Skyrim Character Building » Discussions


Character Build: The Swordthane

Tags: #Race:Nord  #Character Build Juggernaut  #Character Build Warrior  #Character Build Blacksmith  #Rank:Legendary 
  • Member
    July 29, 2012

    I like it! A very immersive and creative take on the sword and board fighter! +1

  • Member
    July 30, 2012

    This is such a basic, but brilliant build. Short, sweet and to the point.

    You've got skyforge steel as the weapon, but another possibility (if you finish the Companions line) might be the Nord Hero Sword. It's a little lighter but just as strong as the Skyforge steel, but personally I think it looks better. Also, it makes it a weapon the hero forged himself.

  • Member
    July 30, 2012

    Hey, thanks for all the kind words everyone! 

    I didn't even intend to post a build when I first started playing this character, but I had so much fun in the playthrough (and taking screenshots) that I decided I'd give it a shot. 

    Dlanaan, that is a good point - I had forgotten about the Nord Hero weapons.  I planned to make a set of Nord Hero armor just to test out the look, but haven't been to Whiterun in awhile. 

    Speaking of crafting stuff, unfortunately Ysgramor's Shield isn't improvable - but I've left it as a possibility in the build because it's very useful even so.  Currently my Epic Steel Shield is technically superior in terms of AR, but at the cost of a couple points of defense Ysgramor's Shield provides bonuses to Health and magic resistance.  Maybe at some point I'll have to switch back, but so far that seems like a good tradeoff.

    Glad people are enjoying the build - with no special moves, no less!

  • Member
    July 30, 2012

    Just noticed this comment - another Rebsamen fan!  Probably the best translation out there.  I've never met anyone who has read it; most people like Heaney.  IMO, though, Heaney's translation is pretty weak.  Rebsamen isn't afraid to create his own compounds and make some tough syntactical choices.  Raffel is my go-to for an easily-accessible version that still captures much of the music of the original; once you have the basics down, Rebsamen is the more 'adult' version, I feel.

    Anyway; babbling now.  Thanks for the like!

  • Member
    July 30, 2012

    Heh, thanks - yep, I am a medieval history nerd.  The earlier stuff especially. 

    My TES lore isn't that great, but I can recognize Germanic-influenced stuff when I see it.  

  • August 2, 2012

    Simple idea, but a great concept. Love the build. +1

  • August 2, 2012

    Really awesome!  My only question is this:  Healing, yes or no?  And if so, how? +1!!!

  • Member
    August 2, 2012

    Rebsamen really excels when read aloud, I feel. The rhythm of the words is central to that particular poetic style, and Rebsamen really captures that with his word choices. Even reading it out loud to oneself (though you'll look like a crazy person) really brings out the feeling of it much more.

  • Member
    August 3, 2012

    Ah, I was wondering when/if someone would ask that!

    No self-healing is built into the build.  By that I mean I don't work up either Restoration or Alchemy.  Restoration would require dropping either the shield or the sword - if the shield, then I've lost the vast majority of my defense (since I don't take armor perks); if the sword, then I've lost my offense.  Not to mention that Restoration would necessitate putting some level-ups into Magicka, and probably a couple perks into Restoration itself.

    Alchemy *might* fit with the concept, but it's too much of a stretch - plus, I hatehatehate gathering ingredients and dealing with the menus and time hunched over a lab table.  And again, it would probably require perk points that I'd rather not spend.

    But you've gotta heal in combat sometimes, and that's where my found and/or bought healing potions come in.  I used them somewhat sparingly but never ran out - and when you spend a lot of time blocking, bashing, dodging, counterattacking, etc., you just don't need to heal that much.

    Well, I play on Adept - so there is that! 

    But I guess you could say, Speech is your 'healing' skill, since buying up every potion you can will help you work up that skill *and* give the merchant more cash to buy the stuff that you want to sell.

  • Member
    August 29, 2012

    Amazing build, definately my next playthrough +1