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Character Build: Kyne's Storm

Tags: #Character Build Archer  #Character Build Elementalist  #Character Build Witchhunter  #Rank:Bloodworks 
  • ACD
    Member
    October 24, 2016

    With ‘Skyrim Special Edition’ rapidly approaching having arrived, people will be starting to plan their time in the game. I hope this build brings you a valid option to try out.

    As you are all aware there are an abundance of great Kyne/Kynareth style builds on here. This is my offering. Credit must be owed to ParoXitiC for his ‘Woodlander’ build. A very natural build in all senses of the word and one that progresses fluidly. My build mirrors that natural progression and then takes a huge turn with an influx of magic, skills and abilities that really turns the build into very different. The core gameplay mechanics stay the same throughout your playthrough but the magic and character progression gives you freedom to take on the game how you want.

    I had actually previously posted this build on the site but, upon reflection, realised that it needed more work. At first the build utilised lightning and frost magic as well as restoration. I withdrew restoration because it made the build too magicka dependent. In addition, I removed the frost magic because I am planning a trilogy of builds based on each of the destruction elements – I also thought it made the build too ‘busy’ and hard to manage. 

     

    "Dark clouds gather in the sky above. Kyne weeps for joy at the beauty of the world."

     

    Climbing out of the furs that kept you warm but with a slightly stiff back, you listen the sounds outside. Through the rock corridors of the cave, you hear outdoor's thunder shouting at the land. You hear the rain and wonder how long it will take before it starts to intrude your conquered abode. The cave was crawling with bandits only a day ago. Smiling, you reflect on the routine that has recently been taken up; using the furs and bed rolls of previous owners of caves, mines and ruins to make your hunt last as long as possible. Rather than travelling back to holdfasts as the sun sets, you take shelter and warmth from previously made fires and beds - you have been able to track prey larger than you ever could before. Your rations are running slightly low after such a long time away from civilisation. All those outlaws left was some iron-hard bread and questionably smelling skeever meat. Out here in the wilderness, the last thing you need is your morning meal biting at your insides. You attach your knife to your belt, your quiver to your hunting furs and sling your bow over your back – you are ready for today’s hunt.

    "May the Mother of Men and Beasts bless my aim and my arrows as I continue to serve Her by hunting true."

    You walk into Her land, remembering the events of Helgen and take peace in the fact that your service to Kyne saved you from that monster. The rain and thunder begins to die down as your feet touch the sodden grass at the cave's mouth. Breathing deeply, your eyes begin to scan the horizon for breakfast...

     

     "Bless us, Kyne; may we serve you with every word.”

    Name: Kaan Un-Weder 

    Race: Nord

    Gender: Either

    Difficulty: Adept. Expert for a real challenge. You will die. A lot. But every reload is a new tactical challenge. 

    Stone: Warrior, then Mage, then Lord

    Shouts: Ice Form, Cyclone, Frost Breath, Storm Call, Marked for Death, Animal Allegiance, Aura Whisper, Clear Skies, Kyne's Peace, Slow Time, Throw Voice

    Stat spread: 1/1/1 up until stamina 200ish. Then equal between health and magicka. 

    Quests: These are the ones that I would consider essential: 

    Kyne's Sacred Trials, Main Story Line, Dragonborn (after the main storyline), Dawnguard, Hunter and Hunted, Stormcloaks, a lot of the radiant bounty quests, Blessings of Nature, Angi's Camp, Divine Quests, Deadric are optional (I think Meridia's Beacon is ok because she is seen as a 'good' deadric prince), College of Winterhold for Extra training, Lost to the Ages for Zephyr, Unfathomable Depths and most of the undead killing quests. Feel free to start the Companions' line but I don't think a servant of Kyne would choose to have beast blood; that's more Hircine's area.

     

     

    As far as you can. Mine your own ore,

    there are 9 hits on an ore vein altogether. If you pull back from the mining animation after three hits and begin to mine again, you will receive three pieces of ore rather than the standard two - 

    chop your own wood, smith your own equipment, fletch your own arrows and temper your own armour. If you find an amazing piece of equipment in a chest, feel free to use it, but only if it fits the feel and lore of the character.

    You can buy certain things from vendors but think of it more of a trade for your creations. You may find yourself struggling for money at points. At early points, I was chopping wood to sell so I could rent a bed in a room.

    If you want more of a ‘settled’ feel, take hold of Anise’s cabin as soon as possible. It does not respawn so it’s a great place to store items you just don’t have the heart to throw away. I couldn't resist and ended up buying the plot of land in Falkreath too once I had the money (5000 gold took a while) I turned it into my hunting den with a trophy room of all my conquests.

