First I'd like to start off by saying this build has been hard work. It's very personal to me because this is something I have been wanting to do for a long time but just have struggled with.. I have played this game since it's release and while there are hundreds of builds out there none of them have really spoke to me or what I was really looking for in a build. I would have released this sooner but due to some writer's block and very unfortunate events this past year it's been put on the back burner for a good while.
That said I'm finally ready to present to you my passion project and I truly hope you all enjoy as we begin with a little back story and a look upon what led them down their path:
— A History of the Ascendant Dragon Priest
Our story begins when they arrived in Skyrim, a young stranger to these lands with no name worth remembering to any passersby.
Some say they were a refugee. Others claim a prisoner. The truth mattered little—the roads of Skyrim blur those distinctions quickly enough. What mattered was that they had survived Helgen and Alduin's destruction, and survival in Skyrim, has a way of turning chance... into destiny...
With nowhere else to go, they followed the only thread of safety in a collapsing world: the College of Winterhold. Seeking refuge and perhaps knowledge yet not out of mere ambition but as shelter from the world of chaos that surrounded them. As knowledge was as comforting to them, just as the safety of those cold, grey walls.
Early Life — Survival Before Understanding
The early years were unremarkable: cold, bare, stone halls and half-understood spells, along with the constant pressure of being outmatched by both nature and magic alike. But soon enough, they took to their studies.
Destruction magic came first—not out of curiosity, but necessity. Bandits did not show mercy. Wolves had not a care, all they saw a fresh meal. Learning Destruction was just simply the easiest way to not die in these harsh lands.
Restoration followed reluctantly, learned in moments between failure and recovery. To them, it was never treated as sacred like most of the people in Skyrim—only practical. If wounds could be closed, then more attacks could be survived.
Alteration came last though albeit suddenly. After the odd outing experiencing yet another near death experience nearly catching a stray arrow during a bout between the Storm Cloaks and Imperials. They began to study it more afterwards as a shield of skin and stone was not only safety—it was insurance.
At this point, they were not yet truly a full mage. Merely an Apprentice.
They were simply someone refusing to be nearly killed twice in the same way and looking for a way to survive.
Magic seemed only logical as a defense as it was the Mage's College who had offered them safety in their great walls.
As well: it wasn't as if there were any other options at least not in Winterhold anyhow, and they had learned all too often traveling unprotected was far too risky.
Why not stay and learn all they had to offer? Besides, it was safe there. Not even a crazed skooma addict dared approach the great bridge. Let alone the college itself.
The Turning Point — The Study of Death
Slow and long were the days they studied. Patiently, quietly pondering upon the musings of Restoration and it's properties along with the Draugr which some could be found in tombs nearby or in the Midden, mysterious creatures were they. Hollow and dead yet, somehow... alive and brimming with magic.
Everything changed with exposure to what the College did not emphasize openly: the relationship between life, death, and magic as a system of rules rather than moral boundaries.
Restoration, studied deeply enough, began to reveal strange interactions with undeath—subtle at first, then undeniable.
Undeath, was not as much a cause as he thought.
Rather, it was as a result. A result of something mysterious. Some.... power. Tangible. But only just so.
And once seen, it could not be unseen.
The idea that death could improve magic instead of ending it's connection reshaped their view on everything that followed hence.
The magic that still lingered long after one had expired.
The mysteries that lay beyond he pondered upon extensively.
This, led him down a much... darker path.
The Choice of Vampirism — Not a Curse, but Alignment
When the opportunity to become a vampire presented itself, it was not taken out of fear or desire for immortality. No.
It was taken because it completed something already forming inside them.
Undeath was not a corruption of the body—it was a consistent magical state that interacted predictably with Restoration’s deeper mechanics.
To others, it was a loss of humanity.
To them, it was a correction.
A more... stable... platform for power. Power, which they now sought.
The Dragon Priests — History as Components
In their days of studying, something that called to them, was The Dragon Cult.
They set their sights on recovering the lost artifacts.
Artifacts, of a time long lost upon the men of today.
They sought them out. More out of a certain curiousity than anything.... at least at first.
The Dragon Priests were never viewed as gods or god-like. Although they were revered highly once upon a time.
They once held sort of a great and very powerful position in this land.
They were relics of a previous system—flawed absolutely. Albeit, still functional... in part.
Necessary even it would seem for the people of this land. Or at least, they were once.
Each mask recovered became something more than treasure to them:
Nahkriin, stability in chaotic environments
Morokei, sustained recovery under pressure
Ahzidal, represented amplification and experimentation
They were not worn for mere prestige.
They were integrated because they worked. They held what was coveted dearly by those in such positions. Power and power is what they desired as well.
