Artificer

Dark Elf - Crossbow - Staff - Light - Archer

Background

Artificers, like mages, gained their ability to wield magic through training and practice. However, they tinker with devices to imbue them with magical power and approach magic in a scientific way.

Weapons

A bow as soon as you can. You can then purchase a crossbow and bolts from the Fletcher in Solitude. An Imperial Crossbow is a good choice as this uses Steel Smithing like the regular crossbow you get from the Dawnguard but has a base damage of 20 rather than 19. Remember to upgrade it to an enhanced one as soon as you can at a Blacksmith Forge.

The final weapon is an Enhanced Dwarven Crossbow. The means to craft these are from undertaking a series of quests for Sorine by siding with the Dawnguard. Sorine is also a mater level Archery trainer. This is enchanted with both Shock Damage and Fiery Soul Trap. The Fiery Soul Trap enchantment is only found on a unique battleaxe in Ironbind Barrow

The Aetherial Staff is also used to summon a Dwarven Spider or Sphere to assist you in combat. You can start the quest chain for this by reading the book Aetherium Wars or by entering Arkinthamz, which is to the South East of Markarth.

Armor

Craft a set of Leather Scout Armor at the start of the game. Then gather a set of Scaled Armor which can be acquired for free with 3 items from the mudcrab infested area to the south east of Gjukar’s Monument and the helmet from Lost Echo Cave, which is west from Solitide, north past Statue of Meridia and then west along the road.

The final gear is Krosis, Dwarven Mail Armor, Dwarven Mail Boots and Dwarven Mail Gauntlets.

Krosis can be found on the Dragonpriest of the same name at Shearpoint. You can get there by Heading North East from Whiterun and the mountain with Shimmermist Cave and then follow the path up to it past Fellglow Keep.

A full set of Dwarven Mail gear can be acquired by reading the Arena Fan’s Note on the body at a camp to the South of Ivarstead.

Spells

Restoration for healing spells.

Standing Stones

The Lord Stone for 50 armor rating (6% damage reduction) and 25% magic resistance.

Shrines

Talos 20% quicker shout cooldown.

Shouts

Character Creation

Female Dark Elf

Pick a Dark Elf or Nord as they make the most sense relative to the Rieklings on Solitude. I went with Dark Elf as I thought it looked better.

Pick female as the sex for your character as there are more male humanoids than females to fight in Skyrim so the 10% damage bonus against the opposite sex from Agent of Dibella gets more use. All Dwemer Automatons count as Male.

The Dwarven Drone Fly is also used which for 60 seconds adds 50% Poison Resistance and 30% Stamina Regneration.This is found in Spring;s Symphony and this can be accessed via the Runoff Caverns, which can be got to by travelling through Lost Valley Redoubt. Follow the river past the Shrine of Dibella near Old Hroldan and you will get to Lost Valley Redoubt.

Attribute Distribution

Distribute attributes at a ratio of 0 / 2 / 1. At level 59 which is required for all the perks the attributes are:

Perk Point Distribution

The skill boosts for Dark Elves are marked in bold.

Skills and Perks

Mage Skills

Warrior Skills

Rogue Skills

Spells

Alteration

From the Bow of Shadows quest that you get from the steward in Dragonsreach you can get the Detect Life spell book at the stables once you have read the ledger in Acradia's Cauldron. Cast this in the market during the day to level Alteration.

Conjuration

Use Soul Trap to fill soul gems and as a quick way to level Conjuration.

Destruction

Destruction only needs to be taken to 60 and this can be done with training from Faralda at the College of Winterhold. Alternatively you can go to Hobs Fall Cave and acquire the Unbounded Freexing or Storms spell books and then fast travel while casting them.

Illusion

Courage can be used to level Illusion but it's not needed.

Restoration

Just the healing spells from Restoration.

Enchantments

The effects listed below are based upon 100 Enchanting skill, all the enchanting perks in the build and with a set of enchanted crafting gear. Read my guide on making crafting gear if you are not familiar with it.

With 2 elements on the weapon the Augmented Fire and Augmented Shock perks interat with each other and apply a 225% instead of 150% (1.5 x 1.5 = 2.25)

With the Sallowed Regent Black Book the magnitude of all enchantments can be increased. Please note that Black Books can only be used on Solstheim.

The magnitude of the enchantments can be further increased by equipping 4 pieces of Azhidal's gear.

Alchemy

Potion of Fortify Health

You can get all the Blue Mountain Flowers you need in Whiterun. The two farms to the east of Whiterun also get you all the Wheat you need.

Potion of Fortify Carry Weight

There are 7 glowing mushrooms at the secret lab in the farm so another two are needed. These can be gathered from just inside the entrance of Shimmermist Cave to the North East of Whiterun. Snowberries can be found around Windhelm. Steel-Blue Entoloma are available to buy from Khajiit Merchants with Ri’saad travelling between Whiterun and Markarth..

Potion of Fortify Enchanting

Dreugh Wax and Stoneflower Petals are only available from Khajiit caravans. Some travel between Whiterun and Markarth. Snowberries are abundant near Windhelm.

Potion of Fortify Smithing

Dreugh Wax and Gold Kanet are only available from Khajiit caravans. Some travel between Whiterun and Markarth. Glowing Mushrooms are in Falmer caves.

Farming

For more information on getting to and setting up your farm read my guide.

Main Area (27)

Side Area (11)

Planters (6)

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