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Character Build: The Witch

Tags: #Character Build Elementalist  #Character Build Mage  #Character Build Illusionist  #Rank:Legendary 
  • Member
    January 3, 2012

    This build was inspired by the many 'disadvantaged' Nord warriors that were found in Morrowind, and the hags in Bloodmoon. It fits the niche in my set of characters for a mage-assasin. So I present:

    The Witch

    The Witch is a cunning and sneaky mage, able to stay out of sight and hearing, while creating confusion from a distance with Illusion magic and blasting enemies with the power of the elements - frost and lightning. She can also mix potent poisons, and deliver them right to her enemies with a deft hand. She wears light armor to protect herself from harm as well as Alteration magic to further improve protection, paralyze enemies make use of the other spells it offers. She has no need of healing magic, as her alchemy prowess compensates for it. When confronting foes, the Witch prefers to first sow a little confusion, either by planting Fear and Frenzy poisons and taking equipment, or casting Illusion spells. This is done undetected, from invisibility and muffle spells or potions, and her sneaking ability. Tougher foes are then paralyzed while she batters the rest of her foes with frost and lightning. The Armor of the Old Gods set it ideal for the Witch - available very early on and fortifies Magicka, Destruction and Sneak.

    Race: I took Nord due to the source material being Morrowind's Fryse Hags, although any magic-oriented race like Altmer or Breton would work as well.

    Stone:For an XP stone you'll want either the Mage or Lover (as she also uses many stealth skills), or otherwise the Shadow or Serpent stones for their very useful respective abilities.

    Stat Distribution: 1/3/0 in Health/Magicka/Stamina. As a light armor user with lots of potions Stamina isn't really necessary.

    Major Skills

    Destruction: Main mode of offense. The Witch specializes in Frost and dabbles in Lightning, and is proficient in spells of all levels. She also knows how to dual-cast these spells. Key perks include up to Adept Destruction, Rune Master, Augmented Frost, and later on Deep Freeze.

    Pickpocket- Has plenty of utility. Throw in a paralysis poison and steal all their equipment! Key perks are Poisoned, Perfect Touch and Misdirection.

    Alteration: Protection and paralysis, not to mention a multitude of other uses. The Witch is proficient in Alteration spells of all levels. Other key perks are Stability and Magic Resistance.

    Illusion: Sow misdirection and improve your stealth capabilities. Only up to Adept Illusion is needed until much later on, but other key perks include up to Aspect of Rage and Quiet Casting.

    Minor Skills

    Alchemy: Potent brews of poisons allow you to inflict multiple effects at once. Since no Restoration magic is used, Alchemy will also be used to heal. Key perks would be Alchemist, Benefactor and Poisoner.

    Sneak: Since we aren't sneak attacking and Illusion takes care of basically everything on the left side of the tree, only a rank of Stealth is necessary.

    Light Armor: Basic protection. A few ranks of Agile Defender will suffice.

    Fryssa slays an unwary Bandit with the power of the elements

    Equipment Notes:

    A specialized set of equipment can be easily found without having to go into the Enchanting skill.

    Armor of the Old Gods: This armor set can be acquired very early in the game, and it doesn't scale to your level. It's acquired from the Nobody Escapes Cindha Mine quest in Markarth, but only if you help Madanach. The Help gives you 30 Magicka, the chest cuts Destruction spell cost by 15%, and the boots improve Sneaking by 20%. The Gauntlet's enchantments are irrelevant, so you can just take whatever you find.

    Nettlebane: The Witch keeps a small melee weapon to deliver poisons after combat has started. She's no warrior or assassin - it is only used to poison others. I figured that Nettlebane was a very appropriate in both looks and origin, and it can be acquired from the Gildergreen quest in Whiterun.

    Other:Other than that you'll ideally be going for spell cost and magicka fortification equipment. Since alchemy is a largely self-sufficient skill - in my alchemy grinding adventures I've never purchased ingredients - you'll have plenty of gold to spare - so buy some magic gauntlets from a smithy, and grab some jewelry from Radiant Raiment.

    Roleplay Notes:

    The way I played my Witch was as a 'chaotic neutral' alignment in D&D terms - she isn't necessarily opposed to helping people but she does have a cunning and mischievous nature - people she talks to might mysteriously find their possessions missing (or at higher levels, their pants). Alternatively, you could play a more evil Witch that uses alchemy and Illusion to terrorize citizens.

