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Character Build: Shadowfang

Tags: #Character Build Spellsword  #Character Build Rogue  #Character Build Werewolf  #Rank:Bloodworks 
  • April 22, 2016

    Brief Description: This is my first build, so if you see any typos, feel free to point them out. I’ll fix any that you find, but I’m pretty sure I got them all. The Shadowfang is a stealthy lycanthrope who roams across Tamriel in the dead of night. There are no stories and legends about him. Those who discover his secret are never heard from again. He has mastered his lycanthropy and uses it to help him gain riches. He collects gems and artifacts like a magpie and is willing to get them using all the means at his disposal. He never buys when he can steal. Using his dagger and arcane knowledge, he skips circles around his enemies and laughs at their clumsy flailing. Although all Shadowfangs are stealthy hunters they are as diverse as the wolves around them. Those with the soul of a wolf are quick-witted fighters who use conjuration and hired hands to overwhelm their prey. Those with the soul of an ice wolf use frost magic and an enchanted dagger to bring down their quarry. Those with the soul of a pit wolf are ferocious warriors who use illusion spells to confuse enemies. All three souls are shown in this build (that's why it's so long). I'm still playtesting the three souls, so there may be some minor changes, but I don't think I'll need to alter anything.

    Stones: lover, lady, lord, shadow and steed all work well.

    Followers: Don't let the fact that pets don't understand stealth stop you from picking one up. An angry dog, troll or whatever is a good distraction. Humanoid followers, like Cicero, who are stealthy and can still pump out reasonable damage are great. Followers who can soak up damage are welcome. Shadowfangs always travel with one animal and one humanoid follower.

    Equipment: Shadowfangs use light armour and daggers for speed and stealth, except for the pit wolf which uses heavy armour and maces. The Cursed Ring of Hircine is a must, so you can control your transformations. For ice wolves, the Dukaan Mask is very important.

    Shouts: This build is quite flexible as far as shouts are concerned and most of them work well with it. I like using ice form, slow time, throw voice and elemental fury.

    Soul of the Wolf

    Race: I played this with a Khajiit, but all races would work well with this. I especially like Argonians. Their racial ability mean that you have more healing for your pack.

    Stats: 2 magicka/2 health/1 stamina

    Shadowfangs with the soul of a wolf understand the importance of overwhelming an opponent. They love stalking their prey. Most of the time the hunted, foolishly alone, don’t realize the Shadowfang is there until they are struck from behind. When facing a group the Shadowfang calls on the power of Hircine to summon daedra to join their pack and use healing magic to keep their followers alive. They hold a healing spell in their off-hand. With their wit and agility, they are a force to be reckoned with. They can easily dodge an attack and then dart in for several quick strikes. When they are overwhelmed or enraged, their werewolf form is capable of tearing through opponents. They never travel alone and by using their Wild Hunt ability their pack can hold seven members!

    Major Skills:

    Light Armour: Shadowfangs rely on the agility of wolves to help them in combat. This lets them move silently and quickly. Less stamina is used when dashing, which gives you more power attacks. Lighter armour also means more room for treasure.

    One Handed: A dagger is his main weapon since Shadowfangs value speed above all else. He needs all the speed he can get to make sure that his pack doesn’t get hit accidentally. It may seem like not enough perks have been put in here, but a lot of your damage is going to be coming from your pack. There should always be at least four members (Shadowfang, animal follower, human follower, one summon) in most fights.

    Sneak: Shadowfangs exemplify the stealthy hunting of wolves, so this is a must.

    Conjuration: Every wolf needs a pack and conjuration supplies his. It’s fitting that the Shadowfang summon daedra since Hircine is a daedric prince. Absolutely get the twin souls perk so your pack can be even larger.

    Restoration: Good for supplementing your potions and healing your pack. The perks recovery, respite and regeneration are useful. This puts the Wolf Soul in a position to deal damage and support his followers. Remember that summoned creatures will resist your healing spells in most cases, so keep the heals for your hired hands!

    Lycanthropy: Try to get all the perks filled in, especially totem of the moon.

