Skyrim Character Building » Discussions


Character Build: The Black Arrow

Tags: #Character Build Archer  #Rank:Exemplar  #Character Build Role-play 
  • Member
    June 20, 2013

    The Black Arrow

    * This is a Role-play heavy build inspired by the in game book, The Black Arrow.

          The original Black Arrow has been long dead, but not forgotten. None since has been able to match the skills on the bow that the Dunmer Missun Akin showed years before, none until you came along...

         The people of Skyrim soon hear of your exploits, A man clad in black firing arrows that are as black as the darkest night. A man that has taken the Thieves guild to heights it hasn't seen in years. Rumors swirl of you being a spirit of shadow, that you are not mortal. A legend to the people of Skyrim whether they think of you as hero or villain, everybody has heard your story. 

         Some have called you the rebirth of Grey Fox, others the Saint of Nocturnal; but most know you as The Black Arrow, for the stories of how you are God with a Bow.

         The Build:

    Race: Nord, Imperial or Breton (the original Black Arrow was Dunmer, and even some think you are Dunmer. However the truth is most haven't been left alive to attest of who you actually are)

    Stone: Level 1-25 Thief Stone, 25-50 The Lady Stone, 51-End Game The Lord Stone

    Stat Spread: Level 1-40 0:1:2, Level 41-on 2:1:0

    Major Skills: Archery, Smithing, One Handed

    Minor Skills: Sneak, Pick-Pocket, Lock-picking, Enchant, Conjuration and Illusion after level 40

         Background: 

    You are a young man making a living by taking advantage of the unwary peoples of Skyrim. You run with a crew of thieves and low-lifes called the "Running River Boys", and has advanced up the ranks of the bandit clan due to your fantastic skills on the Bow. Somehow the bow has always felt natural to you, you are able to make almost impossible shots, while running with the other bandits has taught you the ways of a common thief (one handed, sneak, pick-pocket, lock picking). Your Boss, Alain, has taken notice and appointed you as his number 2.

    A simple job has come up, You and Lokir (another member of your crew) are going to infiltrate an Imperial camp, steal a few horses, and when the soldiers take chase after you, half your crew will infiltrate the base and make off with all the riches, the other half will set an ambush for you and Lokir to escape. The job sounds easy enough, just another day as a bandit in Skyrim, but other agendas are at play here. 

    Your crew has taken this opportunity to mutiny against Alain and yourself, knowing that together you are to powerful to overtake. While you and Lokir are infiltrating the camp they take Alain's head, no ambush is set up and you and Lokir are taken into custody. The Running River Boys have tricked you, and fled to their camp in Embershard Mine. Your head is on the chopping block, Lokir is dead, this has to be the end....

         Tactics and Gameplay:

    Although the Black Arrow is one with the shadows, he is a pure archer type not fearing outright conflict (I use sneak to survey the enemy, pick out a well placed sneak shot, then charge in with the bow). This character is Skyrim's equivalent to DC's Green Arrow, or Tolkein's Legolas. The bow is your primary weapon, while often rushing into battle behind a swarm of arrows. When all else fails The Black Arrow can turn to his blade, but with his stamina and agility he hardly finds himself in a tough spot. This build uses Archery as a First Person Shooter, this isnt the run of the mill sneak/archer build. I also tend to play without companions, that however is just personal preference.

         Perks:

    Archery: Overdraw 5/5, Eagle Eye, Steady Hand 1/2, Power Shot, *Quick Shot, Critical Shot 2/3, Hunter's Discipline, *Ranger.

         * Quick Shot and Ranger are essential for this build.

    Sneak: Stealth 2/5, Muffled Movement, Light Foot, Silent Roll, Silence, Backstab, Deadly Aim

    Smithing: Up to Ebony Smithing, your main arrow will be Ebony arrows, Arcane Blacksmith

    One-Handed: Armsman 4/5, Fighting Stance, Savage Strike.

    PickPocket (100 rating) My character is master of slight-of-hand. Light Fingers 5/5, Night Thief, Extra Pockets, Cutpurse.

    Enchant: Enchanter 5/5, Insightful Enchanter, Corpus Enchanter, Extra Effect.

    Lockpicking: Novice-Expert, Golden Touch, Treasure Hunter

       *Illusion and Conjuration (after level 40): As you age (role-play) you must take to magic to maintain an edge in combat. You  also take on the Spirit Bow as your main weapon.

         Shouts:

    Unrelenting Force

    Whirlwind Sprint

    Slow Time

    Marked for Death

    Elemental Fury

       *After Level 40- Throw Voice

         Roleplay:

    Level 1-15: This can be achieved by just staying in Hadvar's house by using the Hadvar/Sneak:Faedenal/Archery cheat. I get my Archery level 50 and my sneak level 80 before even doing one quest. 

         Quests: First things first, killing your ex-crew for stabbing you in the back. You go to Embershard Mine and wipe out The Running River Boys for stabbing you in the back.

