Character Build: The Fifth Wall

The major cities of Skyrim have four walls. Walls that protect the citizens from the hostile environment outside, both nature and man. Skyrim has another source of protection, an unseen wall that defends the land from any and all threats. This defense is not provided by stone or wood. Skyrim needs a hero. Skyrim has a hero, one who protects more than stone and mortar.

Man and Mer were not meant to coexist.

Race: Nord

Stats: 3-5-1 (M-H-S)

Stone: Ritual (with an option for the Serpent Stone and/or the Shadow Stone)

Major Skills: Block, Alchemy, Destruction, Enchanting

Minor Skills: Heavy Armor, One Handed

Shouts: Dragon Aspect, Storm Call, Unrelenting Force, Disarming Shout, Whirlwind Sprint, Throw Voice

I chose shouts that were defensive or tactical. Storm Call has such a large cooldown that it is similar to once per day powers.

Quest suggestions: Unfathomable Depths (for an AR boost), The Civil War (being a staunch supporter of Nordic culture you should be a Stormcloak), Dragonslayer (dragons have become a major threat), Dawnguard (Skyrim shall be defended from the vampire menace), At the Summit of Apocrypha (some black books are unlocked during the questline), Boethiah's Calling (all daedric quests can be seen as a way to increase the security of Skyrim but destroying this cult is important to gain the Ebony Mail), Glory of the Dead (you become one of the Compainions once you realize they share your beliefs of defending Skyrim particularly from elves), Unearthed

 

Gameplay Profile

This is first and foremost a defender class. Your shield will provide protection to all Nordkind. I never reached the AR cap. Without my shield I was semi-squishy but with it I was unstoppable. Your offensive skills will be limited but effective. Buffs from enchanting and alchemy are crucial to survivability.

You must play intelligently. Proper strategy and tactics will allow you to defeat any enemy on master difficulty. Mistakes will bring you the gift of Sovngarde.

A follower is not necessary. Followers make the game much easier. Use one if you want to but know this character does very well without them.

I chose to limit my perks for enchanting and alchemy because of buffs. You can use alchemy fortifying enchantments to make better potions and fortify enchantment potions to make better enchantments. One handed is limited too, this is not a master swordsman.

One of the most unique aspects of this build is it's use of once-per-day powers. You have to view powers as a whole and not as an individual power. Alone these powers are weak but together they are life saving. When you collect all of the once per day powers you have a destructive bag of toys that will pull you through any tough situation. No dungeon is safe from your fury!

You must use your powers wisely. If you use them at the first available opportunity you will find yourself lacking later. Save your powers for when you need them. When your life is truly threatened you choose the correct power for the situation you are in. Do not waste a power by using it in the wrong circumstances, against the wrong enemy. Secret of Arcana is wasted on magic resistant enemies and Conjure Werebear is weak against dragons. Know your enemy.


Minor Powers: Battle Cry, Bones of the Earth, North Wind, Root of Power, Sun Flare, Waters of Life

Major Powers: Beast Form, Conjure Werebear, Dragon Aspect, Mora's Boon, Secret of Arcana, Summon Karstaag, The Ritual Stone

Optional Powers: Shadowcloak of Nocturnal, Summon Spectral Assassin, Vampiric Powers,

Minor Powers are very helpful and are only minor when compared to the vast ability of the Major Powers. Battle Cry will clear out any weak to mid level enemies. Even later in the game this is helpful allowing you to focus on the stronger threats. North Wind and Sun Flare are similar to their Destruction Master Spell counterparts. Waters of Life restores 200pts of health but it will heal anyone around you too.

Major Powers are outright life saving. Each of these powers will take you from the brink of death to the lone survivor, but only if you use them at the right time. Beast Form will help you dominate any living creatures except for dragons. Do not waste wolf form on automatons or any situation where you cannot knock down or feed on the enemy. Conjure Wearbear will tank like a beast but Dragons are a problem as well as ranged enemies the werebear can't reach. Dragon Aspect not only raises armor rating it will summon an Ancient Dragonborn to take up tanking duties. When you are low on health you will be very happy to see this old friend. Secret of Arcana turns your arcane arsenal into an automatic assault weapon for 30 seconds. If the enemy can survive 30 seconds of fireballs and chain lightning they are worthy to be killed by your blade! The Ritual Stone will bring you an undead army, just be sure to use it when there is an army worth raising. Summon Karstaag is only available for 3 outdoor uses which makes everyone ignore it. When you are in serious trouble you will be very happy to see the ice demon at your side. The 3 use limitation means Karstaag only sees combat in the most dire of circumstances. Who wants to use something this powerful against weaklings anyway?

Most daily powers are very easy to acquire. You can get the Ritual Stone (or the Shadow/Serpent Stone, your choice) as soon as you find it. The Solstheim All Maker Stones are surprisingly easy to acquire. You first go to the word wall, the only one out in the open on the island, and get the first word of Bend Will. Make your way to the All Maker Stones and unlock them, its that simple. If you don't want to walk around looking for the stones just take a nap and let Miraak move you there in your sleep. Lycanthropy should be gotten early

 

Equipment

The Temple of Wisdom

Your prized possession is your shield, The Temple of Wisdom. I used the Ebony Shield but you can choose your own...but do not touch one made by the mer!

