Help with a mage character - the aged orc

[J_R]

Hey peeps -

 

So I totally burned out on skyrim a few months ago after 200 hours of play (go figure) and am now contemplating jumping back in with a new character - an elderly orc with attitude.

 

I know there are probably guides out by now about building mage characters, but just skimming the surface - is having him wear heavy armor + 2-handed weapon AND be a skilled mage feasible? Or is it better to just stick with the robes and 'pure' mage build? I would like to have him be skilled in magic (enchanting & alchemy come with that of course) but also be able to finish off opponents in a bloody rage wearing traditional full armor and battle axe/warhammer.

 

Cheers and I hope you all have been well!

Edited March 5, 2012 by J_R

[Staind716]

I play a mage with heavy armor and also use 1-handed weapons so it is possible. I would recommend using a bound weapon so you can also increase your conjuration at the same time. One of the things I really enjoy with Skyrim is all of the possible combinations you can use due to the skill and perk setup.

[monster0mash]

I've just hit level 24 mage, playing with no armor but using Conjuration and Destruction mainly.

I heavily rely on my follower and summons to fight but come in and blast from the side.

The benefit I see is having Mage Armor, which doubles or triples your base magic armor.

However, i only go this route in case something comes after me, I'm usually dead quickly if it's something strong regardless because i have weak health.

 

The problem with doing a hybrid build as I see it, means you will be wasting points in magic when you would want:

Smithing and perks.

Enchantment and perks (need some conjuration for soul trap).

Health and stamina not magicka

Two-handed tree

 

I like the idea but i think it would take some planning out for first 20 levels.

Also, it alchemy worth it for someone who wants to close fight?

It seems to be suggested for stealthy types in this game, like a poison bow which someday I will try.

I'm 50 hours in and getting a bit tired myself as I have so much stuff on my quest log I can't think.

Edited March 6, 2012 by monster0mash

[J_R]

Thanks for the advice.

 

Seeing as this guy's supposed to be a 'druid', I kind of ended up with this build -

 

Heavy Armor

Two Handed

Smithing

Alchemy

Enchanting

Max Conjuration

A little Restoration

A little Illusion

A little Archery

[worldofscotty]

This is where I find people go wrong.

 

The reason I think your burning out is because your following guides and trying to find something scripted. Just go with it. Think of a good back story and just sink into the game.

 

Everything is feasible. I'm 60 hours into a game where I play a priest in an

un-enchanted hooded monks robe who's only means of killing enemies on master level is via fury spells. I aim to finish the game with 0 kills in stats. I also have passive spells and restoration for my pet wolf (gotta kill some stuff and pet kills don't seem to count).

Edited March 6, 2012 by worldofscotty

[J_R]

This is where I find people go wrong.

 

The reason I think your burning out is because your following guides and trying to find something scripted. Just go with it. Think of a good back story and just sink into the game.

 

Everything is feasible. I'm 60 hours into a game where I play a priest in an

un-enchanted hooded monks robe who's only means of killing enemies on master level is via fury spells. I aim to finish the game with 0 kills in stats. I also have passive spells and restoration for my pet wolf (gotta kill some stuff and pet kills don't seem to count).

 

Meh I have no trouble role playing and getting into character. But I still like to know which talent trees end up being wastes of points etc. to satisfy the OCD aspect of myself.

[landy8]

My first character was a Dunmer spellsword (one-handed, light armor, destruction). After reaching level 20+ I buried that girl and started anew.

Second character was a pure warrior. Finished the game with that one. Now playing pure mage. Level 50+, no problem walking around.

 

Problem with the dual characters, IMHO, is the lack of perk points. Beginning is easy enough, but you'll start to die often after level 20. The reason is the enemies have only one speciality while you have to increase a number of skills (and spend perk points). So the enemies are good in one thing while you are not very good in two (or more) things.

 

Conjuration is great on higher levels, but my mage girl had a boring time when her Conjuration skill was low. Enter the dungeon - find enemies - conjure that burning weakling - cast Muffle - hide - return to step 3 (100+ times). The only Vanilla thing worth summoning, IMHO, is Dremora Lord. "The challenger is ME!" Love it. But I had to install some conjuration mods to have a better selection of summonable creatures. The other problem of Conjuration is dragons. They FLY! And you have no summonable flying things. So my Illusion - Conjuration mage had to train Destruction (and Alteration) to have something to blast that big meanies in the air.

 

Heavy armor (or light one) for a mage is a good idea. That alteration skins are good, but temporary, while common armor is a worn-forgot one. My mage has a set of light armor now. Much better that way.

 

Two-handed + Conjuration, IMHO, will not be easy. Conjure something - switch to the battleaxe - go and hack that guys? One advice: try Unrelenting Force after (or before) summoning to have some time to make a switch.