Character Build: The Scale-Tipper
Like my first and other build, this build is guided towards a vanilla pure mage playing experience, and thus, does not use any DLC items or any mods- so if you're looking for a build that relies heavily or frequently uses mods, this is probably not that build.
Constructive criticism is always welcome, and with that, let's begin.
Note: I'm unable to provide any playthrough experience, and for that, I am sorry, but do not fear: this guide will give a descriptive play style and tips. Also, I know the pictures are from another source, but they're actually REALLY close to the in-game look.
Pictures are below, just click the links.
Lore:
You're a Dunmer, who lives in Winterhold. Your family left you on the College's doorstep as a child. You have no idea who your family are, and you only remember one thing: a raging family conflict, your parent's divorce, and the things your father thought you: the presence of Magicka and a few spells.
You trained at the College for over 30 years of your life, but have never stepped foot outside of Winterhold, fearing that you would be lost and never found again. You've studied Destruction, Illusion, and Alteration magic, in order to make the ultimate force known to magekind: The Scale-Tipper. 5 years after mastering these trees you finally left Winterhold, confident that you could make it on your own. You traveled south to Windhelm, and joined the Stormcloaks, and fought against the Imperials. You caused chaos in Solitude, and then it happened. You were captured with a captain, Ralof, his name was, along with your leader, Ulfric Stormcloak. You forgot all but three spells. You escaped and months later, you discovered that you were the Dragonborn, and sought the Greybeards. Later you demolished the Thalmor, and joined the Blades. The Greybeards deserted you, and afterwards, you went back to the Stormcloaks. But one thing never left you, it always stayed: Your power to tip the favor to your side in the battle: The unwavering combo of Destruction, Illusion, and Alteration.
Race: Dunmer, for their excellent mage advantages, and their cool looks. You can use Khaijit for Night Eye and Claws, but Dunmer get Flames, Sparks, and Healing right off the bat, so that's an advantage.
Stones: I'd recommend the Mage Stone, then move on to the Atronach Stone. I personally use the Steed Stone for traveling, and once you reached a location and got it on your map, fast travel to the Atronach or Mage, depending on your level and if you've discovered either, then activate it, then fast travel back. If you want, you can keep Atronach or Mage on at all times.
Apparel: Your starting gear should be Novice Robes, Leather Boots with Muffle enchanted, if you can't get Muffle, just use Leather Boots and do this kind of ratio when leveling up. (Green = Sneak, Red = Destruction, Blue = Illusion, Orange = Alteration.)
1:3:2:2
When you get Muffle on your boots, drop the Sneak unless you want to continue with it. I'd highly recommend it, as it has useful perks.
You're ending gear should be Arch-Mage robes, Morokei, and Daedric boots with Muffle and Fortify [Destruction, Illusion, or Alteration]
Or just use the full set of Nightingale Armor.
Weapons: You'll want a balanced weapon set here. You're primarily going to be using Destruction spells, so unenchanted weapons will be useful here, so that you don't need to waste unnecessary septims or Magicka to buy soul gems or use Soul Trap. I would keep a Greater Soul Gem in your inventory, just in case you do need to enchant or recharge something.
I recommend using war axes or daggers.
List of Weapons
Ebony War Axe (If you have anything better use it, but it has to be a war axe)
One-Handed Weapons (War Axes, Swords, Daggers) (x2) Once you run out of Magicka find a usable dual light weapon set, for backup. I used Elvish Daggers until I hit Level 30, in which I purchased Glass Daggers. Of course, anything better will do, but if you don't find anything, well, here you go.
Glass+ Bow w/ Glass+ Arrows (At least keep 20 arrows at all times) This will be useful when spells like Ice Spike and Lightning/Firebolt don't hit, and this will be useful for tricky dragon fights.
Spells: Now this list is going to be the biggest. You'll have to have a whole arsenal of spells in order for this build to work. Here are a few staples.
Fire Rune - Stealth traps. Used in conjunction with Fightflight, a special move I'll explain later on.
Ice Spike - Powerful ranged attack. You can also use this to set off a Fire Rune.
Lightning/Firebolt - You don't want to leave the other two types out of this do you? These will also be useful, depending on the opponent.
Flames/Frostbite/Sparks - You will already know two of these, (if you're a Dunmer) so you'll only have to buy Frostbite. If you're playing as another race, you'll only know flames, you you'll have to buy both Frostbite and Sparks.
Telekinesis - This is one of the primary spells, along with the ranged destruction spells and Invisibility. You'll use this a lot, moving things around and throwing things at people.
Invisibility - Another primary spell, Invisibility is the stealth spell, used with Fireflight. This can also be used to get around things, so its purpose, like telekinesis, is universal.
Fast Healing/Healing - Well, you'll need to heal yourself, right? You're a mage, so heal like one. Also used in Fightflight.
Equilibrium - Used in Fightflight, this restores Magicka, but uses your health.
Minor Spells: These spells aren't as nearly as important as the others, but useful nonetheless.
Soul Trap - Now, I know before I stated you probably wouldn't be using this, but buy it to just have it. No downside to not having it.
