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Character Build: The Arcane Axeman

Tags: #Character Build Barbarian  #Character Build Assassin  #Character Build Bound Weapons  #Race:Orsimer  #Rank:Mythic  #Enchanter  #Conjuration  #sneak  #Skyrim  #Handed  #Heavy  #Two  #Zach 
  • Member
    March 1, 2013

    This build is based off of the use of the Bound Battleaxe. The idea is not to make it a viable endgame weapon. The idea is to make the preferable endgame weapon. I am proud to present:

                                                  The Fantastic Screenshots Are By TZ!

    The Bound Battleaxe is amazing because it has no weight. The weightlessness allows for seemingly unlimited power attacks, you will only see the stamina bar flashing if it is a excessively long battle. 

    The lack of weight on the bound battleaxe synergies amazingly with great critical charge and the steed stone (later the steed stone is replaced with conditioning). It allows you to continuously sprint around the battlefield critical charging every aggressor. Great critical charge does double critical damage, that is even more than a standard power attack with devastating blow. 

    When using Become Ethereal the attack that breaks ethereal state uses no stamina. This allows for a free great critical charge into battle. More importantly, you are invincible while charging in, enemy power attacks, spells, and the like suddenly become useless against you. 

    The Build

    Race: Any race can work, but here are the 2 that truly shine.

    Orsimer: This is the race I picked, and I heavily recommend it. It has multiple skill bonuses, and berserk rage can make any difficult fight easy. Also orcs look great in ebony armor.

    Argonian: Besides the random health potions that you find through natural gameplay (or you can buy them), this build has no healing. That makes histskin incredibly useful, especially since you can continue to attack while your health regenerates. However they only have 2 skill boosts, but that is not a big deal.

    Stat Distribution: 1 : 1 : 1 (Magicka : Health : Stamina)

    All attributes are equally important, so they all need investment.

    Standing Stone: Mage or Warrior -> Steed -> Steed + Lord -> Shadow + Lord

    The conditioning perk makes the steed stone obsolete, so replacing it with the shadow stone is a good option.

    Shouts: Unrelenting Force, Slow Time, Become EtherealThrow Voice

    The links go to the UESP pages detailing locations, quests, effects, etc.

    Major Skills

    Two Handed: Two handed is the primary source of damage. The middle tree of perks is only useful here, since limbsplitter does not affect the bound battleaxe to my knowledge. Even if it did, it would not be very useful.

    Conjuration: Conjuration is full of goodies for the Arcane Axeman. Not only does it give you the ability to summon the bound battleaxe, enhance it's damage, and allow it to soul trap victims, but the summons are very effective as well. 

    Heavy Armor: Since there is no time or stamina for blocking, heavy armor is a must. It provides you with maximum protection possible (as well as alteration). Also heavy armor looks pretty badass, that is always important.

    Enchanting: Fortify two handed helps make up for the mediocre damage of the Bound Battles. Leveling enchanting is a breeze. Once you get soul stealer every swing of your ax casts soul trap on the target, just buy a bunch of soul gems and fill them as you adventure.

    Minor Skills

    Alteration: Though alteration is a minor skill, that does not mean it is any less needed than any of the major skills. The armor rating boosts that flesh spells provide give you even more tanking capabilities. The magic resistance perks are a no brainier if you want to be able to survive high level mages and dragons.

    Sneak: Sneak is a very fun skill that adds a lot of dynamic to the build. Once you start taking sneak perks (more on that later) you will be able to play as a various potent and enjoyable combinations of warrior, assassin, and mage. 

    Perks

    Level 25

    Stat Distribution  190 : 180 : 170 (Magicka : Health : Stamina)

    Level 50

    Stat Distribution: 230 : 310 : 250 (322) (Magicka : Health : Stamina)

    The numbers in brackets/parenthesis are the attributes after being modified by enchantments.  

    After level 25 I started using sneak. You will need approximately 170-180 magicka to use sneak effectively, depending on your enchanting level so you can cast muffle and summon the bound battleaxe.

    Equipment

    Low Level Gear

    Low level gear is the equipment that you use before you get the extra effect perk. Before you get your endgame armor, use the best heavy armor available.

    • Head: Fortify Conjuration
    • Chest: Fortify Alteration
    • Gauntlets: Fortify Two Handed
    • Boots: Fortify Two Handed
    • Ring: Fortify Two Handed
    • Necklace: Resist Magic

    Obviously (hopefully) the only weapon yous should be using once you get apprentice conjuration is the bound battlesaxe

    Endgame Gear

    Endgame gear is the equipment that you should use when you have maxed out enchanting, and have the extra effect perk.

    You can get the Jagged Crown by using this bug. The bug is made much easier by using a paralysis effect, because after a target is getting up from being paralyzed pickpocket success rate is 100%. The Jagged Crown allows you to where an additional piece of head apparel. 

    Combat Modes

    Two combat “modes” are utilized. They are different ways to approach and fight in engagements.

    Warrior Mode

    With warrior mode you would be great critical charging (with become ethereal of coarse), sweeping, and generally bashing faces in. Make sure to always have the blessing of talos activated so that you can use the amazing become ethereal. When going into combat in warrior mode you should cast your best flesh spell the conjure up the appropriate summon forwards in the middle of all the enemies. Then summon the bound battleaxe, use become ethereal, and charge in.

