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Event Build: The Forsaken Ranger

Tags: #Character Build Archer  #Character Build Pilgrim  #Character Build Hero  #Race:Bosmer  #Rank:Event Recognized  #Event:Crossworlds2 
  • Member
    December 12, 2015


    This build is my entry to the Crossworlds 2 event, and is my attempt at making a decent representation of my inspiration in Skyrim, using bows to pluck enemies from afar, daggers to block even the mightiest of blows, and a silver tongue to get out of trouble. I give you...

    He walked into the tavern. The room got silent when he entered, then its occupants resumed talking, dismissing him as a threat. They were wrong. One man tried to bully him, seeing a cloak as a cowards clothes, and a bow as a coward's weapon. He took out a knife, waved it around and threatened him after seeing his insults have no effect. The cloaked figure pulled back his bow lightning fast, aiming at the center of the man's forehead. The tavern got silent. "You... You d-d-don't want to kill me." He said, stuttering in fear. "I'm too-" He suddenly attacked while talking, hoping to catch the cloaked man off guard. The shadowy figure dodged his blow, drew a knife and stabbed him in the arm. The man fell to the floor, writhing in pain. The village was run by this man's deep pockets though, and soon everyone was saying "Kill the stranger! Kill him!", ignoring the fact that he was just defending himself, as they were hungry for the village leader's approval.. The stranger ran out the door, and fled into the forest. They followed him, but lost him due to the cloak that he wore, endlessly making his figure hard to make out until he had shaken them off his trail. The man sighed, "Guess I best move on."

     

    Backstory: shadowy group of archers, the Ranger's skill with a bow is legendary. Their accuracy and speed make them a force to be reckoned with, going down in history as the best defenders of a kingdom, repeatedly repelling attacks from invaders who took over other lands with ease. Their skills with stealth are almost magical, with townspeople spreading rumors of them becoming oaks in forests and coming out of trees. At close combat, they can block a sword with their knife, and leave a huge dent in the sword thanks to the expert craftsmanship of the knife. They are fast and deadly with their knife, not experts, but deadly to any foe thanks to their all around intelligence and speed. They truly are a deadly force. However, the Rangers are getting fat, lazy. You used to have to go through 5 years of apprenticeship, now you just buy your way in. Its turned into a social club for young rich men, usually those too lazy or without the skill to become knights. Many of the Rangers have quit in disgust. One day, a ranger's apprentice who is actually going through the apprenticeship, was training in a clearing. He heard his master approaching, and turned to see him downcast, filled with sadness. He stopped firing his bow and approached, asking what was wrong. He found out that his master was banished from the kingdom on a trumped up charge, an all too common fate for real rangers. He then quit, knowing that he would soon be banished too. He was close to the end of his apprenticeship, having learned every skill with the mastery expected of rangers. So he traveled, vowing to use his skills for the good of a country that is not corrupted enough to kick out their own military, to betray those who remained loyal. Thus, the Forsaken Ranger was born.

    Race: Bosmer or Imperial. Bosmer is good for archery bonus, and using their power to get animals to your side can be useful. Imperial is good for the power, in case you mess up, and need a quick getaway.

    Stats: 0:1:5 Until level 12, then 0:1:2 until level 22, then 0:1:1. This gives you a quick bonus to stamina when you can get away with less health, and is useful later on.

    Stone: Thief at first, then either Shadow or Lord. Shadow is useful if your caught, and Lord makes your blocks even more effective.

    Major Skills: 

    Sneak: Used for sneaking around, and getting the jump on your enemies. Level-100

    Archery: Your bow needs some power behind it, doesn't it? Level-100

    Enchanting:  Used for enchanting your armor to get the most out of all of your skills. Level-100

    BlockA ranger's knife can block a sword swing with ease. Training really helps speed this one along Level-100

    Minor Skills:

    Light Armor: You need the most protection you can get with your measly armor rating. You won't be getting hit much, so training is a must. Level-60

    Smithing: You will be upgrading your bow, that's the only thing you use it for, no improving your armor or anything. Making stuff to sell is okay though. Level-40

    One-handed: When close combat becomes unavoidable, you must be prepared. Training pretty much required for this. Level-50 

    Speech: Used for when you must get information out of townspeople to uphold justice. Training is important. Level-70

    Recommended Shouts: Animal Allegiance, Aura Whisper, Become Ethereal, Dismay, Slow Time, Unrelenting Force, Whirlwind Sprint.

