Character Archetype: The Warrior

Race: Nord

Gender: Male

Statistic Focus: Health 60%, Stamina 40%

Primary Skills (you’ll want to level these ASAP): One-Handed, Block

Secondary Skills: Light Armor, Archery

Stone Ability: Warrior Stone

Essential Perks: Armsman (One-Handed), Fighting Stance (One-Handed), Power Bash (Block), Disarming Bash (Block) Elemental Protection (Block), Agile Defender (Light Armor)

Weapons: One-Handed weapons and a shield; Bow and arrows for backup

Armor: Light Armor; with your shield for defense. Heavy armor will weigh you down.

Follower: You’ll be the tank and take up all of your enemies’ attention in combat, so you want a ranged follower who will stay out of the way. Try Marcurio or Jenessa.

Advice:

·       As a Nord, you start out with bonuses in your most important skills plus a racial ability that helps you thrive in the thick of combat.

·       Before each fight, decide where you want to meet your enemies. Give yourself space to move, but don’t let them get behind/surround you, or your shield will be useless.

·       Let your enemies come to you. Use your bow early on, then use your favorites menu to switch back to your preferred weapon and shield.

·       Stay in the spotlight. If your enemies try to go after your follower, take them down so your follower can do his/her job.

·       If you’re getting overwhelmed, try to move back into a hallway or doorway. Sacrificing your space is worth keeping your enemies from flanking you. You’ll also have less things to fight at once.

·       If you become surrounded, use your racial ability, Battle Cry. It will scatter your foes and give you some time to reposition yourself or recover.

·       Master the rhythm of combat. Learn how to use your attack, power attack, and shield bash smoothly with the greatest effect.

·       One Handed perks like Armsman or Fighting Stance increase your damage output, but block perks like Power Bash, Disarming Bash, or Elemental Protection are all important for taking full advantage of your shield and armor.

·       The Warrior Stone helps you level up three out of four of your critical skills.

·       Even if you don’t use a single archery perk, it can be helpful for taking out snipers or luring out enemies.

·       If you can block effectively, you won’t take much damage. This works well with the light armor and gives you extra mobility and carry weight. If you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to switch to heavy armor, though.