     

    This playthrough has two distinct sections – the first is The Young Hunter where you will level naturally by hunting and using those hides to train your smithing and sell them to gain income and the second, Kaan Un-Weder - Kyne's Storm. This is a journey which is dynamic, visually progressive and incredibly rewarding.

     

    From humble beginnings...

    ...to awe-inspiring ends.

     

    These are the skills we will focus on primarily (full endgame perk spread later)

    Archery, Sneak, Light Armour, Smithing and Alchemy.

    As we are The Young Hunter, trying to make your way in the world by using Kyne’s gifts of meat and hide.

    After escaping Helgen and before your first hunt, you will need these things in your inventory - most can be gathered from Helgen or Embershard mine. Be sure to collect the Warrior stone too:

              - Fur or hide apparel (from the Bandits in Embershard Mine)

              - Novice Hood (from the cage in Helgen)

              - Long Bow/Hunting Bow and Iron arrows - I love the look of the long bow but it just doesn't go as far improvement wise as the hunting bow (Bandits and                     Imperial/Stormcloak soldiers)

              - Iron Dagger (need this for skinning animals)

              - Tankard for your mead (in the Imperials room in Helgen)

              - Pickaxe (Next to the ore vein in Embershard Mine)

              - Woodcutter's axe (On the table next to where you meet Gurdur in Riverwood)

    With this equipment attained, you can begin to hunt.

    REMEMBER TO SNEAK PROWL WHEN STALKING PREY.

    In third person, enter sneak mode with your bow sheathed. Hold the sprint key the entire way through the sequence. Unsheathe your bow and move forwards. You now move at a much greater speed.  You can also release the sprint button. To exit prowl mode, stop moving.

    I think this is compatible with the 'ranger' perk for super stalking. It isn't. Very annoying.

    Also see the Advanced Archery post for the archery roll technique.

     

    "Tears warm the ground and blossoms grow."

     

    My daily routine was to wake just before the sun rose at 5:30 after sleeping in an inn or abandoned/cleared cave have some bread/cheese/mead, wash in the closest stream or lake if I could and then head off to hunt.

    My early hunts were rarely successful especially with larger elk. You are very fragile at the early stages of the game and will need to be wary of sabre cats, bears and trolls at lower levels – mudcrabs can be a real threat at earlier levels too.

    After a few kills out hunting using that hide to make armour, you will begin to save enough money to use Faendal to train you in archery. This still fits in with the ‘young hunter’ vibe and with feel natural and not forced.

    Continue with the story mission taking you through Bleak Falls Barrow and then you should be looking to kill the dragon at the Western Watchtower. Once the Greybeards summon you, we are ready to ask Kyne for Her blessing to help you overcome the dragon threat.

    Exemplar perk spread for the start of the game. Only take perks in these 5 skills before and during Kyne's Sacred Trials.

     

    As you level up and begin to take down animals with more ease, the temptation to roam and explore trickier locations will become bigger. Luckily you have heard of a man living away from civilization who is wise with Kyne’s teachings. You head to Froki’s shack to complete Kyne’s Sacred Trials. Once started or after you complete the quest, you can head to Clearspring Tarn to collect the Bow of the Hunt – beware of the troll…

    The Bow of the Hunt is an extremely useful early game weapon. Especially when you run into bears or sabrecats while hunting. I did find myself running away from certain animals at early levels. I like that – the Young Hunter is definitely not a fearless killing machine.

     

     'Those sycophants in the Temple would call her Kynareth. Just a pale shadow of the truth, like all the Temple Divines. Kyne! Blessed Warrior-Wife. Shor's widow, sacred to any true Nord hunter. She's the mother of men and beasts, and her veil is the storm.'

    Froki Whetted-Blade

     

     

    When Kyne’s token is received, you are approached by the Mother of Men in a dream the next time you sleep. It is time for her intervention into this mortal affair.

    "The sacred stone reveals the flowers of her tears."

    She appeared. The Mother of Nords. The Widow of Shor. The Kiss at the End. The Goddess of the Storm. I knelt and began to recite Her hymn.

    “In darkness, your light shines through,

    Warrior Goddess, for you we strike true.

    When hope is lost and war rages on,

    Warrior Goddess, hear our blessed song!

    With a Nord's death, fallen in battle,

    Warrior Goddess, guide us through shadow.

    Grant us courage to fight and sharpen our swords,

    Warrior Goddess, mother of Nords!”

     

    Legends have always told that She has intervened personally with the affairs of mortals if the need is great enough. Never did I expect to be Her Vessel.

    I have proven my truth the Her and my respect for where She breathes.

    Apprehensive and unsure, you begin to reflect on the gifts that were promised you - gifts that transform your being into an explosion of lightning and thunder.

