Paladin

Breton - Waraxe - Heavy - Warrior

Background

Paladins take their adventures seriously, and even a mundane mission is, in the heart of the paladin, a personal test - an opportunity to demonstrate bravery, to learn tactics, and to do good in the world.

Weapons

Any steel one handed weapon at the start of the game. Upgrade to a Dawnguard Waraxe when you first visit Fort Dawnguard.

The final Weapon is the Dawnguard Rune Axe which does increasing sun damage to undead up to 100 with an increase of 10 per 10 undead killed. In addition the sun damage it does has a small area of effect so it can hit multiple undead and not just the one hit by the axe. The weapon also has an unlimited number of charges.

The Dawnguard Rune Axe is one of 3 lost relics that Florentius Baenius at Fort Dawnguard gives you quests to find. To get the quest to rescue Florentius you need to progress the Dawnguard quests to The Prophet and find the attacked wagon near Dragonbridge. At this point returning to Fort Dawnguard and talking to Sorine, which will start the quest. Then every other radiant Dawnguard quest you can get a quest from Florentius and you’ll get a Lost Relic quest. You may have to do this 3 times to get the axe as the item seems to be random.

Armour

Side with Ralof at Helgen and take the heavy armor from the Imperial Officer at the first combat encounter. When you have the Steel Smithing perk upgrade this to Steel Soldier gear by crafting it at a forge. The Final Gear is a full set of Steel Spell Knight Armor, The Warlock’s Ring and an Amulet of Mara.

The Steel Spell Knight gear can be acquired by reading the journal in the first room on the right, in the Silver-Blood Inn at Markarth. Then follow the resulting quest and you’ll find the a ful set of gear on a knight slain by Forsworn

The Warlocks Ring is acquired from the 5th quest from Viriya at Riften Docks

An Amulet of Mara can be gained by talking to the Priestess at the Temple of Mara in Riften. Towards the end of The Book of Love quest you gain the amulet. Completing this quest gets you the Agent of Mara power which gives 15% magic resistance.

Spells

Utility spells from Alteration, Mara's Wrath from Destruction and Heals and circle of protection from Restoration.

Standing Stones

The Atronach Stone for 50% spell absorption, 50 magicka but -50% magicka regeneration.

Shrines

Use a Shrine of Mara so Restoration spells cost 10% less to cast.

Shouts

Character Creation

Female Breton

Imperials are the best race to pick for this build based on their starting stats but with the Spell Knight gear being specifically Breton in origin I decided to go with them instead. This did allow me to add an Amulet of Mara into the build due to the 25% magic resistance Bretons have as a racial ability. I have also made some other Paladin style builds with Imperials but none with Bretons.

Attribute Distribution

Distribute attributes at a ratio of 0 / 2 / 1. At level 60 which is required for all the perks the attributes are:

Perk Point Distribution

The skill boosts for Bretons are marked in bold.

Skills and Perks

Mage Skills

Warrior Skills

Rogue Skills

Spells

Alteration

Talk to the Steward in Dragonsreach to get a quest to investigate an assassination attemp on the Jarl. After reading the buiness ledger at Arcadia's Cauldron go the Whiterun Stables and on the body of a stablehand is a Detect Life sepllbook. This can be used to level Alteration. Cast this with both hands Until your magicka has run out as this will generate twice as much XP. Then your magicka has a chance to regenerate and repeat again.

Conjuration

Conjuring a Familiar to tank enemies for you may make the game easier at the start but it’s doesn’t really fit with the build. Bretons get this spell at the start of the game.

Destruction

Go to Hob's Fall Cave to get all the spell books from Arcane Accessories. I would do this when you have good magic resistance and spell absorption. Then cast Unbounded Storms and fast travel to level Destruction. Mara's Wrath is very effective against undead and using a fortify destruction potion before casting it significantly increases the radius.

Illusion

Courage can be use to level Illusion but it's not needed in the build.

Restoration

Healing spells are used more in the early game but are used for out of combat heals in the end game.

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.

The sun damage on the Dawnguard Rune Axe is initially 0 but rises to 10 for every 10 undead killed up to 100. The weapon enchantment description shows your current count of undead kills. The sun damage has a small area of effect so multiple undead can be affected by the sun damage.

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 Destruction

All the glowing mushrooms you need are in the secret lab at the farm. Nightshade can be gathering in Whiterun at the halls of the dead and in front of Arcadia’s Cauldron. Wheat is found at the farms outside Whiterun.

Potion of Fortify Block

All 6 Bleeding Crown can be found in Reachwater Rock. There’s 3 Dragon’s Tongue outside Arcadia’s Cauldron in Whilerun and they are numerous in Solitude or at Kynesgrove to the south of Windhelm. Tundra Cotton can be found in Whiterun and the surrounding areas.

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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