Hey there! I'm back from the last few months of lurking with my second-ever build. But first, I have some questions for you all...
Do you like unarmed combat? Do you like alchemy? Do you like leaping and ducking and rolling around a dungeon like a manic Viking ninja straight out of Oblivion? And finally...do you HATE mages? Not just hate, but, like, HATE hate? You do? Well, bully for you then! Read on, and witness the birth of your new favorite build:
THE MAGICKA-BLOCKER
Hide yo' necromancers, hide yo' battlemages...
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Prologue
The mage's heart pounded in his chest like a living thing as he sprinted headlong through the barrow. Roars of frustration and rage, coupled with the clatter of steel on stone, echoed from the passage behind him. Those dremora he'd summoned might succeed in killing the shadowy intruder, but he didn't dare stick around to find out. After all, that's what he'd said about the draugr he'd awakened to guard the entrance, and look at what happened to them. Whoever this man was, he'd taken those undead out like they were a couple of scarecrows. It was a terrifying spectacle, but oddly beautiful at the same time, like watching a sabercat stalk its prey.
Water from the damp ceiling soaked through his hood, but the mage paid it no mind. All he wanted now was to get somewhere else, anywhere else, so long as it meant he could escape. If nothing else, his minions had bought him some time. Once he got to the exit he'd cast a quick Invisibilty spell and he'd be home free. After all, he still had his notes, still had his soul gems and his staff. It was a pity how his apprentice had been foolish enough to get killed by that interloper, of course, but that was simply one of the hazards that came with uncovering the forbidden secrets of the King of Worms, after all. Apprentices could be replaced. His research, however, could not. Those stupid Nord peasants would be furious at how he'd "desecrated" (a loaded term indeed) the bodies of their dead, but when did what a mere human or two ever matter in the grand scheme of things? If he could just get back across the border to Cyrodil, he coul--
His musing was cut short by the flash of lightning that exploded to his right. The mage's legs flew out from under him as he tumbled to the ground. He shook the blue sparks from his vision and got up on one knee, glaring down the passage behind him. A slim figure in black was running at him full-tilt. The figure's hands were empty. The mage got back to his feet with a snarl. If this insect was that intent on dying, he'd happily oblige. With a stray thought he tapped into his magicka reserves and launched a fireball at the figure. The intruder in black was a smoky blur as he pushed off the wall with one foot and spun through the air, the flames missing him by a full foot. The mage's eyes widened in disbelief as he let off another volley, bolt after bolt of fire hammering down the passage. But the intruder dropped low instead, rolling under the fireballs and sliding along the slick floor until he was a mere arm's length from the mage. reaching into his robes, the desperate mage drew a dagger and swung wildly. The black figure deftly dodged the blade and jabbed the mage in the armpit and shoulder. His arm went slack and the blade clattered to the ground. One knee to the chest later and the mage was toppled backwards against the wall. He couldn't feel or move his legs or right arm, he was soaked in filthy water, and (most alarmingly of all) he couldn't seem to access any magic through his other arm. Fear gripped his heart as he slumped backwards, breathing heavily.
The masked intruder looked down at him like a butcher eyeing a cut of beef. Slowly, as if savoring the moment, he reached to the small of his back and pulled out a crossbow made of some unknown metal. It gleamed dully in the torchlight. The mage, breathless, looked up at the figure with a newfound terror. "What...what are you?" he asked, voice almost cracking.
The man's arm raised the crossbow until it was only inches from the mage's face. "The solution."
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Build--Overview
The magicka-blocker was once an ordinary man like any other, living in a quaint little village in northern Cyrodil. His family was never very rich, but they were happy enough for a time. Then, his father ran afoul of a necromancer, who decided to get revenge for the perceived slight by burning down the family home and turning the parents into his undead slaves. The young boy survived, but just barely escaped the same fate. As he watched his old life burn to ashes around him, a new fire kindled inside his heart: a burning hatred of mages and magic. Mages, he thought, were the greatest problem facing Nirn. A pure accident of birth had given them the power to run roughshod over their fellow men. They were the cause of every war in Tamriel's long history, from the Dragon War to the war with the Aldmeri Dominion and everything in between. It was only a matter of time before magic-users lead to another round of mass death. He might not be able to stop that by himself, but he was going to make those bastards pay regardless.
