TES5 Skyrim AE: Necrolord character build
February 24, 2025•1,908 words
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
Slot | Item | Enchantments | Purpose |
---|---|---|---|
Head | Bloodworm Helm (CC) | +50% summon duration | Extends Lich/undead duration |
Head (Alt) | Aetherial Crown | Lord + Atronach Stones | 85% magic resist + 80% spell absorption |
Chest | Necromancer Robes (CC) | Fortify Magicka +50 | Sustain summon costs |
Shield | Spellbreaker | 50-pt Ward | Blocks spells pre-resistance |
Hands/Feet | Enchanted Clothing | Fortify Conjuration/Magicka Regen | No armor to preserve Mage Armor |
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
- Primary: Twin Ayleid Liches (358 magicka → 150 each).
- Stats: 1,640 HP, summon Storm Atronachs/Deathlords.
- Duration: 120s (Bloodworm + Stability).
- Stats: 1,640 HP, summon Storm Atronachs/Deathlords.
- Secondary: Bone Colossus (CC) (2,000 HP, AoE stomp).
- Alternate: Dremora Lord (174 magicka, pure DPS).
Combat Loop
- Pre-Combat:
- Equip Aetherial Crown (Lord + Atronach Stones).
- Cast Ebonyflesh (900 armor, capped at 567).
- Equip Aetherial Crown (Lord + Atronach Stones).
- Engagement:
- Summon Twin Liches + Bone Colossus.
- Block spells with Spellbreaker (50-pt Ward).
- Summon Twin Liches + Bone Colossus.
- Sustain:
- Use Absorb Magicka (25/hit) on Bound Dagger.
- Atronach Stone (80% absorption) refills magicka.
- Use Absorb Magicka (25/hit) on Bound Dagger.
Defense Breakdown
Defense Type | Value | Source |
---|---|---|
Physical | 567 (capped) | Ebonyflesh + Mage Armor 3/3 |
Magic Resist | 85% | Lord Stone + Alteration + gear |
Spell Absorption | 80% | Atronach Stone + perk |
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
Race | Advantage | Build Impact |
---|---|---|
Breton | 25% magic resist | Hits 85% cap without gear. |
High Elf | +50 Magicka | 700+ magicka for spam. |
Dark Elf | 50% fire resist | Counters dragonfire/Thalmor. |
Progression Guide
Level Range | Key Milestones |
---|---|
1–30 | Unlock Bound Dagger, complete The Cause (CC). |
30–50 | Craft Fortify Conjuration gear. |
50–81 | Farm Great Welkynd Stones for Lich upgrades. |
Weakness Mitigation
Threat | Solution |
---|---|
Magicka Drain | Atronach Stone + Absorb Magicka. |
Physical Burst | Bone Colossus taunt + Deft Movement. |
Undead Bosses | Dawnbreaker + Circle of Protection. |
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).
- Liches/Bonelords last 120s, minimizing recasts.
- Disadvantages:
- Conflicts with Aetherial Crown.
- No magic resistance.
- Conflicts with Aetherial Crown.
Alternatives:
- Aetherial Crown (Lord + Atronach Stones):
- Advantages: 85% magic resist + 80% spell absorption.
- Disadvantages: Lose Bloodworm’s duration bonus.
- Advantages: 85% magic resist + 80% spell absorption.
- Diadem of the Savant (CC):
- +50 Magicka, -20% spell costs. Ideal for magicka-heavy playstyles.
- +50 Magicka, -20% spell costs. Ideal for magicka-heavy playstyles.
- Nahkriin (Dragon Priest Mask):
- +50 Magicka, -20% Destruction/Conjuration costs. Thematic but disables Mage Armor.
- +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.
- Preserves Mage Armor 3/3 (no armor penalty).
- Disadvantages:
- -75% health regen (offset by Respite perk).
- Low physical defense (reliant on summons).
- -75% health regen (offset by Respite perk).
Alternatives:
- Robes of the Necromancer (Vanilla):
- +75% magicka regen, +50 Magicka. Better sustain, no health regen penalty.
- +75% magicka regen, +50 Magicka. Better sustain, no health regen penalty.
- Savos Aren’s Robes:
- +50 Magicka, -15% spell costs. Balanced for spellcasting.
- +50 Magicka, -15% spell costs. Balanced for spellcasting.
- Black Mage Robes (Modded/CC):
- +100 Magicka, -25% spell costs. Min-max option if available.
- +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.
- Counters dragon breath, Thalmor mages.
- Disadvantages:
- Heavy armor (no Agile Defender synergy).
- Ward strength fixed (doesn’t scale with skill).
- Heavy armor (no Agile Defender synergy).
Alternatives:
- Targe of the Blooded:
- Light shield with bleed damage (3 pts/sec). Thematic for melee hybrids.
- Light shield with bleed damage (3 pts/sec). Thematic for melee hybrids.
- Bound Shield (Conjuration):
- Weightless, benefits from Mystic Binding (+24 armor). Ideal for min-maxers.
- Weightless, benefits from Mystic Binding (+24 armor). Ideal for min-maxers.
