Is Light Armor and Two-Handed Good in Skyrim? A Deep Dive
Absolutely! Combining light armor with a two-handed weapon in Skyrim can be an incredibly effective and fun playstyle, offering a blend of mobility, damage, and strategic advantages. While it deviates from the traditional “heavy armor tank” approach often associated with two-handed builds, it offers a unique and rewarding experience that leverages speed, stamina, and tactical maneuvering. The combination provides the ability to deliver devastating blows while maintaining the agility needed to evade attacks and efficiently manage stamina.
The Synergy of Speed and Power
The heart of this build lies in the synergy between the stamina regeneration granted by light armor and the power attack-heavy combat style of two-handed weapons. Power attacks are crucial for dealing significant damage and staggering opponents, but they consume a substantial amount of stamina. Light armor significantly boosts stamina recovery, allowing for more frequent and sustained power attacks.
Advantages of Light Armor for Two-Handed Builds
- Enhanced Stamina Management: Light armor’s primary advantage is its superior stamina regeneration. This is critical for a two-handed build, allowing for more frequent power attacks, sprinting, and dodging.
- Improved Mobility: Light armor allows for faster movement and sprinting, enabling better positioning in combat. This is especially useful for closing the distance on ranged opponents or circling around larger enemies.
- Sneak Viability: While not the primary focus, light armor makes sneaking a viable option for initiating combat or navigating dangerous areas, providing tactical flexibility. The best race for sneaking is usually a Khajit or wood elf.
- Evasion: At higher levels, the light armor perk tree provides a chance to avoid all damage from melee attacks, adding a crucial layer of survivability.
- Perk Benefits: The light armor perk tree offers perks that synergize well with an offensive playstyle, such as increased attack speed and critical hit chance.
Addressing Common Concerns
Some players might worry about the lack of raw armor rating compared to heavy armor. However, with proper skill investment, enchanting, and smithing, light armor can reach the armor cap (567 armor rating), rendering the additional protection of heavy armor redundant. Furthermore, the playstyle encourages proactive combat and skillful maneuvering, reducing reliance on simply absorbing damage.
Race Selection
While Nords receive a bonus to the Two-Handed skill, any race can effectively utilize this build. Consider races with bonuses to stamina, such as Redguards, or those with inherent resistances, such as Dunmer (Dark Elves).
Maximizing the Build: Skills, Perks, and Equipment
To truly optimize a light armor and two-handed build, careful attention must be paid to skill allocation, perk selection, and gear choices.
Essential Skills
- Two-Handed: This is your primary damage skill. Maximize it to unlock powerful perks such as Barbarian (increased damage), Champion’s Stance (reduced stamina cost for power attacks), and Devastating Blow (powerful standing power attacks).
- Light Armor: This skill dictates your armor rating and provides access to essential perks like Agile Defender (increased armor rating), Unhindered (armor weighs nothing and doesn’t impede movement), and Wind Walker (increased stamina regeneration).
- Smithing: This allows you to improve your weapons and armor to Legendary quality, significantly increasing their effectiveness. Focus on the path relevant to your preferred weapon and armor materials (e.g., Steel, Elven, Glass, Dragonscale).
- Enchanting: Enchanting your gear is crucial for maximizing your character’s potential. Focus on enchantments that boost weapon damage, stamina regeneration, and resistances.
- Alchemy: Crafting potions can provide valuable buffs, such as increased damage, healing, and resistances, allowing you to adapt to different combat situations.
Key Perks
- Light Armor:
- Agile Defender
- Custom Fit
- Unhindered
- Wind Walker
- Deft Movement (the auto-dodge perk)
- Two-Handed:
- Barbarian
- Champion’s Stance
- Devastating Blow
- Great Critical Charge
- Sweep
- Warmaster
- Smithing:
- Steel Smithing (or the relevant material path)
- Arcane Blacksmith (to improve enchanted items)
- Enchanting:
- Enchanter
- Insightful Enchanter
- Corpus Enchanter
- Extra Effect
Gear Selection
- Weapons: Focus on weapons with high base damage, such as the Volendrung, Wuuthrad, or a crafted Daedric Battleaxe. Consider unique weapons like the Bloodskal Blade for its special attack.
- Armor: Craft or find a full set of light armor. Dragonscale Armor is an excellent end-game option, but Glass Armor and Elven Armor are viable alternatives.
- Jewelry: Enchant rings and necklaces with enchantments that boost weapon damage, stamina regeneration, or resistances.
Combat Tactics
Mastering combat is key to maximizing the effectiveness of this build. Employ the following tactics:
- Positioning: Use your mobility to circle around enemies, avoid attacks, and create openings for power attacks.
