missed playing a Redguard, and this guy scratched the itch in a major way! The Mutant is a very straightforward character, easy to pick up and play, mixing archery, magicka absorption, and arcane firepower; the gameplay of a spellsword combined with that of a ranger-mage, leading to an operative-esque character that can take punishment as well as dole it out. *This build depends on Dawnguard content*
Race: Redguard is the appropriate race to match the source material, Bishop.
Stone: Warrior and then Advanced (or Ultimate) Atronach
Spells: Firebolt, Fireball, Incinerate, Sun Fire, Vampire's Bane, Wards, Flesh Spells
Shouts: Unrelenting Force, Fire Breath, Elemental Fury
Primary Skills: Archery, One Handed, Enchanting, Destruction
Secondary Skills: Smithing, Alteration, Light Armor, Restoration
Abilities: Dragonborn Force, Secret of Strength, Mora's Boon, Seeker of Might, Companion's Insight, Bardic Knowledge
Attribute Spread: 0/3/1 I took health until level 20(300), and then started putting points in Stamina, but either approach works.
Here's what it might look like about halfway through: Level 25
Weapons and Equipment
The Mutant pulls equipment from all the major DLC, but leaves many choices up to the player. Below is the final set of gear I was playing with, and there are plenty of substitutes to use along the way.
Weapons: Your primary weapon will be a crossbow, using exploding fire bolts where possible. You can complement this with a sword of your choice. As a former Ash'abah, my Mutant favored the Silver Sword initially, but eventually took to the more rugged(and temperable) Nordic Sword.
Armor: Armor is probably the most variable part of the set. Until you have your end-game armor, any light set will do. I started with leather, then got red Vampire Armor, and then light Dawnguard armor in the same color, which held me over fine until the Royal Vampire Armor. The nice thing about the earlier pieces is that they can be enchanted and become just as useful to you if you aren't fond of the Royal Armor. Until the Stormcloak Officer bracers were available, I just used the Dawnguard pair.
Gameplay
Progressing: Start early favoring the bow and flesh spells; it'll be good to get Alteration leveling out of the way as quickly as possible. As you delve into Dawnguard, you'll also have ample opportunity to work on Destruction. It's best just to train Restoration in Winterhold. One of the first things I did was join the Companions and get the first word of Fire Breath to have as alternative to "Fus". If you don't mind leveling slowly, it's worth trekking east from Ivarstead to get the Atronach stone early, too(I did it before going to High Hrothgar for the first time). It won't be full power, of course, but you'll really start to be able to feel like the character as you begin absorbing attacks.
Dawnguard becomes available to start at level 10, and the sooner you start it, the sooner you'll have your signature weapon. I quickly did all of Sorine's crossbow quests (there are seven of them) except the last two in succession. It won't even be necessary to make stops to sell loot since she's a fairly wealthy merchant who will buy anything. I then pushed the Main Quest through the fight with Sahloknir before going to get the Dwarven Crossbow schematics. At this point, Delphine was thinking of ways into the Thalmor Embassy and Serana wanted to track down a Moth Priest. Which questline you tackle from there is up to you.
Combat: As a skilled warrior and infiltrator, lead into fights with a surprise attack at range, then unload with your weapon, keeping mobile to delay detection as long as possible. Ranged is your primary offence, so when you have done the most damage with your slow-loading crossbow and been detected, begin unleashing blasts of burning magicka, while absorbing any that comes your way. Ideally, target archers and melee enemies with your magic first. As long as mages stay alive, they'll be providing you with energy. When enemies close the distance, draw on stored energy to shore up your defenses with flesh spells, then lay into them with your blade, using the concussive power of your Thu'um to give you frequent openings to attack.
Dragons are one of the deadliest threats facing Skyrim, and the Mutant is one of the few who can face them. Wards and your innate absorption power will shrug off magical damage from them, while your endless stamina will let you deal more melee damage than they can, and faster than they can. Or, as a skilled marksman, you can fight ranged battles with the dragons, tearing them down with crossbow bolts, and using your inborn absorption to weather their attacks.
Special Ability
Overcharged- With full stores of built up energy, the Mutant unleashes it as concussive blast capable of sweeping multiple enemies off their feet. Simple to execute and highly effective.
