TES5 Skyrim AE: Necrolord character build

The Necrolord Conjurer (Revised Build)

Ayleid Lich-Summoning Overlord with Mage Armor + Shield Synergy

TESV: Skyrim Anniversary Edition (UESP-Compliant)

Core Mechanics

Race-Neutral Foundation

• Attributes: 250 Health / 250 Stamina / 650 Magicka (Level 81).
  
• Standing Stones: Aetherial Crown (Lord + Atronach) or Bloodworm Helm (CC).
  
• Vampire Optional: Necromage perk enhances enchantments if undead.
  

Gear & Enchantments

Mandatory Equipment

Enchantment Priorities

• Fortify Conjuration: 29% on gloves + ring = 58% cost reduction.
  
• Resist Magic: 24% on necklace + feet = 48% (stacks with Lord Stone for 85% cap).
  
• Absorb Magicka: 25/hit on dagger for sustain.
  

Perk Allocation (80 Perks)

Conjuration (22 Perks)

• Twin Souls: Dual Ayleid Liches.
  
• Necromancy (CC): +100 HP/damage to undead.
  
• Oblivion Binding: Command Daedra (Dremora).
  

Alteration (14 Perks)

• Mage Armor 3/3: Ebonyflesh = 300 × 3 = 900 armor (capped at 567).
  
• Magic Resistance 3/3: +30% resist.
  

Enchanting (12 Perks)

• Corpus Enchanter: +25% Fortify Health/Magicka.
  
• Extra Effect: Dual-enchant shield (e.g., Resist Magic + Fortify Health).
  

Restoration (8 Perks)

• Avoid Death: Auto-heal at 10% HP.
  
• Respite: Healing restores stamina.
  

Summon Hierarchy

1. Primary: Twin Ayleid Liches (358 magicka → 150 each).
   
   • Stats: 1,640 HP, summon Storm Atronachs/Deathlords.
     
   • Duration: 120s (Bloodworm + Stability).
     
2. Secondary: Bone Colossus (CC) (2,000 HP, AoE stomp).
   
3. Alternate: Dremora Lord (174 magicka, pure DPS).
   

Combat Loop

1. Pre-Combat:
   
   • Equip Aetherial Crown (Lord + Atronach Stones).
     
   • Cast Ebonyflesh (900 armor, capped at 567).
     
2. Engagement:
   
   • Summon Twin Liches + Bone Colossus.
     
   • Block spells with Spellbreaker (50-pt Ward).
     
3. Sustain:
   
   • Use Absorb Magicka (25/hit) on Bound Dagger.
     
   • Atronach Stone (80% absorption) refills magicka.
     

Defense Breakdown

Build Options

Option 1: Bloodworm Helm Focus

• Gear: Bloodworm Helm + Necromancer Robes + Spellbreaker.
  
• Playstyle: Max summon duration (120s Liches).
  
• Best For: Players prioritizing undead armies.
  

Option 2: Aetherial Crown Defense

• Gear: Aetherial Crown + Necromancer Robes + Spellbreaker.
  
• Playstyle: 85% magic resist + 80% absorption.
  
• Best For: Surviving dragon priests/mages.
  

Race Synergies

Progression Guide

Weakness Mitigation

Final Notes

• Shield Utility: Use Spellbreaker for wards or Targe of the Blooded for bleed.
  
• Armor Cap: No need to exceed 567 armor (80% mitigation).
  
• Vampire Synergy: Necromage boosts enchantments if undead.
  

This build merges unparalleled summoning power with unyielding defense, leveraging corrected mechanics for shields and Mage Armor. Choose between extended summons or max resistance, and dominate Skyrim as a true Necrolord.

Revised Tactical Plans & Equipment Analysis for the Necrolord Build

Updated for Mage Armor + Shield synergy, corrected armor mechanics, and UESP-verified strategies.

Equipment Choices: Motivation, Pros/Cons, Alternatives

(All enchantments assume 100 Enchanting + perks)

1. Head Slot

Primary Option: Bloodworm Helm (CC)

• Motivation: +50% summon duration (Liches: 60s → 120s). Synergizes with Stability perk.
  
• Advantages:
  
  • Liches/Bonelords last 120s, minimizing recasts.
    
  • Thematic for necromancers (Mannimarco’s relic).
    
• Disadvantages:
  
  • Conflicts with Aetherial Crown.
    
  • No magic resistance.
    

Alternatives:

1. Aetherial Crown (Lord + Atronach Stones):
   
   • Advantages: 85% magic resist + 80% spell absorption.
     
   • Disadvantages: Lose Bloodworm’s duration bonus.
     
