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The Dragonborn Paladin: A Holy Warrior Build
The Dragonborn Paladin is a unique character build in Skyrim that embodies the virtues of justice, honor, and righteousness. This build combines the powers of the Dragonborn with the unwavering resolve of a holy warrior, allowing you to vanquish evil and protect the innocent. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know to create and play this powerful character effectively.
Race Selection
Choosing the right race is crucial for maximizing your Dragonborn Paladin’s potential. The following races are highly recommended:
- Nord: With a natural resistance to frost and increased skill in two-handed weapons, Nords are perfect for a warrior build.
- Imperial: Their bonus to Speech and the ability to use the Voice of the Emperor make them excellent leaders and negotiators.
- Breton: Bretons possess a natural resistance to magic, which is beneficial against spellcasting foes, and their Conjuration skill helps with summoning allies.
Standing Stone Choices
Your choice of Standing Stones can significantly impact your character’s effectiveness. The following stones are recommended for a Dragonborn Paladin:
- The Lord Stone: Grants increased armor rating and the ability to regenerate health, perfect for frontline combat.
- The Warrior Stone: Increases your skill leveling speed for all warrior skills, helping you grow stronger quickly.
- The Steed Stone: Offers a boost to carrying capacity and allows you to not be slowed down by armor, enhancing mobility in battle.
Primary Skills and Key Perks
The Dragonborn Paladin should focus on the following primary skills:
- Heavy Armor: Essential for survivability. Key perks include Juggernaut (all levels) and Conditioned.
- One-Handed: For wielding a sword and shield. Key perks include Armsman (all levels) and Shield Charge.
- Block: Vital for defense. Key perks include Shield Wall (all levels) and Deflect Arrows.
- Restoration: For healing and protective spells. Key perks include Novice Restoration and Regeneration.
Secondary Skills
In addition to your primary skills, consider developing these secondary skills:
- Smithing: To craft and improve your equipment, focusing on Heavy Armor and One-Handed weaponry.
- Enchanting: To enhance your gear with powerful effects, such as increased health regeneration or damage resistance.
- Speech: To negotiate better prices and improve interactions with NPCs, reflecting your charismatic leadership.
Recommended Equipment
Your equipment will define your effectiveness as a Dragonborn Paladin. Here are some recommendations:
- Armor: Use heavy armor sets like Daedric or Ebony for maximum protection.
- Weapons: A one-handed sword (e.g., Daedric Sword) combined with a shield (e.g., Dawnguard Shield) for balanced offense and defense.
- Jewelry: Look for rings and amulets that boost health or stamina regeneration.
Playstyle and Tactics
The Dragonborn Paladin excels in frontline combat, leading the charge against enemies. Here are some tactics to consider:
- Engage enemies head-on, using your shield to block incoming attacks while delivering powerful strikes.
- Utilize Restoration spells to heal yourself and allies during combat.
- Employ shouts like Unrelenting Force to stagger foes and create openings for attacks.
Quests and Factions
Joining certain factions and completing specific quests can enhance your experience as a Dragonborn Paladin:
- The Companions: Their questline aligns with the values of honor and justice.
- The Dawnguard: Fight against the forces of darkness while gaining unique perks and equipment.
- The Blades: As a Dragonborn, joining the Blades ties in with your destiny to combat dragons.
Leveling Tips
To maximize your effectiveness as a Dragonborn Paladin, consider these leveling tips:
- Focus on leveling Heavy Armor and One-Handed early to increase survivability and damage output.
- Regularly practice Restoration spells to improve your healing capabilities.
- Engage in combat with various enemies to gain experience in Block and Smithing simultaneously.
Additional Tips
Here are a few extra tips to enhance your Dragonborn Paladin experience:
- Keep a balanced approach between melee combat and magic to adapt to different situations.
- Utilize companions to provide additional support in battles.
- Explore the world of Skyrim to discover unique items and lore that can enrich your character’s story.
Conclusion
The Dragonborn Paladin is a powerful and versatile build that combines the might of a warrior with the blessings of the divine. By carefully selecting your race, skills, equipment, and playstyle, you can create a character capable of facing any challenge in Skyrim. Embrace your role as a holy warrior, fight for justice, and protect the realm from evil as you journey through this epic adventure.