Dual cast Impact Fireball+Fire Breath/Unrelenting Force
Tireless Warrior- Pulling from stored energy, the Mutant Atronach can begin a ceaseless and brutal assault, without suffering any strain. This can be especially handy against Stamina draining Frost mages.
Adrenaline Rush+Bardic Knowledge+Secret of Strength+Elemental Fury (Combination may vary)
Roleplay
The Mutant comes to Skyrim trying to find a place to fit in, and believes that his powers, which others fear, can be used for great good. There are numerous organizations in Skyrim that can test him, but ultimately he will find purpose as the Dragonborn. The Dawnguard and Companions are also very accepting, particularly with the Dawnguard's mission to protect the people. With that in mind, don't hesitate to take any quest to help someone; this character has something to prove, so the more opportunities the better. Fight back against the invasive influence of Daedra where possible as well.
While the Mutant may not have a personal stake in the Civil War, he would probably sympathize with the Stormcloaks' struggle for freedom, and becoming a champion of their cause would also give him a sense of acceptance(It's also the only way he can get the Stormcloak Officer's bracers). The character will probably spend much more time saving the world than socializing though, occasionally taking a break to relax with the Dawnguard, or perhaps in a Hearthfire home, purpose built to accommodate other outcasts(a steward, and possibly a spouse, preferably both followers). Some good choices are Onmund, Durak, Erandur, and Illia, a few of which are similarly marginalized because of their strange powers. Throw in an Armored Troll called Beast, and you've got a team that would make a certain professor very proud.
Important Quests: Dawnguard, Mages College, Main Quest, Dragonborn, Bounties, Destroy the Dark Brotherhood, Civil War, and anything else that feels Heroic
Thanks for reading!
Build Theme
An injured Redguard youth is discovered by a troop of Ash'abah warriors at the bottom of a shaft down into an old crypt. He is found surrounded by the charred remains of fallen undead. The Ash'abah take him in, only to discover the reason for his abandonment in the cursed shaft: a strange, unpredictable power that first manifests when they attempt to heal him, when his body absorbs their magic and blasts the healers away from him.
He was dangerous, but no magic could touch him, and he could heal faster and run farther than any other member of the company. His powers proved valuable. So he remained, raised by the Ash'abah, but an outcast even among these outcasts. Upon coming of age, he set out on his own, looking for place that would see his powers as gift. Searching for a people that won't see him as a curse.
The Build
I missed playing a Redguard, and this guy scratched the itch in a major way! The Mutant is a very straightforward character, easy to pick up and play, mixing archery, magicka absorption, and arcane firepower; the gameplay of a spellsword combined with that of a ranger-mage, leading to an operative-esque character that can take punishment as well as dole it out. *This build depends on Dawnguard content*
Race: Redguard is the appropriate race to match the source material, Bishop.
Stone: Warrior and then Advanced (or Ultimate) Atronach
Spells: Firebolt, Fireball, Incinerate, Sun Fire, Vampire's Bane, Wards, Flesh Spells
Shouts: Unrelenting Force, Fire Breath, Elemental Fury
Primary Skills: Archery, One Handed, Enchanting, Destruction
Secondary Skills: Smithing, Alteration, Light Armor, Restoration
Abilities: Dragonborn Force, Secret of Strength, Mora's Boon, Seeker of Might, Companion's Insight, Bardic Knowledge
Attribute Spread: 0/3/1 I took health until level 20(300), and then started putting points in Stamina, but either approach works.
Here's what it might look like about halfway through: Level 25
Weapons and Equipment
The Mutant pulls equipment from all the major DLC, but leaves many choices up to the player. Below is the final set of gear I was playing with, and there are plenty of substitutes to use along the way.
Weapons: Your primary weapon will be a crossbow, using exploding fire bolts where possible. You can complement this with a sword of your choice. As a former Ash'abah, my Mutant favored the Silver Sword initially, but eventually took to the more rugged(and temperable) Nordic Sword.