With visions of dead sorcerers dancing in his head, he trained himself in combat techniques to neutralize magic and magical abilities. His primary weapon is his fists--he discovered that quick, accurate jabs to certain pressure points disrupts the flow of magicka pathways in the body, both causing localized paralysis and making spellcasting impossible. Magicka-blocking, along with his speed, his wits, his light feet, and his trusty crossbow, make him a danger to mages everywhere. The only magic he could even stomach the idea of using are the Dragon Shouts, which he interprets as a blessing from Akatosh to help him achieve his goal. He will do his part to right the balance in this land, or die trying.
In short, this build is for you if you want to play as a merciless badass who goes toe-to-toe with the forces of the arcane and wins victory for the common people, or as a merciless and creepy extremist who is lashing out against his traumatic childhood. Your choice!
He's kind of like Batman, only more of an asshole.
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Build--Details
Race: Breton for the spell resistance, although you can also make a strong case for the Redguard, since their racial ability (Adrenaline Rush) is useful in a pinch when you need more of that all-important stamina. But you should really focus on one of those two.
Stone: Either the Lady or Atronach stones. Since you're up-close and personal while brawling, the Lady stone gives you a little extra health/stamina regen boost. On the other hand, the Atronach stone will boost that spell absorption even higher, without being penalized by the slower magicka regen.
Stat Distribution: Divide yourself between health and stamina with a bias towards stamina. Start off 2:1:0, and if you need more go up to 3:1:0. If that seems like too little, then keep in mind that the idea is to avoid getting hit, not stand there and take the blows. Don't waste your time with magicka; the magicka-blocker won't be caught dead castin' no spells.
Perk Overviews: Lv. 20; Lv. 44 (Those are links, BTW. They're really hard to see though.)
Magicka-Blocking for Dummies: So what exactly is magicka-blocking? Glad you asked! In-character, magicka-blocking is the use of sharp, quick jabs and punches to a mage's pressure points to paralyze him and disrupt the magicka needed to cast spells. But for gameplay purposes, we'll be simulating that with pickpocketing and stacking poisons, high-level Sneak, and the Marked for Death shout. And all that in addition to some pretty awesome unarmed combat mechanics, and all without using a single magic spell! All you need to do is use a little bit of your IMAGINATION!
With that in mind, here's how to use magicka-blocking in Skyrim:
1. Run up to an enemy and begin to punch them in the face.
2. After a few seconds, crouch down. As soon as you do, Shadow Warrior will activate (see, this is why power-leveling Sneak was a good idea).
3. Quick, down a Potion of Invisibility! That will extend the mere second of invisibility Shadow Warrior gave you into anywhere from 20-50 seconds. I play on the Xbox and found it easier to simply hotkey Invisibility potions to RB in place of a shout.
4. Thus invisible, slip behind your enemy and select the option to pickpocket.
5. Reverse pickpocket various and sundry desired poisons into his inventory to stack the effects. Use whatever combination of effects you find effective in your situation. Also, take their weapons if you have the skill. This interaction will end your invisibility.
6. By now your enemy will be feeling the effects of your poisons and will either stiffen and keel over (Paralysis), be dealt grievous wounds to his soft innards (Damage Health) or find his magicka draining away faster than he can say "what's this Legend of Korra cosplayer doing behind me?" (Ravage/Damage Magicka).
Congratulations! You have now successfully used magicka-blocking! Don't you feel like a badass?
Combat: Combat as the Magicka-Blocker falls into three sections: human/animal enemies, draugr and other undead, and dragons. Let's jump in, shall we?
Part 1--Humans and Animals: Approach stealthed, using terrain to cover your approach. When you think you're close enough to make an accurate shot, fire your crossbow. Chances are about 50-50 that the target will be staggered. Charge them, hitting them with Marked for Death as they do, and chugging some Fistfighter's Vengeance (see below). Stay on the move, circling them and trying not to let them get in a solid hit. Whirlwind Sprint, even just the first word, is your friend. Don't be afraid to drop and use Silent Roll to get back to the shadows and reposition if needed. If you're fighting a mage, use magicka-blocking to sap his spellpower, then administer a heaping helping of grade-A beatdown. For two-handed warriors, your best bet is to focus on using magicka-blocking to pickpocket his weapon. If you're really having trouble, use some of your crossbow's exploding bolts of frost to slow them down.
