Found this awesome site a few weeks back and it really helped me get back into Skyrim. After a playthough with the Swordthane from this group I wanted to make my own build and share it. It's based around Stalhrim and some of the new items in the Dragonborn DLC. At level 50 its by far the most powerful melee character I've played, with little menu diving and at the same time being very flexible.
The Stalhrim Tempest
You've been told that mages are the masters of the elements, throwing fire, shooting lightning and blasting their foes with ice. But there are stories of a forgotten group of nords from an island north even of Solstheim. Nords that have fought the elements their whole lives in a land so inhospitable, life there should not exist.But some survive and they learn to bend the elements to their will. Stories say they would fight clad in ice with frozen weapons cracking with energy and their faces hidden by terrible masks. But, those are only stories ...
The Stalhrim tempest is a warrior focused on using powerful elemental stalhrim weaponry in combination with dragon priests masks to further boost his damage output. He uses a mix of weapons and masks to quickly change his elemental damage type and resistance to counter his enemies and crush them.
The path of frost
Build
Race: Nord
Stone: The Lord
Major skills: Two-handed, enchanting, smithing, heavy armor
Minor skills: Block
Magica/Health/Stamina: I feel this is best left up to the player, I went for a 0/4/1 spread.
Perks level 35
Two handed: Barbarian 3/5, Champions stance, Devastating blow, Great critical charge, Sweep
Enchanting: Everything!
Smithing: Right side up to Daedric, Arcane blacksmith
Heavy armor: Juggernaut 1/5, Well fitted, Tower of strength, Fists of steel, Cushioned, Conditioning
Block: Shield wall 1/5, Power Bash
The path of storms
Combat and equipment
The Tempest uses the three new dragon priest masks Dukaan, Zahriiksos and Ahzidal in combination with a elemental weapon for each mask. He can choose to fight defensively by matching his enemies element or offensively by countering it.
For example, if he is up against a firebreathing dragon he can choose to equip his frost gear to bypass the dragons fire resistance. Or he can choose to fight fire with fire by equipping his fire gear to boost his own fire defence. Some would consider it a greater victory if you beat something using its own element.
This creates a quick and easy way to modify your character to the situation and lets you focus on the fighting while still being very, very powerful. It's really fun!
He has no ranged attacks apart from his shouts, this is to minimize going into quick menus. Just pick a mask, the matching weapon a shout and kill kill kill!
In order to max out elemental damage be on the lookout for any weakness to X potions, save those for tough fights.
The path of frost
This path is naturally the most powerful since Stalhrim weapons are stronger with cold enchantments as such this is what the tempest usually wears. He uses the Ice form shout to disable his enemies and cut them to ribbons, frost breath to hurt groups and slow time to slow enemies to a freeze.
Weapon: Frostbite - Stalhrim greatsword enchanted with frost and chaos damage
Mask: Dukaan
Shouts: Ice form, Frost breath, Slow time
The path of fire
Under the fire path the tempest wields a greataxe and blasts his foes with his fire breath. He can also cause his enemies weapons to glow red hot forcing, them to drop them. (I also use unrelening force here beacuse damn, there are too few fire based shouts!)
Weapon: Frostburn - Stalhrim battleaxe enchanted with fire and chaos damage
Mask: Ahzidal
Shouts: Fire breath, Disarm, Unrelenting force
The path of storms
The Tempest takes on the aspect of a thunderstorm, wields a warhammer and causes great chaos. He can call forth storms, cyclones and sprints across the battlefield like the wind.
Weapon: Thunder- Stalhrim warhammer enchanted with lightning and chaos damage
Mask: Zahriiksos
Shouts: Call storm, Cyclone, Whirlwind sprint, Unrelenting force
Other gear
Apart from the masks and weapons the tempest uses a full set of enchanted heavy stalhrim armor. Listed here.
Chest: Fortify health Fortify Stamina
Gloves: Fortify two-handed amd fortify one handed(In case I want to start using sword and board/Dual wielding later)
Boots: Resist shock and resist fire. These combined with your natural frost resistance and the dragon masks will let you max out the elemental resistance of your choice.
