I was thinking about making a Nord barbarian. Light armor, two handed sword, blocking, blacksmithing and enchanting with a bit of archery and alchemy. I had mixed feelings about the armor, I know as someone who isn't going to use shields that heavy armor would be ideal for more protection but I liked the idea of being a fast moving hard hitting beast with a high stamina regen so he can do power attacks over and over.

http://skyrimcalculator.com/#85912


This is what I had so far any inputs on this build? For some reason when I look at it, it just doesn't feel that efficient...


The basic idea was a Nord warrior / barbarian / hunter who uses range to weaken his enemies, and then as they close in he pulls out a large 2 handed sword and just starts slashing away. Self reliance would be key to the class, so that he can craft his own armor and enchant for best effect, while using alchemy so he can make his own potions to help in the midst of battle.

Well, with smithing, enchanting and alchemy I don't think you should worry *too* much about being inefficient. Granted, I haven't used those skills very much myself.

I had a very similar character: Nord, 2-handed sword, archery for opening up a fight, light armor, block, smithing. No alchemy or enchanting, though. He did have a little sneak. He only wore/used what he crafted himself; didn't even pick up magic stuff to sell. Healing was done through bought/found potions only.

My only problems with that build were dragons. He was a soloer, so no companions for the meatshield. Plus, with 2-handed weapons you're getting a lot of 1-hit kills with your power attacks, so you're not getting hit a lot, so your light armor tends to be low. If you get mobbed, or can't kill something fast, you're vulnerable.

I only got up to around level 18 with that guy, though, before I started a new character, so my experience is pretty limited. It was a lot of fun. I actually plan to start a new char like that, from the ground up.

Anyway, I don't think you'll have too much to worry about. The only problem might be that you could end up leveling through your crafting skills and not your combat ones, which makes you less powerful for your level. My advice is to just use those skills naturally, and maybe invest in some training to keep your combat/armor skills viable.

Edit: Love the name!

You can hit cap with Light Armor easily with Smithing + Enchanting. Since you have Block, you should never be getting touched really so it does not matter. Light Armor is superior due to the 50% Stamina regen bonus Perk. Your defense and Offense hinge around Stamina.

Well I guess my biggest concern was using light armor over heavy since I won't be using a shield. But I see barbarians as wild men who wear animal furs and such, not heavily clad knights in armor. So it is good to hear someone else had success with such a build I plan to RP the character so he will only be crafting with the ore he finds naturally and enchanting only his gear. Alchemy is more going to be for health since I won't be using magic of any form, else I would just avoid it and enchanting all together.

Thanks on the name btw, I actually got it from Morrowind and felt it would suit my character. A elf hating Nord who loves to fight and get dirty He is like a bull who sees red. Any time he sees an High Elf he charges, unless he has to play nice for the better good of his people (for quest purposes)

My Oddr Elf-Eater, professional elf slayer approves of this idea. He's light armor, two-handed axes, smithing with a bit of bow and sneak and I'm having a blast. He travels with his nimble friend Sven the Bard, collector of tales of his bravery against the evil cunning elves

Oddr slays any elf he sees in the wild, especially those Dunmer farmers on their way to join the filthy cowardly Imperials... Have fun and Oddr will drink an ale in Roggar's name.

I also use a Light Armour barbarian with relatively little trouble (Main difference with my character, aside from the lack of alchemy/enchanting, is that she uses an axe instead of a sword) Well, no more trouble than I'd have with any character due to my level of skill, but you know what I mean. It's quite a bit of fun, actually, more so than I think I'd have with a one handed and shield character...