Part 2--Draugr and Other Undead: Draugr pose a bit more of a challenge, since the undead are immune to poison and pickpocketing. But this is where the crossbow really comes into its own. Stock up on those explosive bolts of fire and use them liberally. If you really must engage in close combat, open the fight with the Disarm shout, buff yourself with Fistfighter's Vengeance, and go in swinging. Marked for Death is a great help against the more powerful Deathlords and such, especially once they have no weapons. But don't get too cocky. Remember: staying nimble and light is your first priority in combat. Don't be afraid to sneak away and come at them from a different angle.
Part 3--Dragons: Not as daunting as they may seem. First off, take out your crossbow and fire off a few rounds of exploding bolts of lightning to drain its magicka. Crossbow bolts travel faster than arrows, so most of them should hit home. The lightning, coupled with any Sapphire Siphon (see below) you poison the bolts with, will sap the overgrown dinosaur's magicka and force him to land. Once grounded, hit it with Marked for Death, swig some Fistfighter's Vengeance, and punch away. Try to circle behind it and keep circling, so you stay safely away from the tail and mouth/ wings. I prefer staking out a position near the back legs. Again, evasion is key. Use Whirlwind Sprint and Invisibility potions to get out of trouble if you're getting overwhelmed.
It goes without saying that combat requires you keep the Magicka-Blocker well-stocked with potions at all times. In fact, I suggest taking the Extra Pockets perk just to carry them all.
Gear: As per the Nightblood Rogue, the focus on stealth lets us base our gear on aesthetics as much as practical protection. With that said, let's get a nice, ninja-esque feel for this guy! Here's what I went with:
Morag Tong Hood
Mourner's Clothes
Magicka-Blocker's Gauntlets: (Daedric Gauntlets enchanted with Fortify Unarmed--I suggest stocking up on Fortify Enchanting potions)
Shrouded Boots (Muffle)
Amulet of Talos (+20% Shout cooldown)
Magicka-Blocker's Ring (A simple Silver Ring I enchanted with Fortify Unarmed--as I said above, Fortify Enchanting potions are your friend)
A second set of equipment for buffing your alchemy. Basically anything labeled "of Major Alchemy" or better.
Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow: The Magicka-Blocker's long-range weapon of choice. Getting it requires joining the Dawnguard and completing the six Ancient Technology quests. I know what you're thinking: "but CounterfeitFrenchman, that means I can't join the Volkihar and get the Ring of the Beast! In an Unarmed build, won't that extra Unarmed damage matter more?" Nope. Here's why... 1)That lost damage will be more than made up for by the proper utilization of Marked for Death and some very clever potions. 2) It's totally out of character. The Volkihar use so much magic it's not even funny. From an RP perspective, there's no way the Magicka-Blocker would ever join with them. 3) Without some kind of ranged weapon, you'll be a sitting duck until you can close that gap. You can't always rely on the shadows to do your fighting for you. Besides, those Exploding Bolts of Lightning are a terrific way to sap magicka before you can get close enough to use your magicka-blocking punches.
DEATH TO ALL MAGES, NO PUNCH-BACKS!
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Alchemical Recipes: The Magicka-Blocker, in his drive to get revenge on all mages, studied alchemy for years to find some way for him to battle magic-users on an equal footing. These potions and recipes are what he came up with:
Fistfighter's Vengeance (Canis Root+Juniper Berries): This nasty little number doubles your physical damage output for 60 seconds. That's all physical damage, mind you. Arrows, fists, the works! Couple that with the simple-as pie recipe, and the fact that you can grow all the ingredients in your Hearthfire greenhouse, and you've got yourself an elegant solution to your unarmed damage problem. Use liberally.
Friend of the Forgotten (Chaurus Eggs+Vampire Dust): A run-of-the mill invisibility potion that plays an important role in combat--In conjunction with Shadow Warrior, it can boost that temporary invisibility buff, giving you a good 30 seconds to set up a wicked combo.
The Rejuvenator (Wheat+Blisterwort): A simple yet effective healing potion, with ingredients you can harvest literally anywhere. Always good to keep a few on hand.
Enchanter's Favorite Drinkin' Buddy (Snowberries+Blue Butterfly Wing): With no actual skill in enchanting of his own, our pal Amon the Magicka-Blocker had to cobble together an improvised solution to prepare his equipment. Use this recipe to enchant your gauntlets and rings with Fortify Unarmed.
