I want to make a shaman type character. How should I go about doing this? What would be the best race? Would I use light or heavy armor? I plan on using one handed axes with restoration, should I dual wield? Give me your suggestions!

e's are good e's are good he's ebeneezer good, got any salmon sorted

Ever played Morrowind? The Ashlanders had shamans so I would suggest a Dunmer.

Well Forsworn armor really has a Shamanistic feel to it so I'd go for light armor

Don't forget alchemy. Shamans tend to blend all sorts of shady drinks to "converse with gods."

You could mess around with perks here if you wanted, about all i can say for help. It's possible though to make a shaman.
http://skyrimcalculator.com/

Anyone else?

http://skyrimcalculator.com/#33435

As far as race goes, any will do really. Pick one that looks awesome or if you are really gonna RP then choose one based on lore.

Why would you want to be something that gets nerfed over and over unless you become a healer?


Oh wait what?

It's funny to see the word "shaman" mentioned here I bet most of you, if not pretty much everyone, played that game that starts with W and ends with W. Well i played shaman there too and it's a concept that could be introduced here, from a slightly different approach.

When we say shaman we are basically talking about a hybrid class that can both use offensive/defensive spells while having great melee power, right?. I for one would go Orc, maybe Nord, with 2 one-handed axes and windfu... oh wait.

If i wanted to perk i'd go with destruction (to use those neat offensive lightning spells), restoration (makes sense), light armor (like someone said, from a role-play PoV the forsworn armor fits like a glove), one-handed specialization in axes and enchanting/smithing. That's the nearest approach i can think of if you want to play shaman-style.

What's with all the "I want to build a Shaman" or "I want a Paladin, help plz!" threads? Are you just now discovering that there really are other games besides WoW? Are you going through some sort of culture shock? You really can't look at the skill sets that comes inside Skyrim and decide for yourself what the (insert WoW class) equivalent would be? Or is it that you want instant gratification, so you come here and ask rather than take the time to figure it out on your own?

Just create your character, then play Skyrim. It will almost as simple as: insert quarter, then play game... but I bet that 80% of you weren't even born when that was relevant.

But please stop with the WoW references. It's MADDENING I tell you !!!!

-Signed
Mr. Going Bat (expetive) Crazy

Sorry but WoW did not invent either class. So don't complain about people using the term. Anyways, I agree with what the others are saying so far, alchemy, light armor, you could do heavy. If you wanted to be like a one handed mace or axe and spell. That fits a shaman-esque in my opinion.

You're right, but the WoW reference is still viable. Which would the kids remember more? Here's your list:

1. WoW
2. EQ
3. D&D / AD&D
4. GW
5. UO

WoW was used because it's played by more subscribers, and it's a brand that's more recognizable than any other MMO that's out there the market.

hmm when i think of shaman im thinking Buffing/Debuffing with some healing, though weaker healing than those that speciailise in healing where the shaman specialises mostly in buffs/debuffs.

but heyy, my introduction to shamans was pretty much Everquest.

http://everquest.allakhazam.com/classes/Shaman.html

i played one back in the day, it was a lot of fun. my job in parties was mostly casting slow spells on mobs so they attacked waaaay slower. felt good. miss those days...

...yet that means absolutely nothing because those "classes" (archetypes) have been a part of roleplaying fantasy for as long as I've been aware of it. What is a popular example of it nowadays is completely meaningless. There's no reason to raise a ruckus over people wanting to play as these long-time-existent fantasy-archetypes.

EDIT: And, OP, I've began using a somewhat shaman-like build on my newest character, an orc;

I'm focusing on Dual-wielding, destruction, alteration (for potions and poisons), atronarch conjuration, light armor, enchanting, some restoration, and forging (although I'll admit that forging doesn't quite fit the Shaman persona, I like crafting stuff so I use it anyways.) More of an offensive breed of shaman. I wish I could make my own hexes and the ilk with spellmaking, but nerp. =/

Shaman or paladin does not remind at all of WoW or any MMO.

I'll take my leave then. I must have woke up on the wrong side of the bedroll, or something.

But still, you are more than likely one in a handful who refers to these "classes" based on past experiences other than WoW.

"Exit, stage left"

And, again, even if that's true, it doesn't mean anything. Scorning someone because they want to perpetuate an archetype, no matter where they've learned of this archetype, is just stupid. Completely stupid.

I think people who drive and text on their phones at the same it is just stupid. Completely stupid. Yet some prefer it.

You have your opinions, and I have mine. We'll just agree to disagree on this particular issue and go back to the OP's question, shall we?

That's stupid because it's dangerous. You're out on a tangent.




Sure, I've already done just that. Your turn.

I personally played WoW because I felt it had the best lore, and most engaging character balance. Everything progressed “logically.” Of all the MMO’s, and I’ve played them all, it just seemed “smarter” somehow. Ironic considering other games had more options technically with alternate advancement and whatnot, plus it was probably the most “cartoony” of them all!

The problem trying to reinvent classes from MMO titles in Elder Scrolls games, is that a large component of class balance simply has no direct correlative in a single player environment.

As Keldrath points out, debuffing is a major part of that. In a multiplayer environment, developers can plan abilities of certain classes which “synergize” with abilities of other classes, because you can pretty much count on having some class in your party that will help you maximize it.

So, creating archetypal characters in Skyrim comes down to three major elements or strategies, being RP, simulation, and content recreation. Topics like this always get me thinking of the last option there, being the Creation Kit will be released soon.

For example, how would one reinvent the function of totems? Perhaps some sort of effigy involving elementally charged soul gems (where different things you trap have different elemental properties. So, certain materials one collects combined with certain “sagas” or “songs” the player has learned will enable you to create a certain type of effigy which resonates elemental energy to some effect.

The quicksand idea has merit, though I’ll be the first to admit I svck at animation and particle effects!

The idea of familiars also comes to mind. Flock of crows, that blind your enemies!

“Tentacle snakes” are always fun! Like the dark energy arms of entropic mojo sapping certain skills. But then that’s more like necro-shaman, and that sort of thing is all in the visual spell effect.

One really cool idea Age of Conan introduced was heal over time effects based on 2-handed attacks. Bear shaman really were a fun class indeed!

EQ if I remember correctly made good use of wards. That's one thing I really want to see in a mod. Instant cast wards with a duration.

Thanks, because that is what I meant by what I said!

Ever since Oblivion, I've associated Argonians with shamanism. They just seem to have a nice affinity for tribal mysticism.

I play a similar character. I'd go with light armor. one handed, destruction, alteration, restoration for your main skills, either enchanting or alchemy would work for a crafting skill, and maybe you wanna keep conjuration in the picture, as fire, storm and ice atronachs are pretty shamanly summons. id probably stick to using axes and maces. as for race, pretty much anything would work. idk if any race has shamany lore. I would imagine wood elves to be a good choiceand yes argonians of course, but I made mine a breton, you can make them look like really cool tribal wizards that resemble celtic druids. skills don't really matter cause it doesn't take long to bring them up to par if you start with 15

I play a shaman, because I am one IRL