Candle/Magelight - Darn useful. Whether its dungeon clearing or just wandering around in the dark, this spell is brighter than a torch and so much more useful.
Skills: As a Mage, and an offensive one, you won't be needing a lot of trees to look into. When leveling up, use this ratio: 3:3:2
Destruction - Whole tree.
Illusion - Whole tree.
Alteration - Whole tree.
Healing - Every perk from Novice to Apprentice.
Sneak - Left branch.
Archery - Only up to "zoom in with bow" perk.
Minor Skills: Skills that are useful but optional.
Pickpocket - Optional. Maybe the first few perks. Pick whatever you like in this one.
Lockpicking - Get to Golden Treasure.
Speech - Also optional, but I would get to Investor.
Shouts: You're the Dragonborn! Use shouts!
Unrelenting Force
Dragonrend
Become Ethereal
Slow Time
Throw Voice
Whirlwind Sprint
Questlines:
Main Quest - All about them shouts
Companions - Werewolf
Thieves Guild - Nightingale Armor and weapons
College of Winterhold - Duh. You need Morokei, and the Staff of Magnus is pretty cool as well.
Dragon Priest Masks & Daedric Artifacts:
Morokei - You get that from the College of Winterhold questline. The enchantment is a Mage's enchantment.
Volsung - In my opinion, it's the most useful mask. Ever.
Krosis - If you want a Dragon Priest Mask, this is the easiest you can get.
Ebony Blade - Best. Darn. Blade. Ever. Unlimited Enchantment? Check. Absorb Health? Check. And even though you need to kill followers, look. There are SOOOOO many followers available out there.
Dawnbreaker - Just a cool sword that's useful for dungeon exploring, because it glows.
Mehrune's Razor - This should be a no-brainer. 2% chance for insta-kill? Done.
Wabbajack - This is the funniest artifact ever so this is just a nice funny one.
Sanguine Rose - This is useful as well. Dremora summon? Yeah.
Ebony Mail - Also should be a must get on any player's list. The enchantments are sooo useful.
Mace of Molag Bal - Sweet mace. Easy to get too.
Ring of Hircine - Once you get the werewolf ability, this thing will become incredibly useful and still, it's pretty easy to get.
Black Star - Reuasble soul gem? Really? Really. Get this, not Azura's Star.
Special Moves: The enemy thinks you're dead. They think.
Fightflight - Whirlwind Sprint out of the battle, then cast Invisibility, then switch to Equilibrium and Healing, then cast.
Thanks for reading this. Constructive criticism is welcome, and just leave your suggestions down below.
Character Build: The Scale-Tipper
Like my first and other build, this build is guided towards a vanilla pure mage playing experience, and thus, does not use any DLC items or any mods- so if you're looking for a build that relies heavily or frequently uses mods, this is probably not that build.
Constructive criticism is always welcome, and with that, let's begin.
Note: I'm unable to provide any playthrough experience, and for that, I am sorry, but do not fear: this guide will give a descriptive play style and tips. Also, I know the pictures are from another source, but they're actually REALLY close to the in-game look.
Pictures are below, just click the links.
Lore:
You're a Dunmer, who lives in Winterhold. Your family left you on the College's doorstep as a child. You have no idea who your family are, and you only remember one thing: a raging family conflict, your parent's divorce, and the things your father thought you: the presence of Magicka and a few spells.
You trained at the College for over 30 years of your life, but have never stepped foot outside of Winterhold, fearing that you would be lost and never found again. You've studied Destruction, Illusion, and Alteration magic, in order to make the ultimate force known to magekind: The Scale-Tipper. 5 years after mastering these trees you finally left Winterhold, confident that you could make it on your own. You traveled south to Windhelm, and joined the Stormcloaks, and fought against the Imperials. You caused chaos in Solitude, and then it happened. You were captured with a captain, Ralof, his name was, along with your leader, Ulfric Stormcloak. You forgot all but three spells. You escaped and months later, you discovered that you were the Dragonborn, and sought the Greybeards. Later you demolished the Thalmor, and joined the Blades. The Greybeards deserted you, and afterwards, you went back to the Stormcloaks. But one thing never left you, it always stayed: Your power to tip the favor to your side in the battle: The unwavering combo of Destruction, Illusion, and Alteration.
Race: Dunmer, for their excellent mage advantages, and their cool looks. You can use Khaijit for Night Eye and Claws, but Dunmer get Flames, Sparks, and Healing right off the bat, so that's an advantage.
Stones: I'd recommend the Mage Stone, then move on to the Atronach Stone. I personally use the Steed Stone for traveling, and once you reached a location and got it on your map, fast travel to the Atronach or Mage, depending on your level and if you've discovered either, then activate it, then fast travel back. If you want, you can keep Atronach or Mage on at all times.
Apparel: Your starting gear should be Novice Robes, Leather Boots with Muffle enchanted, if you can't get Muffle, just use Leather Boots and do this kind of ratio when leveling up. (Green = Sneak, Red = Destruction, Blue = Illusion, Orange = Alteration.)