    Stealth Mode

    Stealth mode is for attacking sneakily and tactically. Before entering the combat zone cast muffle and conjure the bound battleaxe. Use throw voice to position enemies how you need them to be, or use the shadow stone. Then sneak up and stealth power attack the strongest enemy. Since stealth attacks with battleaxe's are loud, you will be detected, so proceed to kill everyone else in the room/area.

    Battle Tactics

    These are not special moves, but they are useful combinations of perks, spells, and abilities.

    Ethereal Charge- (Bound Battleaxe) + Become Ethereal + Great Critical Charge

    I have mentioned this tactic multiple times, but I cannot stress enough how beneficial it is. Being able to get the first strike on an adversary without taking any damage is great, especially since no stamina is used. Add in the massive amount of stagger, and it becomes an amazing opening move.

    The Lawnmower”- (Bound Battleaxe) + Sweep + Storm Atronach

    I call it the lawnmower because it "mows" down the enemy in droves. This is the last word in crowd control. The low stamina cost for power attacks with the bound battleaxe makes sweep even more potent.

    Assassination- Shadow Stone + Muffle + Berserk Rage + (Great Critical Charge and Silent Roll)

    I feel that this moves is self explanatory. It is for taking out a strong enemy in one massive blow. 

    Who Is An Arcane Axeman?

    For actual roleplaying, it is all up to you, roleplay is not an important aspect to this build. I played my Arcance Axeman as an impatient, greedy, boisterous, rude, and self serving Orsimer mercenary who gradually matured as a person during his time in the companions. I love playing as a mercenary because it leaves a lot of space for expansion on RP, and a lot of side quests.

    Suggested Quests

    Civil War: You need to do up to at least to after “The Jagged Crown” to get the Jagged Crown. This quest also gets you a word of slow time.

    Companions: Not entirely necessary, but having access to high level heavy armor and two handed trainers is great.

    Aetherium Wars: To get the Aetherial Crown you gotta do this one.

    College of Winterhold: I joined them to be able to buy high level spells, and for the high level alteration and conjuration trainers.

    The Main Questline: I just did it up to "The Horn Of Jugen Windcaller" so I could use shouts and get an easy become ethereal word.

    Video 

    Special Thanks

    TZ- He went out of his way for me to take 30+ amazing screenshots! I deeply appreciate his help.

    Ponty- In a comment I asked him if he was going to make an "Arcane Axeman" for his series. He said no, because it not work well in that particular series. That inspired me to make this build.

    Ben C- I originally had no lore/backstory, but he suggested some reference material and it took off from there!

     

     

     

     

  • March 1, 2013
    Awesome build. But I think your Songbird was better. It had so much more lore around it. But a great build nonetheless.
  • March 1, 2013
    I don't like bound battle axe, but this is worthy of a like. But I agree with Matt, I like you Songbird more because of how much lore you established about the group. But, not every build needs that, so it's only a mild complaint. Keep doing what you're doing mate :)
  • Member
    March 1, 2013

    Yeah for this build I could of done lore, but it really didn't feel right. It would of just been some cheap explanation. It came so easily with the Songbird because I based the entire off the build from the very start with the lore. With this I was looking at the actual gameplay more. Thanks for the comments and likes!

  • March 1, 2013

    I know this is a fun build to play.  My current character is very similar to this one.  I didn't put perks into sneak, nor did I take any alteration perks - I threw some into smithing; I'm playing an 'typical' orsimer (with conjuration added), and it just didn't seem right without it.  Even without alteration, I was still able to get some magic resistance (eg lord stone, and enchants).   Very good build.

    I love the bound weapons.  In early game it's nice to have a zero-weight daedric strength weapon.  In late game, it's nice to be able to one hit kill an enemy summoned atronach, and avoid being disarmed.  They have a nice attack speed, and you're able to perform more power attacks before tiring.  Attacking with a bound weapon raises the conjuration skill as well as the weapon skill.   Plus, if desired, poison can be applied to them.   And it's ideal for the enchanting skill (fill soul gems without ever having to worry about recharging your soul bound weapon).

  • Member
    March 1, 2013

    I love them too. It is too bad that it is only glass tier for the ax, but still. The not getting disarmed is one of the best bits! I always have reload over and over again in draugur dungeons because I get disarmed and cannot find my weapon . I didn't go for oblivion binding because with sweep I sometimes hit my own summons, but I still like that perk. 

  • Member
    March 1, 2013

    You know, I remember you commenting on my Arcane Warrior build saying that you were making a build utilizing the Bound Battleaxe; it's nice to see that it came to fruition. Well done, this is certainly better than my version. I also seem to be the only one who likes this build better.

  • Member
    March 1, 2013

    Heh heh thanks man, both builds ar

  • Member
    March 1, 2013

    Arg Ning ate my comment:

    "Heh heh thanks man, both builds are good in different ways" is what I mean't to say 

  • Member
    March 1, 2013

    Nice, I think it's safe to say you have effectively stuck it to Ponty. This is a great way to make a underrated fighting style worth something. +1 from me.