Skyrim Character Building » Discussions


Character Build: The Mineralist

Tags: #Character Build Elementalist  #Character Build Alchemist  #Rank:Recognized 
  • Member
    March 26, 2013

    "I've spent years mastering my technique, turning Iron into Silver, and Silver into Gold. I'm the top of my field, skilled and dynamic. I know everything there is to know about metal, and many other alchemical devices. My knowledge is defined."

    Build Outline

    Transmute is a spell used little throughout Skyrim. This build aims to use it to create precious metals either to sell, create items with or thermally transfer into rune spells. 

    Requirements 

    Race: Breton, Khajiit or Altmer. (All of these have boosts in either Alchemy or Alteration. Breton is advised for both of these boosts.)

    Stone: Atronach Stone

    Minor Skills: You should only need Speech & Restoration as back up skills.

    Ratio: In a ratio of Magicka, Health, Stamina you should place it as such: 3 l 2 l 1

    Major Skills:

    Alteration

    Mainly for the use of the Transmute spell as well as finding great use in the Telekinesis spell whilst in the mines. Also use it for casting Mage Armor to up protection.

    Alchemy

    Using your skills in transferring metals you can mix potions to create powerful mixtures to assist you when fighting.

    Destruction

    Use Destruction to create runes from the transferred metals as an output for them.

    One-Handed

    Use one-handed as a ventilation for your poisons and also as a helpful assist to your runes whilst in battle.

    Perks:

    Level 25: http://skyrimcalculator.com/#278060

    Level 50: http://skyrimcalculator.com/#278062

    Combat 

    Despite the mineralist being a mainly roleplay based build, there are several combatant skills available. Firstly, the mineralist always vents some of his ore into fire. Runes are a particularly useful way to avoid hack and slash combat with this character and I would advise creating a door trap in which you place a rune behind a door, open the door to allow the enemy to chase you and watch them run into their death. 

    If it comes to head-on-head combat, the mineralist always has his trusty pickaxe. Now it may seem stupid, having a pickaxe to fight with, however the ancient nordic pickaxe Hoarfrost (pictured above) has an amazing 15 point health and stamina damage enchantment. Of course, that is only for dragonborn players.

    If you must fall back on a more powerful weapon the most roleplay-friendly device would be Keening. It's perfect for a character like this as well as being fast and sharp.

    Roleplay

    One of the first and most important things you should do is set up a laboratory. My personal favourite being Vlindrel Hall in Markarth. For low level players I would advise the simple use of Alchemist's Shack. Breezehome's laboratory felt quite small and packed, the shack is out in a wide open space that gives you your own space to work.

    Vlindrel Hall is also very close to Cidhna Mine, as well as several mines that are a short distance from Markarth that will be useful for collecting and mining ore to be transmuted. It also has a diverse landscape full of alchemical ingredients and is close to the Hag's Cure Alchemical store.

    You should also travel to Winterhold and the College regularly, so you are able to meet with Tolfdir, your master in Alteration. Travel The Reach also, collecting ore that you can transmute in it's many mines whilst keeping up your combat skills by removing some forsworn.

    Special Moves

    Speedy Transmute

    You transmute from iron straight to gold by casting the spell twice.

    Trapdoor

    You create a rune spell behind a door and then open it so the enemy falls onto the rune.

    Thank you for reading my build, I hope you enjoyed it. :)

  • Member
    March 26, 2013

    Clever Idea! Try adding more special moves and an armor section. +1 from me! 

  • Member
    March 26, 2013

    Nice idea, I like the thought of travelling the globe, pick-axing percious metals and transmuting them and using them for gemstones for jewellery or mixing with magic for Runes kind of.

    However, could you please add a detailed section about the gameplay + battle tactics?

    I shall reserve a like

  • Member
    March 26, 2013
    Sure, sounds fair.
  • Member
    March 26, 2013

    The special moves aren't strictly special, but a few more wouldn't go amiss ?

  • March 26, 2013

    I think you should ditch the "speedy transmute" special move. There isn't really anything special about it.

  • Member
    March 26, 2013
    Nice idea mate :) I'm curious why choose alchemy? Wouldn't smithing be more fitting to the mineralist? You'll end up leveling it up anyway. Can you also explain your Trapdoor move? Description is a little vague.
  • Member
    March 26, 2013
    Generally in real life trends, many mineralists have been associated heavily with alchemy. I was considering adding smithing but I might do so anyways soon. And when I get back on my computer I'll put up a video of the trapdoor move.
  • Member
    March 26, 2013
    The way I see it you cast a rune behind a closed door then open the door letting enemy to see you and run right on the rune? Also you didn't mention armor skills, does it mean you're not using armor?
  • Member
    March 26, 2013
    If you add smithing, I suggest grabbing the Notched Pickaxe. It's a pickaxe that is pre-enchanted and can be upgraded if you have the Arcane Blacksmith perk. Possibly dual wield it with Hoarfrost. I'm intrigued by the miner/transmuter concept, but you need to work on your presentation and add more to it.