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Skyrim Tank builds

Builds for soaking damage and staying on their feet. For players who would rather outlast a fight than dodge it.

Or start from scratch in the Character Build Planner and share your build.

Lvl 81
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Ysmir
Skyrim Heavy Armor Fighter build
Crafting
Endgame
Roleplay
Solo
Tank
Published / Updated
byCharlie
Lvl 50
9 / 9
8 / 8
6 / 10
4 / 9
3 / 6
5 / 10
Battle Archer
Skyrim Werewolf Archer build
Endgame
Long Range
Melee
Solo
Tank
Published
byJamesQuest
Lvl 50
11 / 11
6 / 6
6 / 9
7 / 10
4 / 9
7 / 12
Unarmed Vampire
Skyrim Unarmed Melee build
Endgame
Melee
Solo
Stealth
Tank
Published
byJamesQuest
Lvl 50
7 / 9
11 / 11
9 / 14
8 / 12
7 / 10
3 / 6
Battle Vampire
Skyrim Heavy Mage build
Close Range
Endgame
Magic
Solo
Tank
Published
byJamesQuest
Lvl 80
9 / 9
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8 / 12
8 / 13
The "Dragon"born
Skyrim Argonian Warrior build
Endgame
Melee
Roleplay
Solo
Tank
Published / Updated
byJamesQuest
Create your own Skyrim build
Open the planner and publish it here
Lvl 30
5 / 8
8 / 12
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3 / 10
Dwarven Centurion
Skyrim Visage of Mzund build
Challenge
Melee
Roleplay
Solo
Tank
Published
byJamesQuest
Lvl 80
12 / 12
8 / 8
10 / 14
9 / 10
4 / 9
6 / 9
Vigilant of Stendarr
Skyrim Two-Handed Cleric build
Magic
Melee
Roleplay
Tank
Team Player
Published
by@LapaduGaming

The Vigilant wields Stendarr's hammer, admittedly a difficult but powerful weapon to wield

The hammer will slow the user down, draining their stamina per swing as it has a carry weight of 100

The hammer should only really be used when enemies approach, not to chase down

Using a mixture of ranged Destruction Fire magic and Restoration, the Vigilant will use these spells to destroy any undead and daedrea princes and their worshippers

Lvl 80
8 / 9
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The Silver Slayer
Skyrim Crossbow / Two-Handed Undead Hunter build
Close Range
Consumables
Crafting
Roleplay
Tank
Published
by@LapaduGaming

Inspired by BADCompanySarge, the Silver Slayer is a hunter of the undead, vampires, daedrea, and werewolves

This build focuses on everything silver from weapons, armor, and jewelry, fully enchanted to give an edge over the dead

This build does not use any magic and is susceptible to magic to give some healthy challenge against mages and vampires

This is not a stealth archer build as wielding heavy armor and a two-handed sword compliments the crossbow

Lvl 80
9 / 9
8 / 8
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4 / 10
4 / 9
7 / 12
Battle Breton
Skyrim Spell-"Axe" 100% Challenge build
Challenge
Crafting
Endgame
Solo
Tank
Published / Updated
byJamesQuest
  • Challenge build for a 100% run (more so just do all the major endgame bosses), with the idea of using a pickaxe as the main weapon.
  • Classic alteration power levelling to get to level 80.
  • For my own "enjoyment" but feel free to have a go as well or try and do a slightly different (probably better) build.
Lvl 80
9 / 9
7 / 9
9 / 9
8 / 8
6 / 10
10 / 10
The Orc Chief
Skyrim Malacath Warrior build
Crafting
Melee
Mule
Roleplay
Tank
Published / Updated
by@LapaduGaming

A male warrior who follows Malacath Code: Do not steal. Do not murder. Do not attack without reason. Fight with honor. Protect your tribe. Those who break these rules must pay the Blood Price.

The main goal is to complete all related quests with the four Orc strongholds across Skyrim, collect all daedric artifacts of Malacath, and to build your own home using the Hearthfire homes.

Marry Borgakh the Steel Heart

Ghorbash the Iron Hand as a follower

Lvl 81
11 / 14
12 / 15
8 / 8
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Frost Spellsword
Skyrim Breton Vampire Spellsword build
Close Range
Endgame
Fast Leveling
Meta
Tank
Published
by@TheWanderer13

This is my first time trying to do a some-what op build in the game Originally, this was going to be a Battlemage but during the mid-game I was getting tired of being destroyed. So, I change my plans and made the Frost Spellsword Two notes: this build was made in the special edition version and it didn't use any mods from the creation club (or any mods for that matter) and the whole playthrough was in Master difficulty

Lvl 50
4 / 10
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4 / 8
7 / 12
3 / 9
4 / 10
Dawnbreaker Orc
Skyrim Heavy orc with some twists build
Crafting
Endgame
Melee
Solo
Tank
Published
byJamesQuest
Lvl 61
11 / 12
9 / 9
8 / 9
6 / 6
4 / 9
2 / 10
Light Paladin
Skyrim Elven One-Handed Warrior&Archer build
Long Range
Magic
Roleplay
Solo
Tank
Published
by@Tavor

This Breton Light Paladin blends swift mobility with divine destruction. Outfitted in light Elven armor, you use Breton Magic Resistance to shrug off spells while weaving Restoration magic (healing, Sun Fire, and undead turning) into fast-paced combat. You snipe with Auriel's Bow, then rush in with Dawnbreaker and Auriel's Shield to blast foes back with holy shockwaves.

