Forsworn Shaman
Breton - Dagger - Light - Conjurer - Mage
Background
A real woman of the reach who refused to give in to the Nords. She still practices the ancient traditions that the rest of her people have abandoned in exchange for peace.
This build is based on the Forsworn Shaman enemies in the game but rather than being limited to fire or frost and summoning the Atronach of the same element it focusses on all elements and you can have whatever Atronach is appropriate depending on what enemies you are facing.
Weapons
Dagger as a backup but enchanted with Absorb Health and a lowered Paralyze so that the Absorb Health is the dominant enchantment. A Steel dagger can be used or even better a Skyfore Steel or Nord Hero Dagger which both require joining the companions and getting to different stages of their quests.
Armor
Forsworn Armour but you can craft leather scout armour before acquiring it.
Spells
Destruction for Elemental Flare, Bolt, Burst and Blast spells. Conjuration for Atronachs. Restoration for heals. Alteration for some utility spells.
Standing Stones
Use the Lord Stone for the armour and magic resistance.
Shrines
Use a shrine of Talos for the 20% shout cooldown reduction.
Shouts
Call Storm (Storm – Wrath - Lightning)
Location: Forelhost, High Gate Ruins, Skuldafn Temple (The World-Eater’s Eyrie)
Summons a storm that does lightning bolt damage in an area. Only works outside.
Unrelenting Force (Force - Balance - Push)
Location: Just follow the main story quests
Staggers enemies but it's replaced by Cyclone.
Whirlwind Sprint (Whirlwind - Fury - Tempest)
Location: Dead Men’s Respite, Volskygge, High Hrothgar (The Way of the Voice)
Use to reach otherwise inaccessible places and to quickly evade attacks or catch up with fleeing enemies.
Character Creation
Female Breton
Pick Breton for the 25% magic resistance and the 50% magic absorption once a day ability. This allows you to get 85% magic resistance with 2 ranks in the Magic Resistance perk, the Lord Stone and the Agent of Mara lesser power. Most Forsworn in the game are Bretons.
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.
Attribute Distribution
Distribute attributes at a ratio of 1/1/0. At level 57 which is required for all the perks the attributes are:
| Magicka | Health | Stamina |
|---|---|---|
| 380 (495) | 380 (495) | 100 |
Perk Point Distribution
The skill boosts for Bretons are marked in bold.
| Mage | Warrior | Rogue | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alteration +5 | 4 | Archery | 0 | Alchemy +5 | 7 |
| Conjuration +10 | 10 | Block | 0 | Light Armor | 7 |
| Destruction | 9 | Heavy Armor | 0 | Lockpicking | 0 |
| Enchanting | 8 | One-handed | 0 | Pickpocket | 0 |
| Illusion +5 | 0 | Smithing | 1 | Sneak | 0 |
| Restoration +5 | 8 | Two-handed | 0 | Speech +5 | 2 |
| Total | 39 | Total | 1 | Total | 16 |
Skills and Perks
Mage Skills
Alteration 4
Novice Alteration
Apprentice Alteration
Magic Resistance 2/3
Enchanting 8
Enchanter 5/5
Insightful Enchanter
Corpus Enchanter
Extra Effect
Conjuration 10
Novice Conjuration
Apprentice Conjuration
Adept Conjuration
Expert Conjuration
Master Conjuration
Summoner 2/2
Atromancy
Elemental Potency
Twin Souls
Destruction 9
Novice Destruction
Augmented Flames 2/2
Augmented Frost 2/2
Augmented Shock 2/2
Destruction Dual Casting
Impact
Restoration 8
Novice Restoration
Apprentice Restoration
Adept Restoration
Expert Restoration
Regeneration
Recovery 2/2
Necromage
Warrior Skills
Smithing 1
Steel Smithing
Rogue Skills
Alchemy 7
Alchemist 5/5
Physician
Benefactor
Light Armor 7
Agile Defender 3/5
Custom fit
Unhindered
Wind Walker
Deft Movement
Speech 2
Haggling 1/5
Alure
Spells
Alteration
| Spell | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Candlelight | Novice | Creates a hovering light that lasts for 60 seconds |
| Transmute | Adept | Transmute one piece of unrefined Iron Ore to Silver, or Silver Ore to Gold, if the caster is carrying any |
| Telekinesis | Adept | Can pull an object to you from distance. Add it to your inventory or throw it |
| Waterbreathing | Adept | Can breathe under water for 60 seconds. Stand in water and cast to level Alteration. |
Get training from Dravynea at Kynesgrove to get Alteration to 50 and with Adept Alteration you can cast Waterbreathing when in water to level Alteration.