     

    Equipment: 

    Elven Gauntlets: Fortify Archery, Fortify Light Armor

    Elven Boots: Fortify Stamina Regen, Fortify Sneak

    Green Robes: Fortify Stamina, Fortify Light Armor

    Hat: Fortify Archery, Water Breathing

    Ring: Fortify Archery, Fortify Block

    Necklace: Fortify Archery, Fortify Speech

    Zephyr: None

    Skyforge Steel Knife: Absorb Stamina, Fear

    You can use any ring and necklace that you enchant, and you can get green robes from the shop in Solitude. The hat is the green one, just keep checking shops till you find it. It is green and looks like a hood. Zephyr you get from the quest to find the Aethieral Shards, it can't be enchanted. This is the only item you will use smithing on, and keep. Before Zephyr, use enchanted/smithed longbows, which are the fastest non unique bow in the game.

    Gameplay: You use your bow and sneak attacks, catching enemies off guard. Don't hide behind rocks, keep shooting until you are found. With the Zephyr's fire speed of 1 second, you should be able to kill most enemies before they even reach you. When an enemy gets close to you, switch to your knife, which should be on hotkey. Your knife will be a force of terror, with critical charge and using shield charge with it you should be able to take down most any enemy. You will get stamina for zooming in, and your skills with the bow and knife will sends all attackers fleeing in terror, and then Zephyr, also on hotkey, can be switched in. Don't fast travel. Use Frost as your horse, leave him behind before engaging combat. If surprised on the road, Frost will defend you, make his safety a priority. If you want to fast travel, you can, but don't use Frost then, as he will make you unable to sneak attack sometimes if you fast travel into a group of enemies. This build relies on training a lot. You should have enough money most of the time, as your large stamina pool means that if you come back from missions just under the carry limit, you should get a good haul.

    Roleplay: Don't steal anything. You are a good guy, defend the common man. Join whichever side you believe is right, but stay loyal to that side. Chose one hold to defend, and focus on that one. You can use purchased housing, built houses using Hearthfire, or alternate (The cabin near riverwood, etc.) Do quests other places too, but make that your center of operations. Be loyal, use your own judgment on the Daedric Prince quests. Remember not to hide after a shot, it is cowardly.

    Recommended Quests: Civil War, Main Questline, Dragonborn DLC, Dawnguard DLC, Lost to the Ages, Companions questline, any good quests.

    Special Moves:

    Focus: Requirements: Slow Time, Steady Hand, Dismay

    Fire off a storm of arrows, taking down enemies left and right. When they reach you, show no fear and fire off even more arrows, making them flee for their lives.

    Helpers: Requirements: Bosmer power, Animal Allegiance

    Make your foes be distracted by nature itself attacking them, then bring their attention back to you with an arrow (or several).

    Misc:

    Thanks to you Relycs for helping me tremendously with the build.

    Thank you Lee Fiskilis for making the perk spread.

    Inspiration:

    I took the inspiration for this build from the Ranger's Apprentice Series, from John Flanagan.

  • Member
    December 12, 2015

    I like how your character was based off the "Rangers Apprentice" book series, i too was thinking of doing something like this but you got in first...

    You should change the name though, because the term rouge means that they went from good to evil, and you guy doesn't steal or murder so the name doesn't suit it.

    Other than this, this is a great build and i like the addition of blocking to a rangers build as they usually skip that aspect of combat.

  • Member
    December 12, 2015

    Great build, short and sweet. I like how effecient and reasonable the presentation is. I can't understand one thing, though. If hiding and shooting is dishonorable and against the ranger's belief, why is sneak a thing? That apart, great job, keep it up 

  • Member
    December 12, 2015

    You should correct your title from Rouge to Rogue. Just pointing it out 

  • Member
    December 12, 2015

    I'm curious...any idea where to find green robes besides Radiant Raiments?

  • Member
    December 12, 2015

    If it is Rouge, the French word for Red, then you should change the title to the Ranger Rouge, as colors always are put after the word they describe, in French

  • Member
    December 12, 2015

    In hearthfire your children have a chance to give you some. 

  • Member
    December 12, 2015

    Typo, sorry. It was supposed to be Rogue, though as Yemo pointed out, I need a better title.

  • Member
    December 12, 2015

    Thanks!

  • Member
    December 12, 2015

    Sneaking isn't dishonorable, but hiding behind a pillar, darting out for a shot, and repeating until they are all dead? No.    

    Thanks for liking it!