          Equipment: Mourners Robes (enchanted-increase stamina), PenitusOculatus boots and bracers (increase archery)((attained in Dragon Bridge on a bothched break-in, Apprentice Hood for good look(attained by starting House of Horrors: Markarth).  Weapons: best available Bow and Sword

    Level 16-25: Thieves Guild, Start Main Quest Line(i tend to drag the main storyline out for role-play )

         Equipment: Guild Master's Robes, Nightengale Boots and Gloves, Apprentice Hood/Nightengale Hood

         This is where the persona of the Black Arrow is born, The people of Skyrim hear of how one man infiltrated one of the most secure locations in the land, Goldenglow Estate. The story goes one man cleared out the entire treasury of the estate, while only killing one man. The very influential Aringoth was found the next morning, a black arrow through his throat. The army of mercenaries on the island all claimed to have seen nothing, most believe it could only have been a ghost that could have done so.

         This is also where you start the path of enlightenment and teachings from the Graybeards

    Level 26-30: Revolution!!!

         An urgent message from the guild prompts a quick return to HQ. Back at the guild Brynjolf and Delvin inform you that Sapphire, Rune and Vipir have been captured by the Stormcloaks as a job went bad in Windhelm. Ulfric himself has given the order for a public execution the following Sundos. You decide against the warnings of Brynjolf and Delvin to confront the jarl face to face. You walk right through the front doors of the Palace of the Kings, Ulfric and his elites have been expecting an audience, although the jarl is somewhat thrown for a surprise the Black Arrow came himself, and by himself at that. The jarl is a smart man however and offers a proposition to you, your aid in the war that has been at a stalemate for quite some time, for the release of your friends and guild mates. This in the end is an easy choice as you are now brought in on a war you had no intention of ever fighting.

        The Legend of the Black Arrow explodes in popularity. One man single handed turned the tide of war. The General is now dead, Imperial influence in Skyrim is now reeling.

    Level 31-40: Companions, Main Quest

        By this time you should be around 80 Smithing and Enchanting. (Ebony and Daedric arrows are your only choice from now on)

         After killing Mercer and rebuilding the Guild to its former glory, you grow restless and desire an adventure again. You recall Farkas, a big dumb brute but a good friend, telling you about clashing with a band called the Silver Hand the last time you were in Whiterun drinking with him at the Mare. You decide to head out that way from Riften to see if you can lend any aid to friend and his Companions.

    Level 41-45: Mages Guild and completion of Main Quest

        Your body is broken; years of conflict and war has left you tired, you are no longer a young man. You are middle age, but you know with what you have done in your life and the connections you have made, it will be  impossible to retire to a quiet and peaceful life at your mansion at Lakeview Manor. You need an edge, and it is Gallus your predecessor that inspires you. You take to the Mages College to learn the arts of Illusion, but also take to the Spirit Bow.

         You finally defeat your Nemesis, Alduin.

    Level 46-on: Dawngaurd and Dragonborn- i have not gotten to this part of roleplaying in my play through yet and will be updated when i can.

  • Member
    June 20, 2013
    Very nice, but needs a bit more fleshing out. Desperate text, giving explanations on skills and what not. RP if possible. No need for special moves. Keep it up
  • Member
    June 20, 2013

    I play on Xbox but i think works for PC as well. At the start follow Hadvar to Riverwood. In Riverwood befriend Faedenal the Elf and he will become your companion. Go into Hadvars house and let the beginning sequence play out then wait for the up-stairs to be completely alone but for you Hadvar and Faedenal. Hadvar will not attack you if you level up sneak by doing back stabs to I'm, every level progression you can also train archery (up to lvl 50) with federal then just take the gold back from him after the lesson.

    My Build was just intended to be a foundation. The true story of any player in skyrim will be always different from the next players experience. The Ex-Crew was just the Bandit crew in the Embershard Mine that is usually the first bandit clan to take on, that in my play through i acted as if we had a history. Each player will have a unique relationship with their skyrim avatar, this build is just intended to be the foundation to a build that i am really enjoying.

  • Member
    June 20, 2013

    Right on. My character has sided with the DawnGaurd; However he sticks to the bow and leaves the cross-bow for the other Hunters)

  • Member
    June 20, 2013

    Change your title to Character Build: The Black Arrow

  • Member
    June 21, 2013

    This picture might suit your build as well, because your main picture has been used quite much around in other builds. Looks kind of old though.

  • Member
    June 21, 2013

    Thank You! thats about spot on on the look as you can get.

  • Member
    June 21, 2013
    How is this unique from the boring and tedious sneak archer play style we've all already experienced and been bored with?
  • Member
    June 21, 2013

    I really don't see anything unique being brought to the table with this build. Try looking at some of the Legendary and Mythic builds for guidance on how to make this better. 

  • Member
    June 21, 2013
    This is a roleplaying build. Enough for me.