Witchguard

Dark Elf - Sword - Light - Shield - Knight - Support

Background

A Witchguard is a sworn protector of a witch, hag or maiden. They are dedicated in the protection of their charges with whom they often share a bond through common goals.

Weapons

Any one-handed weapon at the start of the game. The final weapon is an Elven Sword enchanted with both Fear and Frost. Frost is lowered slightly to make Fear the dominant enchantment which allows for a universally useful potion to be used to buff up the weapon enchantments with Fortify Illusion while giving a boost to stamina regeneration, restoring Magicka and increasing carry weight. Destruction could be used instead and the weapon effects would be much stronger with Fortify Destruction but the other potion effects would be different and not as useful for the build. With the original setup on potions it does fear up to level 144 and 182 frost damage.

Armor

Any light armor at the start of the game and crafting a set of leather scout gear early is a good idea. Then progress on to a full set of Elven Armor and a shield. Ideally an Gilded Elven Armor piece is used as this has better stats than Elven Armor.

The final gear is an Elven Helmet, Elven Hunter Armor, Boots and Gauntlets. Auriel’s Shield and Warlocks Ring are also used.

The Elven Hunter Armor can be acquired in a quest that starts by reading a journal on the small table on the right as you enter the Barracks in Falkreath.

Auriel’s Shield is very deep into the Danwguard main quest chain where it can be found in the Forgotten Vale Forest by a Falmer Warmonger. This area is reached by using the Ruby Paragon to open a portal.

The Warlock’s Ring is from the 5th quest given by Viriya at Riften Docks.

Spells

Alteration for utility spells. Restoration for heals.

Standing Stones

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

Shrines

Use a shrine of Talos for 20% shout cooldown

Shouts

Character Creation

Male Dark Elf

Imperials and Orcs come out top here with 30/35 skill boosts, but I wanted the look for the build to be Elven Armor to incorporate Auriel’s Shield, so I picked Dark Elf with then having a 25/35 skill boost

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.

Illia found at Dark Light tower will be level a level 40 follower, which is a lot higher than many other followers, if the player is level 46 or above. She’s the closest follower to a witch in my opinion. She favours frost spells and uses Ice Spike, Ice Storm, Frost Cloak and Ironflesh in combat. As a Breton she has 25% magic resistance and has the following perks: Augmented Frost 1/2, Magic Resistance 1/3, Mage Armor 1/3, Recover 2/2, Regeneration and Respite. She therefore has 35 magic resistance so needs another 65% to be immune to magic as followers do not cap at 85% and can reach and exceed 100%.

Illia is equipped with a Gold and Emerald Circlet, Mourner's Clothes, Necromancer Boots and Vampire Gloves. She also wears a Bonehawk Ring and Bonehawk Amulet. A Steel Dagger was also given to her but she never used it. I still think it looks better when she wields it when idle rather than a clenched fist.

Attribute Distribution

Distribute attributes at a ratio of 0 / 2 / 1. At level 61 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.

Other than leveling Alteration I only used Candlelight.

Conjuration

Use Soul Trap to fill soul gems for enchanting purposes.

Destruction

Destruction spells are not needed in the build but you do need to get Destruction to level 60 for perks and to 100 to gain levels. Use Unbounded Storm while fast travelling to level Destruction.

Illusion

Courage can be used to level illusion by casting it at an NPC.

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.

The Frost damage has to be reduced to make Illusion be the dominant school that governs charge usage. I think it had to redcue it down by two steps but it's basically when the sword changes colour as you lower down the frost enchantment.

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 is in Whiterun. The two farms to the east of Whiterun also get you all the Wheat you need.

Potion of Fortify Carry Weight

Mora Tapinella are on the route from Helgen to Whiterun. There’s a lot of Scaly Pholiota to the south of Ivarstead and around Riften. Steel-Blue Entoloma are from Khajiit caravan merchants.

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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