Skyrim builds and how to build classes for your character

Skyrim classes — (Image credit: Bethesda)

Jump To:

Battlemage build
Archer build
Mage build
Assassin build
Tank build

Skyrim builds can help you recreate classic classes in Bethesda's adventure. There are none of the classic RPG options here, as creating a character is more about combining races and birth signs to shape starting stats, skills and buffs. It's a good system but one that can make creating specific build archetypes harder.

However, if you want a specific Skyrim builds, it can be done if you know where put your XP, what gear to use, and the perks to pick. To help you achieve these pre-made aspirations in Skyrim, we have a list of the best builds you can use to craft the character of your dreams.

Skyrim Battlemage build

Battlemages are some of the most intriguing characters in Skyrim. Especially as some of the best Skyrim companions, like Teldryn Sero, fight like this and it’s particularly effective because of its devastating damage potential.

At the core of this is wielding a weapon in one hand and Destruction magic in the other. Your one-handed weapon will probably be your main damage dealer here, while Destruction spell play on elemental weaknesses. As a results it's probably best to level One-Handed up first before adding Destruction into the mix.

You can make this even more effective by kitting yourself out with light armour for protection without losing too much mobility, and enchant it all with buffs to boost Magicka regeneration and spell costs. Our Skyrim enchanting guide can help there. As for utility perks, you’ll need a decent Alchemy stat so that you can craft potions to keep your health up instead of using Restoration.

The best battlemages in terms of stats are Dark Elves, as their Ancestor’s Wrath ability is brilliant for crowd control when you get overwhelmed. However, Redguards and Imperials are also well-suited to this style of play, boasting decent combat skills and an innate proficiency for Destruction magic.

Skyrim Archer build

A good Archer class in Skyrim builds off of things like light armour with Sneak enchantments as well as a bow enchanted with elemental damage and soul trap - to keep it topped up - as well as the best arrows money can buy. You’ll also want a maxed out Sneak stat, as well as high Alchemy and Enchanting.

You’ll need to use Alchemy to craft devastating poisons to make your arrows far more powerful, while the high Sneak stat will help you stay out of sight and score extra damage. It's also not a bad idea to have a companion with you who can take the heat at the frontlines while you fire arrows from a safe distance.

The best archers by a long shot are Wood Elves, who are resistant to the very poisons they work with and naturally gravitate towards Archery and Sneak. Truthfully, anybody can make a great archer, but the Bosmer of Valenwood really are the archery elite.

Skyrim Mage build

To be a mage you definitely want to be a Breton, High Elf, or Dark Elf here, all of whom have incredibly well-rounded base magic stats. To be honest though, High Elves are probably best for this because of their Highborn ability, which regenerates 25% of the character’s Magicka per second for 60 seconds - and this is on top of the fact that High Elves start off with +50 Magicka.

You also need to invest in more than just Destruction magic. If you max out Conjuration, you can conjure two atronachs at once. With Illusion, you can Calm enemies, or send them into states of fear and frenzy. You can even make enemies turn on each other. Max out the right skills and spells and you can fill the battlefield with magical creatures and invoke fear in all who oppose you.

You’ll need good magical gear here, maybe the Archmage’s Robes and Savos Aren’s amulet, as well as many Magicka potions as you can carry. Also, despite how much chaos-stirring potential you have, you’ll benefit hugely from having a tanky companion like Vilkas or Mjoll the Lioness. They can distract enemies while you prepare to turn them on each other, after which point you can join the fray and lay waste to the battlefield with Destruction magic.

Skyrim Assassin build

As an assassin, you’ll pretty much only be using bows and daggers, both of which get massive damage bonuses if you’ve unlocked the right Sneak perks. And, like the archer, you’ll be brewing all sorts of deadly poisons, so grinding Alchemy is an absolute must (and you can use our Skyrim alchemy guide there).

You’ll want to complete the Thieves’ Guild questline as quickly as possible for this to get some special Sneak-enchanted armour. However, what you really need is to maximize Smithing and Enchanting so that you can enchant your own Dragonscale light armour. Ideally you want it to improve skills like Sneak, Pickpocket, and Lockpicking, as these artful talents are an assassin’s bread and butter.

An assassin build allows you to pull off some of the most interesting combat in Skyrim - if you’ve got a high enough Pickpocket stat, you can kill people by planting poison on their person while barrel rolling around dungeons, silently plunging dual-daggers into the backs of unsuspecting enemies.

The best races for an Assassin build are Argonians, Khajiit, and Dark Elves, as they’re all masters of subterfuge.

Skyrim Tank build

A good Skyrim tank starts life as an Orcs, Nord, or Redguards. You'll need heavy armour generally, although light armour can work if you’re aggressive and focus on a damage output. This is the build that's all about two-handed weapons, with maybe a sword-and-shield combo for a little more control Either way, the whole purpose is to be in the thick of combat at all times, taking beating as you dish out the damage.

You’ll want to enchant your armour to increase its defensive capabilities, and you could definitely benefit from grinding Restoration - you’ll be taking a lot of hits at the frontline, so using your Magicka pool to keep your health topped off is a handy resource to have.

You'll also rely on your Shouts more than any other class here as as your main magical damage output. Fus-ro-dah your enemies off cliffs, spit fire and frost at foes you can’t reach with your weapon, and command dragons to face you head on by unleashing Dragonrend.

Whatever Skyrim build you want just remember the cores needs: Battlemages focus on one handed and Destruction magic, with enchanted armor to boost magicka. Archers are all about stealth and poisons. Mages use high magic regen to maximise Destruction, Illusion and Conjuration damage. Assassin's really are just about as much stealth as possible. And, finally, Tanks use heavy armor, Shouts and the biggest weapon they can swing.

If you’ve decided on a playstyle you want, you can craft these builds with the skills, perks, armour, and weaponry we've outlined here. Just remember, more than anything the best character build is the one you enjoy playing most.