As Lormak’s travels unfold in Skyrim, there seems to be a number of key skills that assist with Permadeath play that offer a big amount of survivability and almost should be focused on at all costs.
Here’s my thoughts on some:
1. Eagle Eye – Archery
As Lormak’s whole survival method is a stealth/ranged build (which is working very nicely), it’s skills like this that really leap out. Having some bandit chief in plate steel armour running at you, constantly getting staggered which pretty much allows you to loose another arrow into him is a huge bonus.
2. Power Shot – Archery
30% faster draw with bow...means 30% more arrow output. Coupled with Eagle Eye, the archer becomes a deadly damage dealer from range. 1 v 1 fights rarely involve a melee encounter. 1 v 1 with archers normally means Lormak is able to get the damage output much faster than the foes and with staggering happening, can land multiple unanswered shots. With sneak attacks hitting multiple times, it’s very deadly.
3. Bullseye – Archery
15% Chance of paralysing the target for a few seconds. This will be very useful. Sure, you can use potions to get this effect, but this comes free of charge. A downed unit is one you can continue to lay down the pain on without any fear of retaliation. Think of it, a mage going for you, but you drop this little beauty on him, and he is down on the ground unable to defend, and you can just keep shooting arrows into that milk drinker and he can’t do anything about it.
4. Stealth – Sneak
Rank this up as quickly and as much as possible. Being unseen means you control the fight. Having high ranks in this, often means you can let off two or more stealth attacks on a target before being detected.
5. Light Foot – Sneak
Even the most cautious adventurer sometimes misses the trap trigger plate lying on the floor. With this nice little perk, you manage to avoid the traps without even realising it. More often than not, it’s your poor follower that cops the brunt of traps. Getting one-shotted by a trap is a serious risk for killing your character. This is insurance.
6. Deadly Aim – Sneak
Triple damage from stealth on ranged attacks. You’d have to be crazy not to get this. This is awesome. This is what makes the whole stealth / range build work so well.
7. Shadow Warrior – Sneak
I’ve never earned this, but I want it. Standing and crouching causes enemies to lose sight of you again forcing them to look for you again. Obviously if you have massive stealth, this could be a deadly advantage. Using invisibility potions, when doing this should stop combat and allow you to quietly line them up for another dose of sneak attack damage. If/when Lormak earns this, it’s going to be a big advantage.
8. Shield Wall – Block
There are times where you need to get a big heavy shield and hide behind it while multiple foes hammer down on it. This is a good time to pray to Talos, it’s also a good time to be thankful for buying the ranks in this skill as you can increase the effectiveness of blocking by up to 50%. Those massive two handed blows which would normally kill you in one hit are battered away and give you a chance to drink those potions. Is this a life saver? You betcha!
9. Deflect Arrows – Block
Arrows no longer do damage...if they hit the shield. Interesting.....and interesting why Lormak does not yet have this skill. This is on my to do list. Arrows on Master Difficulty hurt plenty. This skill will save potions, and let Lormak close in onto range foes and mix it up 1 on 1 for some well needed melee training.
10. All Smithing
Being able to make high quality weapons and armour is no doubt a cornerstone for survival in a hostile place like Skryim. Ignore this skill at your peril. Heavy armour in particular is the way to go for buffering against massive damage.
With all these covered, other skills like Enchanting and Alchemy are the cherry on top. I don’t rate magic much as must have survival skills. Restoration is useful, but potions are much quicker and I am finding that I use restoration when a battle is finished to quickly heal up. I’ve bought no skills in magic at all.
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