2. Diadem of the Savant (CC):
   
   • +50 Magicka, -20% spell costs. Ideal for magicka-heavy playstyles.
     
3. Nahkriin (Dragon Priest Mask):
   
   • +50 Magicka, -20% Destruction/Conjuration costs. Thematic but disables Mage Armor.
     

2. Chest Slot

Primary Option: Necromancer Robes (CC)

• Motivation: +50 Magicka, thematic for undead synergy.
  
• Advantages:
  
  • Preserves Mage Armor 3/3 (no armor penalty).
    
  • Lightweight, ideal for mages.
    
• Disadvantages:
  
  • -75% health regen (offset by Respite perk).
    
  • Low physical defense (reliant on summons).
    

Alternatives:

1. Robes of the Necromancer (Vanilla):
   
   • +75% magicka regen, +50 Magicka. Better sustain, no health regen penalty.
     
2. Savos Aren’s Robes:
   
   • +50 Magicka, -15% spell costs. Balanced for spellcasting.
     
3. Black Mage Robes (Modded/CC):
   
   • +100 Magicka, -25% spell costs. Min-max option if available.
     

3. Shield Slot

Primary Option: Spellbreaker

• Motivation: 50-pt Ward blocks spells pre-resistance.
  
• Advantages:
  
  • Counters dragon breath, Thalmor mages.
    
  • Heavy armor rating (38) adds survivability.
    
• Disadvantages:
  
  • Heavy armor (no Agile Defender synergy).
    
  • Ward strength fixed (doesn’t scale with skill).
    

Alternatives:

1. Targe of the Blooded:
   
   • Light shield with bleed damage (3 pts/sec). Thematic for melee hybrids.
     
2. Bound Shield (Conjuration):
   
   • Weightless, benefits from Mystic Binding (+24 armor). Ideal for min-maxers.
     
3. Auriel’s Shield (Dawnguard):
   
   • Stores blocked damage for AoE blast. Synergizes with high armor builds.
     

4. Weapon Slot

Primary Option: Bound Dagger

• Motivation: Soul Trap + Absorb Magicka (25/hit).
  
• Advantages:
  
  • Infinite durability, weightless.
    
  • +24 damage with Mystic Binding.
    
• Disadvantages:
  
  • Short range.
    

Alternatives:

1. Mace of Molag Bal:
   
   • Soul Trap + Stamina drain. Thematic for Daedra-focused builds.
     
2. Staff of Worms (CC):
   
   • Permanent Dead Thralls. Ideal for minion mastery.
     
3. Chillrend (Vanilla):
   
   • Frost damage + paralysis. Counters melee foes.
     

5. Jewelry

Necklace: Resist Magic + Fortify Health

• Motivation: 24% magic resist +66 Health.
  
• Alternatives:
  
  1. Necromancer Amulet: +50 Magicka, -75% health regen. High risk/reward.
     
  2. Savos Aren’s Amulet: +50 Magicka, -20% spell costs.
     

Ring: Fortify Conjuration + Fortify Health

• Motivation: 29% cost reduction +66 Health.
  
• Alternatives:
  
  1. Ring of the Erudite (Dawnguard): +100 Magicka, improved regen.
     
  2. Ahzidal’s Ring of Arcana (CC): Grants Ignite (scales with Aspect of Terror).
     

6. Hands/Feet

Primary Option: Enchanted Clothing

• Motivation: Preserve Mage Armor 3/3.
  
• Enchantments: Fortify Magicka Regen + Resist Frost/Shock.
  

Alternatives:

1. Gloves of the Pugilist:
   
   • +Unarmed damage. Thematic for vampire builds (no weapons).
     
2. Ahzidal’s Gauntlets (CC):
   
   • +25% fire enchantments. Boosts Ignite/Flame Cloak.
     

Tactical Plans by Enemy Type

1. Mages & Spellcasters

Primary Tactics:

• Spellbreaker Ward: Block spells for 50-pt absorption.
  
• Atronach Stone: 80% chance to negate spells, refill magicka.
  
• Summon Storm Atronachs: Shock damage interrupts casting.
  

Alternate Gear:

• Aetherial Crown (Lord + Atronach Stones).
  
• Necklace of Resist Magic + Frost.
  

2. Dragons

Primary Tactics:

• Storm Atronachs: Force landings with shock damage.
  
• Dragonrend Shout: Ground dragon for Liches/Dremora to attack.
  
• Spellbreaker Ward: Block breath attacks.
  

Alternate Gear:

• Necromancer Amulet (extra magicka for summons).
  