    Minor Skills:

    Speech: You want to get a good price for all your treasures, don’t you? The fence perk is exceptionally useful as Shadowfangs end up with a lot of stolen treasures.

    Lockpicking: Shadowfangs feel pain when treasure is left behind. Don’t make your werewolf whimper; get him into every nook and cranny.

    Pickpocket: Some people believe that their valuables are perfectly safe in their pockets. Shadowfangs believe otherwise.

    Abilities:

    Wild Hunt

    Requires: twin souls perk, werewolf totem of brotherhood, totem of the moon perk, one humanoid follower, one animal follower and lycanthropy

    The Shadowfang summons two daedra. This gives him a pack of five, including himself. Then he turns into a werewolf and uses howl of brotherhood. His pack now numbers seven creatures. That’s two followers, two conjured summons, two werewolves and the Shadowfang.

    Soul of the Ice Wolf

    Race: Nords give frost resistance which is quite fitting for an ice wolf.

    Stats: 2 magicka/ 2 health/ 1 stamina

    Shadowfangs with the soul of an ice wolf can call upon the icy powers of the north to aid them. They hide in the shadows and are fond of laying down frost traps. After a sneak attack, the startled enemies can be lured into the traps the Shadowfang lays down.  He dances around enemies, shooting ice at them and darting in for several quick slashes. He shines when faced with enemies who are vulnerable to frost since his dagger is enchanted with ice and his off-hand can unleash the fury of winter upon them. Enemies who are frost resistant pose a challenge since these Shadowfangs only use frost magic. However, by layering a chaos enchantment on their daggers they can take on anything. Get the Dukaan mask if you have the Dragonborn DLC.

    Major Skills:

    Light Armour: Shadowfangs rely on the agility of wolves to help them in combat. Lighter armour also means more room for treasure.

    One Handed: A dagger is his main weapon since Shadowfangs value speed above all else. Be sure to have a frost enchantment on your dagger.

    Sneak: Shadowfangs exemplify the stealthy hunting of wolves and love stalking their prey.

    Destruction: This is your secondary damage. Focus entirely on frost damage, and also get the augmented frost and flames perks for your chaos enchantment.

    Enchanting: I was feeling iffy about crafting at first, but was amazed at what an impact enchanting had. Keep in mind that the damage perks do affect the enchantments on your weapon, so get them and the extra effect perk. Now you can put two enchantments on your dagger. One chaos enchantment and one ice if you want to stick with the ice wolf theme, but one chaos and one fire enchantment are especially good against frost resistant enemies.

    Lycanthropy: As a Shadowfang this is a must. Your werewolf form is also a great alternative to layered enchantments when fighting frost resistant enemies.

    Minor Skills:

    Speech: You want to get a good price for all your treasures, don’t you? The fence perk is exceptionally useful as Shadowfangs end up with a lot of stolen treasures.

    Lockpicking: Shadowfangs feel pain when treasure is left behind. Don’t make your werewolf whimper; get him into every nook and cranny.

    Illusion: Get far enough for the quiet casting perk. This gives you the option to lay down traps while still in stealth.

    Abilities:

    Heart of Ice (passive):

    Requires being a Nord and the Dukaan mask

    As an ice wolf, the Shadowfang is nearly immune to frost damage. His resistance against it is 85%.

    Elemental Fangs (passive)

    Requires augmented flames perk , augmented frost perk, fire enchanter perk, frost enchanter perk, extra effect perk, chaos enchantment and a frost enchantment

    This Shadowfang is an elemental master. His dagger has a chaos enchantment as well as a frost enchantment. Even against enemies that are frost resistant, he can tear them to pieces.

    Soul of the Pit Wolf

    Race: Orcs work exceptionally well.

    Stats: 1 magicka/ 3 health/ 2 stamina

    Those with the soul of a pit wolf are bulkier than their slender, agile brethren. They are strong, brutish fighters and are much more durable. Of all the Shadowfangs, they are the greediest and will do anything for wealth. They sell stolen goods as soon as they get them. They physically overpower enemies through the crushing force of their twin maces. However, pit wolves are just as cunning as other Shadowfangs and use illusion spells to bulk up their stealthiness. They are intimidating figures and can easily send enemies into a blind panic. It is far easier to hunt when the prey is seperated from each other. In difficult situations, the Shadowfang equips a healing spell in his off-hand and beats his enemy to death while healing himself. He truly shines in his werewolf form and is able to cut a bloody swath through any battle.