Conjuration
| Spell | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Conjure Familiar | Novice | Summons a familiar for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing |
| Conjure Flame Atronach | Apprentice | Summons a Flame Atronach for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing |
| Soul Trap | Apprentice | If a target dies within 60 seconds, fills a soul gem |
| Conjure Frost Atronach | Adept | Summons a Frost Atronach for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing |
| Command Daedra | Expert | Powerful summoned and raised creatures are put under the player’s control |
| Conjure Storm Atronach | Expert | Summons a Storm Atronach for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing |
| Expel Daedra | Expert | Powerful summoned daedra creatures are sent back to Oblivion |
| Flame Thrall | Master | Summons a Flame Atronach permanently |
| Frost Thrall | Master | Summons a Frost Atronach permanently |
| Storm Thrall | Master | Summons a Storm Atronach permanently |
Used Soul Trap to fill soul gems for enchanting. Summon whichever Atronach is appropriate to the enemy you face.
Destruction
| Spell | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Elemental Flare | Novice | An elemental explosion for 15 points of magic damage and half as much stamina. Deals shock damage on impact |
| Elemental Bolt | Apprentice | An elemental explosion for 20 points of magic damage and half as much stamina. Deals shock damage on impact |
| Elemental Burst | Adept | An elemental explosion for 30 points of magic damage and half as much stamina. Deals shock damage on impact |
| Elemental Blast | Expert | An elemental explosion for 40 points of magic damage and half as much stamina. Deals shock damage on impact |
| Unbounded Storms | Expert | Targets in melee range take 40 shock damage per second to Health, and half that to Magicka. Random lightning strikes deal an additional 30 damage |
Unbounded Storms is purely used as a means to speed the levelling of Destruction by casting and using fast travel.
Illusion
| Spell | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Courage | Novice | Target won't flee for 60 seconds, and gets some extra health and stamina. |
Courage can be used to level illusion by casting it at an NPC.
Restoration
| Spell | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Healing | Novice | Heals the caster 10 points per second |
| Healing Hands | Apprentice | Heals the target 10 points per second, but not undead, atronachs, or machines |
| Fast Healing | Apprentice | Heals caster by 50 points |
| Close Wounds | Adept | Heals caster by 100 points |
| Grand Healing | Expert | Heals everyone close to the caster 200 points. Does not affect atronachs, machines or undead |
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.
Summary of combined effects
Destruction spells costs no Magicka. Conjuration and Restoration spells cost 46% less Magicka. Weapon uses no charges. Health and Magicka are increased by 115 points. Magicka regenerates 230% faster Resist 37% of all magical effects 69% resistance to fire 172 points more carrying weight| Item | Enchantment | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Fortify Conjuration | Conjuration spells and enchantments cost 46% less |
| Fortify Magicka Regen | Magicka Regnerates 115% faster | |
| Body | Fortify Destruction | Destruction spells and enchantments cost 46% less |
| Fortify Health | Health is increased by 115 points | |
| Feet | Fortify Carry Weight | Carrying capacity is increased by 86 points |
| Resist Fire | Grants 69% resistance to fire | |
| Hands | Fortify Carry Weight | Carrying capacity is increased by 86 points |
| Fortify Magicka | Magicka is increased by 115 points | |
| Amulet | Fortify Destruction | Destruction spells and enchantments cost 46% less |
| Resist Magic | Resist 37% of magical effects | |
| Ring | Fortify Destruction | Destruction spells and enchantments cost 46% less |
| Fortify Magicka Regen | Magicka Regnerates 115% faster | |
| Dagger | Absorb Health | Absorb 37 points of health |
| Paralyze | Chance to Paralyze the target for 8 seconds |
The Paralyze enchantment is lowered from 9 seconds to 8 so that the Absorb Health is the dominant enchantment and as such Fortify Destruction dictates the charges used by the weapon rather than Alteration.
