40+ hours into the game and im still looking for that feel right character for me. I have 3 characters leveled in the mid to high teens.

1 - 2 handed axe wielding Orc in heavy armor
2 - Breton mage in robes
3 - Wood Elf hunter in light armor

All are fun to play but they are lacking something for my play style. Whether it was poor perk allocations or my lack of skill with these builds I found my self feeling weak in certain areas. The Orc is powerful against all but mages. The Breton burns thru magicka two quickly this early in the game. I know with more perks and better gear that will change but currently im relying on my meat shield companion. It works great until she gets KO’d. The wood elf has been fun and archery feels powerful. In open areas kitting works great but in confined areas it gets hairy.


I’m going to create a new character based loosely around a paladin play style.

Race: Nord
Stat allocation: 2 Stamina 1 Health ratio.
Armor: Heavy
Weapons: One Handed Mace and a shield
Spell schools: Heavy Restoration, Light Destruction (Basic Shock damage only)
Enchantments: Only use enchantments found on world items.


Perks (based on level 50)

One-Handed
Armsman - Level 5 - One-handed weapons do 100% more damage
Fighting Stance - Power attacks cost 25% less stamina
Critical Charge - Sprinting power attacks do double critical damage
Bone Breaker - Level 3 - Maces ignore 75% of armor

Block
Shield Wall - Level 5 - Blocking is 100% more effective
Quick Reflexes - Time slows down if blocking power attack
Deflect Arrows - Arrows blocked by shield do no damage
Elemental Protection - Blocking with shield reduces fire/frost/shock by 50%
Block Runner - Move faster with shield raised
Power Bash - Able to do power bash
Deadly Bash - Bash does 5 times more damage
Bash Disarm - Chance to disarm when bashing
Shield Charge - Sprinting with shield raised knocks down most targets

Heavy Armor
Juggernaut - Level 5 - Armor Rating is 100% higher
Well Fitted - 25% if wearing all Heavy armor
Tower of Strength - 50% less stagger when wearing only Heavy Armor
Matching Set - Additional 25% bonus if wearing matched set
Reflect Blows - 10% chance to reflect melee damage if wearing all Heavy armor

Restoration
Master Restoration - Proficiency Cast Restoration Master spells for 50% less magicka
Ward Absorb - Wards recharge magicka when hit with spells
Respite - Healing spells restore Stamina as well
Regeneration - Healing spells cure 50% more
Recovery - Level 2 - Magicka regenerates 50% faster
Avoid Death - Autoheal 250 points when health goes below 10% once/day.

Smithing
Steel Smithing
Dwarven Smithing
Orcish Smithing
Ebony Smithing
Daedric Smithing
Dragon Smithing

Basically this will be a healing tank build. With the one hand perks I should be able to do decent melee damage while keeping myself or companion healed. My low magicka pool should be helped with potions and restoration perks. My lower health will be countered with my heavy armor and block perks. My high stamina will allow me use my shield as a counter attack (interrupt) via bashing. Smithing will allow me to have the best tier equipment as I level up. I skipped enchanting on this build to keep myself from creating god like gear early in the game. Besides this will give me a reason to dungeon dive for better gear.


What are your thoughts on this build and specifically my lack of adding points into magicka? I was hoping the restoration perks and my high defense will allow enough time to regen between heals. I have also run across several magicka regen rings and amulets that could be used as well.

I will play this build out for a while and update this with my results.

I see a potential problem... isn't glass smithing a prerequisite to dragon smithing? This would add 3 perks to your list if you wish to craft dragon armour.

Sorry to rain on the parade I hope I'm mistaken.

This is how I'm playing my first character

I'd say that with Quick Reflexes and Respite you actually need very little Stamina. I go 2:1 Health:Stamina on him and he's a doing pretty solid.

Edit: I'd actually pick up the double handed healing as well - a big part of the Paladin is being able to save others so if you can't do it by holding aggro via body blocking due it through the heals. I also visit every shrine/temple I come to and pay homage .
Edit 2x: I actually am mastering out speech over heavy armor. Paladins have been traditionally high on diplomacy/charisma and from an RP perspective speech lets you literally help you the impoverished regions of Skyrim by investing money into them and making your persuade/intimidates better.

I'm not sure how that will work out. From looking at the perk tree it seems you could go up either side of the path. I'm not sure though. I will probably change up some point when i get into the higher levels depending on how everything plays out.


Very good info. I have played thru 18 levels with this build today. I have not got up to Respite yet so i may favor health more later in the levels. As it stands now i am stamina starved when i mix it up with 3 or more tougher opponents. The build is working great so far though. I'm having a blast and it feels allot stronger than my previous builds at the same level. I love running into a cave and making as much noise as possible alerting all inside that they are about to get a shield slap and mace to the face. If i run into a mage lobbing fire balls i duck around a corner and heal up. and work my way to them. When i get Elemental Protection they will fall much faster. so far the 10 or so dragons i have encounterd have been a joke. Just tank the breath fire shock bolts at them until they land. Then its a mix of bashes and shouts to interupt there breath and the beat down.

I will stick this build out to the end.