Hey guys, I know, I know, it hasn't been long since I last uploaded and that I shouldn't bring out characters this rapidly, but I was dying to share this character with you all. I feel it offers a challenge as it turned out like somewhat of a Glass Cannon build, with 279 AR at this builds absolute maximum, the game was exciting. On later levels it turned out like a Michael Bay film, lots and lots of EXPLOSIONS!! Prepare for the new installment of my "Dragon Priests of Solstheim" series.
The Benevolent Jailer
"Noble Nord, forever remembered: mighty Vahlok, whose great courage inspired both men and dragon" ―Word Wall for Battle Fury, Vahlok's Tomb.
"Bound by his oath, he felt it. The Traitor's power... He will return. The Traitor shall return and with him, The Jailer, oaths are meant to be kept, after all."
"He awoke, reborn. His power had greatly diminished over the aeons, he must regain it, The Traitor is returning..."
"He sees that the world once ruled by Dragons is ruled by men, The Jailer decides that this is only right, the time of the Dragons has long since past. The Jailer sighed, he would have to slay his old master. Mighty Alduin...."
The Build
Race: Nord (Vahlok, like all known Dragon Priests was a Nord).
Stone: The Mage --> The Lord (There is no real alternative as this stone greatly improves this builds survivability).
Stats: 3/3/0
Major Skills: Destruction, Conjuration, Alteration, Illusion, Enchanting
Minor Skills: Speech, Light Armor
Powers: Bones of the Earth, The Fire Within, Battle Cry (Useful for when you're surrounded)
Weapon: Dragon Priest Dagger
Gear: Cultist Robes, Cultist Gloves, Cultist Boots, Falmer Helmet, Wooden Mask, Custom Enchanted Ring and Necklace.
Shouts: Fire Breath, Become Ethereal, Dragon Aspect, Storm Call.
Spells: Fireball, Flame Cloak, Fire Storm, Ebonyflesh, Pacify, Conjure Storm Atronach
Quests: The College of Winterhold, Dragonborn, Main Quest, A New Source of Stalhrim, Lost Legacy, Ironbind Barrow, Destruction Ritual Spell.
Skills
Destruction: When encountered, Vahlok uses Fire-Based destruction spells, therefore this skill is essential, it also our only directly offensive skill. Key perks are Augmented Flames and Master Destruction.
Alteration: Here's what was tricky about this build, Cultist Robes, Cultist Boots, the Falmer Helmet and the Wooden Mask are considered armor, meaning that we cannot benefit from Mage Armor perks. However, this inconvenience is really what makes this build slightly squishy and fun to play. Key Perks are Magic Resistance and Expert Alteration.
Conjuration: All Dragon Priests use this skill, there is no exception, be it with Necromancy or Conjuring Atronachs, the Dragon Priests maintain this theme. Vahlok is no different, we will be summoning Storm Atronachs with this skill. Key Perks are Expert Conjuration, Twin Souls and Elemental Potency.
Illusion: As a benevolent ruler, Vahlok was able to tap into peoples minds and reason with them, this will be demonstrated with Calm and Pacify in this build. Key Perks are Dual-Casting, Expert Illusion, Kindred Mage, Animage and Hypnotic Gaze.
Enchanting: Quite simply to improve your gears usefulness, very resourceful. Key Perks are Corpus Enchanter and Insightful Enchanter.
Speech: Vahlok was well-liked for his benevolence, granting him a silver tongue, use this skill to Persuade and even Bribe if you must. The Key Perks here are Bribery and Persuasion.
Light Armor: I took this skill for the small armor boosts for slightly more survivability, the only perk taken here is 2/5 Agile Defender.
Gear
Wooden Mask: The disappointing thing about Vahlok is that he lacks a mask, he was powerful enough to square off with Miraak and would of killed him if Hermaeus Mora hadn't swept him away into Apocrypha. So I decided to use the Wooden Mask (Before you throw furniture at me, please read on).
Falmer Helmet: Enchanted with Fortify Destruction and Fortify Magicka Regen. Now, here is my plan, I decided to use the glitch with the Falmer Helmet to wear it with the Wooden Mask and then enchant the Helmet, giving the appearance that the Wooden Mask is enchanted.
Cultist Robes: Pre-Enchanted with Fortify Magicka Regen.
Cultist Gloves: Enchanted with Fortify Magicka.
Cultist Boots: Enchanted with Fire Resistance and Shock Resistance.
Necklace: Enchanted with Fortify Destruction and Fortify Conjuration
Ring: Enchanted with Fortify Destruction and Fortify Magicka Regen OR Fortify Alteration OR Fortify Illusion.
Dragon Priest Dagger: Enchanted with Absorb Health and Frost Damage, this will be used as a way to fight enemies that get too close as well as opponents such as Ash Spawns that are immune to your fire spells.