    Special Moves:

    Novice - Cripple

    Requires: Poisoned

    Cripple an enemies' combat ability before they get a chance to strike. Against a mage, poison them with Damage Magicka and Damage Magicka Regeneration poisons. Against warriors, use Slow, Damage Stamina, and Damage Stamina Regeneration.

    Apprentice - Witch's Brew

    Requires: Poisoned, Apprentice Destruction

    Use your Alchemy to its fullest extent. Sneak up on a boss using an Invisibility potion, then poison them with Weakness to Poison, Weakness to Magic, Weakness to (element), and finally paralysis. Then down a fortify Destruction potion and unleash your favourite spells on them!

    Apprentice - Change of Heart

    Requires: Apprentice Illusion

    Take two people out of a fight. Hit one with a Fear and the other with a Fury; they'll chase each other around until the duration expires or one of them dies!

    Adept - Group Chaos

    Requires: Adept Illusion, Throw Voice

    Use Throw Voice amidst a group of enemies. As they draw near, hit the lot of them with an AoE Frenzy spell, chaos among them as the battle each other. Picking off the survivors is easy work.

    Expert - Relieve

    Requires: Misdirection, Perfect Touch

    The Witch's signature move. Works best against warrior enemies; not so well against mages. Sneak up on an enemy and attempt to relieve him/her of their arms and armor. Always go for the weapon first - armor isn't much of an issue considering you're doing magic damage. If it's a heavy weapon like a two-hander use a Pickpocket potion beforehand.

    Master - Witch's Storm

    Requires: Master Destruction, Master Alteration, Become Ethereal

    The pinnacle of the Witch's destructive capabilities. Coat an area in Frost Wall, before turning Ethereal as your enemies approach and cast Mass Paralysis. While they're down, hit them with a Blizzard for massive damage. If you're out of magicka, you can run around and hit them with Weakness to Frost/Magic poisons.

    Combat Notes (Video)

    You should generally open combat with some well-placed poison and/or Illusion spells, and then start on the Destruction magic when you're either spotted or ready to join in! Something very important to note is that while people are getting up from a knockdown you can pickpocket them again - easy for the Witch to do with Paralysis effects. The video and special abilities should give you an idea of how to play. It's quite a complex playstyle but very fun!

    I'm also including a link to the UESP's Alchemy Effects page, which details each effect and what ingredients have that effect.

     

    Sample 25 Perk Build

    170 Health | 280 Magicka | 100 Stamina

    Destruction: Up to Adept Destruction, Rune Master, Dual Casting, Augmented Frost

    Pickpocket: Light Fingers 2, Night Thief, Poisoned, Cutpurse

    Alchemy: Alchemist 3, Benefactor, Poisoner

    Sneak: Stealth 1

    Illusion: Up to Apprentice Illusion, Animage, Kindred Mage

    Alteration: Novice and Apprentice Alteration, Magic Resistance 1

    Light Armor:Agile Defender 1

     

    Let me know what you think in the comments, and don't forget to shoot me a like!

  • January 4, 2012

    Ok i really liked this one ponty, she's like a female briarheart!

    I like her aversion to fire, great for roleplay and for once someones gone down the poisoner route which ive always liked the sound of but have yet to learn. As usual great piccys!

    What race? Breton?

  • Member
    January 4, 2012

    I went with Nord because I hadn't played one, as well as the source of inspiration from Morrowind and Bloodmoon. It isn't really based on any racial features so one would work as well as any other I guess.

    My remaining two builds just get more and more obscure, so keep your eye out, theres another coming up in another half hour or so!

  • Member
    January 5, 2012

    Updated with level 25 build.

  • January 5, 2012

    I love those screen shots!  She's got a great look!  

  • January 7, 2012

    What kind of armor is that? It looks a bit like the forsworn armor, but it looks different...

  • January 7, 2012

    Read the description man! Armor of the old gods!

  • January 7, 2012

    oops! i'm sorry i skipped over that line

  • January 7, 2012

    PA HA!! Loved the part where you poison-raped that necro-mage!! These build video's are great! Wish i could contribute! Maybe i should invest in a decent PC!

  • January 16, 2012

    Awesome Ponty, If I remember correctly that disadvantaged nord was the guy who wanted that cloud-bearer axe or whatever, nice.