Rigor Magis (Imp Stool+Canis Root+Mora Tapinella): This poison is a potent and easy-to-make paralyzing agent that also inflicts some lingering damage. When applied to the Magicka-Blocker's gloves and delivered into the target with a swift jab (reverse-pickpocketing), the effects are immediate.
The Sapphire Siphon (White Cap+Lavender+Namira's Rot): This poison blocks the internal flow of magicka in a mage's body, then slowly damages it more over time. Stack this with Rigor Magis and necromancers will be your slaves for a change.
The Gut-Ripper (River Betty+Deathbell+Imp Stool): This nasty brew necrotizes flesh extremely quickly, with the effects lingering on for some time afterwards. River Betty is hard to find, so use this potion sparingly or substitute Nightshade in a pinch.
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Major Skills:
Sneak: This is what'll keep you alive when nothing else can. Focus on Stealth and the left side of the tree and get to Shadow Warrior as fast as you can. I recommend using Helgen to power-level this skill, due to how essential it can be to your survival, especially when you're so lightly armored.
Alchemy: The second dark secret of the Magicka-Blocker's power. Take all the ranks in Alchemist, then Poisoner, Benefactor, and Concentrated Poison. I also got Snakeblood, but that's strictly optional.
Pickpocket: The delivery vehicle for your super-precise punches. Take all ranks in Light Fingers, then aim for Poisoner and gradually take everything else except Keymaster. Extra Pockets is useful, but again, optional.
Minor Skills:
Archery: Your only means of ranged damage. Don't perk this out too much--you'll mainly use it to soften up/paralyze enemies while moving in for the kill. Plus, crossbows are pretty powerful without the extra perking. I just took a couple ranks in Overdraw, Eagle Eye, and both Steady Hands. Don't stress out about this skill; remember that it's only for support.
Heavy Armor: Get Fists of Steel and the best gauntlets you can get your little hands on as fast as possible. Other than that, maybe a rank of Juggernaut if you're feeling too squishy.
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Abilities: A Breton's Dragonskin will give you a lot of added protection against the mage menace. 'Nuff said.
Shouts: Marked for Death, Disarm, Drain Vitality, Whirlwind Sprint, Aura Whisper, Cyclone, Dragon Aspect
Practice makes perfect...
Special Moves:
Magicka-Blocking (Shadow Warrior+Poisoner perk +Rigor Magis+Sapphire Siphon): Vanish from your foe's sight and assault his pressure points. He won't be casting spells for long.
Parting Shot (Whirlwind Sprint+Crossbow with explosive lightning bolts): Discretion is the better part of valor. At the last possible second, fire your weapon and dart away to reposition.
Divine Disfavor (Fists of Steel+Fistfighter's Vengeance+Marked for Death): The Divines themselves have shown favor upon your task. How could you use the Thu'um otherwise? Show your enemies how their fancy-pants magicks are no match for the wrath of Akatosh himself, coupled with some good old-fashioned mortal fisticuffs.
Flight of the Doomed (Shadow Warrior+Silent Roll+Cyclone): Misdirect your foe, slip behind him, then command the winds to carry him to his grave. If he doesn't assume the crash position, that's his own damned fault.
Recommended Quests:
Dawnguard questline (Dawnguard side)
Ancestral Worship: Vals Veran is a massive prick--even more so than most mages.
Main Quest: Show the Nine that you are worthy of their gift by defeating Alduin.
Dragonborn
Dark Brotherhood questline
The Man Who Cried Wolf/The Wolf Queen Awakened
Side Quests: Basically, any sidequest that involves hunting down mages and/or necromancers, or that gives you the option of screwing over a magic-user in any way.
Bonus Mission: Once you've done everything else you can think of, give the Magicka-Blocker one final hurrah by killing everyone at the College of Winterhold. Without dying. Oh, come on, this is Skyrim: you were going to massacre an entire city eventually anyway!
Conclusions: Trying out the Magicka-Blocker was an absolute blast, and it was especially liberating to be able to do an Unarmed run without resorting to gauntlet stacking or the Alchemy/Enchanting loop. Not quite as in-depth as the Nightblood Rogue, but more straight-up balls-to-the-walls ninja fun. If you like unarmed, give it a try!
Best of luck out there, and remember...
WE'RE WATCHING YOU.
