This build was heavily inspired by the LOTRO class Champion (who would've guessed). Previous melee builds of mine have needed to spend levelups on Magicka and duck out of combat frequently to heal. As a solution to this problem I present:
The Champion
The Champion is all about hitting first, fast and hard, while still being reasonably durable. They excel in combat against single targets, able to press the attack and leave no room for the foe to retaliate. Her masterfully crafted gear allows her to slice through enemies with ease, deliver mighty shots from a distance, and turn aside blows. The Champion has no use for magic, as it would require a pause in the deadly dance of battle. Instead, she crafts an array of potent draughts that can help her in battle, both to defend herself and restore health and stamina, without having to let up. Using a different weapon in each hand, she aims to master them both. Most Champions are Redguards, as they are naturally proficient in one-handed weapons and their amazing bursts of stamina are invaluable in difficult combats.
I used the Warrior Stone, since the 3 major skills are all Warrior skills. Key shouts include Elemental Fury, Dismay and Ice Form (to help with multiple foes), Unrelenting Force (since we can't shieldbash) and Whirlwind Sprint, to close quickly on another after you defeat an enemy.
The Champion also makes a good mounted combatant, using Archery and waraxes. Stronger foes can be killed by whittling them down with archery, and weaker foes can be taken down with your waraxe. The bleed damage makes it ideal for a mounted combat weapon in ride-by attacks.
Major Skills
One-Handed - The Champion's main skill. A different weapon should be used in each hand to increase the options you have in combat. I used an axe in my left for more powerful power attacks and bleed damage and a sword in my main hand for faster basic attacks. You can use whichever you choose - see the weapons section below.
Heavy Armor - This class is all about being right up in your enemies' faces, so heavy armor is essential. We should concentrate on just the Juggernaught perks, only getting the others if really necessary.
Smithing - Master-crafted weapons and armor give you an edge over your enemies. Working our way up the heavy armor side of the tree (obviously).
Minor Skills
Archery - Every class should have some sort of ranged option. The Champion uses a bow to initate combat from a distance for the sneak attack damage, and to take care of dragons. Only perks would be Overdraw and maybe Eagle Eye.
Alchemy - When you do need to heal or resist a particularly nasty attack, we have alchemy. Using a potion doesn't interrupt combat which is what we're aiming for. We'd be looking at getting Alchemist, Physician and Benefactor.
Sneak - Mainly just for Deadly Aim and Muffled Movement. This allows us to get a head-start on enemies and single out particularly tough ones.
Isolda fells a mighty Giant
Equipment Selection and Usage
With the 4 different types of one-handed weapons available and many armor styles, the Champion has a large selection of equipment to choose from. Depending on how many smithing perks you choose to take, I either recommend Wolf Armor/Skyforge/Nord Hero weapons, Nordic Carved gear, or Stalhrim. With the latter 2 sets make sure you grab the Steed Stone for quick movement.
For weapons you've got a few options.
Sword and Dagger - very quick, though lower damage at low levels
Sword and Sword - still quite quick, solid damage all round
Axe and Axe - good for stacking on damage over times
Mace and Mace - Very slow, I don't recommend it, you're better off with...
Mace and Sword/Dagger - you've got a slow, crushing and fast weapon for dealing with different targets, and your flurry attack is very quick
Axe and Sword/Dagger - Similar to mace and dagger, flurry attack is very powerful and leaves stacked bleeds
DLC Notes
Dawnguard adds 2 new useful weapons for the Champion - the crossbow, perfect for delivering a single shot from hiding before attacking, and the Dawnguard Rune Axe, for dealing with mages (it breaks wards) and undead.
Dragonborn's stone bonuses are very useful for the Champion combined with Alchemy. Drinking an appropriate potion (fortify destruction for example) before activating the ability (Sun Flare for example) can greatly boost the effectiveness of the ability, giving the Champion a few neat backup powers.