Ring: Fortify two handed and magic resistance
Amulet: Fortify two handed and magic resistance
With all you gear finished, the agent of Mara effect and the Lord sign you will hit 80% magic resist, combined with the masks you hit the 85% resistance cap for the element of you choice. Your mastery of the elements lets you almost completely shrug of any spell based attack!
The path of fire
Role-playing the Stalhrim Tempest
The tempest is a warrior, out to prove his mettle and increase his mastery of the elements. Seek out all the elemental shouts, challenge the greatest foes you can find, tackle your problems head on and never back down from a fight. The companions, the main quest and Dawnguard all make sense to finish. Also make sure to complete your mask collection by slaying the dragon priests in Skyrim as well!
Though he is not a thief and never steals he has little respect or understanding of the laws of civilized lands. He would never kill in cold blood but if someone thinks they are safe behind guards and city walls they are sorely mistaken.
Endgame, Level 50 Perk build
At level 50 with the build completed the tempest becomes very powerful. You will master your martial skills and further increase your elemental damage through destruction magic.
Impressed with the control the mages of Skyrim has over the elements the Stalhrim Tempest seeks out a trainer for destruction magic. He also reads up on the subject through skill books (Pick up the double skills gain from books effect you can get in Dragonborn). Though he never actually casts any magic he learns ways to further improve the elemental enchantments on his weapons.
The final form of the Frostbite greatsword combining Stalhrim with the Dukaan mask and the augmented frost perk for a very powerful weapon.
Two handed: Barbarian 5/5, Champions stance, Devastating blow, Great critical charge, Sweep, Warmaster
Enchanting: Everything!
Smithing: Right side up to Daedric, Arcane blacksmith (If you want you can respec these skills at this point and put them into block and max out shield wall and pickup combat reflexes)
Heavy armor: Juggernaut 2/5, Well fitted, Tower of strength, Fists of steel, Cushioned, Conditioning, Matching set, Reflect Blows
Block: Shield wall 1/5, Power Bash, Deadly bash, DIsarming bash
Destruction: Novice destruction, Augmented flames 2/2, Augmented frost 2/2, Augmented shock 2/2
Your flames do not burn me dragon!
If you got this far, thanks for reading and I hope you like the build! Don't hesitate to leave a comment. Peace!
Found this awesome site a few weeks back and it really helped me get back into Skyrim. After a playthough with the Swordthane from this group I wanted to make my own build and share it. It's based around Stalhrim and some of the new items in the Dragonborn DLC. At level 50 its by far the most powerful melee character I've played, with little menu diving and at the same time being very flexible.
The Stalhrim Tempest
You've been told that mages are the masters of the elements, throwing fire, shooting lightning and blasting their foes with ice. But there are stories of a forgotten group of nords from an island north even of Solstheim. Nords that have fought the elements their whole lives in a land so inhospitable, life there should not exist.But some survive and they learn to bend the elements to their will. Stories say they would fight clad in ice with frozen weapons cracking with energy and their faces hidden by terrible masks. But, those are only stories ...
The Stalhrim tempest is a warrior focused on using powerful elemental stalhrim weaponry in combination with dragon priests masks to further boost his damage output. He uses a mix of weapons and masks to quickly change his elemental damage type and resistance to counter his enemies and crush them.
The path of frost
Build
Race: Nord
Stone: The Lord
Major skills: Two-handed, enchanting, smithing, heavy armor
Minor skills: Block
Magica/Health/Stamina: I feel this is best left up to the player, I went for a 0/4/1 spread.
Perks level 35
Two handed: Barbarian 3/5, Champions stance, Devastating blow, Great critical charge, Sweep
Enchanting: Everything!
Smithing: Right side up to Daedric, Arcane blacksmith
Heavy armor: Juggernaut 1/5, Well fitted, Tower of strength, Fists of steel, Cushioned, Conditioning
Block: Shield wall 1/5, Power Bash
The path of storms
Combat and equipment
The Tempest uses the three new dragon priest masks Dukaan, Zahriiksos and Ahzidal in combination with a elemental weapon for each mask. He can choose to fight defensively by matching his enemies element or offensively by countering it.