Hey there! I'm back from the last few months of lurking with my second-ever build. But first, I have some questions for you all...
Do you like unarmed combat? Do you like alchemy? Do you like leaping and ducking and rolling around a dungeon like a manic Viking ninja straight out of Oblivion? And finally...do you HATE mages? Not just hate, but, like, HATE hate? You do? Well, bully for you then! Read on, and witness the birth of your new favorite build:
THE MAGICKA-BLOCKER
Hide yo' necromancers, hide yo' battlemages...
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Prologue
The mage's heart pounded in his chest like a living thing as he sprinted headlong through the barrow. Roars of frustration and rage, coupled with the clatter of steel on stone, echoed from the passage behind him. Those dremora he'd summoned might succeed in killing the shadowy intruder, but he didn't dare stick around to find out. After all, that's what he'd said about the draugr he'd awakened to guard the entrance, and look at what happened to them. Whoever this man was, he'd taken those undead out like they were a couple of scarecrows. It was a terrifying spectacle, but oddly beautiful at the same time, like watching a sabercat stalk its prey.
Water from the damp ceiling soaked through his hood, but the mage paid it no mind. All he wanted now was to get somewhere else, anywhere else, so long as it meant he could escape. If nothing else, his minions had bought him some time. Once he got to the exit he'd cast a quick Invisibilty spell and he'd be home free. After all, he still had his notes, still had his soul gems and his staff. It was a pity how his apprentice had been foolish enough to get killed by that interloper, of course, but that was simply one of the hazards that came with uncovering the forbidden secrets of the King of Worms, after all. Apprentices could be replaced. His research, however, could not. Those stupid Nord peasants would be furious at how he'd "desecrated" (a loaded term indeed) the bodies of their dead, but when did what a mere human or two ever matter in the grand scheme of things? If he could just get back across the border to Cyrodil, he coul--
His musing was cut short by the flash of lightning that exploded to his right. The mage's legs flew out from under him as he tumbled to the ground. He shook the blue sparks from his vision and got up on one knee, glaring down the passage behind him. A slim figure in black was running at him full-tilt. The figure's hands were empty. The mage got back to his feet with a snarl. If this insect was that intent on dying, he'd happily oblige. With a stray thought he tapped into his magicka reserves and launched a fireball at the figure. The intruder in black was a smoky blur as he pushed off the wall with one foot and spun through the air, the flames missing him by a full foot. The mage's eyes widened in disbelief as he let off another volley, bolt after bolt of fire hammering down the passage. But the intruder dropped low instead, rolling under the fireballs and sliding along the slick floor until he was a mere arm's length from the mage. reaching into his robes, the desperate mage drew a dagger and swung wildly. The black figure deftly dodged the blade and jabbed the mage in the armpit and shoulder. His arm went slack and the blade clattered to the ground. One knee to the chest later and the mage was toppled backwards against the wall. He couldn't feel or move his legs or right arm, he was soaked in filthy water, and (most alarmingly of all) he couldn't seem to access any magic through his other arm. Fear gripped his heart as he slumped backwards, breathing heavily.
The masked intruder looked down at him like a butcher eyeing a cut of beef. Slowly, as if savoring the moment, he reached to the small of his back and pulled out a crossbow made of some unknown metal. It gleamed dully in the torchlight. The mage, breathless, looked up at the figure with a newfound terror. "What...what are you?" he asked, voice almost cracking.
The man's arm raised the crossbow until it was only inches from the mage's face. "The solution."
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Build--Overview
The magicka-blocker was once an ordinary man like any other, living in a quaint little village in northern Cyrodil. His family was never very rich, but they were happy enough for a time. Then, his father ran afoul of a necromancer, who decided to get revenge for the perceived slight by burning down the family home and turning the parents into his undead slaves. The young boy survived, but just barely escaped the same fate. As he watched his old life burn to ashes around him, a new fire kindled inside his heart: a burning hatred of mages and magic. Mages, he thought, were the greatest problem facing Nirn. A pure accident of birth had given them the power to run roughshod over their fellow men. They were the cause of every war in Tamriel's long history, from the Dragon War to the war with the Aldmeri Dominion and everything in between. It was only a matter of time before magic-users lead to another round of mass death. He might not be able to stop that by himself, but he was going to make those bastards pay regardless.
