Blackguard
The great shadow, master of evil, commander of the undead, the depraved and the wretched. Sowing dissent and when his foes are at his weakest, crushing them like insects with brutal speed.
The blackguard build is an extremely tanky conjurer, with skills in smithing, enchanting and alchemy, so that he may outfit his horde with the best weapons and armor. Along with this, he uses illusion to not only sow the seeds of dissent in the enemy but also to strengthen his minions, helping them to crush any in his way.
Playstyle
The blackguard plays as a tank, with some offense in the form of his one handed skill in maces, however the majority of damage will be done by your thralls, summons and follower. Illusion also comes into play to help your side gain an edge on enemies by spreading dissent through their forces at the beginning of battle and to manipulate the tide of battle whilst in combat
Race
The race chosen for the Blackguard is the Orc, due to his very tanky racial ability along with base stats fitting well with the playstyle and idea behind the Blackguard. Other racial considerations include:
Breton - Due to their higher resistance to magic and spell absorption racial
Altmer - Due to the higher starting Magicka and magicka regen racial
Nord - Due to the frost resistance along with the Battlecry racial
Major Skills
Heavy Armor/Block: The blackguard is the juggernaut, the be all and end all of evil, so he needs the armor to look and act the part.
Conjuration: Because every evil lord needs minions, no?
Smithing/Enchanting: Settle for nothing less than the best when equipping yourself and your underlings
Minor Skills
Illusion: Spread chaos throughout your foes and strike when they are at their worst
One handed: For when you want to get your hands dirty, a solid brutal mace fits the bill nicely
Restoration: Unfortunately, your enemies also have weapons. Don't give them the satisfaction of killing you.
Special Equipment
Shield: With the magic protection that Spell-breaker offers, it is difficult to pass up. However, if one is confident in their magic resistance, a shield made of the same armor material may also be used. I personally use Spell-breaker but am attempting to transition onto an orcish shield
Weapon: Maces, with a particular example being the Mace of Molag-Bal, as it synchronizes well with this character's play-style.
Armor: Heavy Armor, preferably one of the more "Evil" styles, such as Orcish, Ebony or Daedric, ESPECIALLY Ebony Mail, even though it has a smaller profile than the other heavy armors. A Dragon Priest mask is also a good option, provided it is a heavy armor type, as it not only looks evil but also has great stat bonuses. I personally use Otar, due to the elemental resistances, however,
Enchantments: Armor enchantments will be primarily HP and Magic resistance enchants, with weapons using strength and magicka damage instead, to weaken enemies and prevent counter-attack.
Stone: Ritual Stone
Level 20 Build
Conjuration |
Illusion |
Block |
Heavy |
Novice Conjuration Necromancy
|
Novice Illusion Apprentice Illusion
|
Shield Wall Deflect Arrows
|
Juggernaut (3) Well Fitted |
One Handed |
Smithing |
Enchanting |
Restoration |
Armsman (2) Bone Breaker (1) Fighting Stance |
Steel Smithing Elven Smithing Dwarven Smithing |
Enchanter (1) |
Novice Restoration
|
Level 20 is covering the basics, getting the armor up high enough to be noticeably survivable, along with a few key craft skills and conjuration, although conjuration comes into play most when twin souls is used with dead thrall later in the build.
Level 40 Build
Conjuration |
Illusion |
Block |
Heavy |
Novice Conjuration Necromancy Apprentice Conjuration Adept Conjuration Expert Conjuration Master Conjuration Dark Souls Twin Souls |
Novice Illusion Apprentice Illusion Adept Illusion Expert Illusion Hypnotic Gaze Aspect of Terror Rage Master of the Mind |
Shield Wall Deflect Arrows Quick Reflexes Elemental Protection |
Juggernaut (4) Well Fitted |
One Handed |
Smithing |
Enchanting |
Restoration |
Armsman (3) Bone Breaker (2) Fighting Stance |
Steel Smithing Elven Smithing Dwarven Smithing Advanced Smithing Orcish Smithing |
Enchanter (2) |
Novice Restoration Regeneration |
At level 40, the Blackguard has reached a stage where it can be used 100% as intended, especially with the twin souls perk allowing for two summons. There is a lot of magic grinding involved to reach this stage but I don't see the levels as overly unreasonable.
After this stage, it’s mainly up to the player and their play-style to decide the further use of point spending, however I personally recommend taking more points in the right of the block tree, continued points in one handed along with keeping craft skills up, as they are still reasonably low.