The Philosophy That Emerged
By mid-career, their view of the world had fully shifted:
Combat no longer meant danger—it was input testing
Spells were not learned—they were upgraded
Gold was not wealth—it was access
Artifacts were not history—they were modules of power
But unlike the cold idea of domination, their motivation remained surprisingly simple:
“If I can understand it, I can survive it.
If I can survive it, I can refine it.
If I can refine it, I can never be powerless again.”
Motivation — Why It Continues
They do not seek conquest.
They do not seek worship.
They do not seek destruction.
What drives them is something quieter, more persistent:
A refusal to ever return to helplessness.
Every spell learned is insurance against uncertainty.
Every artifact collected is a reduction in unknown variables.
Every perk gained is another layer of control over a hostile world.
Skyrim is not a place they are trying to rule.
It is a place they are trying to fully understand while ensuring it cannot overwhelm them again.
Present Day — The Ascendant State
By the time they reach their full strength, few remember that shy, uncertain apprentice who first entered Winterhold.
What remains is something else entirely:
A strong, powerful, and confident mage who does not struggle against the world, because every threat has already been accounted for somewhere in their system of preparation.
Dragons are no longer terrifying monsters.
The Priests are no longer mysteries .
Magic is no longer unpredictable.
Not because the world changed…
But, because they had learned enough of its rules to stop being afraid of it.
They did not become powerful by seeking the power to rule others.
They became powerful by refusing, over and over again, to ever be unprepared for the world again.
Now just before we get into the perks below this was the most efficient leveling for this build. So it may seem weird to get certain perks later than you'd expect to but they weren't necessary until we reach those levels while other's were. Also: while we get perks into Destruction and Alteration your main priority at the beginning should be Restoration as it is our hardest skill to level and you will want to reach 70 to get the Necromage perk as early as you can. With that said you may continue.
Race: Up to you but personally I chose Breton although with the vague background anything is viable
Standing Stone: Mage (Up to level 20-25), Atronach (25+)
Though an argument could be made for waiting till level 30
Stat Spread: 2:1:0 (Levels 1-20) 1:1:0 (Levels 20-40) All Health (Levels 40+)
PERK PRIORITY (LEVEL 1–10)
Novice Destruction
Novice Restoration
Regeneration
Recovery 1
Apprentice Destruction
PERK PRIORITY (LEVEL 10–20)
Apprentice Restoration
Adept Destruction
Augmented Flames 1
Augmented Flames 2
Recovery 2
PERK PRIORITY (LEVEL 20–30)
Adept Restoration
Mage Armor 1
Mage Armor 2
Magic Resistance 1
Novice Alteration
PERK PRIORITY (LEVEL 30–40)
Necromage
Apprentice Alteration
Augmented Shock 1
Augmented Shock 2
Stability
Magic Resistance 2
Magic Resistance 3
Atronach
Expert Destruction
Impact
PERK PRIORITY (LEVEL 60–80)
Master Destruction
Enchanter 1
Enchanter 2
Enchanter 3
Insightful Enchanter
Corpus Enchanter
Enchanter 4
Enchanter 5
Extra Effect
Summoner 1
Summoner 2
Twin Souls
Final Core Loadout:
Head: Nahkriin (Main Mask)
Ring: Ring of Erudite
Utility Swap Items:
Ahzidal (Boost to Fire Damage if desired also useful for enchanting boost)
Morokei (Early boost to stats, mostly regen fallback late game)
Spellbreaker ( for use against enemy mages)
Chest:
Arch Mage's Robes (Early)
Custom robes
Enchant:
Fortify Destruction
Fortify Magicka Regeneration
Necklace:
Fortify Destruction
Magic Resistance
Gloves:
Fortify Magicka
Fortify Health
Boots:
Resist Fire (vampire weakness counter)
Fortify Carry Weight
As for Factions they completely up to you as with their practicality and more logical thinking you could justify whatever you desire really but for my personal recommendations:
College of Winterhold (Full)
Main Quest (up to Dragon Rising early on)
Volkihar Clan (*AFTER GETTING NECROMAGE PERK* For becoming a vampire to utilize the Necromage buff and the Ring of Erudite)
Then tackling the Dragonborn DLC around level 35-40
After that the world is your oyster. I personally recommend retrieving the remaining Dragon Priest Masks, collecting Daedric Artifacts (although some should be done early I.E. The Black Star for example to level enchanting) , and whatever else your heart desires.
A huge thank you to anyone who may see this. I know it's a long read through but I tried to break it up as much as possible. Again this has been a huge passion project for me for quite some time and I'm just glad I was finally able to share it all with you. I truly hope you all enjoy and until next time: Have a cookie!! (•,•)>●
Replies
Well done for a first build. I'd recommend making any section heads larger to make them stand out, and maybe find images online to help breaku p the text