With visions of dead sorcerers dancing in his head, he trained himself in combat techniques to neutralize magic and magical abilities. His primary weapon is his fists--he discovered that quick, accurate jabs to certain pressure points disrupts the flow of magicka pathways in the body, both causing localized paralysis and making spellcasting impossible. Magicka-blocking, along with his speed, his wits, his light feet, and his trusty crossbow, make him a danger to mages everywhere. The only magic he could even stomach the idea of using are the Dragon Shouts, which he interprets as a blessing from Akatosh to help him achieve his goal. He will do his part to right the balance in this land, or die trying.
In short, this build is for you if you want to play as a merciless badass who goes toe-to-toe with the forces of the arcane and wins victory for the common people, or as a merciless and creepy extremist who is lashing out against his traumatic childhood. Your choice!
He's kind of like Batman, only more of an asshole.
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Build--Details
Race: Breton for the spell resistance, although you can also make a strong case for the Redguard, since their racial ability (Adrenaline Rush) is useful in a pinch when you need more of that all-important stamina. But you should really focus on one of those two.
Stone: Either the Lady or Atronach stones. Since you're up-close and personal while brawling, the Lady stone gives you a little extra health/stamina regen boost. On the other hand, the Atronach stone will boost that spell absorption even higher, without being penalized by the slower magicka regen.
Stat Distribution: Divide yourself between health and stamina with a bias towards stamina. Start off 2:1:0, and if you need more go up to 3:1:0. If that seems like too little, then keep in mind that the idea is to avoid getting hit, not stand there and take the blows. Don't waste your time with magicka; the magicka-blocker won't be caught dead castin' no spells.
Perk Overviews: Lv. 20; Lv. 44 (Those are links, BTW. They're really hard to see though.)
Magicka-Blocking for Dummies: So what exactly is magicka-blocking? Glad you asked! In-character, magicka-blocking is the use of sharp, quick jabs and punches to a mage's pressure points to paralyze him and disrupt the magicka needed to cast spells. But for gameplay purposes, we'll be simulating that with pickpocketing and stacking poisons, high-level Sneak, and the Marked for Death shout. And all that in addition to some pretty awesome unarmed combat mechanics, and all without using a single magic spell! All you need to do is use a little bit of your IMAGINATION!
With that in mind, here's how to use magicka-blocking in Skyrim:
1. Run up to an enemy and begin to punch them in the face.
2. After a few seconds, crouch down. As soon as you do, Shadow Warrior will activate (see, this is why power-leveling Sneak was a good idea).
3. Quick, down a Potion of Invisibility! That will extend the mere second of invisibility Shadow Warrior gave you into anywhere from 20-50 seconds. I play on the Xbox and found it easier to simply hotkey Invisibility potions to RB in place of a shout.
4. Thus invisible, slip behind your enemy and select the option to pickpocket.
5. Reverse pickpocket various and sundry desired poisons into his inventory to stack the effects. Use whatever combination of effects you find effective in your situation. Also, take their weapons if you have the skill. This interaction will end your invisibility.
6. By now your enemy will be feeling the effects of your poisons and will either stiffen and keel over (Paralysis), be dealt grievous wounds to his soft innards (Damage Health) or find his magicka draining away faster than he can say "what's this Legend of Korra cosplayer doing behind me?" (Ravage/Damage Magicka).
Congratulations! You have now successfully used magicka-blocking! Don't you feel like a badass?
Combat: Combat as the Magicka-Blocker falls into three sections: human/animal enemies, draugr and other undead, and dragons. Let's jump in, shall we?
Part 1--Humans and Animals: Approach stealthed, using terrain to cover your approach. When you think you're close enough to make an accurate shot, fire your crossbow. Chances are about 50-50 that the target will be staggered. Charge them, hitting them with Marked for Death as they do, and chugging some Fistfighter's Vengeance (see below). Stay on the move, circling them and trying not to let them get in a solid hit. Whirlwind Sprint, even just the first word, is your friend. Don't be afraid to drop and use Silent Roll to get back to the shadows and reposition if needed. If you're fighting a mage, use magicka-blocking to sap his spellpower, then administer a heaping helping of grade-A beatdown. For two-handed warriors, your best bet is to focus on using magicka-blocking to pickpocket his weapon. If you're really having trouble, use some of your crossbow's exploding bolts of frost to slow them down.
