Skyrim Character Building » Discussions


Character Build: The Shadowmancer

Tags: #Character Build Necromancer  #Character Build Nightblade  #Character Build Assassin  #Rank:Legendary 
  • April 28, 2013
    Thanks, Glimmer. Your initial like and kind words are more than enough! :)
  • April 28, 2013
    I don't generally provide those since I feel personal preference plays too large a role. Can't go wrong with either a 1:3:0 or 1:4:0 magicka/health/stamina ratio though for this build.
  • Member
    April 29, 2013

    well ill be making this build in my next play through, iv'e alreaady tried to play throught the game without beng detected or kill people who i dont have to, just wish i had the dlc 

  • April 29, 2013

    A respectful suggestion, but if I was going to post a build called "The Nightblade" I would try to keep it pretty close to the class that it's nameed after.  However, when I make up a variation, I usually come up with a new name to differentiate it, and signify the Unique content.  nothing against your build, I've even done something extremely similar I called a "Necroblade" (Yeah, you can use that.) to signify the use of Necromancy with the more traditional skills of a Nightblade.  (Conjuration was never one of them.)  Also, I'm not saying that this doesn't belong in the Nightblade section, where else would you put it?  I just can't really accept it as The Nightblade.

  • April 29, 2013
    I admit I've taken some liberty with the skill-set of this Nightblade compared to the pre-established skill-sets of former iterations of the archetype in previous Elder Scrolls games but I think I adhered incredibly well to the description of the class the series has provided: "Spell and shadow are their friends. By darkness they move with haste, casting magic to benefit their circumstances. Nightblades are notorious for being assassins and thieves, they are magical skirmishers adept in the magical arts as well as concealment and mobility. Nightblades are adept at reconnaissance work, as they are skilled in skirmish tactics and mobility, this allowes them to observe from a distance and eliminate sentries quickly and quietly. To remain quick on their feet the Nightblade typically wears light armor and carries small blades, easy to conceal and not burdening to carry." That fits well enough for me to comfortably consider this build a Nightblade, just with my own personal spin on it. Henson made the best pure Necromancer build around without touching a single ice spell they're known for dabbling in. I consider this along similar lines. Definitely appreciate the feedback and can totally see where you're coming from though!
  • Member
    April 30, 2013

    You're welcome. Having played this build for the last few days, I can say that it is a surprisingly fast paced build and levels up rather quickly as well. I was level 20 after just a few hours of play and i wasn't even power leveling. However I was also never overwhelmed by enemies scaling up too fast. If i could give this a second like I would. This is definitely my favorite stealth build. I will say that the only con to this, is that i feel like i have to force myself to level restoration, but i also realize that its a means to an end for necromage.

    P.S. (Sorry for long post) I feel that this build, after level 50, would be great with alchemy in order to gain temporary 100% shout reduction leading to some insane special move potential. Ex: Aura Whisper+Throw Voice+Slow Time+assassins blade+shadow warrior+ritual stone. You would Know where everyone was, make them turn their backs to you, and kill them all so fast that no one see you and then immediately raise an army. Good if you know a boss is in the next room.

  • April 30, 2013

    I was able to fix the OPness by using a Greatsword instead.  This doesn't work with Backstab, much less Assassin's Blade, so it becomes much less boring with some of the more powerful enemies requiring more than one hit to kill.  You can put a real dent in them first, though.

    Here's the particulars.  Also, try posting here for more recommendations.

  • April 30, 2013

    I like the re-vamp too, just the right balance between game mechanics, and in character silliness.  The Silent Roll/Critical Charge combo still doesn't proc Assassin's Blade, though.  (Just re-tested to see if that was patched.)  If you turn on the HuD, and check your top left corner, you get the Critical Damage, and of course the double from a Power Attack, but not the 3-6-15X from Backstab>Shrouded Gloves>Assassin's Blade.  Sorry.

    However, it's still a good technique when you don't have any Invisibility mechanic, because you can ambush them from the shadows before they (Or their friends) can react, and it staggers so they can't counter.  So, you can finish them quick to get your body...

    Also, instead of the Ritual Stone (Assume you already used it that night) with Twin Souls you can Thrall 2 Master Vampires, who also Raise Dead, and even give a follower a Staff of the Revenant.  (Or just use Eola, she already Resurrects Zombies.)  It's not an instahorde, but grows like a necroforce should.  Also, the Master Vampires use Drain Health, Weapons, and Armor (You can arm them up before you raise them) as well as Eola, so you can have a coupe Necroknights, and another Necroblade (She's really a spellsword, with Conjuration) in your entourage.

    Just some suggestions, take it, or leave it.

  • May 4, 2013
    Thanks, Psi: I think it's actually the displayed damage that isn't working properly as I've never had an issue killing anything with that move when done correctly that I definitely should have never been able to kill with a mere 2x multiplier. I'm sure Ponty could vouch for my experience too since he's done the same with his Nightingale Swordsman and concluded it came to about 7x the damage for that build. And followers and permanent thralls are not really the MO of this build since they interfere with his stealthiness, but raising other necromancers and vampires as your primary targets is a great idea since they do increase your horde size for you like you said. Definitely a good tactic there.
  • Member
    May 8, 2013

    do you think this build would be viable with alteration instead of light armor because with any caster or sneaky build I find armor skills don't level fast enough to be viable when your detected