Skyrim drops you into a frozen province on the brink of civil war, then hands you the soul of a dragon and lets you go anywhere. The Special Edition adds 64-bit support, better lighting, and full mod compatibility on top of the 2011 base game. You can play 200 hours and still trip over a quest you never saw.
This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stealth Archer | S | Crouch, line up the shot, vanish, repeat | Daedric Bow |
| Two-Handed Berserker | A | Walk forward, swing, ignore most incoming damage | — |
| Destruction Mage | B | Dual-cast Impact to stunlock, kite everything else | — |
| Conjuration Summoner | A | Summon, reanimate, let the army carry | — |
| Sword and Board Paladin | B | Block, bash to stagger, counterattack | — |
New player? Start with Two-Handed Berserker. See our beginner's guide for why.
Stealth Archer
The build everyone falls into for good reason. Sneak attacks with a bow deal triple damage, and with the right perks that becomes a flat 3x sniper kill from the shadows.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Playstyle | Crouch, line up the shot, vanish, repeat |
| Stat Priority | Stamina for draw speed, then Health |
| Core Gear | Daedric or Dragonbone Bow, Deadly Aim perk, Muffle enchantment on boots |
| Key Mechanic | shout system |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Crouch, line up the shot, vanish, repeat
- Pairs well with Daedric Bow
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Whiterun to learn Stealth Archer-specific mechanics
- Focus on shout system. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Daedric Bow as your first major upgrade
- See our full Stealth Archer build guide for the optimal gear progression
Two-Handed Berserker
Heavy armor and a greatsword that turns enemies into paste. Power attacks stagger and the Critical Charge perk closes distance fast.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Walk forward, swing, ignore most incoming damage |
| Stat Priority | Health first, Stamina for power attacks |
| Core Gear | Daedric Greatsword, full Daedric heavy armor, Elemental Fury shout |
| Key Mechanic | skill perk trees |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Walk forward, swing, ignore most incoming damage
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Whiterun to learn Two-Handed Berserker-specific mechanics
- Focus on skill perk trees. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Mehrunes' Razor as your first major upgrade
- See our full Two-Handed Berserker build guide for the optimal gear progression
Destruction Mage
Fire, frost, and shock from range. Destruction scales poorly at high levels without crafting support, so pair it with Alchemy to stay relevant.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Playstyle | Dual-cast Impact to stunlock, kite everything else |
| Stat Priority | Magicka above all, then Health |
| Core Gear | Staff of staves, Fortify Destruction gear, Impact perk for stagger |
| Key Mechanic | smithing and enchanting |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Dual-cast Impact to stunlock, kite everything else
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Whiterun to learn Destruction Mage-specific mechanics
- Focus on smithing and enchanting. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Chillrend as your first major upgrade
- See our full Destruction Mage build guide for the optimal gear progression
Conjuration Summoner
Let bound creatures and reanimated corpses do the fighting. A Dremora Lord tanks while you cast support spells from safety.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Summon, reanimate, let the army carry |
| Stat Priority | Magicka, then Health |
| Core Gear | Bound Bow for early game, Conjuration cost-reduction gear |
| Key Mechanic | standing stones |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Summon, reanimate, let the army carry
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Whiterun to learn Conjuration Summoner-specific mechanics
- Focus on standing stones. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Dragonbane as your first major upgrade
- See our full Conjuration Summoner build guide for the optimal gear progression
Sword and Board Paladin
Restoration healing, a one-handed sword, and a shield for bashing. Slow but nearly unkillable, ideal for a first survival-focused run.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Playstyle | Block, bash to stagger, counterattack |
| Stat Priority | Health and Stamina split |
| Core Gear | Dawnbreaker, heavy shield with block enchant, Restoration spells |
| Key Mechanic | alchemy crafting |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Block, bash to stagger, counterattack
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Whiterun to learn Sword and Board Paladin-specific mechanics
- Focus on alchemy crafting. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Auriel's Bow as your first major upgrade
- See our full Sword and Board Paladin build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Two-Handed Berserker is the clear winner. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Stealth Archer is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Daedric Bow for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Sword and Board Paladin offers the highest skill ceiling.
For Group Play
Conjuration Summoner shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
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