The Uses of Shouts
Fire Breath: This shout, will allow you to deal large amounts of damage to enemies that get to close as well as to Frost Dragons, overall a very useful shout, especially with its boosts from your perks and blessing.
Become Ethereal: I have somewhat of an obsession with this shout, the thing is, it's just so good! Not only does it provide an escape when you're in peril or about to take a giants hammer in the face, it also allows for you to cast Fire Storm with no distractions.
Dragon Aspect: This shout is an absolute must, it allows you to bump up your AR to 279 as well as decreasing your other shout cooldowns and increasing your resistance to various types of damage.
Storm Call: Your go-to shout when you fight a Dragon, this shout saved my ass several times against stronger enemies, be careful not to use it in a public area, else you might end up with a massive bounty.
Combat
I had a routine I went through before every fight, I would use Dragon Aspect (When I could) and conjure my two Storm Atronachs, shortly after I would use Ebonyflesh and make sure Become Ethereal was equipped, then I would go into Fireball to absolutely decimate my enemies.
When in peril I would use Become Ethereal to either make an escape or cast Fire Storm, which usually ended in my opponents ultimate demise.
When my opponents got to close or I fought an Ash Spawn, I would switch into my Dragon Priest Dagger with Fireball in my offhand, allowing me to kill of the Ash Spawn and simultaneously fight off anything else annoying on the sidelines or that happened to be nearby.
Bones of the Earth is incredibly useful, however it is a pain to go back and forth from the Earth Stone to get it, what it does is basically make you hit armor cap for a short time, this is especially useful against larger opponents such as giants and Dragons, or anything that you don't want to engage in prolonged combat with.
Roleplay
- Vahlok was a benevolent Dragon Priest, be sure to never intimidate your opponents unless absolutely necessary.
- Do not kill unless in self defense, this really shows him to be a peaceful ruler that wants the best for his subjects.
- Complete the Dragonborn main quest after acquiring all your gear, this will make your fight against Miraak, The Traitor all the more epic.
- Never, under any circumstances will you take a Black Book power, Hermaeus Mora is the master of your adversary and not be allowed to seduce another of great power as he did Miraak.
- Be sure to call Hermaeus "demon" and be defiant towards his promises of power, this emphasizes his hatred of the Daedric Prince.
I worked hard on this one, as the story behind Vahlok is rather vague, a shame, I think, there could have been so much more to him. This was the second build in my "Dragon Priests of Solstheim" series, I hope you have enjoyed reading and thank you greatly.
Hey guys, I know, I know, it hasn't been long since I last uploaded and that I shouldn't bring out characters this rapidly, but I was dying to share this character with you all. I feel it offers a challenge as it turned out like somewhat of a Glass Cannon build, with 279 AR at this builds absolute maximum, the game was exciting. On later levels it turned out like a Michael Bay film, lots and lots of EXPLOSIONS!! Prepare for the new installment of my "Dragon Priests of Solstheim" series.
The Benevolent Jailer
"Noble Nord, forever remembered: mighty Vahlok, whose great courage inspired both men and dragon" ―Word Wall for Battle Fury, Vahlok's Tomb.
"Bound by his oath, he felt it. The Traitor's power... He will return. The Traitor shall return and with him, The Jailer, oaths are meant to be kept, after all."
"He awoke, reborn. His power had greatly diminished over the aeons, he must regain it, The Traitor is returning..."
"He sees that the world once ruled by Dragons is ruled by men, The Jailer decides that this is only right, the time of the Dragons has long since past. The Jailer sighed, he would have to slay his old master. Mighty Alduin...."
The Build
Race: Nord (Vahlok, like all known Dragon Priests was a Nord).
Stone: The Mage --> The Lord (There is no real alternative as this stone greatly improves this builds survivability).
Stats: 3/3/0
Major Skills: Destruction, Conjuration, Alteration, Illusion, Enchanting
Minor Skills: Speech, Light Armor
Powers: Bones of the Earth, The Fire Within, Battle Cry (Useful for when you're surrounded)
Weapon: Dragon Priest Dagger
Gear: Cultist Robes, Cultist Gloves, Cultist Boots, Falmer Helmet, Wooden Mask, Custom Enchanted Ring and Necklace.
Shouts: Fire Breath, Become Ethereal, Dragon Aspect, Storm Call.
Spells: Fireball, Flame Cloak, Fire Storm, Ebonyflesh, Pacify, Conjure Storm Atronach
Quests: The College of Winterhold, Dragonborn, Main Quest, A New Source of Stalhrim, Lost Legacy, Ironbind Barrow, Destruction Ritual Spell.
Skills
Destruction: When encountered, Vahlok uses Fire-Based destruction spells, therefore this skill is essential, it also our only directly offensive skill. Key perks are Augmented Flames and Master Destruction.
Alteration: Here's what was tricky about this build, Cultist Robes, Cultist Boots, the Falmer Helmet and the Wooden Mask are considered armor, meaning that we cannot benefit from Mage Armor perks. However, this inconvenience is really what makes this build slightly squishy and fun to play. Key Perks are Magic Resistance and Expert Alteration.
