Skyrim Character Building » Discussions


Character Build: The Arcane Archer

Tags: #Character Build Archer  #Character Build Elementalist  #Character Build Enchanter  #Rank:Legendary 
  • Member
    February 16, 2015

    I believe you'll need to enchant yourself some gear to reduce spell cost (Fortify Destruction) in order to cast cloak spells. Also, even without the Adept Destruction perk, the spell cost will go down as your Destruction skill increases. But even still, I think you'll need one or two items with Fortify Destruction.

    You may be struggling right now due to perk allocation; it's not uncommon for builds to struggle in the mid-game while you're waiting on a few important perks. For instance, once you get Enchanting up to 100 and pick up Extra Effect, you'll be able to have twice as many enchantments, and they'll all be at full strength. That'll go a long way toward improving your power and defensive capabilities. Pick up a few Fortify Destruction effects so you can cast your cloaks, and then focus on Fortify Archery and anything that may improve general survivability.

    Plus, Extra Effect unlocks the ability to make all the weapons Mason suggests, as most of them call for two enchantments. Cruel Heart will really help you out, as it does 75+ magical damage in addition to the physical damage of the bow/arrow, and it returns back 30 Health to you with each shot.

  • Member
    February 16, 2015
    It also depends on how many points your putting into magicka
  • February 17, 2015
    What enemies are you having trouble with? You might want to switch to a fear bow if you're being overrun. Once the immediate threat is averted, you can safely pelt them to death with elemental damage. Slow Time is also an underrated shout for archers. It's useful for both DPS and for outrunning those that get close! It sounds like your Archery skill is kinda low, too. Some of the key perks are still a ways away while you're in the 50's! Keep on firing and get the highest base damage bow+arrows for the most Archery XP per shot. Another thing that can really help with cloaks is the Atronach Stone's nice +50 Magicka. Combine this with the Necromancer Amulet and a Novice Hood, and you may even be able to cast Flame Cloak as a level 1 character (depending on starting Destruction level).
  • Member
    August 1, 2015

    dude, thanks for this build. Kiara the Redguard lady that will be In my tale and Jake's future lover is close to this build.

  • August 2, 2015
    Shy! You gotta give this build a try as player, mate. It's so much fun! It's sitting on my queue for replaying now that I'm back in #pcmasterrace, but it was incredibly fun on 360, even if a bit challenging since I don't play very many shooters with a controller. :P
  • Member
    August 2, 2015

    I'll try it sometime with mods of course.

  • August 2, 2015
    I really wanna play this with Hunterborn and one of the wildlife overhauls. You can be a hunter in real life, even with a bow if you're old school. What you can't be in real life is a hunter with an ancient Dwarven bow that shoots soul-stealing flaming arrows. Also, alchemy :D
  • Member
    August 2, 2015

    yeah, Kiara uses bound bow and alchemy in the tale. I recent made a follower mod that uses a custom Extended version of the Steel Cross Bow. she is a Barbarian based on Mjoll when I crafted her.

  • Member
    November 4, 2015
    What enchantment did you use for the Nightstalker build? Are they the same as your other build? You have the shock perks taken but no mention of a shock bow.
  • November 5, 2015

    I think he mainly used Cruel Heart and Nexus Raper with the Nightstalker.  You could certainly make a Frost/Shock bow for damage, but I think the Augmented Shock was just there for the elemental cloak effects.  Only Mason could tell you for sure, though.