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DJ Luigi

Mama-mia play that song again!
So this is how a conversation in SB went earlier (more or less)

Person 1 - So whats everyone's favorite class to be in Skyrim?

Person 2 - I like being a thief!

Person 1 - Oh sneaky, i like it! Anyone else?

Person 3 - I like the mage!

Person 1 - Ahh nice! A lil magic goes a long way amirite? Who else wants to share?

Me - I like being a tank!

Person 1 - Oh so you like getting up close and personal and keep other people safe?

Me - No, I like being a heavily armored slow-moving vehicle on treads that destroys everything with a massive cannon!


It's funny how being a smartass can be the birth of something you totally weren't expecting! I knew I wanted to make another build today (I know, I know) but I wasn't sure what. I was leaning towards a battle mage, something that casts magic and wears heavy armor but it just seemed too... dull. A BattleTank on the otherhand, sounds a whole heck of a lot better!


Gerdur - So who's this then? One of your comrades?
Ralof - No sister, this is the Stormcloak's secret weapon. I was showing Ulfric how powerful he was when we got caught in that ambush. He is a slow and powerful robot I created with my own two hands so we can take Skyrim back from these bastard Imperials.
Gerdur - No need to be a smartass Ralof...

The BattleTank
800px-M1_Abrams-TUSK.svg.png


In order to be as obnoxious as possible, I've gone through and renamed everything that this build works with so it can be as "tanky" as possible. It could be a bit confusing here on out so if you're ever flustered about the rest of the build. Check on the terminology here.

BattleTank Glossary

Attributes
Magicka - Energy
Health - Hull
Stamina - Fuel


Gear
Helmet - Hatch
Chest - Armored Skirt (lol)
Hands - Turrets
Feet - Treads
Ring - Insignia
Necklace - Decoration


Skills
Archery - Machine Gun
Heavy Armor - Hull Integrity
Block - Armor Plating
Smithing - Tank Improvement
Sneak - Camo
Alchemy - Fuel Efficiency
Destruction - Main Cannon
Restoration - Energy Conversion

Main Cannon Ammunition
Flames - Napalm
Firebolt - Anti-Tank Shells
Fire Rune - Land Mine
Fireball - Explosive Shells
Flame Cloak - Heatwave
Incinerate - Artillery Shells
Wall of Flames - Napalm Shield
Lightning Storm - Mark IV Laser Cannon

Shouts and Other
Racial Ability - Overdrive
Fire Breath - Flamethrower
Marked For Death - Armor Piercing Rounds
Unrelenting Force - Sonic Pulse Emitter
Whirlwind Sprint - Strategic Charge


The Build
Race: Argonian
Stone: Atronach
Major Skills: Main Cannon, Machine Gun, Armor Plating
Minor Skills: Hull Integrity, Fuel Efficiency, Energy Conversion
Perks up to Level 50: http://skyrimcalculator.com/#291801
Gear: Heavy Armor, Bow
Difficulty: Adept or higher


Creating your Tank
This was unknown to me until yesterday but with the Argonian, you have nearly limitless access to all colors in every field when creating your character (Cheek color, laugh lines, lip color, etc) Which means you can create an incredibly unique camo look for your tank. If you're looking for some ideas for your tank. Here's some various camo colors to get you started.
CamoPatterns2_0.jpg


Tips: When I was creating my camo, I would choose 2 colors, for example red and purple. Then alternate those colors back and forth from Head through Hair. Then come back to Body and change the skin tone. Once I found something I was satisfied with, I'd do minor tweaks on the reds/purples and voila, I had my camo complete!

SI8v0g4.jpg

Some "Rift" Camo

The Atronach
The BattleTank uses this stone at its full capacity. Once your Fuel Efficiency has improved enough, you can stack two Restoration Potions in order to achieve 0% Energy Regen, and 100% Energy Absorption. The regen is offset by your Energy Conversion which gives an additional 25% regen.

Combat Skills


Main Cannon
This is your primary source of damage output later on in the game. The Main Cannon is actually made up of two separate Turrets side by side, once you upgrade your tank enough that you can use both cannons at once the cannon is pure devastation. It fires a large number of different ammunition which is explained in the BattleTank Glossary. For the most part the Main Cannon uses a Fire Element for its attacks, the only exception is the Mark IV Laser Cannon.

Perks
Novice - Master
Dual Casting
Impact
Augmented Flames 2/2


Machine Gun
Your secondary source of damage output is powered by fuel later on in the game. In your earlier levels, this will be your primary source of firepower, making short work of everything from draugr to bandits. In order to use the Machine Gun, you must leave the protection of the hull and fire from the Hatch, making you EXTREMELY vulnerable. Once you receive the perk Eagle Eye, it's necessary to zoom in whilst using the machine gun to show the drain of fuel from your reserves. The Machine Gun is primarily a support weapon, designed to soften the enemy for the Main Cannon and is not designed to be fired extensively throughout battle.

Perks
Overdraw 1/5
Eagle Eye
Power Shot
Quick Shot


Armor Plating
The first and most effective line of defense for your tank in preventing damage, by turning the Tank to the side where the armor is the thickest, a tank can reduce the amount of damage it receives. The Armor Plating prevents extensive damage to the hull at the cost of using only one turret however. Trading defense for offense is an effective tactic depending on what is attacking you. Maximum upgrades of the Armor Plating allow the Tank to crash even the most stalwart defenses by throwing the Engine into overdrive and sending enemies flying.

Perks
Shield Wall 3/5
Deflect Arrows
Elemental Protection
Power Bash
Deadly Bash
Shield Charge


Camouflage
Although this isn't exactly a combat skill, Camo allows you to get the jump on your enemy. The tank's camo generator ensures that regardless of the environment you're in, your BattleTank will match it. Effectively blending you into the surroundings.