• Ahzidal’s Ring of Arcana (Ignite for 24 fire damage/sec).
  

3. Undead (Draugr, Dragon Priests)

Primary Tactics:

• Dawnbreaker: AoE sun damage explosions.
  
• Lich Command: Turn Deathlords against allies.
  
• Circle of Protection (CC): Fear undead.
  

Alternate Gear:

• Ring of the Erudite (sustain Turn Undead spells).
  
• Staff of Worms (permanent Dragon Priest thrall).
  

4. Automatons (Dwemer)

Primary Tactics:

• Shock Damage: Liches’ Storm Atronachs deal 50% bonus damage.
  
• Dwarven Black Bow of Fate: Steal health/magicka.
  

Alternate Gear:

• Spellbreaker (block Centurion steam).
  
• Elemental Fury + Bound Dagger (spam attacks to break Spheres).
  

5. Bosses (Miraak, Ebony Warrior)

Primary Tactics:

• Double Liches + Bone Colossus: 3,640 HP meat shields.
  
• Mehrunes’ Razor: 2% instant kill chance.
  
• Marked for Death: Shred armor over time.
  

Alternate Gear:

• Berserker Rage (Orc): Double Bound Dagger DPS.
  
• Vampire’s Bane (CC): AoE sun damage for Miraak’s tentacles.
  

Build Summary

Strengths:

• Unmatched Summon Uptime: 120s Liches with Bloodworm Helm.
  
• Near-Invulnerability: 85% magic resist + 80% absorption.
  
• Flexibility: Swap gear for offense (Ayleid Liches) or defense (Aetherial Crown).
  

Weaknesses:

• Low Health Pool (316): Reliant on Avoid Death and summons.
  
• No Armor Penetration: Struggles vs. high-armor foes (Ebony Warrior).
  

Thematic Playstyles:

• Undead Overlord: Bloodworm Helm + Staff of Worms.
  
• Battlemage: Aetherial Crown + Dragonscale Shield.
  

This build achieves S-tier necromancy dominance while respecting Skyrim’s armor cap and perk mechanics. Adjust gear based on enemy resistances and roleplay preferences.

Sources

Here is a compiled list of all unique sources cited or referenced in the Necrolord build discussion, formatted as markdown links for quick access. Each entry includes a brief description of its relevance to the build:

Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages (UESP)

1. Conjuration Skill

   • Details on perks (Twin Souls, Necromancy, Oblivion Binding), summon mechanics, and undead thralls.
     

2. Alteration Skill

   • Explains Mage Armor perk mechanics, Ebonyflesh, and Magic Resistance.
     

3. Enchanting Skill

   • Fortify effects (Health/Magicka), Corpus Enchanter, and magnitude formulas.
     

4. Armor Mechanics

   • Armor rating cap (567 for 80% damage reduction) and mitigation calculations.
     

5. Standing Stones

   • Lord Stone (magic resistance) and Atronach Stone (spell absorption) synergies.
     

6. Bloodworm Helm

   • +50% summon duration and interaction with Stability perk.
     

7. Aetherial Crown

   • Dual Standing Stone activation via the Lost to the Ages quest.
     

8. Spellbreaker

   • Ward mechanics (50-pt absorption) and compatibility with Mage Armor.
     

9. Necromage Perk

   • Enhanced enchantments and spell effects for undead players (vampires).
     

10. Racial Bonuses

    • Breton magic resistance, High Elf magicka pool, and Dark Elf fire resistance.
      

11. Mage Armor Perk

    • Confirmation that shields do not disable the perk’s effects.
      

12. The Cause (Creation Club)

    • Source for Ayleid Lich summons and Sigil Stone crafting.
      

13. Necromantic Grimoire (Creation Club)

    • Adds Bonelords and Bone Colossus summons.
      

14. Sigil Stones

    • Crafting material for Ayleid Lich spells and gear.
      

15. Ring of the Erudite (Dawnguard DLC)

    • Boosts magicka pool and regeneration.
      

16. Soul Tear Shout

    • Reanimates powerful corpses (Dragonborn DLC).
      

17. Summon Durnehviir

    • Undead dragon ally shout (Dawnguard DLC).
      

18. Bound Dagger

    • Weightless weapon with Soul Stealer and Mystic Binding perks.
      

19. Vegetable Soup

    • Infinite stamina for power attacks.
      

20. Mace of Molag Bal

    • Daedric artifact for soul trapping and stamina drain.
      

Official Bethesda Sources

1. Creation Club Content Overview
   
   • General info on Necromantic Grimoire, The Cause, and other CC packs.