Thought I'd dump an idea, I've already got another build I'm working on and initial tests of this make it seem a bit over-powered so I'm not sure if I want to commit to playing it. If anyone wants it, it's up for grabs:
Something like: Death and all his Friends, due to an ongoing bone weapon/armor theme, and because it's a party-based build
Idea: A Battle Fury Necromage Vampire build, with Battle Fury seemingly very under-utlised in builds, plus the fact it lasts ages compared to Elemental Fury. Only characters with unenchanted weapons can benefit from Battle Fury (just tested this with Ralis, as the wikis have conflicting info), so what does that leave us with, outside of normal followers? Riekling Warriors recruited from random encounters count as pets and can equip great swords, so theres a good candidate right there. Also Wrathmen use unenchanted Dragonbone weapons, so they should hopefully work two (though please note, I haven't tested either of these two - but as they class as using a weapon, unlike say the Dwemer Sphere you can get, I don't think their should be any problem).
Who would be the best human follower for this? I would say Ralis Sedarys. He's one of the only followers with Dual Flurry in the game, but crucially he is the only follower that gets "Extra Damage 2" - which is how followers get more damage rather than taking things like Armsman. It's worth noting that Rieklings also have "Extra Damage 2" as well as "Critical Hit", meaning the Riekling Warrior should outdamage most human followers (apart from Ralis, of course). As mentioned, I tested Ralis just now with Battle Fury, and he attacks insanely fast - literally mincing hoards of guards.
In terms of weapons, give Ralis and the Riekling two Dragonbone Swords and a Dragonbone Great sword respectively, and they should tear enemies to shreads, especially with two Wrathmen in tow. Bardic Knowledge with Illusion buffs (Necromage Vampire angle) should turn them all into borderline crack addicts in terms of their combat potential. You could also use poisons with beneficial effects + Companions' Insight buffing too, but it won't effect the Wrathmen with them being undead.
Fleshing the rest of it out: I would deck everyone out in bone gear, with Ralis and the Riekling in Dragonscale which is a bit boney (you don't see the armor on the Riekling, but the warriors wear a sabrecat skull already), and yourself in Dragon Plate with a Cultist Mask. Casting you solidly in a support role, the player character should ideally be minimally damaging - maybe using the Skull of Corruption to keep with the bone theme. Another fun yet only slightly damaging combo is Blood of the Ancients Vampiric Drain - if you dual cast it and use a +300% Destruction potion from the standard loop vampires can get a 40 health/stamina/magicka drain on all living enemies.
Backstory: Something losely around you being a bone/soul collector, and loving the thrill of watching grisly battles - like each battle you watch is a gladitorial spectacle. A morbid and cruel vampire - you know the drill.
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As mentioned, my main reservations are this would actually be too powerful, and make combat dull. Possibly an appropriate balance can be made, pulling away from a bone theme and maybe Necromage Vampire entirely, but I wouldn't be sure where to take it. Have fun!
Thought I'd dump an idea, I've already got another build I'm working on and initial tests of this make it seem a bit over-powered so I'm not sure if I want to commit to playing it. If anyone wants it, it's up for grabs:
Something like: Death and all his Friends, due to an ongoing bone weapon/armor theme, and because it's a party-based build
Idea: A Battle Fury Necromage Vampire build, with Battle Fury seemingly very under-utlised in builds, plus the fact it lasts ages compared to Elemental Fury. Only characters with unenchanted weapons can benefit from Battle Fury (just tested this with Ralis, as the wikis have conflicting info), so what does that leave us with, outside of normal followers? Riekling Warriors recruited from random encounters count as pets and can equip great swords, so theres a good candidate right there. Also Wrathmen use unenchanted Dragonbone weapons, so they should hopefully work two (though please note, I haven't tested either of these two - but as they class as using a weapon, unlike say the Dwemer Sphere you can get, I don't think their should be any problem).
Who would be the best human follower for this? I would say Ralis Sedarys. He's one of the only followers with Dual Flurry in the game, but crucially he is the only follower that gets "Extra Damage 2" - which is how followers get more damage rather than taking things like Armsman. It's worth noting that Rieklings also have "Extra Damage 2" as well as "Critical Hit", meaning the Riekling Warrior should outdamage most human followers (apart from Ralis, of course). As mentioned, I tested Ralis just now with Battle Fury, and he attacks insanely fast - literally mincing hoards of guards.
In terms of weapons, give Ralis and the Riekling two Dragonbone Swords and a Dragonbone Great sword respectively, and they should tear enemies to shreads, especially with two Wrathmen in tow. Bardic Knowledge with Illusion buffs (Necromage Vampire angle) should turn them all into borderline crack addicts in terms of their combat potential. You could also use poisons with beneficial effects + Companions' Insight buffing too, but it won't effect the Wrathmen with them being undead.
Fleshing the rest of it out: I would deck everyone out in bone gear, with Ralis and the Riekling in Dragonscale which is a bit boney (you don't see the armor on the Riekling, but the warriors wear a sabrecat skull already), and yourself in Dragon Plate with a Cultist Mask. Casting you solidly in a support role, the player character should ideally be minimally damaging - maybe using the Skull of Corruption to keep with the bone theme. Another fun yet only slightly damaging combo is Blood of the Ancients Vampiric Drain - if you dual cast it and use a +300% Destruction potion from the standard loop vampires can get a 40 health/stamina/magicka drain on all living enemies.
Backstory: Something losely around you being a bone/soul collector, and loving the thrill of watching grisly battles - like each battle you watch is a gladitorial spectacle. A morbid and cruel vampire - you know the drill.
--------
As mentioned, my main reservations are this would actually be too powerful, and make combat dull. Possibly an appropriate balance can be made, pulling away from a bone theme and maybe Necromage Vampire entirely, but I wouldn't be sure where to take it. Have fun!