Enchantments: Resist Magic and Fortify Health

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Verantum

Verantum, an enchanted Blades Sword, provides an offensive punch and a form of defensive protection with every swing. Swift enough to deliver two attacks before having to block again. Fear will disperse the weaker enemies leaving you alone with the true threat.

Enchantments: Fire Damage, Fear

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The mask of Ahzidal is crucial to the character's offense. It not only improves the power of your fire attack, it improves the fear enchantment on Verantum. With Azhidal equipped the fear enchantment on my playhtrough reached level 41 because it is paired with a fire damage enchantment. That is a 25% boost which will eliminate all falmer from combat except for the boss Shadowmasters which are level 44.

 

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The Ebony Mail provides offense and defense. 5pts of damage may seem like nothing but when combined with other passive damage sources, flame cloak and wall spells, you can hide behind your shield safe and secure while the enemy is drained of health. Once softened you can release your fury on the survivors.

 

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My Nordic Carved Gauntlets were called Attached Gloves because of how important their enchantments were.

Enchantments: Fortify Block and Heavy Armor

My Nordic Carved Boots, named Boots of Virute, were enchanted with Stamina Regeneration and Fortify One Handed

 

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My jewelry were named The 

Chain of Freedom and The Ring of Life. They gave me the added AR needed to take a hit and supplied a source of healing.

Enchantments: Fortify Health Regeneration and Heavy Armor

 

Potions

I did not use any poisons, only potions were employed. My main goal was to improve defense and regeneration. These are the 3 potions I found to be the most important.

Regenerate Health + Regenerate Magicka + Restore Magicka made from Garlic, Dwemer Oil and Vampire Dust

Resist Magic + Fortify Magicka + Fortify Block made from Bleeding Crown, Tundra Cotton and Jazbay Grapes or Red Mountain Flowers

Fortify Health + Restore Health made from Blue Mountain Flowers and Wheat

 

Combat Training

You are a master of defense and must use it wisely. Ranged enemies require special tactics or you will die. Switch to third person view when trying to deflect arrows. In third person you will be able to block a large percentage of arrows shot at you. Against Mages and Archers you can close the distance using Whirlwind Sprint, stagger them with Unrelenting Force or just disarm them with Disarming Shout.

When fighting a multiple enemies in close combat you can disarm the strong with Disarming Shout or Disarming Bash. Dual Cast a Cloak and Elemental Wall spells before combat to harm enemies while you are safe behind your shield. Storm Wall works great against many ranged enemies especially Seekers. Back them into a corner where you can surround them with the spell. Verantum will send the weaker enemies running in fear, giving you an opening to reposition and take on the bigger enemies. Battle Cry will also clear the weak for enough time to allow you to collect yourself.

I put my shield and sword on my hotkeys. They are the most important aspects to combat and you need to switch to them very quickly especially the shield.

Scrolls were an important part of my game. I used them mainly for Master level spells in combination with my regular spells and powers. Circle spells were life saving in near death situations. I even used some Flesh Spell Scrolls when extra armor rating is a must.

I discovered many combinations of spells and powers, too many to list all of them. Here are a few of my favorites.

Two Beasts with Two Backs - Flame Cloak + Summon Werebear + Wolf Form

Storm of The Ages - Storm Call + Blizzard (scroll) + North Wind + Sun Flare

Safe House - Healing Circle (scroll) + Waters of Life + Dragon Aspect

The Bomb - Secret of Arcana + highest damage destruction spell you have

We all know about the glitch, first shown by NoSnakesAlive's build The Master Monk, which allows for stacking of multiple items. You turn into a wolf or vampire lord but talk to a follower during the transformation. I used this glitch in a different way. I stacked Ebony Mail with Ahzidal's Armor of Retribution and Miraak's Robes. This combination allowed me to be a very defensive character while still harming the enemy. Every hit I took had a chance to paralyze the enemy or grab him in tentacles, in addition to draining health with the Ebony Cloak. The Aetherial Crown can get you an extra Standing Stone power and the Ring of Hircine can add a second Wolf Form to your bag of tricks.

This stacking glitch is not necessary to the character at all. Around 90% of my playthrough was done without the glitch and without a follower. Werewolf rings do not stack. You must have the ring on when you transform. The armor stacking effect may not always work, paralyze from Ahzidal's Armor doesn't activate sometimes.

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Replies

  • Truth be told, I am more akin to "glass cannon" type of characters than defensive ones. I wonder where did you take out the "cities of Skyrim have four walls" bit from.
    • I usually play characters who are somewhat weak defensively and this was the most defensive build I ever made. Even then, this character is a defensive tactician and not a damage sponge. You have to use the enhancements of alchemy or you die. You have to use your shield effectively or you die.

      I don't get your question though. I came up with the line on my own if that is what you are asking.
      • I like builds like those where player skill is still accounts for more than stats do
  • Images seem to be broken

    • fixed. 

This reply was deleted.