Lvl 57
6 / 9
8 / 10
6 / 10
4 / 8
7 / 15
1 / 10
Maximilien
Skyrim Breton Daedra Hunter build
Beginner Friendly
Fast Leveling
Melee
Roleplay
Tank
Published / Updated
by@larcx13

Breton inspired by the Vigilants of Stendarr but not afraid to use and deal with deadra if necessary.

Lvl 51
7 / 10
5 / 9
9 / 9
4 / 9
6 / 8
3 / 10
Clockwork Apostle
Skyrim build
Endgame
Melee
Tank
Published / Updated
by@Ahhhh

Orc dreadnought with many different fighting styles and Dwemeri gadgets. Based on a fudgemuppet build

Lvl 55
12 / 15
6 / 8
8 / 14
4 / 9
3 / 10
6 / 10
Overlord
Skyrim Armored Summoner build
Crafting
Magic
Melee
Minions
Tank
Published / Updated
byMisterFreakingSunshine

Based loosely on the titular character from the Overlord game series. This character is a heavily armored battlemage who summons allies, fires off powerful spells, and crafts its own powerful gear.

Focus on leveling Conjuration early and use your sword and Destruction spells as backup until you have enough Magicka to blast constantly in fights.

Smithing and selling enchanted daggers keeps you flush with cash for spells while leveling your crafting.

Lvl 36
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4 / 12
Pestilence
Skyrim DOT Damage Knight build
Consumables
Melee
Tank
Published / Updated
by@h4z2

Build limited to only 6 skills. Main Skill (Alchemy) has a 10 perk investment, Minor Skills have a 5 perk investment. This build is a Heavily Armoured Knight who uses poison and bleed buildup to cause massive amounts of damage over time (DOT). Applying poisons of weakness to poison and weakness to magicka increase all DOT damage, taking this build to the next level.

Lvl 65
5 / 8
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5 / 10
6 / 9
6 / 14
7 / 11
Toxic komodo
Skyrim Sneaky magickal tank spécialised in dot build
Endgame
Magic
Solo
Stealth
Tank
Published / Updated
byAsimpleguest

An sneaky argonian leeching with drain spell, shouts and poison runes toying with his prey until it decide to became a tormenting force using knockbacks, bleeding and poisons so potent that they will reduce the poor prey to ashes if not cautious. When the prey die, the toxic komodo will eat it nourrishing and reinforcing himself until he found his next prey.

Need the improved atronach glitch, to permit unlimited leeching and reinforce his low magickal.

Lvl 98
9 / 9
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Pure Warrior+
Skyrim Weaponmaster direct combat tank build
Boss Killer
Close Range
Crafting
Melee
Tank
Published / Updated
by@pontonius
Lvl 73
8 / 9
5 / 9
5 / 6
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7 / 10
7 / 14
Yngvar
Skyrim Nord Barbarian of Old build
Beginner Friendly
Close Range
Magic
Melee
Tank
Published / Updated
by@larcx13

Based off of Ysgramor and old Nords who did not judge or shun magic. Frost destruction, restoration for hewling and alteration for added protection. Wears light armor and wields twohanded weapons like a traditional barbarian. Join and finish the Companions and Dawngaurd. Joins the college of winterhold for access to spells, but does not become archmage (roleplay).

Lvl 36
9 / 12
5 / 8
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5 / 10
5 / 14
4 / 9
Pure Imperial
Skyrim Spell Knight build
Magic
Melee
Tank
Published / Updated
by@h4z2

Build limited to only the skills with starting bonuses. Main Skill has a 10 perk investment, Minor Skills have a 5 perk investment

Lvl 36
8 / 8
5 / 10
5 / 9
5 / 9
5 / 10
4 / 9
Pure Orc
Skyrim Enchanted Warrior build
Crafting
Melee
Tank
Published / Updated
by@h4z2

Build limited to only the skills with starting bonuses. Main Skill has a 10 perk investment, Minor Skills have a 5 perk investment

Lvl 45
8 / 8
8 / 15
3 / 10
6 / 9
6 / 12
3 / 10
dark knight
Skyrim Battlemage (NoCrafting) build
Budget
Melee
Tank
Published
by@Pw1ng

Warrior in heavy armor with one-handed weapons, uses conjuration, restoration, and alteration magic for support (no crafting).

Lvl 42
6 / 10
8 / 8
8 / 8
6 / 12
5 / 10
3 / 10
Knight of Chaos
Skyrim Warrior build
Endgame
Melee
Meta
Tank
Published / Updated
bySh!

Vanilla Knight focused on extreme defense, Stamina sustain, armor penetration and powerful Staff summons. Built to endure prolonged fights while bypassing enemy defenses and overwhelming foes with summoned allies.