Part 2--Draugr and Other Undead: Draugr pose a bit more of a challenge, since the undead are immune to poison and pickpocketing. But this is where the crossbow really comes into its own. Stock up on those explosive bolts of fire and use them liberally. If you really must engage in close combat, open the fight with the Disarm shout, buff yourself with Fistfighter's Vengeance, and go in swinging. Marked for Death is a great help against the more powerful Deathlords and such, especially once they have no weapons. But don't get too cocky. Remember: staying nimble and light is your first priority in combat. Don't be afraid to sneak away and come at them from a different angle.
Part 3--Dragons: Not as daunting as they may seem. First off, take out your crossbow and fire off a few rounds of exploding bolts of lightning to drain its magicka. Crossbow bolts travel faster than arrows, so most of them should hit home. The lightning, coupled with any Sapphire Siphon (see below) you poison the bolts with, will sap the overgrown dinosaur's magicka and force him to land. Once grounded, hit it with Marked for Death, swig some Fistfighter's Vengeance, and punch away. Try to circle behind it and keep circling, so you stay safely away from the tail and mouth/ wings. I prefer staking out a position near the back legs. Again, evasion is key. Use Whirlwind Sprint and Invisibility potions to get out of trouble if you're getting overwhelmed.
It goes without saying that combat requires you keep the Magicka-Blocker well-stocked with potions at all times. In fact, I suggest taking the Extra Pockets perk just to carry them all.
Gear: As per the Nightblood Rogue, the focus on stealth lets us base our gear on aesthetics as much as practical protection. With that said, let's get a nice, ninja-esque feel for this guy! Here's what I went with:
Morag Tong Hood
Mourner's Clothes
Magicka-Blocker's Gauntlets: (Daedric Gauntlets enchanted with Fortify Unarmed--I suggest stocking up on Fortify Enchanting potions)
Shrouded Boots (Muffle)
Amulet of Talos (+20% Shout cooldown)
Magicka-Blocker's Ring (A simple Silver Ring I enchanted with Fortify Unarmed--as I said above, Fortify Enchanting potions are your friend)
A second set of equipment for buffing your alchemy. Basically anything labeled "of Major Alchemy" or better.
Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow: The Magicka-Blocker's long-range weapon of choice. Getting it requires joining the Dawnguard and completing the six Ancient Technology quests. I know what you're thinking: "but CounterfeitFrenchman, that means I can't join the Volkihar and get the Ring of the Beast! In an Unarmed build, won't that extra Unarmed damage matter more?" Nope. Here's why... 1)That lost damage will be more than made up for by the proper utilization of Marked for Death and some very clever potions. 2) It's totally out of character. The Volkihar use so much magic it's not even funny. From an RP perspective, there's no way the Magicka-Blocker would ever join with them. 3) Without some kind of ranged weapon, you'll be a sitting duck until you can close that gap. You can't always rely on the shadows to do your fighting for you. Besides, those Exploding Bolts of Lightning are a terrific way to sap magicka before you can get close enough to use your magicka-blocking punches.
DEATH TO ALL MAGES, NO PUNCH-BACKS!
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Alchemical Recipes: The Magicka-Blocker, in his drive to get revenge on all mages, studied alchemy for years to find some way for him to battle magic-users on an equal footing. These potions and recipes are what he came up with:
Fistfighter's Vengeance (Canis Root+Juniper Berries): This nasty little number doubles your physical damage output for 60 seconds. That's all physical damage, mind you. Arrows, fists, the works! Couple that with the simple-as pie recipe, and the fact that you can grow all the ingredients in your Hearthfire greenhouse, and you've got yourself an elegant solution to your unarmed damage problem. Use liberally.
Friend of the Forgotten (Chaurus Eggs+Vampire Dust): A run-of-the mill invisibility potion that plays an important role in combat--In conjunction with Shadow Warrior, it can boost that temporary invisibility buff, giving you a good 30 seconds to set up a wicked combo.
The Rejuvenator (Wheat+Blisterwort): A simple yet effective healing potion, with ingredients you can harvest literally anywhere. Always good to keep a few on hand.
Enchanter's Favorite Drinkin' Buddy (Snowberries+Blue Butterfly Wing): With no actual skill in enchanting of his own, our pal Amon the Magicka-Blocker had to cobble together an improvised solution to prepare his equipment. Use this recipe to enchant your gauntlets and rings with Fortify Unarmed.
