Of the many character archetypes players build into inSkyrim, the Stealth Archer is perhaps the most popular. A Stealth Archer’s primary weapon is the art of surprise,taking out unaware enemieswith critical hits without ever being seen.
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There are lots of ways to build a Stealth Archer inSkyrim, all united by an emphasis on the Sneak and Archery skills. Whether you want to go Bow-only or mix some spells into the mix, it’s hard to go wrong with such a popular and effective playstyle.
Stealth Archer Weapons And Armor
The Stealth Archer’s main weapon is the element of surprise – when metaphors aretaken out of the mix, there are a variety of powerful Bows inSkyrimthat suit the stealthy playstyle perfectly. Of the enchanted Bows inSkyrimthe Bow of Shadows and the Nightingale Bow are the most powerful options for stealth assassinations from afar.
Armor is not worn by Stealth Archers for protectionso much as to enhancetheir other abilities. Light Armor is the best overall direction to go as the Skill Tree provides a number of stealth-based benefits. The Thieve’s Guild and Dark Brotherhood offer a variety of enchanted Armors for sneaky players, but these specific pieces are the best ones to hunt down.
Standing Stones And Enchantments
The best standing stone for Stealth Archersdepends on the playstyle, specifically whether spells are added to the mix or not. Generally, The Lover Stone is the best Standing Stone for most playstyles as it increases XP gain across all Skills by 15%. Stealth Archers can also make effective use ofThe Shadow, The Thief, and The Serpentstones.
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The Shadowallows players to turn invisible once a day for one minute, which is very useful for players with low Illusion.The Thiefsimply increases XP gain for all Thief-oriented Skills by 20%, which includes Archery and Sneak.The Serpentis a more niche choice that can come in handy in a pinch, as it grants the ability to Paralyze an enemy once a day.
Stealth Archer Skills And Perks
As the name suggests, the Stealth Archer puts emphasis on the Sneak and Archery Skill Trees, and makes use of a number of Perks contained in the Light Armor Skill Tree too. It’sa good idea to level upthe Illusion Skill Trees as well, as it makes casting spells like Invisibility and Muffle cost less and work at higher levels.
Sneak, Archery, and Light Armor Perks
Sneak: “Stealth” Perks, “Deadly Aim”, “Muffled Movement”, “Silence”, and “Shadow Warrior”
Archery: “Overdraw” Perks, “Critical Shot” Perks, “Eagle Eye” and “Steady Hand”, and “Bullseye”
Light Armor: “Unhindered” and “Wind Walker”
Illusion Perks And Spells
Illusion Perks: All Magicka reduction perks, “Hypnotic Gaze”, “Aspect of Terror”, “Rage”
Illusion Spells: Muffle, Invisibility, Fear/Fury/Calm
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Editionis available on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S
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