     

    Unlocking the true potential of Kyne's Storm:

    The Lord’s Mail – Alteration flesh spells to protect Her Champion

    Her Wrath – Lightning magic to give you the ability to utterly destroy your enemies.

    Aspect of Kyne – Storm Atronachs that assist you in battle.

    I trained conjuration through Soul Trapping corpses and summoning familiar. I would never soul capture animals or human bandits. Mages, hagravens, draugr and other 'unnatural' enemies are available to soul trap because you are cleansing Skyrim of that evil. The souls are then used to serve Kyne through charging weapons that do Her will.

    We can now head back to the Guardian Stones and take the Mage stone to help level us quicker to unlock more spells.

    There is a lot of training to do.

     

    As a side note, Librari the Wizard pointed out to me Kyne's Challenge on the Imperial Library. There is some excellent reading here and it does justify the use of bound bows.  This is completely up to you to use, but you may need to add a few more points into magicka as there will need to be a very large pool.  Maybe take away the perk from Twin Souls to add to Mystic Binding.

    After I reached level 55, I found myself taking perks in Enchanting to give some finishing touches to my character and to create some of my own artefacts of Kyne. Even unperked, it can be a great tool.

    When you think you need it, take the Lord stone for the extra resistance - I took it the first time I really struggled physically against better enemies.

     

    "Warrior Goddess, for You we strike true."

    A precise, agile archer combined with the raw power of a storm mage

    The time had come. You approach the enemy encampment lightly breathing, balls of your feet sweeping swiftly and without sound across the bracken and moss underfoot, your three bow fingers lightly twitching in harmony, ready for the ambush. It almost seems a shame to take out this group of outlaws; She promised you a power that would rip your enemies apart – even you, the storm’s catalyst cannot help but feel slightly apprehensive. Listening to the Storm inside you start to awaken, like a rock suddenly splitting, it is time to rip apart your enemies.

    Your first arrow is barely noticed by the group - two chests and a neck are already pierced before the others notice what is going on. Through the undergrowth you see their eyes, glistening and quivering as they search for the source of their comrades' death.

    Their perception is warped by fear, their hearts almost bursting from their chests. Out of the deathly and forboding calm that falls across the forest, the Storm erupts. Out of the undergrowth springs a vision of crackling bolts and roars of thunder. Beside the figure, two hulking creatures, seemingly made up of the elements, stalk forwards, barely noticing the arrows that pepper their ethereal hides. Lighting protrudes from the three figures; large, unstable bolts blast from their forms. Curtains of rain wash over the camp as the sky is ripped open and gashes of whitefire smash down into the earth. 

    Swords and axes slash and bite at you from all sides as you move through the camp, yet they seem to brush off the aura that your skin gives off, leaving a few slices in your armour but nothing on your flesh. Arrows are systematically and ruthlessly let fly into your prey, the thumps of lifeless corpses barely audible over the chaos of the storm. Before long a combination of arrows, electricity and atronachs take the lives of the ambushees.

    Rain still hits the ground as you pluck your arrows from the fallen. Electrical burns ripple their skin, skin mottled and melted by your new power. You hear the rain hiss as it touches their skin, still hot from the current running through their bodies, some still twitching, giving the illusion of life.

    The Storm subsides and curls back inside you. Kyne certainly told the truth about your Gifts.

    ***

     

    Because you have such a range of skills at your disposal, it is up to you how you use them. Here are some potential moves that I utilised through my journey. I have suggested them for each enemy you may face.

     

    Melee fighters

     

     

    Recurve trained = Power Shot + Quick Shot + Ranger

    Your natural agility and balance allow you to move at a speed while firing your bow that evades wings of axes, swords and daggers. Your lean bow arm can draw at speeds and strengths un-obtainable to others, staggering your opponent, keeping you from harm.

     

     

     

     

    Instant Energy = Impact + Duel Casting + Lightning Bolt

    The low magicka cost of lightning bolt combined with impact and dual casting allows you to rapidly fire off bolts of energy at groups of attackers, staggering them in turn.

     

     

     

    Archers

     

     

     

    Hunter’s vision = Eagle Eye + Steady Hand

    Your unmatched accuracyand trained eye allow you to fire further and faster than archers that are foolish enough to attack you. When archers fire their arrow, your window appears. You take a deep breath and look down your bow watching as your arrow hits their body, moments after firing their own.

     

     

     

    Lightning Jab = Power Shot + Quick Shot + Bow Bash + Thundershot

    As soon as an arrow is loosened powerful enough to stagger all but the largest of foes, you rush up to your enemy and fire another arrow into them at closer range. As they stagger again, you quickly bow bash them filling their bodies with the lightning infused to your bow.

     

     

    Mages

     

     

     

    Conduit = Storm Atronach + Chain Lightning + Dual Casting + Impact

    Summoning your atronach amidst the mages, you prepare to fire off a dual casted Chain Lightning spell. Your summoned deadra acts as a conduit as the energy flies off in all directions, filling nearby enemies with electricity.