- Stamina Management: Carefully manage your stamina to ensure you always have enough for power attacks and dodging.
- Crowd Control: Use the Sweep perk to damage multiple enemies simultaneously.
- Buffing: Utilize potions to enhance your damage, resistances, or stamina regeneration before engaging in challenging fights.
- Exploiting Weaknesses: Identify enemy weaknesses and exploit them with appropriate weapons, enchantments, and potions.
Conclusion
Combining light armor with a two-handed weapon in Skyrim offers a unique and rewarding playstyle that emphasizes speed, stamina management, and tactical maneuvering. By focusing on the right skills, perks, and equipment, you can create a formidable warrior capable of delivering devastating blows while maintaining the agility to evade attacks and control the battlefield. This build is not only effective but also incredibly fun, providing a fresh and engaging way to experience the world of Skyrim. Don’t be afraid to experiment and tailor the build to your own preferences and playstyle.
Delve deeper into the world of gaming and learning by exploring the resources offered by the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is light armor viable at higher levels in Skyrim?
Yes, absolutely. With proper investment in the Light Armor skill tree, smithing, and enchanting, you can easily reach the armor cap (567 armor rating) with light armor. This renders the additional armor rating of heavy armor largely irrelevant, as you’ll be mitigating the maximum amount of physical damage possible.
2. What is the best light armor set in Skyrim?
While subjective and dependent on preference, Dragonscale Armor is often considered the best due to its high armor rating and aesthetic appeal. Glass Armor and Elven Armor are also strong contenders. The best armor is one that is upgraded using smithing and enchanting.
3. How do I reach the armor cap in Skyrim?
The armor cap in Skyrim is 567. You can reach this cap by combining a high Light Armor skill level, perks in the Light Armor skill tree (like Agile Defender), and improving your armor through smithing. You can also use Smithing potions and enchantments to further boost your smithing ability.
4. Is stamina regeneration important for a two-handed build?
Yes, stamina regeneration is crucial. Two-handed weapons rely heavily on power attacks, which consume a significant amount of stamina. Light armor’s increased stamina regeneration allows for more frequent and sustained power attacks.
5. What are the best enchantments for a light armor and two-handed build?
Prioritize enchantments that boost weapon damage (Fortify Two-Handed), stamina regeneration (Fortify Stamina Regeneration), resistances (Fortify Resist Magic, Resist Fire, Resist Frost, Resist Shock), and health (Fortify Health).
6. Can I sneak effectively with light armor?
Yes, light armor is much better for sneaking than heavy armor. It allows you to move more quietly and reduces the chance of being detected by enemies. However, investing in the Sneak skill tree will further enhance your stealth capabilities.
7. What is the best weapon for a light armor and two-handed build?
Weapons with high base damage are ideal. Volendrung, Wuuthrad, and Daedric Battleaxes are all excellent choices. Unique weapons like the Bloodskal Blade can also be very effective.
8. How important is smithing for this build?
Smithing is extremely important. It allows you to improve your weapons and armor to Legendary quality, significantly increasing their damage and armor rating. This is essential for maximizing your character’s potential.
9. How do I level up my Two-Handed skill quickly?
The fastest way to level up Two-Handed is to repeatedly attack enemies. You can also train the skill by paying trainers in the game. Remember to sleep in a bed that you own for 8+ hours to gain the “Well Rested” bonus of 10% skill increase.
10. Is this build viable on higher difficulty settings?
Yes, this build can be very effective on higher difficulty settings, especially if you optimize your skills, perks, equipment, and combat tactics.
11. Can I use a shield with light armor?
While you can use a shield with light armor, it negates the benefits of the two-handed skill tree and playstyle. This build focuses on maximizing damage output with two-handed weapons.
12. What are some good alternatives to Dragonscale Armor?
If you can’t get Dragonscale Armor, Glass Armor and Elven Armor are excellent alternatives. They provide a good balance of armor rating and weight.
13. How do I deal with mages as a light armor and two-handed warrior?
Closing the distance quickly is crucial. Use your mobility to dodge spells and interrupt their casting. Resist Magic enchantments and potions can also help mitigate magical damage.
14. Should I invest in Alchemy for this build?
Alchemy is a valuable addition to any build, including this one. Crafting potions can provide valuable buffs, such as increased damage, healing, and resistances, allowing you to adapt to different combat situations.
15. Is there a “best” race for this build?
While Nords have a starting bonus to Two-Handed, any race can be effective. Consider races with bonuses to stamina (Redguards) or inherent resistances (Dark Elves). Ultimately, the best race is the one you enjoy playing the most.