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- Orc Character Creation
- Werewolf
- Dual-Wielding Flash
- Sword & Board
The Elder Scrolls games take place in a generally fantastical setting, with elves, orcs, dragons, and all sorts of incredible things to see and do! The player need only navigate this incredible world for themselves and seek out their favorite adventures. To do that, though, you'll need to be able to defend yourself.
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Orcs in Skyrim, officially called the Orsimer, are a race of people that are generally distant from others. Orcs live in strongholds, separate communities from the other races where they live in peace. There are strict rules about who can enter and leave. If you play as an orc character, though, you'll get in right away. It's a popular race choice at the beginning, so why not get an understanding about what kind of things your character might excell at?
Orc Character Creation
Skyrim Orc In Character Creation ScreenEvery race starts with different skill bonuses, special abilities, and spells. Orcs are talented fighters and crafters.
Skill Bonuses
Special Abilities
Starting Spells
- +10 Heavy Armor
- +5 Block
- +5 Enchanting
- +5 One-Handed
- +5 Smithing
- +5 Two-Handed
Berserker Rage
Take half damage and do double damage for 60 seconds.
- Flames (Destruction)
- Healing (Restoration)
Werewolf
Orcs serve as excellent werewolves thanks to their racial skill! Unlike Khajiit, whose unarmed bonus doesn't stack with the werewolf form, Orcs can use their Berserker Rage ability while playing as a werewolf, and wreak havoc on everything around them. It requires the Dawnguard DLC to use fully, since that will give you access to the Werewolf skill tree (just don't side with the vampires).
In combat, you'll cast a few spells that will protect you and/or make your enemies docile before transforming into your beast form.
Gear
You'll want the Ring of Hircine, which allows you to transform into a werewolf an unlimited number of times. You can receive it during the quest "Ill Met by Moonlight." As a werewolf you're considered 'unarmored,' so the Alteration spell 'Dragonhide' should be cast before you transform. You should also craft potions that will give you a boost to damage!
Skills & Perks
Skill
Key Perk
Details
Required Skill Level
Werewolf
Animal Vigor
100 point bonus to health and stamina in beast form.
-
Gorging
Feeding heals twice as much health.
-
Savage Feeding
Able to feed off most dead creatures (not undead, daedra, or automatons). Feeding off creatures instead of people only provides half the extended time.
-
Alchemy
Benefactor
Potions you mix with beneficial effects have an additional 25% greater magnitude.
30
Purity
All negative effects are removed from created potions while all positive effects are removed from created poisons.
100
Illusion
Master of the Mind
Illusion spells work on undead, daedra and automatons.
90
Rage
Frenzy spells work on higher level opponents (+12 levels).
70
Aspect of Terror
Fear spells work on higher level opponents (+10 levels).
50
Spells & Shouts
Key Spells
Dragonhide (Alteration)
Caster ignores 80% of all physical damage for 30 seconds.
Mass Paralysis (Alteration)
All targets in the area that fail to resist are paralyzed for 15 seconds.
Hysteria (Illusion)
Creatures and people up to level 25 flee from combat for 60 seconds.
Mayhem (Illusion)
Creatures and people up to level 25 will attack anyone nearby for 60 seconds.
Harmony (Illusion)
Creatures and people up to level 25 nearby won't fight for 60 seconds.
Key Shouts
Dragon Aspect
Once a day, take on the mighty aspect of a dragon, delivering colossal blows, with an armored hide, and more powerful shouts.
Marked for Death
Speak, and let your Voice herald doom, as an opponent's armor and lifeforce are weakened.
Slow Time
Shout at time, and command it to obey, as the world around you stands still.
Dual-Wielding Flash
Orcs are a powerful choice for any kind of warrior build! The dual-wielder is a particularly underappreciated one that we'd like to suggest you try. It focuses on using two melee weapons as fast as you can. It pairs particularly well with Berserker Rage, since that allows you to go into fights less afraid of the repercussions. The perks, shouts, and gear you use should all serve this single goal.