     

     

     

     

    Mage Drain = Lightning Spells + Augmented Shock + Thundershot + Storm Atronach

    Your mastery of lightning makes you impossible to deal with for other magic users. Your electricity drains their magicka reserves at such speed that their primary source of power is stolen from them.

     

     

    Dragons

    By far the hardest enemies you will face. Their command of the skies and their speed makes them very hard to strike them on the move. You have figured out some techniques to bring these monsters down however.

     

     

     

    Dragon Tamer = Impact + Ranged Lightning Spells

    The power in your spells hits dragons with such force that they are rendered unable to attack. You toy with them until they are forced to take to the skies again.

     

     

     

     

    Sky Stealer = Storm Call + Storm Atronachs + Twin Souls

    One of your most powerful methods for dealing with dragons. The unmatched atronach accuracy, their natural resistance to lightning and the power of the sky leave the dragons nowhere to hide.

      

     

    Ultimate abilities

     

     

     

     

    Bow Master = Slow Time + Quick Shot + Power Shot + Ranger + Steady Hand

    Using the focus you have built up after years of hunting, you see prey’s movements more slowly allowing you to react faster and move quicker. Time seems to stand still as you dominate the battlefield.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Becoming the Storm = Ebony Flesh + Lightning Storm + Lightning Cloak + Storm Call + Wall of Storms

    Kyne’s ultimate gift. You take on the mantle of the storm and all surrounded enemies are swallowed by it. When used, it is as though Kyne is battling beside you.

     

     

     

     

    This is what I found myself most attached to. Equipment can now be split into hunting and battle attire.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Anything can be used as long as it fits with the skills we use. If not, you can disenchant items and enchant your own.

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    The most important thing to remember about this build is to stay true to what feels right. Don't stray too far away from the core mechanics – you are a hunter, you worship Kyne and you are also very set on crafting and creating your own things; this is one of your ways of worshiping Kyne. Sometimes, I was offered weaponry or armour that was way better than what I had equipped but just would not fit with the character I was trying to build. For example, the Nightingale bow would be PERFECT for this build with its enchantments but I just could not justify joining the Thieves Guild.

    Role-play, decimate your enemies with Kyne's gifts and stay true. Happy hunting.

     

      

    Thank you for taking the time to read my first build; I welcome any feedback.

     

  • Member
    October 24, 2016

    Very nice! :D

  • Member
    October 24, 2016

    I remember this build from TSB, liked it then and like it now :) The presentation here is very nice, excellent use of SE's space and the images are lovely. Kyne is a subject I am ever happy to discuss, not to mention the joy I find ragging on Froki, which I think I did last time so will refrian from doing so again now :P

    In terms of gameplay it looks great. I tend to play on higher difficulty settings but am pretty sure this would be viable, but there is nothing wrong with playing at a setting suited for the build and you make that clear. I laughed at this: "mudcrabs can be a real threat at earlier levels too." Ha! And at high levels. Those things are true TES legends, I love 'em.

  • ACD
    Member
    October 25, 2016
    Appreciate it, Noodles!
  • ACD
    Member
    October 25, 2016
    Thanks, Phil. I've added those signature moves in too. Mud crabs are my favourite. Shame there isn't a summon mudcrab spell because I would be all over making a mudcrab-master build.
  • Member
    October 25, 2016

    Man, I adore a good Kyne build. Loving the presentation style here too. Will totally earmark this one. :) 

  • ACD
    Member
    October 25, 2016

    Me too! There is so much lore around Kyne and Kynareth that allows for such a range of builds. 

    Thank you for your feedback; it is much appreciated.

  • May 28, 2017

    Great build! I love the kyne lore and I´m currently setting up my game to play this build. One question though, would it be possible for this build to side with the empire in the civil war since the empire was formed by talos who was also chosen by kyne (dragonborn)?

  • ACD
    Member
    June 27, 2017

    Hi Traumtaenzer,

     

    Sorry for the late reply; I have had a small addition to the family who seems hellbent on me not getting involved in all things Skyrim related.

    Personally, when building and playing, I found that the character is more interested in the preservation of what Kyne represents and sees more stability in the end of the civil war and keeping Skyrim as it is.

    That being said, Ulfric brings a huge amount of instability to Skyrim with his ego and arrogance about The Voice. 

    It is really up to you, but like I said, this build is about what feels right and flows naturally; if joining the Empire to rid Skyrim of civil war and bring imperial rule to it fits the way you play, perfect.

    Kaan sees himself as a proper nord living the nord way so he may personally not like to work for the people he sees as invading.

    I hope you enjoy it.