Rigor Magis (Imp Stool+Canis Root+Mora Tapinella): This poison is a potent and easy-to-make paralyzing agent that also inflicts some lingering damage. When applied to the Magicka-Blocker's gloves and delivered into the target with a swift jab (reverse-pickpocketing), the effects are immediate.
The Sapphire Siphon (White Cap+Lavender+Namira's Rot): This poison blocks the internal flow of magicka in a mage's body, then slowly damages it more over time. Stack this with Rigor Magis and necromancers will be your slaves for a change.
The Gut-Ripper (River Betty+Deathbell+Imp Stool): This nasty brew necrotizes flesh extremely quickly, with the effects lingering on for some time afterwards. River Betty is hard to find, so use this potion sparingly or substitute Nightshade in a pinch.
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Major Skills:
Sneak: This is what'll keep you alive when nothing else can. Focus on Stealth and the left side of the tree and get to Shadow Warrior as fast as you can. I recommend using Helgen to power-level this skill, due to how essential it can be to your survival, especially when you're so lightly armored.
Alchemy: The second dark secret of the Magicka-Blocker's power. Take all the ranks in Alchemist, then Poisoner, Benefactor, and Concentrated Poison. I also got Snakeblood, but that's strictly optional.
Pickpocket: The delivery vehicle for your super-precise punches. Take all ranks in Light Fingers, then aim for Poisoner and gradually take everything else except Keymaster. Extra Pockets is useful, but again, optional.
Minor Skills:
Archery: Your only means of ranged damage. Don't perk this out too much--you'll mainly use it to soften up/paralyze enemies while moving in for the kill. Plus, crossbows are pretty powerful without the extra perking. I just took a couple ranks in Overdraw, Eagle Eye, and both Steady Hands. Don't stress out about this skill; remember that it's only for support.
Heavy Armor: Get Fists of Steel and the best gauntlets you can get your little hands on as fast as possible. Other than that, maybe a rank of Juggernaut if you're feeling too squishy.
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Abilities: A Breton's Dragonskin will give you a lot of added protection against the mage menace. 'Nuff said.
Shouts: Marked for Death, Disarm, Drain Vitality, Whirlwind Sprint, Aura Whisper, Cyclone, Dragon Aspect
Practice makes perfect...
Special Moves:
Magicka-Blocking (Shadow Warrior+Poisoner perk +Rigor Magis+Sapphire Siphon): Vanish from your foe's sight and assault his pressure points. He won't be casting spells for long.
Parting Shot (Whirlwind Sprint+Crossbow with explosive lightning bolts): Discretion is the better part of valor. At the last possible second, fire your weapon and dart away to reposition.
Divine Disfavor (Fists of Steel+Fistfighter's Vengeance+Marked for Death): The Divines themselves have shown favor upon your task. How could you use the Thu'um otherwise? Show your enemies how their fancy-pants magicks are no match for the wrath of Akatosh himself, coupled with some good old-fashioned mortal fisticuffs.
Flight of the Doomed (Shadow Warrior+Silent Roll+Cyclone): Misdirect your foe, slip behind him, then command the winds to carry him to his grave. If he doesn't assume the crash position, that's his own damned fault.
Recommended Quests:
Dawnguard questline (Dawnguard side)
Ancestral Worship: Vals Veran is a massive prick--even more so than most mages.
Main Quest: Show the Nine that you are worthy of their gift by defeating Alduin.
Dragonborn
Dark Brotherhood questline
The Man Who Cried Wolf/The Wolf Queen Awakened
Side Quests: Basically, any sidequest that involves hunting down mages and/or necromancers, or that gives you the option of screwing over a magic-user in any way.
Bonus Mission: Once you've done everything else you can think of, give the Magicka-Blocker one final hurrah by killing everyone at the College of Winterhold. Without dying. Oh, come on, this is Skyrim: you were going to massacre an entire city eventually anyway!
Conclusions: Trying out the Magicka-Blocker was an absolute blast, and it was especially liberating to be able to do an Unarmed run without resorting to gauntlet stacking or the Alchemy/Enchanting loop. Not quite as in-depth as the Nightblood Rogue, but more straight-up balls-to-the-walls ninja fun. If you like unarmed, give it a try!
Best of luck out there, and remember...
WE'RE WATCHING YOU.