Conjuration: All Dragon Priests use this skill, there is no exception, be it with Necromancy or Conjuring Atronachs, the Dragon Priests maintain this theme. Vahlok is no different, we will be summoning Storm Atronachs with this skill. Key Perks are Expert Conjuration, Twin Souls and Elemental Potency.
Illusion: As a benevolent ruler, Vahlok was able to tap into peoples minds and reason with them, this will be demonstrated with Calm and Pacify in this build. Key Perks are Dual-Casting, Expert Illusion, Kindred Mage, Animage and Hypnotic Gaze.
Enchanting: Quite simply to improve your gears usefulness, very resourceful. Key Perks are Corpus Enchanter and Insightful Enchanter.
Speech: Vahlok was well-liked for his benevolence, granting him a silver tongue, use this skill to Persuade and even Bribe if you must. The Key Perks here are Bribery and Persuasion.
Light Armor: I took this skill for the small armor boosts for slightly more survivability, the only perk taken here is 2/5 Agile Defender.
Gear
Wooden Mask: The disappointing thing about Vahlok is that he lacks a mask, he was powerful enough to square off with Miraak and would of killed him if Hermaeus Mora hadn't swept him away into Apocrypha. So I decided to use the Wooden Mask (Before you throw furniture at me, please read on).
Falmer Helmet: Enchanted with Fortify Destruction and Fortify Magicka Regen. Now, here is my plan, I decided to use the glitch with the Falmer Helmet to wear it with the Wooden Mask and then enchant the Helmet, giving the appearance that the Wooden Mask is enchanted.
Cultist Robes: Pre-Enchanted with Fortify Magicka Regen.
Cultist Gloves: Enchanted with Fortify Magicka.
Cultist Boots: Enchanted with Fire Resistance and Shock Resistance.
Necklace: Enchanted with Fortify Destruction and Fortify Conjuration
Ring: Enchanted with Fortify Destruction and Fortify Magicka Regen OR Fortify Alteration OR Fortify Illusion.
Dragon Priest Dagger: Enchanted with Absorb Health and Frost Damage, this will be used as a way to fight enemies that get too close as well as opponents such as Ash Spawns that are immune to your fire spells.
The Uses of Shouts
Fire Breath: This shout, will allow you to deal large amounts of damage to enemies that get to close as well as to Frost Dragons, overall a very useful shout, especially with its boosts from your perks and blessing.
Become Ethereal: I have somewhat of an obsession with this shout, the thing is, it's just so good! Not only does it provide an escape when you're in peril or about to take a giants hammer in the face, it also allows for you to cast Fire Storm with no distractions.
Dragon Aspect: This shout is an absolute must, it allows you to bump up your AR to 279 as well as decreasing your other shout cooldowns and increasing your resistance to various types of damage.
Storm Call: Your go-to shout when you fight a Dragon, this shout saved my ass several times against stronger enemies, be careful not to use it in a public area, else you might end up with a massive bounty.
Combat
I had a routine I went through before every fight, I would use Dragon Aspect (When I could) and conjure my two Storm Atronachs, shortly after I would use Ebonyflesh and make sure Become Ethereal was equipped, then I would go into Fireball to absolutely decimate my enemies.
When in peril I would use Become Ethereal to either make an escape or cast Fire Storm, which usually ended in my opponents ultimate demise.
When my opponents got to close or I fought an Ash Spawn, I would switch into my Dragon Priest Dagger with Fireball in my offhand, allowing me to kill of the Ash Spawn and simultaneously fight off anything else annoying on the sidelines or that happened to be nearby.
Bones of the Earth is incredibly useful, however it is a pain to go back and forth from the Earth Stone to get it, what it does is basically make you hit armor cap for a short time, this is especially useful against larger opponents such as giants and Dragons, or anything that you don't want to engage in prolonged combat with.
Roleplay
- Vahlok was a benevolent Dragon Priest, be sure to never intimidate your opponents unless absolutely necessary.
- Do not kill unless in self defense, this really shows him to be a peaceful ruler that wants the best for his subjects.
- Complete the Dragonborn main quest after acquiring all your gear, this will make your fight against Miraak, The Traitor all the more epic.
- Never, under any circumstances will you take a Black Book power, Hermaeus Mora is the master of your adversary and not be allowed to seduce another of great power as he did Miraak.
- Be sure to call Hermaeus "demon" and be defiant towards his promises of power, this emphasizes his hatred of the Daedric Prince.
I worked hard on this one, as the story behind Vahlok is rather vague, a shame, I think, there could have been so much more to him. This was the second build in my "Dragon Priests of Solstheim" series, I hope you have enjoyed reading and thank you greatly.
But I'm going to sway away from Magic with next build, I have an idea of what I want to do, but I won't disclose it just yet.
