This build aims to get a free flowing dual-wielding warrior incorporating perks such as silent roll and shadow warrior into general combat for an elegant and unique style of play. I stared building this character and when looking for a name came across the D&D class which inspired the look and some characteristics.
Importantly this build is not inherently evil- once sneak is levelled you don’t even need to use sneak attacks, most of the time it is used to dodge attacks and then hit from unexpected places.
Pictures are from The Forgotten Realms Wiki.
“Once I was afraid of the dark; now I am the reason to be afraid.”
Stat Distribution: 1 magic; 2 health; 1 stamina every 4 levels.
Race: Any.
Stone: The Lady.
Powers: Agent of Dibella; Shadowcloak of Nocturnal.
Major Skills: One handed; Light armour; Sneak; Archery.
Minor Skills: Alchemy; Enchanting, Illusion.
Weapons: A dagger in your off hand, a silver sword in your main hand for melee, a bow with a quick draw speed for archery, all enchanted.
Armour: Light armour, aiming for a full custom set or the Nightingale set.
Shouts: Unrelenting force; whirlwind sprint; become ethereal; slow time; throw voice; aura whisper.
Sample Perk Spreads: Level 32 Level 50
The Build
The basic idea was simple- combine stealth and direct combat by using the unique perks in the stealth tree. That means most of the fighting will be melee, but the ranged option also fits as a fast draw bow with quick shot and ranger merge with shadow warrior perfectly. A Shadowdancer also has magical skills, as represented by illusion, enchanting, and a few shouts.
It takes a while for this build to reach its potential as the perks which allow the play to become unique are at high skill levels, so invisibility potions and illusion spells as well as enchantments are used fairly heavily at lower levels. This will let you level sneak quickly with backstabs and give a taste of what will be possible later. One handed and light armour should level pretty quickly as you can’t sneak attack everyone, but the decent amount of points put into health and the dual flurry perks will enhance your survivability. I’m afraid a little effort has to be put into levelling enchanting to get higher uses for dagger and bow enchantments.
The role play and the presence of a Shadowdancer is both key and very fun to play. They are known for the fear instilled by their sudden appearances, and while illusion is used mainly for muffle and invisibility, the feeling of popping into view right in front of someone and casting fear immediately is hilarious. While you will be working on your own in the run up to fights, but when in the middle of them one spell and one power which give ghostly companions can be invaluable for effect and effectiveness. These are ‘Summon Arniel’s Shade’ and ‘Summon Spectral Assassin’, from the quests Arniel’s Endeavour and Bound Unto Death respectively. The assassin power does require you to take the Dark Brotherhood questline so is only for darker characters, but as he levels up with you he can be very strong.
Combat
Moving around enemies via silent roll, shadow warrior, and whirlwind sprint is the heart of gameplay. You can do this while using a bow or your melee weapons, and the confusion generated by disappearing lets you get into great positions and decide which enemies get to fight you at any time. The feel of playing this way, and how it looks if you are in third person view, is elegant and as close to dancing as you can get in Skyrim. 
Dual wielding a dagger and a silver sword seems like an odd combination, but it works very effectively. The dual flurry perks, combined with having a dagger in your off hand, which determines attack speed, means that you can attack extremely fast, and adding a fairly low damage and high use enchantment makes it powerful. The silver sword is extremely useful against undead which inhabit the shady places you will frequent, and when enchanted with absorb health can keep you alive in extended combat without having to resort to potions. The stagger which can be a result of a power attack with a sword is also part of the build- you will carry around several daggers with different enchantments for use in every situation, and stagger can give you the opportunity to switch between them.
Switching between daggers may look like a very minor benefit, but by carrying perhaps four of five daggers and pre-poisoning those with weakness to magic or weakness to an element means that by changing to one which is still poisoned can double the strength of the enchantment, if not more. When fighting a boss switching between several poisons can create a layered effect for incredible damage.
Archery is used when closing in or backing away from enemies, with the perks ‘quick draw’ and ‘ranger’ combined with a fast bow letting you hit enemies multiple times while staying out of reach. If you don’t want to get in the range of more deadly opponents then the chance to stagger and paralyze opponents is invaluable, and a quick draw bow and the easy movement with possible sneak attacks gives an effective alternative to melee. The bows which are the most effective are listed later.
Armoury
Lifebringer A silver sword enchanted with absorb health and paralyze, it is perfect for dangerous situations, or if you just want a few seconds of peace.
Eternity A hunting bow enchanted with frost damage and damage magika- this will stop melee fighters and mages alike, giving you plenty of time to prepare even if caught unawares.
Auriel’s Bow The speed of firing and sun damage is helpful for taking down undead inhabitants of dark places, and both special effects come in handy. Darkness is where the Shadowdancer thrives, but being able to disappear while bathed in light shows true mastery.
Daggers The damage core of the build, I suggest carrying 5- one for each element, one for soul trap, and one to absorb or damage magika. The extra effect perk may overpower these if not used carefully, to avoid this I used a low frost damage as my second, mainly for the slow effect.