For example, if he is up against a firebreathing dragon he can choose to equip his frost gear to bypass the dragons fire resistance. Or he can choose to fight fire with fire by equipping his fire gear to boost his own fire defence. Some would consider it a greater victory if you beat something using its own element.
This creates a quick and easy way to modify your character to the situation and lets you focus on the fighting while still being very, very powerful. It's really fun!
He has no ranged attacks apart from his shouts, this is to minimize going into quick menus. Just pick a mask, the matching weapon a shout and kill kill kill!
In order to max out elemental damage be on the lookout for any weakness to X potions, save those for tough fights.
The path of frost
This path is naturally the most powerful since Stalhrim weapons are stronger with cold enchantments as such this is what the tempest usually wears. He uses the Ice form shout to disable his enemies and cut them to ribbons, frost breath to hurt groups and slow time to slow enemies to a freeze.
Weapon: Frostbite - Stalhrim greatsword enchanted with frost and chaos damage
Mask: Dukaan
Shouts: Ice form, Frost breath, Slow time
The path of fire
Under the fire path the tempest wields a greataxe and blasts his foes with his fire breath. He can also cause his enemies weapons to glow red hot forcing, them to drop them. (I also use unrelening force here beacuse damn, there are too few fire based shouts!)
Weapon: Frostburn - Stalhrim battleaxe enchanted with fire and chaos damage
Mask: Ahzidal
Shouts: Fire breath, Disarm, Unrelenting force
The path of storms
The Tempest takes on the aspect of a thunderstorm, wields a warhammer and causes great chaos. He can call forth storms, cyclones and sprints across the battlefield like the wind.
Weapon: Thunder- Stalhrim warhammer enchanted with lightning and chaos damage
Mask: Zahriiksos
Shouts: Call storm, Cyclone, Whirlwind sprint, Unrelenting force
Other gear
Apart from the masks and weapons the tempest uses a full set of enchanted heavy stalhrim armor. Listed here.
Chest: Fortify health Fortify Stamina
Gloves: Fortify two-handed amd fortify one handed(In case I want to start using sword and board/Dual wielding later)
Boots: Resist shock and resist fire. These combined with your natural frost resistance and the dragon masks will let you max out the elemental resistance of your choice.
Ring: Fortify two handed and magic resistance
Amulet: Fortify two handed and magic resistance
With all you gear finished, the agent of Mara effect and the Lord sign you will hit 80% magic resist, combined with the masks you hit the 85% resistance cap for the element of you choice. Your mastery of the elements lets you almost completely shrug of any spell based attack!
The path of fire
Role-playing the Stalhrim Tempest
The tempest is a warrior, out to prove his mettle and increase his mastery of the elements. Seek out all the elemental shouts, challenge the greatest foes you can find, tackle your problems head on and never back down from a fight. The companions, the main quest and Dawnguard all make sense to finish. Also make sure to complete your mask collection by slaying the dragon priests in Skyrim as well!
Though he is not a thief and never steals he has little respect or understanding of the laws of civilized lands. He would never kill in cold blood but if someone thinks they are safe behind guards and city walls they are sorely mistaken.
Endgame, Level 50 Perk build
At level 50 with the build completed the tempest becomes very powerful. You will master your martial skills and further increase your elemental damage through destruction magic.
Impressed with the control the mages of Skyrim has over the elements the Stalhrim Tempest seeks out a trainer for destruction magic. He also reads up on the subject through skill books (Pick up the double skills gain from books effect you can get in Dragonborn). Though he never actually casts any magic he learns ways to further improve the elemental enchantments on his weapons.
The final form of the Frostbite greatsword combining Stalhrim with the Dukaan mask and the augmented frost perk for a very powerful weapon.
Two handed: Barbarian 5/5, Champions stance, Devastating blow, Great critical charge, Sweep, Warmaster
Enchanting: Everything!