- Auriel’s Shield (Dawnguard):
- Stores blocked damage for AoE blast. Synergizes with high armor builds.
- 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.
- Infinite durability, weightless.
- Disadvantages:
- Short range.
- Short range.
Alternatives:
- Mace of Molag Bal:
- Soul Trap + Stamina drain. Thematic for Daedra-focused builds.
- Soul Trap + Stamina drain. Thematic for Daedra-focused builds.
- Staff of Worms (CC):
- Permanent Dead Thralls. Ideal for minion mastery.
- Permanent Dead Thralls. Ideal for minion mastery.
- Chillrend (Vanilla):
- Frost damage + paralysis. Counters melee foes.
- Frost damage + paralysis. Counters melee foes.
5. Jewelry
Necklace: Resist Magic + Fortify Health
- Motivation: 24% magic resist +66 Health.
- Alternatives:
- Necromancer Amulet: +50 Magicka, -75% health regen. High risk/reward.
- Savos Aren’s Amulet: +50 Magicka, -20% spell costs.
- Necromancer Amulet: +50 Magicka, -75% health regen. High risk/reward.
Ring: Fortify Conjuration + Fortify Health
- Motivation: 29% cost reduction +66 Health.
- Alternatives:
- Ring of the Erudite (Dawnguard): +100 Magicka, improved regen.
- Ahzidal’s Ring of Arcana (CC): Grants Ignite (scales with Aspect of Terror).
- Ring of the Erudite (Dawnguard): +100 Magicka, improved regen.
6. Hands/Feet
Primary Option: Enchanted Clothing
- Motivation: Preserve Mage Armor 3/3.
- Enchantments: Fortify Magicka Regen + Resist Frost/Shock.
Alternatives:
- Gloves of the Pugilist:
- +Unarmed damage. Thematic for vampire builds (no weapons).
- +Unarmed damage. Thematic for vampire builds (no weapons).
- Ahzidal’s Gauntlets (CC):
- +25% fire enchantments. Boosts Ignite/Flame Cloak.
- +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)
-
- Details on perks (Twin Souls, Necromancy, Oblivion Binding), summon mechanics, and undead thralls.
- Details on perks (Twin Souls, Necromancy, Oblivion Binding), summon mechanics, and undead thralls.
-
- Explains Mage Armor perk mechanics, Ebonyflesh, and Magic Resistance.
- Explains Mage Armor perk mechanics, Ebonyflesh, and Magic Resistance.
-
- Fortify effects (Health/Magicka), Corpus Enchanter, and magnitude formulas.
- Fortify effects (Health/Magicka), Corpus Enchanter, and magnitude formulas.
-
- Armor rating cap (567 for 80% damage reduction) and mitigation calculations.
- Armor rating cap (567 for 80% damage reduction) and mitigation calculations.
-
- Lord Stone (magic resistance) and Atronach Stone (spell absorption) synergies.
- Lord Stone (magic resistance) and Atronach Stone (spell absorption) synergies.
-
- +50% summon duration and interaction with Stability perk.
- +50% summon duration and interaction with Stability perk.
-
- Dual Standing Stone activation via the Lost to the Ages quest.
- Dual Standing Stone activation via the Lost to the Ages quest.
-
- Ward mechanics (50-pt absorption) and compatibility with Mage Armor.
- Ward mechanics (50-pt absorption) and compatibility with Mage Armor.
-
- Enhanced enchantments and spell effects for undead players (vampires).
- Enhanced enchantments and spell effects for undead players (vampires).
-
- Breton magic resistance, High Elf magicka pool, and Dark Elf fire resistance.
- Breton magic resistance, High Elf magicka pool, and Dark Elf fire resistance.
-
- Confirmation that shields do not disable the perk’s effects.
- Confirmation that shields do not disable the perk’s effects.
-
- Source for Ayleid Lich summons and Sigil Stone crafting.
- Source for Ayleid Lich summons and Sigil Stone crafting.
Necromantic Grimoire (Creation Club)
- Adds Bonelords and Bone Colossus summons.
- Adds Bonelords and Bone Colossus summons.
-
- Crafting material for Ayleid Lich spells and gear.
- Crafting material for Ayleid Lich spells and gear.
Ring of the Erudite (Dawnguard DLC)
- Boosts magicka pool and regeneration.
- Boosts magicka pool and regeneration.
-
- Reanimates powerful corpses (Dragonborn DLC).
- Reanimates powerful corpses (Dragonborn DLC).
-
- Undead dragon ally shout (Dawnguard DLC).
- Undead dragon ally shout (Dawnguard DLC).
-
- Weightless weapon with Soul Stealer and Mystic Binding perks.
- Weightless weapon with Soul Stealer and Mystic Binding perks.
-
- Infinite stamina for power attacks.
- Infinite stamina for power attacks.
-
- Daedric artifact for soul trapping and stamina drain.
- Daedric artifact for soul trapping and stamina drain.
Official Bethesda Sources
- Creation Club Content Overview
- General info on Necromantic Grimoire, The Cause, and other CC packs.
- General info on Necromantic Grimoire, The Cause, and other CC packs.