Cat and mouse
Chaos has never been so amusing. First use Throw Voice dragon shout, to manipulate your foes to where you wish. Equip Fury and Fear and cast on a pair of enemies, so that one will flee from combat, with his “friend” close behind. Can be cast on as many enemies as desired, to create total chaos. Note: This ability must be conducted quickly or else your thralls will engage the new threats.
Total Domination
Completely disable the enemy’s will to fight. Shield Charge into a group of enemies and use the Hysteria spell, followed by the Ice Form dragon shout. Those who are not frozen will flee in terror and those who are will remain helpless even when attacked.
Final showdown
Used when superior strength is needed to crush your enemies, or when their force has been grossly underestimated. Use the Ritual Stone ability to summon more “allies”* and then use the Call to Arms spell. Along with this, use the Beserker Rage ability. If an elemental weapon is not in use, also use the Elemental Fury dragon shout, if it is, use the Slow Time shout instead.
*”Allies” can be convieniently placed up by using the Cat and Mouse special move earlier
Companion/Thrall Recommendation
Considering the AI of Thralls, it is beneficial to obtain an easily replaceable model of thrall instead of using named characters, as it is a pain to find them if they get lost. Personally, I make use of Bandit Chiefs in Steel Armor, unless I want ranged damage, in which case I will instead use Forsworn Ravager archers, as they posess a number of useful archery skills. These thralls are easy to re-obtain if lost by simply going on a tour of bandit spawns or forsworn camps, are cheap to upgrade and are incredibly powerful.
For a Companion, I recommend filling in gaps that aren't filled with thralls, such as magic. I personally use J'Zargo, due to his lack of level cap, heavy armor and powerful magic. It is however, a pain that I cannot make him use the ebony blade, which is a future consideration.
Role Reversal
An interesting way to play this build is to play on the light side of morality as a paladin by taking further points in Restoration rather than Illusion and by using Atronarchs or somehow justifying your use of resurrected dead bodies.
Now, go make the lands and people of Skyrim your plaything!
DLC Considerations
Dawnguard:
- Becoming a vampire is an attractive option for more power.
- Heal Undead spells are highly useful with thralls
Dragonborn:
- Bandit Chiefs wear up to Nordic Carved Armor, making them even stronger.
While you're at it, why not take a look at my other quality builds?
Blackguard
The great shadow, master of evil, commander of the undead, the depraved and the wretched. Sowing dissent and when his foes are at his weakest, crushing them like insects with brutal speed.
The blackguard build is an extremely tanky conjurer, with skills in smithing, enchanting and alchemy, so that he may outfit his horde with the best weapons and armor. Along with this, he uses illusion to not only sow the seeds of dissent in the enemy but also to strengthen his minions, helping them to crush any in his way.
Playstyle
The blackguard plays as a tank, with some offense in the form of his one handed skill in maces, however the majority of damage will be done by your thralls, summons and follower. Illusion also comes into play to help your side gain an edge on enemies by spreading dissent through their forces at the beginning of battle and to manipulate the tide of battle whilst in combat
Race
The race chosen for the Blackguard is the Orc, due to his very tanky racial ability along with base stats fitting well with the playstyle and idea behind the Blackguard. Other racial considerations include:
Breton - Due to their higher resistance to magic and spell absorption racial
Altmer - Due to the higher starting Magicka and magicka regen racial
Nord - Due to the frost resistance along with the Battlecry racial
Major Skills
Heavy Armor/Block: The blackguard is the juggernaut, the be all and end all of evil, so he needs the armor to look and act the part.
Conjuration: Because every evil lord needs minions, no?
Smithing/Enchanting: Settle for nothing less than the best when equipping yourself and your underlings
Minor Skills
Illusion: Spread chaos throughout your foes and strike when they are at their worst
One handed: For when you want to get your hands dirty, a solid brutal mace fits the bill nicely
Restoration: Unfortunately, your enemies also have weapons. Don't give them the satisfaction of killing you.
Special Equipment
Shield: With the magic protection that Spell-breaker offers, it is difficult to pass up. However, if one is confident in their magic resistance, a shield made of the same armor material may also be used. I personally use Spell-breaker but am attempting to transition onto an orcish shield
Weapon: Maces, with a particular example being the Mace of Molag-Bal, as it synchronizes well with this character's play-style.
