Skyrim Character Building » Discussions


Character Build: The Grendel

Tags: #Character Build Rogue  #Character Build Vampire  #Character Build Villain  #Race:Argonian  #Rank:Recognized  #No Crafting 
  • VDW
    Member
    June 14, 2015

    Thanks ShinJin, my favorite part of playing the character was plotting against the Companions, figuring out how to take them down. Now only old Vignar wanders the ancient dusty hall of Jorrvaskr, telling tales in fearful and hushed tones, lest he raise the ire of Grendel once more and bring down the monster's wrath on all of Whiterun...

    I came up with the idea of the mask when I started the Dark Brotherhood. My original inspiration was to use one of the Execution Hoods (because of course Grendel kills all three people) to get into the Companions, but that was a little too Friday the 13th, and didn't quite fit with the concept. Likewise getting Lyncanthropy, but if Dawnguard is sufficiently advanced Serana can cure it on the spot by reinfecting with vampirism. Aela can re-lycan you for the duration of the Totem quests, so you can weaken her down to non-essential status. The whole RP aspect hinges on having a female spellcaster to act as Grendel's surrogate mother. On his own, he's be unable to plot and scheme sufficiently to defeat the Geats... I mean Companions. =Σ 

    I'm glad you dug the build, thanks again for the kind words!

  • Member
    June 14, 2015

    Overall you're right that daily powers can't truly be used as a mainstay.  They work very well for Alastor's Vancian Mage because that character is all about collecting the powers, so he acquires a full suite of them as a primary goal.  Such a drive wouldn't really fit for Grendel. 

    As for the "too few skills" thing, of course that's just personal preference.  Sometimes I play characters specifically to explore just 1 or 2 skills.  They won't get much past lvl 25 - and during the time I play them, it doesn't feel monotonous, because it's a relatively short playthrough.  Such a focus would likely feel "samey" if I played the character for as long as I play a lvl 40+ character (which would be difficult to attain if I'm really limiting my skill use anyway).

    There's also such a thing, to me, as having *too many* tricks.  Maybe it's just that I'm getting too old to keep track of all these abilities and powers :P.  But I find that - just like with potions/poisons - it can be difficult/annoying for me to track them all.  

  • VDW
    Member
    June 14, 2015

    Thanks Curse! I just put it up on Thursday, 11 June so you didn't miss it for long. My aim was to build an inspirational villain, but also definitely to impress, so I'm glad it caught your eye. I should also mention I used the How-To guide extensively for layout and rules--I can't recommend enough that anyone new to the site and wanting to post a build read those documents. Thanks again for the compliment!

  • VDW
    Member
    June 14, 2015

    Likewise, I meant I'd have to track down those builds and read through them. Grendel's focus is pure, and I think it works as it stands. I did make an edit or two to add in some things I overlooked in my notes--specifically, stuff about the Companions and additional guidelines for Merchant restrictions. Thanks for the helpful input on my first build, Ben!

  • VDW
    Member
    June 15, 2015

    It is intriguing to think about a Greater Power based character, I see it as sort of like a traditional pen & paper style magic-user. Limited 'spells' per day, and once they're gone they're gone. On the other hand, there aren't really that many offensive ones. An interesting thought, anyway.

    I agree with the idea of having too many tools to reach for. It's what got me into specialist type characters in the first place--wizards that wear only clothes, fighters that cannot pick locks or sneak, thieves that are proficient only in a few weapons. Of course, like everyone I have a few files that ran all the way up the level ladder prior to making skills Legendary--had to try myself against a Legendary Dragon and the Ebony Warrior after all.