This build was heavily inspired by the LOTRO class Champion (who would've guessed). Previous melee builds of mine have needed to spend levelups on Magicka and duck out of combat frequently to heal. As a solution to this problem I present:
The Champion
The Champion is all about hitting first, fast and hard, while still being reasonably durable. They excel in combat against single targets, able to press the attack and leave no room for the foe to retaliate. Her masterfully crafted gear allows her to slice through enemies with ease, deliver mighty shots from a distance, and turn aside blows. The Champion has no use for magic, as it would require a pause in the deadly dance of battle. Instead, she crafts an array of potent draughts that can help her in battle, both to defend herself and restore health and stamina, without having to let up. Using a different weapon in each hand, she aims to master them both. Most Champions are Redguards, as they are naturally proficient in one-handed weapons and their amazing bursts of stamina are invaluable in difficult combats.
I used the Warrior Stone, since the 3 major skills are all Warrior skills. Key shouts include Elemental Fury, Dismay and Ice Form (to help with multiple foes), Unrelenting Force (since we can't shieldbash) and Whirlwind Sprint, to close quickly on another after you defeat an enemy.
The Champion also makes a good mounted combatant, using Archery and waraxes. Stronger foes can be killed by whittling them down with archery, and weaker foes can be taken down with your waraxe. The bleed damage makes it ideal for a mounted combat weapon in ride-by attacks.
Major Skills
One-Handed - The Champion's main skill. A different weapon should be used in each hand to increase the options you have in combat. I used an axe in my left for more powerful power attacks and bleed damage and a sword in my main hand for faster basic attacks. You can use whichever you choose - see the weapons section below.
Heavy Armor - This class is all about being right up in your enemies' faces, so heavy armor is essential. We should concentrate on just the Juggernaught perks, only getting the others if really necessary.
Smithing - Master-crafted weapons and armor give you an edge over your enemies. Working our way up the heavy armor side of the tree (obviously).
Minor Skills
Archery - Every class should have some sort of ranged option. The Champion uses a bow to initate combat from a distance for the sneak attack damage, and to take care of dragons. Only perks would be Overdraw and maybe Eagle Eye.
Alchemy - When you do need to heal or resist a particularly nasty attack, we have alchemy. Using a potion doesn't interrupt combat which is what we're aiming for. We'd be looking at getting Alchemist, Physician and Benefactor.
Sneak - Mainly just for Deadly Aim and Muffled Movement. This allows us to get a head-start on enemies and single out particularly tough ones.
Isolda fells a mighty Giant
Equipment Selection and Usage
With the 4 different types of one-handed weapons available and many armor styles, the Champion has a large selection of equipment to choose from. Depending on how many smithing perks you choose to take, I either recommend Wolf Armor/Skyforge/Nord Hero weapons, Nordic Carved gear, or Stalhrim. With the latter 2 sets make sure you grab the Steed Stone for quick movement.
For weapons you've got a few options.
Sword and Dagger - very quick, though lower damage at low levels
Sword and Sword - still quite quick, solid damage all round
Axe and Axe - good for stacking on damage over times
Mace and Mace - Very slow, I don't recommend it, you're better off with...
Mace and Sword/Dagger - you've got a slow, crushing and fast weapon for dealing with different targets, and your flurry attack is very quick
Axe and Sword/Dagger - Similar to mace and dagger, flurry attack is very powerful and leaves stacked bleeds
DLC Notes
Dawnguard adds 2 new useful weapons for the Champion - the crossbow, perfect for delivering a single shot from hiding before attacking, and the Dawnguard Rune Axe, for dealing with mages (it breaks wards) and undead.
Dragonborn's stone bonuses are very useful for the Champion combined with Alchemy. Drinking an appropriate potion (fortify destruction for example) before activating the ability (Sun Flare for example) can greatly boost the effectiveness of the ability, giving the Champion a few neat backup powers.
