This The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.
Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.
Builds Rankings
| Tier | Build | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Stealth Archer | 9.5/10 | 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. |
| A | Two-Handed Berserker | 8.5/10 | 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. |
| B | Destruction Mage | 7.5/10 | 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. |
| A | Conjuration Battlemage | 8.5/10 | 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. |
| S | Illusion Assassin | 9.5/10 | 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. |
Detailed Builds Analysis
Stealth Archer (S-Tier)
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.
Best with: 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. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Sneak to 100 first, then Archery, then Smithing and Enchanting; put roughly two level ups into Stamina for every one into Health
Two-Handed Berserker (A-Tier)
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.
Best with: Daedric Greatsword or Volendrung, full Daedric armour, and the Ring of Namira if you took Namira's quest. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Two-Handed and Heavy Armor to 100, Smithing to 90 for Daedric, then Health heavily with Stamina for power attacks
Destruction Mage (B-Tier)
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.
Best with: 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. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Destruction and Enchanting to 100, Alteration for Mage Armor spells, Magicka almost exclusively
Conjuration Battlemage (A-Tier)
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.
Best with: Bound Bow from the Conjuration spell tome, Ebony or Daedric light armour, and the Sanguine Rose for a Dremora on demand. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Conjuration to 100 for Twin Souls and Dead Thrall, Archery second, Restoration for Necromage if you go vampire, then Magicka
Illusion Assassin (S-Tier)
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.
Best with: Blade of Woe or Mehrunes' Razor, Ancient Shrouded Armor, and Illusion cost reduction on all four enchantable slots. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Illusion to 100 for Master of the Mind, Sneak second, One-Handed third, Magicka until dual-cast Mayhem is affordable
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daedric Greatsword | Two-Handed builds that have already taken Daedric Smithing and want raw damage per swing | The heaviest base damage two-handed weapon in the 2011 game, craftable at Smithing 90 with the Daedric Smithing perk from ebony ingots and a daedra heart. |
| Dragonbone Bow | Archers past Smithing 100 who open every fight from stealth rather than trading shots | Added by Dawnguard and craftable at Smithing 100 with the Dragon Armor perk. |
| Mehrunes' Razor | Dagger assassins who want a lottery ticket on every hit against high health targets | Reward for Pieces of the Past, reassembled at the Shrine of Mehrunes Dagon. |
| Dawnbreaker | One-Handed characters clearing Nordic barrows and anyone doing the Dawnguard vampire content | Meridia's reward from The Break of Dawn at Kilkreath Ruins. |
| Chillrend | Thieves Guild players who delay Mercer Frey's house until they are high level | A glass sword found in Riftweald Manor during the Thieves Guild questline, and one of the few artefacts whose stats lock to your level when you first see it. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Equipment Analysis
Daedric Greatsword: The heaviest base damage two-handed weapon in the 2011 game, craftable at Smithing 90 with the Daedric Smithing perk from ebony ingots and a daedra heart. Improved at a grindstone with the crafting loop behind it, it outdamages every named artefact in the game.
Dragonbone Bow: Added by Dawnguard and craftable at Smithing 100 with the Dragon Armor perk. It has the highest base damage of any bow in this version, at the cost of the slowest draw, which matters far less than it sounds when every shot is a sneak attack anyway.
Mehrunes' Razor: Reward for Pieces of the Past, reassembled at the Shrine of Mehrunes Dagon. Its enchantment is a flat chance to instantly kill any target regardless of health, which does not scale and does not need to, and the base dagger speed means you roll that chance often.
Dawnbreaker: Meridia's reward from The Break of Dawn at Kilkreath Ruins. It burns for fire damage and, on killing an undead target, triggers an explosion that can chain through a room. Draugr crypts are most of Skyrim's dungeon count, which makes this the most situationally useful artefact in the game.
Chillrend: A glass sword found in Riftweald Manor during the Thieves Guild questline, and one of the few artefacts whose stats lock to your level when you first see it. Pick it up at level 46 or above and it is a genuinely competitive one-handed weapon with frost damage and a paralysis chance.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim centers on Skill use levelling across 18 skills and Dragon Shouts and Words of Power. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one. Our combat guide explains these interactions in depth.
What's strong right now:
- Stealth Archer with Daedric Greatsword is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- The thirteen Standing Stones builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Destruction Mage remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Two-Handed Berserker is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Mehrunes' Razor offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Illusion Assassin builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Build | Best Gear | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Stealth Archer | Daedric Greatsword | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Two-Handed Berserker | Dragonbone Bow | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Destruction Mage | Mehrunes' Razor | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Conjuration Battlemage | Dawnbreaker | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Illusion Assassin | Chillrend | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
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 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
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Classes & Characters
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