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
All the details for the potions and poisons are based on having all the listed alchemy perks, Alchemy at 100 and a set of crafting gear.Potion of Fortify Health
| Ingredients | Blue Mountain Flower, Lavender & Wheat | |
|---|---|---|
| Effects | Fortify Health | 170 points for 60 seconds |
| Restore Health | 266 points restored | |
| Fortify Conjuration | Conjuration spells last 213% longer | |
You can get all the Blue Mountain Flowers and Lavender you need in Whiterun. The two farms to the east of Whiterun also get you all the Wheat you need.
Potion of Fortify Destruction
| Ingredients | Glowing Mushroom, Snowberries & Steel-Blue Entoloma | |
|---|---|---|
| Effects | Fortify Destruction | 213% more damage for 60 seconds |
| Resist Frost | 128% for 60 seconds | |
| Resist Shock | 128% for 60 seconds | |
All the glowing mushrooms you need are at the farm. Snowberries are from around Windhelm. Steel-Blue Entoloma are from Khajiit caravans
Potion of Fortify Magicka
| Ingredients | Mora Tapinella, Red Mountain Flower & Tundra Cotton | |
|---|---|---|
| Effects | Restore Magika | 266 points restored |
| Fortify Magicka | 170 points for 60 seconds | |
Mora Tapinella are on tree stumps between Helgen and Whiterun. Red Mountain Flowers are all around Skyrim. Tundra Cotton are around Whiterun.
Potion of Fortify Enchanting
| Ingredients | Dreugh Wax/Stoneflower Petals & Snowberries | |
|---|---|---|
| Effects | Fortify Enchanting | 85% stronger for 30 seconds |
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
| Ingredients | Dreugh Wax/Gold Kanet & Glowing Mushrooms | |
|---|---|---|
| Effects | Fortify Smithing | 213% stronger for 30 seconds |
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.
Ingredients Needed
6 x Blue Mountain Flower 6 x Glowing Mushroom 6 x Lavender 2 x Mora Tapinella 2 x Red Mountain Flower 7 x Snowberries 8 x Steel-Blue Entoloma 2 x Tundra Cotton 5 x WheatPotions and Poisons Produced
24 x Potions of Forify Health 32 x Potions of Fortify Destruction9 x Potions of Fortify Magicka
Main Area (27)
| Ingredient | Qty | Harvest | Green Thumbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mora Tapinella (3) | 2 | 6 = 2 = 8 | 12 + 2 = 14 |
| Red Mountain Flower (3) | 2 | 6 = 2 = 8 | 12 + 2 = 14 |
| Tundra Cotton (3) | 2 | 6 = 2 = 8 | 12 + 2 = 14 |
| Glowing Mushrooms (5) | 6 | 30 + 6 = 36 | 60 + 6 = 66 |
| Snowberries (4) | 7 | 28 + 7 = 35 | 56 + 7 = 64 |
| Steel-Blue Entoloma (3) | 8 | 24 + 8 = 32 | 48 + 8 = 56 |
Side Area (11)
| Ingredient | Qty | Harvest | Green Thumbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mountain Flowers (3) | 6 | 18 + 6 = 24 | 36 + 6 = 42 |
| Wheat (4) | 5 | 20 + 5 = 25 | 40 + 5 = 45 |
Planters (6)
| Ingredient | Qty | Harvest | Green Thumbs | Lavender (3) | 6 | 18 + 6 = 24 | 36 + 6 = 42 |
|---|