Hello, and welcome to the Hidden Gem Spotlight! I think the best way to introduce our featured build this week is simply to quote my initial response when it first came out: "A low health, high octane, stick and move, stealthy-magey warrior with great roleplay... and Dunmer? Yes, please!" It's been three months since I first saw this build, and I get more and more impressed every time I read it. So without further ado, we are pleased to spotlight...
The Gaunt Robe by Borommakot!
Background
The Gaunt Robe is the last of an ancient order of spies whose sole purpose was to oppose the dragon regime. With the dragon threat reborn in Skyrim, The Gaunt Robe has returned ages later to find a host, destroy the dragons, and hunt down their priests... only then will he finally put his soul to rest.
Features
This is a no-armor build that also places 0 perks in Health, so Stealth is your first line of defense. But Borommakot limits us to the left-side of the tree, cleverly avoiding the throat-slitting ennui that inevitably results. He also perks each of the schools of magic, but in refreshing and unexpected ways. Rather than relying on more powerful (but obvious) spells, Borommakot instead focuses on spells that complement the roleplay, such as Destruction runes as the primary means of ranged attacks (it should be said here that the roleplay in this build is superb—secrecy, for example, is so important to his organization that The Gaunt Robe prefers self-immolation to discovery should he be defeated!) Then, after the element of surprise is lost and the spells have been cast, out come the dual wield swords!
This build also features two forms: the Gaunt Robe, and the Gaunt Master. The Robe form utilizes the dragon priest masks you collect from your vanquished foes and are switched out according to the circumstances you're in, while the Gaunt Master is the mid to late-game culmination of your efforts... Archmage robes, Konahrik, and a pair of enchanted ebony blades.
The Bottom Line
The Gaunt Robe is a challenging, but highly rewarding build with compelling roleplay that gives you a new reason to take on the Main Quest (and finally gives you a reason to go after all those dragon priest masks). So if you haven't done so already, give this fast-paced, superheated gem a read and a like. Who knows... you may find yourself playing this one!
Hello, and welcome to the Hidden Gem Spotlight! I think the best way to introduce our featured build this week is simply to quote my initial response when it first came out: "A low health, high octane, stick and move, stealthy-magey warrior with great roleplay... and Dunmer? Yes, please!" It's been three months since I first saw this build, and I get more and more impressed every time I read it. So without further ado, we are pleased to spotlight...
The Gaunt Robe by Borommakot!
Background
The Gaunt Robe is the last of an ancient order of spies whose sole purpose was to oppose the dragon regime. With the dragon threat reborn in Skyrim, The Gaunt Robe has returned ages later to find a host, destroy the dragons, and hunt down their priests... only then will he finally put his soul to rest.
Features
This is a no-armor build that also places 0 perks in Health, so Stealth is your first line of defense. But Borommakot limits us to the left-side of the tree, cleverly avoiding the throat-slitting ennui that inevitably results. He also perks each of the schools of magic, but in refreshing and unexpected ways. Rather than relying on more powerful (but obvious) spells, Borommakot instead focuses on spells that complement the roleplay, such as Destruction runes as the primary means of ranged attacks (it should be said here that the roleplay in this build is superb—secrecy, for example, is so important to his organization that The Gaunt Robe prefers self-immolation to discovery should he be defeated!) Then, after the element of surprise is lost and the spells have been cast, out come the dual wield swords!
This build also features two forms: the Gaunt Robe, and the Gaunt Master. The Robe form utilizes the dragon priest masks you collect from your vanquished foes and are switched out according to the circumstances you're in, while the Gaunt Master is the mid to late-game culmination of your efforts... Archmage robes, Konahrik, and a pair of enchanted ebony blades.
The Bottom Line
The Gaunt Robe is a challenging, but highly rewarding build with compelling roleplay that gives you a new reason to take on the Main Quest (and finally gives you a reason to go after all those dragon priest masks). So if you haven't done so already, give this fast-paced, superheated gem a read and a like. Who knows... you may find yourself playing this one!