Smithing: Right side up to Daedric, Arcane blacksmith (If you want you can respec these skills at this point and put them into block and max out shield wall and pickup combat reflexes)
Heavy armor: Juggernaut 2/5, Well fitted, Tower of strength, Fists of steel, Cushioned, Conditioning, Matching set, Reflect Blows
Block: Shield wall 1/5, Power Bash, Deadly bash, DIsarming bash
Destruction: Novice destruction, Augmented flames 2/2, Augmented frost 2/2, Augmented shock 2/2
Your flames do not burn me dragon!
If you got this far, thanks for reading and I hope you like the build! Don't hesitate to leave a comment. Peace!
We need more builds that implement Dragonborn DLC. Ty for doing such. I got other people's builds lined up but I'm sure I'll take another look at this, by then your touch ups should be implemented like Ben said.
Question: Shouldnt the Race be one with no elemental or magic resistance? Nord has 50% Frost resistance as you may know, so Frost damage is gimped.
We need more builds that implement Dragonborn DLC. Ty for doing such. I got other people's builds lined up but I'm sure I'll take another look at this, by then your touch ups should be implemented like Ben said.
Question: Shouldnt the Race be one with no elemental or magic resistance? Nord has 50% Frost resistance as you may know, so Frost damage is gimped.
Yeah I power leveled a Nord and used Mason's build, I made the mistake in doing so since Blizzard was one of it's main spells used. Special moves.
Yeah I power leveled a Nord and used Mason's build, I made the mistake in doing so since Blizzard was one of it's main spells used. Special moves.
Verry nice build, a 2handed sorcerer lol Been thinking about and looking for something like this.
Quistions;
- Why deadric smithing? Stahlrin is ebony? I think u might hit the cap witout deadric mask improvement.
- No ranged weopons at al? Or a stahlrin bow for dragons?
Thats it, its sweet and simple, +1
EDIT: Ur not goin to pick up destruction augment? Why?
EDIT 2: wats the advise on the health/magica/stamina distrubution?
Verry nice build, a 2handed sorcerer lol Been thinking about and looking for something like this.
Quistions;
- Why deadric smithing? Stahlrin is ebony? I think u might hit the cap witout deadric mask improvement.
- No ranged weopons at al? Or a stahlrin bow for dragons?
Thats it, its sweet and simple, +1
EDIT: Ur not goin to pick up destruction augment? Why?
EDIT 2: wats the advise on the health/magica/stamina distrubution?
Thanks!
Daedric is for the masks yeah, I didn't do any exact calculations for how close I'd get to the cap, sorta picked it to be safe. Right now I'm at 600 armor with 2 points in juggernaut.
Yeah I went without ranged at all, dragons land, just stay in cover! And when you get dragonrend there isn't any need for ranged I find.
I will probably post an extended build for level 50 or something that picks up destruction augment, seems like the logical way for the build to go.
And as for health/magica/stamina. I ignore magica and go for like 4/1 Health/stamina
Thanks!
Daedric is for the masks yeah, I didn't do any exact calculations for how close I'd get to the cap, sorta picked it to be safe. Right now I'm at 600 armor with 2 points in juggernaut.
Yeah I went without ranged at all, dragons land, just stay in cover! And when you get dragonrend there isn't any need for ranged I find.
I will probably post an extended build for level 50 or something that picks up destruction augment, seems like the logical way for the build to go.
And as for health/magica/stamina. I ignore magica and go for like 4/1 Health/stamina
Then you can likely drop daedric smithing, and if need be go for a third point in Juggernaut. With full armor the armor cap is at 567 rating.
Then you can likely drop daedric smithing, and if need be go for a third point in Juggernaut. With full armor the armor cap is at 567 rating.
Well to me that doesn't matter really, I like having all my stuff Legendary and if you hit the cap with one point in either tree then whats the difference?
I was thinking if I do post a lvl 50 build, what would be peoples thoughts on it using the respecs you get at the end of dragonborn? Seems to me like All of those smithing perks are just going to waste once you have the gear you need.
Well to me that doesn't matter really, I like having all my stuff Legendary and if you hit the cap with one point in either tree then whats the difference?
I was thinking if I do post a lvl 50 build, what would be peoples thoughts on it using the respecs you get at the end of dragonborn? Seems to me like All of those smithing perks are just going to waste once you have the gear you need.