Perks
Stealth 1/5


Support Skills

Tank Upgrades
Your tank is composed of 5 Primary parts: The Hatch, the Skirt, the Turret, the Treads, and of course the Armor. The BattleTank begins at Iron, and improves to Steel, Dwarven, Orcish, Ebony, and finally Daedric. Once you unlock each perk you will be able to 'upgrade' to that stronger version of tank once you have acquired the 5 primary parts. Although highly recommended, the machine gun does not need to be upgraded, however the Armor Plating (Shield) does.

Perks
Steel
Dwarven
Orcish
Arcane Blacksmith
Ebony
Daedric


Hull Integrity
Although your Tank has incredible resilience, you are not invincible. Your Hull Integrity ensures that when an attack does manage to hit you, your Tank will absorb as much of the impact as possible. The final upgrade of your hull integrity will create spikes in the armor skirting, punishing anyone foolish enough to hit it with a chance of inflicting the damage back upon them.

Perks
Juggernaut 5/5
Well Fitted
Tower of Strength
Matching Set
Reflect Blows


Energy Conversion
Your Tank has the capability of converting excess Energy into the Hull, rapidly filling in any potential breaches the Tank may have sustained in combat. At further levels this energy conversion also acts as a temporary 'fuel' injecting into the Engine, allowing the BattleTank to have access to further fuel reserves. This is an effective means of crossing the countryside much more quickly.

Perks
Novice
Respite
Regen
Recovery


Fuel Efficiency
This is a measure of just how effectively your reserves are replenished. Higher levels will mean less consumption of refills at the reward of a more full tank. Although it says "Fuel", this also impacts the repair kits that fix the Hull in case of emergency, as well as Energy Cells. This skill is also necessary for gaining full use out of the Atronach Stone.

Perks
Alchemist 5/5
Physician
Benefactor



Gameplay
Your Tank is both incredibly effective at long range as well as close range. The best approach is to use your Camo and train the Machine Gun on your enemy. At a lower level this will generally be enough to finish the opponent... at a higher level you must be quick about taking the shot, as the Machine Gun consumes Fuel.

Once the enemy is approaching, you can activate both turrets and unleash Hell on your enemy. If it's a more powerful enemy such as a Troll, Giant, Overlord, Boss, etc.. it may be more efficient to use one turret and utilize your Armor Plating (turning the Tank to the side where the armor is the thickest) and engage the enemy that way. An effective method for close quarters combat is ramming into your opponent (Shield Bash) and while they're stunned, nuking them with the ammunition of your choice.

Insignias, Decorations, and Special Armaments
Commander, these are the commendations rewarded for service in the field. As your tank improves you will see that their effectiveness will continue to improve along with your tank and unlike the tank parts themselves, you can change these out at anytime.
Along with Commendations you will occasionally come upon a unique part to your tank. The same rule with Tank Upgrades applies however, in order to use that particular part you need to have a matching set. This may mean a BattleTank with lower tier gear may be a better option than simply moving to the next tier up. Machine Guns however are an exception. If you find an exceptionally powerful Machine Gun, you may hang onto it even after you upgrade your tank.


Credits

DJ Luigi
Nyoxios
Wolfbane
The shoutbox for all the lulz and putting up with my goofy ass xD
If you helped me with this build and your name isn't here, drop me a message so I can give you credit

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy the build!! :D
 

DJ Luigi

Mama-mia play that song again!
Yep, its pretty much a destruction magic user that uses a bow and arrow to weaken targets before engaging and a shield in close combat situations.. but it sounds boring when you put it that way
 
Yep, its pretty much a destruction magic user that uses a bow and arrow to weaken targets before engaging and a shield in close combat situations.. but it sounds boring when you put it that way
Not at all, I have a couple builds that use similar tactics:
http://theskyrimblog.ning.com/group/character-building/forum/topics/stunmer
http://theskyrimblog.ning.com/group/character-building/forum/topics/character-build-the-bound-archer
Though I consider Destruction, And Archery redundant, since you can't use both at once all that effectively.
 

DJ Luigi

Mama-mia play that song again!
True, the constant switching back and forth between spells and arrows isn't the most effective thing in the world, but it does make it seem like it's just one guy running a tank on his own. After all, you can't man the machine gun and the main cannon at the same time. :D

Similarly with the shield/spells combo. A Tank's armor plating is the heaviest on its armor skirts which are on the sides of the tank. If there were a mechanism for firing the main cannon that had a switch for both hands then it would prove impossible to use both turrets simultaneously while turning the steering wheel to the left or right. Yeah it sounds pretty ridiculous but this whole build was based off a gag in the first place xD
 
True, the constant switching back and forth between spells and arrows isn't the most effective thing in the world, but it does make it seem like it's just one guy running a tank on his own. After all, you can't man the machine gun and the main cannon at the same time. :D

Similarly with the shield/spells combo. A Tank's armor plating is the heaviest on its armor skirts which are on the sides of the tank. If there were a mechanism for firing the main cannon that had a switch for both hands then it would prove impossible to use both turrets simultaneously while turning the steering wheel to the left or right. Yeah it sounds pretty ridiculous but this whole build was based off a gag in the first place xD
That's why God invented Followers. (I'm actually going to kick this down to Ysgrammor.) I've done the Spell Shield with Jenassa backup, you've got croud control, sniper, and dual wield dervish right there, and she rocks the Skyforge Hatchet/Blades Sword combo. Just swing by Lost Valskygg for an Ebony Arrow, or pick up a Dwemer Arrow for her. Good combo.

Tanks were never ment to win the battle on their own, they're definitively creatures of Mixed unit Tactics, and rather vulnerable without Support.
 

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