Armor: Armor is probably the most variable part of the set. Until you have your end-game armor, any light set will do. I started with leather, then got red Vampire Armor, and then light Dawnguard armor in the same color, which held me over fine until the Royal Vampire Armor. The nice thing about the earlier pieces is that they can be enchanted and become just as useful to you if you aren't fond of the Royal Armor. Until the Stormcloak Officer bracers were available, I just used the Dawnguard pair.
Gameplay
Progressing: Start early favoring the bow and flesh spells; it'll be good to get Alteration leveling out of the way as quickly as possible. As you delve into Dawnguard, you'll also have ample opportunity to work on Destruction. It's best just to train Restoration in Winterhold. One of the first things I did was join the Companions and get the first word of Fire Breath to have as alternative to "Fus". If you don't mind leveling slowly, it's worth trekking east from Ivarstead to get the Atronach stone early, too(I did it before going to High Hrothgar for the first time). It won't be full power, of course, but you'll really start to be able to feel like the character as you begin absorbing attacks.
Dawnguard becomes available to start at level 10, and the sooner you start it, the sooner you'll have your signature weapon. I quickly did all of Sorine's crossbow quests (there are seven of them) except the last two in succession. It won't even be necessary to make stops to sell loot since she's a fairly wealthy merchant who will buy anything. I then pushed the Main Quest through the fight with Sahloknir before going to get the Dwarven Crossbow schematics. At this point, Delphine was thinking of ways into the Thalmor Embassy and Serana wanted to track down a Moth Priest. Which questline you tackle from there is up to you.
Combat: As a skilled warrior and infiltrator, lead into fights with a surprise attack at range, then unload with your weapon, keeping mobile to delay detection as long as possible. Ranged is your primary offence, so when you have done the most damage with your slow-loading crossbow and been detected, begin unleashing blasts of burning magicka, while absorbing any that comes your way. Ideally, target archers and melee enemies with your magic first. As long as mages stay alive, they'll be providing you with energy. When enemies close the distance, draw on stored energy to shore up your defenses with flesh spells, then lay into them with your blade, using the concussive power of your Thu'um to give you frequent openings to attack.
Dragons are one of the deadliest threats facing Skyrim, and the Mutant is one of the few who can face them. Wards and your innate absorption power will shrug off magical damage from them, while your endless stamina will let you deal more melee damage than they can, and faster than they can. Or, as a skilled marksman, you can fight ranged battles with the dragons, tearing them down with crossbow bolts, and using your inborn absorption to weather their attacks.
Special Ability
Overcharged- With full stores of built up energy, the Mutant unleashes it as concussive blast capable of sweeping multiple enemies off their feet. Simple to execute and highly effective.
Dual cast Impact Fireball+Fire Breath/Unrelenting Force
Tireless Warrior- Pulling from stored energy, the Mutant Atronach can begin a ceaseless and brutal assault, without suffering any strain. This can be especially handy against Stamina draining Frost mages.
Adrenaline Rush+Bardic Knowledge+Secret of Strength+Elemental Fury (Combination may vary)
Roleplay
The Mutant comes to Skyrim trying to find a place to fit in, and believes that his powers, which others fear, can be used for great good. There are numerous organizations in Skyrim that can test him, but ultimately he will find purpose as the Dragonborn. The Dawnguard and Companions are also very accepting, particularly with the Dawnguard's mission to protect the people. With that in mind, don't hesitate to take any quest to help someone; this character has something to prove, so the more opportunities the better. Fight back against the invasive influence of Daedra where possible as well.
While the Mutant may not have a personal stake in the Civil War, he would probably sympathize with the Stormcloaks' struggle for freedom, and becoming a champion of their cause would also give him a sense of acceptance(It's also the only way he can get the Stormcloak Officer's bracers). The character will probably spend much more time saving the world than socializing though, occasionally taking a break to relax with the Dawnguard, or perhaps in a Hearthfire home, purpose built to accommodate other outcasts(a steward, and possibly a spouse, preferably both followers). Some good choices are Onmund, Durak, Erandur, and Illia, a few of which are similarly marginalized because of their strange powers. Throw in an Armored Troll called Beast, and you've got a team that would make a certain professor very proud.
Important Quests: Dawnguard, Mages College, Main Quest, Dragonborn, Bounties, Destroy the Dark Brotherhood, Civil War, and anything else that feels Heroic
Thanks for reading!
