Oh, I'm not done! Not by a sight.
Bound Badass
Race: Breton, Altmer, or just about anyone.
Primary Skills: Archery, Conjuration, 2H.
Secondary Skills: Something Defensive, Alteration, Block, or an Armor, I prefer Light.
Important Perks:
Skyrim Perk Calculator - Plan the perks for your Skyrim character before spending them! (Notes, you only should max out Shield Wall if it's your Only defense. Not needed if you add Armor. You could also add Stealthx1, Backstab, and Deadly Aim just for the multiplier. Don't sneak around, just drop into a crouch long enough to get the shot off.)
Playstyle: Bound Bow in your right hand(the spell) and Bound Battleaxe in your left. Sheathe to recast the other, no need to go into menus. You can put more points into Agile Defender, but I really found the Wind Walker extremely useful. The main gift of Light Armor is all the scripted pieces with Fortify Archery. The Gauntlets of the Old Gods, and either the Ancient Shrouded Cowl, or Linwe's Hood stack up to 55% without any Enchanting. Armor is less of an issue, because you only need enough Magicka to cast Bound Bow (The battleaxe is cheaper) and let your Magicka regenerate within the 2 minute duration. That leaves the rest for Health, and Stamina. Mostly evasive, running around, and shooting with the extremely powerful primary weapon, but should they start to advance, you have a more than adequate backup. Also works with Block instead of armor, but just do the Bash side of the tree. (Shield Wallx5, Power bash, and Deadly Bash) use it mostly to keep them off balance. It really helps to lead with Great Critical Charge to start off with a stagger, and a good dent in Health.
Stone: The Warrior, then either the Lord, or Atronach. Later, you can branch out into Summoning (without the Atronach) for support, but this is really a self sufficient character. the Block variant can even be full strength in a loin cloth, Party Clothes, or ragged robes as long as you have the minimum Magicka. Keep potions handy in case you have to swap weapons unexpectedly, or use Highborn/Dragonskin to recover in an emergency. This can also be done with Bound Sword, and 1 handed instead (Pretty much the same perks, except the specialization) but Battleaxe is more effective, especially with Block/bash.
Arcane Archer:
Race: Altmer, or whatever. Pretty much the same reasons.
Primary Skills: Archery, Conjuration, Block.
Secondaries: None, most powerful with Skill Focus.
Important Perks:
Skyrim Perk Calculator - Plan the perks for your Skyrim character before spending them! (Note, just fill out Shield Wall if it's your Only defense, and you're otherwise unarmored. You could instead add Stealthx1, Backstab, and Deadly Aim for the damage multiplier, but just crouch long enough to get the shot off. Otherwise, keep moving as long as they know you're there.)
Equipment: Replace the Dagger, or Battleaxe with the Targe of the Blooded. Not as effective, but makes up for it with much better defense for a whole lot less perks.
Playstyle: Shoot&Scoot, Evasion tactics, but when that inevitably fails, or your bow wears off, the shield pops right out for you to bash your way out. Works extremely well with an Archer Follower (Faendal, or especially Jenassa) to keep up the ranged assault. As you get into higher levels of Conjuration, a Flame Atronach changes this to Bash&Burn, you might want to switch to Brelyna, or Eola, who will conjure another (or raise a Zombie.) Altmer, because they have to spend a minimum amount of Magicka, and can save the rest for Health. I actually wear Heavy Armor, the Targe, and Rahgot, but take so little damage playing the range game, and keeping them staggered that barely any XP is earned in it.
Again, another varient is 1H, and a good dagger. I suggest the Blade of Woe for DPS, and healing instead of defense. Add in Soul Stealer, and probably the Black Star to keep it topped off, since it discharges rapidly. Another good one is the Drainheart Sword, because it's dagger light, and replenishes Stamina for Power Attacks. (If you go for Linwe's Hood, there's always the Nightingale Blade, which absorbs Both!) Just cast the bow left handed in this variant for fastest striking speed with the right. The sidearm still comes out automatically when you sheathe, or time out, but 1 handed, you can cast the bow whenever you need it.
Note, there's not a point of Sneak in any of these builds, because they're streamlined to PWN the battlefield with a minimum investment in gear. I'll also point out that all of these have the common thread of using Block instead of Armor for defense, because Bashing prevents meleers from attacking. The highest damage dealers in the game, they can also be avoided by staying out of their reach, and killing them from a distance, either with Destruction, or Archery. I find it to be a more interesting, and fun way to play than tanking, and depending on the Armor Cap (after hours of crafting) to keep you alive.
Shout: For both, keep Wuld cued up. FRD is nice to send them flying, and shoot them getting up, but I've found the fast relocation immensely valuable. Especially when you stagger to get Out of the melee, this gives you distance, and time to recast the bow.
