Bethesda shipped Skyrim on 11 November 2011, and app 72850 is that original 32-bit release rather than Special Edition or Anniversary Edition. The last official patch was 1.9.32.0.8 in March 2013, which added Legendary skills and then stopped; Creation Club, Survival Mode and the later fishing content never touched this build. Mods here run on the 32-bit Skyrim Script Extender and inherit the memory ceiling a 32-bit process carries, so advice written for Special Edition does not transfer file for file. What you do get is a finished, heavily patched 2011 game with Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn sold as separate add-ons.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. 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 | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stealth Archer | S | Open from crouch at maximum draw range, move to a second firing position after the first kill, and use the Shadow Stone's once-a-day invisibility when a camp turns and searches properly. | Daedric Greatsword | Moderate |
| Two-Handed Berserker | A | Walk in, take the first hit on purpose, and use Unrelenting Force to knock down anything with a shield. Great Critical Charge closes gaps that would otherwise let mages get a second spell off. | Dragonbone Bow | Yes |
| Destruction Mage | B | Dual-cast Impact to stagger lock single targets, use Wall of Flames in doorways, and reach 100 percent Destruction cost reduction on four slots so you can cast forever without a Magicka bar. | Mehrunes' Razor | No |
| Conjuration Battlemage | A | Raise two thralls before a fight, summon Bound Bow, and let the thralls hold the front while you shoot. Recast Bound Bow rather than letting it expire mid-fight, since the recast is faster than the death animation of whatever is charging you. | Dawnbreaker | Yes |
| Illusion Assassin | S | Cast Mayhem or Frenzy from outside the camp, wait for the survivors to thin each other, then Invisibility in and use the Assassin's Blade fifteen times multiplier on whoever is left. | Chillrend | Moderate |
New player? Start with Two-Handed Berserker. See our beginner's guide for why.
Stealth Archer
The build the whole community jokes about, and it is a joke because it works. Sneak attacks with a bow deal triple damage at Deadly Aim, and enemy detection in the 2011 build is generous enough that you can fire, break line of sight and re-enter sneak inside the same room.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Playstyle | Open from crouch at maximum draw range, move to a second firing position after the first kill, and use the Shadow Stone's once-a-day invisibility when a camp turns and searches properly. |
| Best Equipment | Daedric Greatsword |
| Stat Priority | Sneak to 100 first, then Archery, then Smithing and Enchanting; put roughly two level ups into Stamina for every one into Health |
| Core Gear | Dragonbone Bow with Dragonbone arrows, the Ancient Shrouded Armor set from Hag's End for its bow damage bonus, and a Daedric Dagger for finishing patrols |
| Key Mechanic | Skill use levelling across 18 skills |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Open from crouch at maximum draw range, move to a second firing position after the first kill, and use the Shadow Stone's once-a-day invisibility when a camp turns and searches properly.
- Pairs well with Daedric Greatsword
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 Skill use levelling across 18 skills. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Daedric Greatsword as your first major upgrade
- See our full Stealth Archer build guide for the optimal gear progression
Two-Handed Berserker
Heavy Armor plus Two-Handed is the most direct build in the game and the one that benefits most from the crafting loop. Armour rating caps at 567 for 80 percent damage reduction, which is reachable in Daedric plate at Smithing 90 without any potion tricks.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Walk in, take the first hit on purpose, and use Unrelenting Force to knock down anything with a shield. Great Critical Charge closes gaps that would otherwise let mages get a second spell off. |
| Best Equipment | Dragonbone Bow |
| Stat Priority | Two-Handed and Heavy Armor to 100, Smithing to 90 for Daedric, then Health heavily with Stamina for power attacks |
| Core Gear | Daedric Greatsword or Volendrung, full Daedric armour, and the Ring of Namira if you took Namira's quest |
| Key Mechanic | Dragon Shouts and Words of Power |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Walk in, take the first hit on purpose, and use Unrelenting Force to knock down anything with a shield. Great Critical Charge closes gaps that would otherwise let mages get a second spell off.