1:3:2:2
When you get Muffle on your boots, drop the Sneak unless you want to continue with it. I'd highly recommend it, as it has useful perks.
You're ending gear should be Arch-Mage robes, Morokei, and Daedric boots with Muffle and Fortify [Destruction, Illusion, or Alteration]
Or just use the full set of Nightingale Armor.
Weapons: You'll want a balanced weapon set here. You're primarily going to be using Destruction spells, so unenchanted weapons will be useful here, so that you don't need to waste unnecessary septims or Magicka to buy soul gems or use Soul Trap. I would keep a Greater Soul Gem in your inventory, just in case you do need to enchant or recharge something.
I recommend using war axes or daggers.
List of Weapons
Ebony War Axe (If you have anything better use it, but it has to be a war axe)
One-Handed Weapons (War Axes, Swords, Daggers) (x2) Once you run out of Magicka find a usable dual light weapon set, for backup. I used Elvish Daggers until I hit Level 30, in which I purchased Glass Daggers. Of course, anything better will do, but if you don't find anything, well, here you go.
Glass+ Bow w/ Glass+ Arrows (At least keep 20 arrows at all times) This will be useful when spells like Ice Spike and Lightning/Firebolt don't hit, and this will be useful for tricky dragon fights.
Spells: Now this list is going to be the biggest. You'll have to have a whole arsenal of spells in order for this build to work. Here are a few staples.
Fire Rune - Stealth traps. Used in conjunction with Fightflight, a special move I'll explain later on.
Ice Spike - Powerful ranged attack. You can also use this to set off a Fire Rune.
Lightning/Firebolt - You don't want to leave the other two types out of this do you? These will also be useful, depending on the opponent.
Flames/Frostbite/Sparks - You will already know two of these, (if you're a Dunmer) so you'll only have to buy Frostbite. If you're playing as another race, you'll only know flames, you you'll have to buy both Frostbite and Sparks.
Telekinesis - This is one of the primary spells, along with the ranged destruction spells and Invisibility. You'll use this a lot, moving things around and throwing things at people.
Invisibility - Another primary spell, Invisibility is the stealth spell, used with Fireflight. This can also be used to get around things, so its purpose, like telekinesis, is universal.
Fast Healing/Healing - Well, you'll need to heal yourself, right? You're a mage, so heal like one. Also used in Fightflight.
Equilibrium - Used in Fightflight, this restores Magicka, but uses your health.
Minor Spells: These spells aren't as nearly as important as the others, but useful nonetheless.
Soul Trap - Now, I know before I stated you probably wouldn't be using this, but buy it to just have it. No downside to not having it.
Candle/Magelight - Darn useful. Whether its dungeon clearing or just wandering around in the dark, this spell is brighter than a torch and so much more useful.
Skills: As a Mage, and an offensive one, you won't be needing a lot of trees to look into. When leveling up, use this ratio: 3:3:2
Destruction - Whole tree.
Illusion - Whole tree.
Alteration - Whole tree.
Healing - Every perk from Novice to Apprentice.
Sneak - Left branch.
Archery - Only up to "zoom in with bow" perk.
Minor Skills: Skills that are useful but optional.
Pickpocket - Optional. Maybe the first few perks. Pick whatever you like in this one.
Lockpicking - Get to Golden Treasure.
Speech - Also optional, but I would get to Investor.
Shouts: You're the Dragonborn! Use shouts!
Unrelenting Force
Dragonrend
Become Ethereal
Slow Time
Throw Voice
Whirlwind Sprint
Questlines:
Main Quest - All about them shouts
Companions - Werewolf
Thieves Guild - Nightingale Armor and weapons
College of Winterhold - Duh. You need Morokei, and the Staff of Magnus is pretty cool as well.
Dragon Priest Masks & Daedric Artifacts:
Morokei - You get that from the College of Winterhold questline. The enchantment is a Mage's enchantment.
Volsung - In my opinion, it's the most useful mask. Ever.
Krosis - If you want a Dragon Priest Mask, this is the easiest you can get.
Ebony Blade - Best. Darn. Blade. Ever. Unlimited Enchantment? Check. Absorb Health? Check. And even though you need to kill followers, look. There are SOOOOO many followers available out there.
Dawnbreaker - Just a cool sword that's useful for dungeon exploring, because it glows.
Mehrune's Razor - This should be a no-brainer. 2% chance for insta-kill? Done.
Wabbajack - This is the funniest artifact ever so this is just a nice funny one.
Sanguine Rose - This is useful as well. Dremora summon? Yeah.
Ebony Mail - Also should be a must get on any player's list. The enchantments are sooo useful.
Mace of Molag Bal - Sweet mace. Easy to get too.
Ring of Hircine - Once you get the werewolf ability, this thing will become incredibly useful and still, it's pretty easy to get.
Black Star - Reuasble soul gem? Really? Really. Get this, not Azura's Star.
Special Moves: The enemy thinks you're dead. They think.
Fightflight - Whirlwind Sprint out of the battle, then cast Invisibility, then switch to Equilibrium and Healing, then cast.
Thanks for reading this. Constructive criticism is welcome, and just leave your suggestions down below.