    Major Skills:

    Heavy Armour: These Shadowfangs are more heavily built than their brethren, and are able to shrug off blows that would fell a horse.

    One Handed: He dual wields maces so be sure to get the bone breaker perks.

    Sneak: Shadowfangs exemplify the stealthy hunting of wolves and love stalking their prey.

    Speech: You want to get a good price for all your treasures, don’t you? The fence perk is exceptionally useful as these Shadowfangs end up with a lot of stolen treasures.

    Illusion: Used to supplement stealth and to separate enemies through fear spells. Keep in mind that any fury spell will break stealth.

    Lycanthropy: You're not a Shadowfang unless you can turn into a giant, snarling wolf.

    Minor Skills:

    Lockpicking: Shadowfangs feel pain when treasure is left behind. Don’t make your werewolf whimper; get him into every nook and cranny.

    Pickpocket: Some people believe that their valuables are perfectly safe in their pockets. Shadowfangs believe otherwise.

    Abilities:

    Frightening Transformation

    Requires Orc racial ability and hysteria

    The pit wolf is a master of intimidation. By laying down a hysteria spell, triggering his Orc racial power and transforming into a werewolf he can slaughter rooms full of people.

     

    Recommended Factions/Quests: The Companions should be your first stop to pick up lycanthropy. The Dark Brotherhood and Thieves Guild complement Shadowfangs nicely. Unless you have a mod which lets you control your shifting absolutely get the Cursed Ring of Hircine. The Frostflow Abyss quest is a great one to complete for Shadowfangs with the souls of wolves for the healing bonus.

    Helpful Mods: This is completely optional and these builds work very well without it, but Werewolf Mastery by RolandSir on nexusmods.com works very well with these builds. You can pick which parts of the mod you want, so Skyrim can be as vanilla as you like. Part of the reason I love it is because I can change my werewolf form's magic resistance, silver resistance (if you want someone who recoils at the word itself), health regeneration and gain complete control of my transformations. For example, I don't need the Cursed Ring of Hircine, because the mod already does that. I can pick up the Savior's Hide instead. I can also loot in werewolf form, which fits in perfectly with a greedy Shadowfang. I think that any mod that lets you control your werewolf's transformation would mesh well.

  • Member
    April 22, 2016

    As a first build, this is quite good, you can tighten the spaces up a bit, 

  • Member
    April 22, 2016

    I would say cut the level 81 perk spread, no one is going to play any build all the way. Instead make  a level 25 perk spread, so people can see what you did early on. All in all, it's pretty good.

  • Member
    April 22, 2016

    Really nice for a first build. +1 for sure.

  • April 23, 2016

    Thanks for the tip. I was iffy about putting up a lvl 81 perk spread in the first place, but I decided tp try it out. It just looks bulky though, so I'll do what you suggest. I'll have to alter the lvl 50 perk spread a bit so that the ability section still makes sense.

  • Member
    April 23, 2016

    Congratulations on your first build! Great setup and presentation on this trifecta. A good build to play for those who want to release there wild, beastly side. The best werewolf build I've read on here so far. I also like how you mentioned the shortcomings and weaknesses of the parts. I would suggest strengthening Magic resistance for the Soul of The Wolf and The Pit Wolf parts, Improve your armor and weaponry to maximize damage. Combined with what you already have, this would be perfect! again good job.

  • Member
    April 23, 2016

    Looks much better, shortens the whole build.

  • April 23, 2016
    Great first build name I love the idea of bring a stealthy lycanthrope
  • April 23, 2016

    Same here! I wasn't satisfied with the werewolf builds I was seeing here, and I love stealth characters. Originally it was much more elaborate and confusing, but after splitting it into three variations on a "stealth werewolf," I was much happier with it.

  • April 23, 2016

    Thank you so much. :D