This build aims to get a free flowing dual-wielding warrior incorporating perks such as silent roll and shadow warrior into general combat for an elegant and unique style of play. I stared building this character and when looking for a name came across the D&D class which inspired the look and some characteristics.
Importantly this build is not inherently evil- once sneak is levelled you don’t even need to use sneak attacks, most of the time it is used to dodge attacks and then hit from unexpected places.
Pictures are from The Forgotten Realms Wiki.
“Once I was afraid of the dark; now I am the reason to be afraid.”
Stat Distribution: 1 magic; 2 health; 1 stamina every 4 levels.
Race: Any.
Stone: The Lady.
Powers: Agent of Dibella; Shadowcloak of Nocturnal.
Major Skills: One handed; Light armour; Sneak; Archery.
Minor Skills: Alchemy; Enchanting, Illusion.
Weapons: A dagger in your off hand, a silver sword in your main hand for melee, a bow with a quick draw speed for archery, all enchanted.
Armour: Light armour, aiming for a full custom set or the Nightingale set.
Shouts: Unrelenting force; whirlwind sprint; become ethereal; slow time; throw voice; aura whisper.
Sample Perk Spreads: Level 32 Level 50
The Build
The basic idea was simple- combine stealth and direct combat by using the unique perks in the stealth tree. That means most of the fighting will be melee, but the ranged option also fits as a fast draw bow with quick shot and ranger merge with shadow warrior perfectly. A Shadowdancer also has magical skills, as represented by illusion, enchanting, and a few shouts.
It takes a while for this build to reach its potential as the perks which allow the play to become unique are at high skill levels, so invisibility potions and illusion spells as well as enchantments are used fairly heavily at lower levels. This will let you level sneak quickly with backstabs and give a taste of what will be possible later. One handed and light armour should level pretty quickly as you can’t sneak attack everyone, but the decent amount of points put into health and the dual flurry perks will enhance your survivability. I’m afraid a little effort has to be put into levelling enchanting to get higher uses for dagger and bow enchantments.
The role play and the presence of a Shadowdancer is both key and very fun to play. They are known for the fear instilled by their sudden appearances, and while illusion is used mainly for muffle and invisibility, the feeling of popping into view right in front of someone and casting fear immediately is hilarious. While you will be working on your own in the run up to fights, but when in the middle of them one spell and one power which give ghostly companions can be invaluable for effect and effectiveness. These are ‘Summon Arniel’s Shade’ and ‘Summon Spectral Assassin’, from the quests Arniel’s Endeavour and Bound Unto Death respectively. The assassin power does require you to take the Dark Brotherhood questline so is only for darker characters, but as he levels up with you he can be very strong.
Combat
Moving around enemies via silent roll, shadow warrior, and whirlwind sprint is the heart of gameplay. You can do this while using a bow or your melee weapons, and the confusion generated by disappearing lets you get into great positions and decide which enemies get to fight you at any time. The feel of playing this way, and how it looks if you are in third person view, is elegant and as close to dancing as you can get in Skyrim.
Dual wielding a dagger and a silver sword seems like an odd combination, but it works very effectively. The dual flurry perks, combined with having a dagger in your off hand, which determines attack speed, means that you can attack extremely fast, and adding a fairly low damage and high use enchantment makes it powerful. The silver sword is extremely useful against undead which inhabit the shady places you will frequent, and when enchanted with absorb health can keep you alive in extended combat without having to resort to potions. The stagger which can be a result of a power attack with a sword is also part of the build- you will carry around several daggers with different enchantments for use in every situation, and stagger can give you the opportunity to switch between them.
Switching between daggers may look like a very minor benefit, but by carrying perhaps four of five daggers and pre-poisoning those with weakness to magic or weakness to an element means that by changing to one which is still poisoned can double the strength of the enchantment, if not more. When fighting a boss switching between several poisons can create a layered effect for incredible damage.
Archery is used when closing in or backing away from enemies, with the perks ‘quick draw’ and ‘ranger’ combined with a fast bow letting you hit enemies multiple times while staying out of reach. If you don’t want to get in the range of more deadly opponents then the chance to stagger and paralyze opponents is invaluable, and a quick draw bow and the easy movement with possible sneak attacks gives an effective alternative to melee. The bows which are the most effective are listed later.
Armoury
Lifebringer A silver sword enchanted with absorb health and paralyze, it is perfect for dangerous situations, or if you just want a few seconds of peace.
Eternity A hunting bow enchanted with frost damage and damage magika- this will stop melee fighters and mages alike, giving you plenty of time to prepare even if caught unawares.
Auriel’s Bow The speed of firing and sun damage is helpful for taking down undead inhabitants of dark places, and both special effects come in handy. Darkness is where the Shadowdancer thrives, but being able to disappear while bathed in light shows true mastery.
Daggers The damage core of the build, I suggest carrying 5- one for each element, one for soul trap, and one to absorb or damage magika. The extra effect perk may overpower these if not used carefully, to avoid this I used a low frost damage as my second, mainly for the slow effect.