Gear
The only shame of using an orc for a dual-wielder build is that it won't take advantage of their natural inclination to use heavy armor. Equip light armor to keep you quick on your toes! If done right, you won't be getting hit much, anyways. You can use whichever dual-wielded weapon you prefer: swords, axes, or daggers. We make note of the Smithing skill below, which Orcs do have an advantage in, because you'll probably benefit from making your own epic gear.
Skills & Perks
Skill
Key Perk
Details
Required Skill Level
One-Handed
Fighting Stance
Power attacks with one-handed weapons cost 25% less stamina
20
Dual Flurry
Dual wielding attacks are 20% faster
30
Savage Strike
Standing power attacks do 25% bonus damage with a chance to decapitate your enemies
50
Critical Charge
Can do a one-handed power attack while sprinting that does double critical damage
50
Dual Savagery
Dual wielding power attacks do 50% bonus damage
70
Light Armor
Custom Fit
25% armor bonus if wearing all Light Armor: head, chest, hands, feet
30
Unhindered
Light Armor weighs nothing and doesn't slow you down when worn
50
Wind Walker
Stamina regenerates 50% faster in all Light Armor: head, chest, hands, feet
60
Deft Movement
10% chance of avoiding all damage from a melee attack while wearing all Light Armor: head, chest, hands, feet
100
Smithing
Arcane Blacksmith
Magical weapons and armor can now be improved.
60
Spells & Shouts
Key Shouts
Elemental Fury
The Thu'um imbues your arms with the speed of wind, allowing for faster weapon strikes.
Marked For Death
Speak, and let your Voice herald doom, as an opponent's armor and lifeforce are weakened.
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Sword & Board
Sword and Board builds are exactly as simple as they sound: they use a sword and shield and do it well. Like many of the other builds we've highlighted here, Berserker's Rage is an asset, as well as the skills that orcs are naturally talented in! You may also find yourself enchanting and smithing a lot of your own equipment.
Gear
Equip a sword, shield, and heavy armor. Your armor, at the highest level, should be giving you the Fortify One-Handed enchantment. Use the best sword and shield you can lay your hands on; Health Absorb is a great enchantment for your shield, and Soul Trap for your sword to sustain your gear.
Skills & Perks
Skill
Key Perk
Details
Required Skill Level
One-Handed
Fighting Stance
Power attacks with one-handed weapons cost 25% less stamina
20
Dual Flurry
Dual wielding attacks are 20% faster
30
Savage Strike
Standing power attacks do 25% bonus damage with a chance to decapitate your enemies
50
Critical Charge
Can do a one-handed power attack while sprinting that does double critical damage
50
Dual Savagery
Dual wielding power attacks do 50% bonus damage
70
Heavy Armor
Well Fitted
25% Armor bonus if wearing all Heavy Armor: head, chest, hands, feet.
30
Tower of Strength
50% less stagger when wearing only Heavy Armor.
50
Conditioning
Heavy Armor weighs nothing and doesn't slow you down when worn.
70
Reflect Blows
10% chance to reflect melee damage back to the enemy while wearing all Heavy Armor: head, chest, hands, feet.
100
Block
Quick Reflexes
Time slows down if you are blocking during an enemy's power attack
30
Power Bash
Able to do a power bash
30
Block Runner
Able to move faster with a shield or weapon raised
70
Disarming Bash
Chance to disarm when power bashing (50% chance)
70
Spells & Shouts
Key Shouts
Slow Time
Shout at time, and command it to obey, as the world around you stands still.
Drain Vitality
Coax both magical and mortal energies from your hapless opponent.
Marked For Death
Speak, and let your Voice herald doom, as an opponent's armor and lifeforce are weakened.
Elemental Fury
The Thu'um imbues your arms with the speed of wind, allowing for faster weapon strikes.
Dragon Aspect
Once a day, take on the mighty aspect of a dragon, delivering colossal blows, with an armored hide, and more powerful shouts.
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