Armor: Heavy Armor, preferably one of the more "Evil" styles, such as Orcish, Ebony or Daedric, ESPECIALLY Ebony Mail, even though it has a smaller profile than the other heavy armors. A Dragon Priest mask is also a good option, provided it is a heavy armor type, as it not only looks evil but also has great stat bonuses. I personally use Otar, due to the elemental resistances, however,
Enchantments: Armor enchantments will be primarily HP and Magic resistance enchants, with weapons using strength and magicka damage instead, to weaken enemies and prevent counter-attack.
Stone: Ritual Stone
Level 20 Build
Conjuration |
Illusion |
Block |
Heavy |
Novice Conjuration Necromancy
|
Novice Illusion Apprentice Illusion
|
Shield Wall Deflect Arrows
|
Juggernaut (3) Well Fitted |
One Handed |
Smithing |
Enchanting |
Restoration |
Armsman (2) Bone Breaker (1) Fighting Stance |
Steel Smithing Elven Smithing Dwarven Smithing |
Enchanter (1) |
Novice Restoration
|
Level 20 is covering the basics, getting the armor up high enough to be noticeably survivable, along with a few key craft skills and conjuration, although conjuration comes into play most when twin souls is used with dead thrall later in the build.
Level 40 Build
Conjuration |
Illusion |
Block |
Heavy |
Novice Conjuration Necromancy Apprentice Conjuration Adept Conjuration Expert Conjuration Master Conjuration Dark Souls Twin Souls |
Novice Illusion Apprentice Illusion Adept Illusion Expert Illusion Hypnotic Gaze Aspect of Terror Rage Master of the Mind |
Shield Wall Deflect Arrows Quick Reflexes Elemental Protection |
Juggernaut (4) Well Fitted |
One Handed |
Smithing |
Enchanting |
Restoration |
Armsman (3) Bone Breaker (2) Fighting Stance |
Steel Smithing Elven Smithing Dwarven Smithing Advanced Smithing Orcish Smithing |
Enchanter (2) |
Novice Restoration Regeneration |
At level 40, the Blackguard has reached a stage where it can be used 100% as intended, especially with the twin souls perk allowing for two summons. There is a lot of magic grinding involved to reach this stage but I don't see the levels as overly unreasonable.
After this stage, it’s mainly up to the player and their play-style to decide the further use of point spending, however I personally recommend taking more points in the right of the block tree, continued points in one handed along with keeping craft skills up, as they are still reasonably low.
Cat and mouse
Chaos has never been so amusing. First use Throw Voice dragon shout, to manipulate your foes to where you wish. Equip Fury and Fear and cast on a pair of enemies, so that one will flee from combat, with his “friend” close behind. Can be cast on as many enemies as desired, to create total chaos. Note: This ability must be conducted quickly or else your thralls will engage the new threats.
Total Domination
Completely disable the enemy’s will to fight. Shield Charge into a group of enemies and use the Hysteria spell, followed by the Ice Form dragon shout. Those who are not frozen will flee in terror and those who are will remain helpless even when attacked.
Final showdown
Used when superior strength is needed to crush your enemies, or when their force has been grossly underestimated. Use the Ritual Stone ability to summon more “allies”* and then use the Call to Arms spell. Along with this, use the Beserker Rage ability. If an elemental weapon is not in use, also use the Elemental Fury dragon shout, if it is, use the Slow Time shout instead.
*”Allies” can be convieniently placed up by using the Cat and Mouse special move earlier
Companion/Thrall Recommendation
Considering the AI of Thralls, it is beneficial to obtain an easily replaceable model of thrall instead of using named characters, as it is a pain to find them if they get lost. Personally, I make use of Bandit Chiefs in Steel Armor, unless I want ranged damage, in which case I will instead use Forsworn Ravager archers, as they posess a number of useful archery skills. These thralls are easy to re-obtain if lost by simply going on a tour of bandit spawns or forsworn camps, are cheap to upgrade and are incredibly powerful.
For a Companion, I recommend filling in gaps that aren't filled with thralls, such as magic. I personally use J'Zargo, due to his lack of level cap, heavy armor and powerful magic. It is however, a pain that I cannot make him use the ebony blade, which is a future consideration.
Role Reversal
An interesting way to play this build is to play on the light side of morality as a paladin by taking further points in Restoration rather than Illusion and by using Atronarchs or somehow justifying your use of resurrected dead bodies.
Now, go make the lands and people of Skyrim your plaything!
DLC Considerations
Dawnguard:
- Becoming a vampire is an attractive option for more power.
- Heal Undead spells are highly useful with thralls
Dragonborn:
- Bandit Chiefs wear up to Nordic Carved Armor, making them even stronger.
While you're at it, why not take a look at my other quality builds?