- Pairs well with Dragonbone Bow
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 Dragon Shouts and Words of Power. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Dragonbone Bow as your first major upgrade
- See our full Two-Handed Berserker build guide for the optimal gear progression
Destruction Mage
Honest ranking: Destruction is the weakest of the five because spell damage does not scale with skill level, only cost does. It carries the first thirty levels comfortably and then falls behind enemies that have been scaling the whole time.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Playstyle | Dual-cast Impact to stagger lock single targets, use Wall of Flames in doorways, and reach 100 percent Destruction cost reduction on four slots so you can cast forever without a Magicka bar. |
| Best Equipment | Mehrunes' Razor |
| Stat Priority | Destruction and Enchanting to 100, Alteration for Mage Armor spells, Magicka almost exclusively |
| Core Gear | Staff of Firebolt or the Skull of Corruption as a backup, Archmage's Robes from the College of Winterhold, and Destruction cost reduction on head, hands, ring and amulet |
| Key Mechanic | The thirteen Standing Stones |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Dual-cast Impact to stagger lock single targets, use Wall of Flames in doorways, and reach 100 percent Destruction cost reduction on four slots so you can cast forever without a Magicka bar.
- Pairs well with Mehrunes' Razor
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Whiterun to learn Destruction Mage-specific mechanics
- Focus on The thirteen Standing Stones. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Mehrunes' Razor as your first major upgrade
- See our full Destruction Mage build guide for the optimal gear progression
Conjuration Battlemage
Conjuration carries this build twice over: Bound Bow counts as a Daedric bow for damage and levels Archery while you use it, and Dead Thrall permanently raises two corpses with no time limit. You bring your own tank and your own damage.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Raise two thralls before a fight, summon Bound Bow, and let the thralls hold the front while you shoot. Recast Bound Bow rather than letting it expire mid-fight, since the recast is faster than the death animation of whatever is charging you. |
| Best Equipment | Dawnbreaker |
| Stat Priority | Conjuration to 100 for Twin Souls and Dead Thrall, Archery second, Restoration for Necromage if you go vampire, then Magicka |
| Core Gear | Bound Bow from the Conjuration spell tome, Ebony or Daedric light armour, and the Sanguine Rose for a Dremora on demand |
| Key Mechanic | The Smithing, Enchanting and Alchemy loop |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Raise two thralls before a fight, summon Bound Bow, and let the thralls hold the front while you shoot. Recast Bound Bow rather than letting it expire mid-fight, since the recast is faster than the death animation of whatever is charging you.
- Pairs well with Dawnbreaker
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Whiterun to learn Conjuration Battlemage-specific mechanics
- Focus on The Smithing, Enchanting and Alchemy loop. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Dawnbreaker as your first major upgrade
- See our full Conjuration Battlemage build guide for the optimal gear progression
Illusion Assassin
Illusion is the most broken tree in the 2011 build once Master of the Mind removes the undead and daedra immunity. Quiet Casting makes every spell silent, so Frenzy on a bandit camp clears it without you being detected at all.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Playstyle | Cast Mayhem or Frenzy from outside the camp, wait for the survivors to thin each other, then Invisibility in and use the Assassin's Blade fifteen times multiplier on whoever is left. |
| Best Equipment | Chillrend |
| Stat Priority | Illusion to 100 for Master of the Mind, Sneak second, One-Handed third, Magicka until dual-cast Mayhem is affordable |
| Core Gear | Blade of Woe or Mehrunes' Razor, Ancient Shrouded Armor, and Illusion cost reduction on all four enchantable slots |
| Key Mechanic | Legendary skills and endless scaling |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Cast Mayhem or Frenzy from outside the camp, wait for the survivors to thin each other, then Invisibility in and use the Assassin's Blade fifteen times multiplier on whoever is left.
- Pairs well with Chillrend
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Whiterun to learn Illusion Assassin-specific mechanics
- Focus on Legendary skills and endless scaling. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Chillrend as your first major upgrade
- See our full Illusion Assassin build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Two-Handed Berserker is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. 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 Greatsword for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Illusion Assassin offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Conjuration Battlemage shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Guides
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Overview
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Best Builds
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Tier List
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Walkthrough
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Beginner's Guide
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Tips & Tricks
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Weapons Guide
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Combat Guide
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Boss Guide
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Maps & Locations
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Crafting Guide
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