Hey everyone, i'm planning ahead on my second playthrough to try and get the build as perfect as i could possibly get.

I intend to make a tank based class, someone that can take a major beating, as such the obvious skills to go down will be smithing, 1 handed, block & heavy armor, but i'm also not sure what else would be viable to go down.

I'm thinking Enchanting & Alchemy will be good, and i shan't be using the skill increasing potions, as i'd rather stray away from making the game incredibly easy and obsolete, i want a challenge, as such i'll be playing on the master difficulty.

I was also considering restoration, but being that i've not yet actually cast any spells in this game yet, other than for the winterhold questline, how would restoration suit a "tank"? I'm aware i'd have to replace my 1 hander or shield in order to heal up, but this shouldn't be a problem.


Is there anything i've overlooked/missed/would be even more viable? Any advice/tips/etc would be greatly appreciated!

I pretty much done what you have and with

Level 20 nord. (master difficulty)
+Orc helm, armor and gloves (epic)
+steel boots (epic)
+Dwarven shield (epic)
+Orc 1 hand axe (flawless)

i can take on any giant or wild animal (cannot melee mammoths yet, will def try later when i have much better gear)

Shield bash is incredibly OP and can interrupt a lot of different attacks including dragon breaths.

I plan on having my character as a tank of sorts and using companion as the muscle, dont be fooled though you will still output alot of damage with a single 1 hand + shield bash

I havent, nor plan on abusing the enchant/alchemy. I do and will use + skill potions as they were intended, i just don't/ will not use the alchemy/ enchant loop to abuse.


Consider taking alteration instead for the magic resists. Restoration will be ok, but the magic resist will be much more vital, and will limit the amount of incoming damage.


Its been much more fun than my stealth archer.

i kinda made my lydia a tank lol, heavy armor with 70% more damage blocked with shield from ring, shield and amulet.
if u really wanna be overpowered go for heavy armor + enchanting + smithing + weapon of choice perks

I'd suggest getting a bit of Alteration in there as well, for +armour rating and +magic resist/absorb buffs.

Brilliant, i'll take Alteration over Restoration then, thanks for the quick replies guys!

Outside of the obvious combat perks; 1 handed, block, heavy armor etc.
Make sure to put a good amount on smithing and enchanting.
Tanks need good armor and weapons to do that you'll need to create and upgrade your own.
So look out for and keep hold of raw resources.

Yeah i'll definetly be going for smithing, i'll be heading along the right side, skipping the obvious light armor choices, i'll most likely stack my armor with resistance enchants because the mages in this game are brutally overpowered in terms of hitpoints and damage dealt.

One thing i completely forgot to mention was the race choice, i'm stuck deciding between a Nord, Redguard & Orc, I'm really not sure what would be the more ideal choice, i'm thinking orc due to the half damage taken & double damage done racial.

Im thinking of the same style as you on my Redguard, except using Light Armor instead of Heavy Armor. How much will this affect me?

Ive been playing as stealth character and a mage so far and want to try something new, but the whole "warrior-style" seems kinda boring, but Ive heard the block perks and attacks are fun so I want to test this atleast.

I like being a bit quickier than the usual tank, like a sparta warrior, instead of having loads of steel on my body, but Im not sure yet.. Please advice me

My block does 5 times damage when I bash, so it's strong as hell.

To be honest with you the most you really need to focus on is a good sheild and block skill. I have 75 block on my orc and when you are blocking its almost like an impenetrable wall.

Sheild bash is very powerful and can indeed shut up a dragon who is breathing on you.

enchanting is what I would reccomend give your armour magic resistance or more block damage reduction.