The Ultimate Secret to Unleashing Unmatched Power in Skyrim and Fallout 4

Highlights

Bethesda's RPG franchises, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, offer diverse perk systems that allow players to create characters that match their playstyles.

The Stealth Archer in Skyrim and the Infiltrator in Fallout 4 are considered to be the most formidable and imbalanced character builds within the respective games, as they heavily rely on exploiting the sneak attack dynamics to inflict significant damage.

Despite their dominant nature, these builds often become monotonous due to the repetitive gameplay of patiently waiting for the perfect opportunity. Additionally, they may encounter difficulties when facing larger adversaries, although such encounters are relatively rare.

Bethesda's popular role-playing games, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, offer players the freedom to play as multiple classes. In Skyrim, players can wield a sword and cast spells simultaneously, while in Fallout 4, players can swiftly switch between a pistol and a missile launcher. But for those who prefer a more focused approach, both games offer a perks system to enhance gameplay. Some players enjoy creating unconventional builds, such as an Unarmed character in Skyrim or a Heavy Weapons Demolitionist in Fallout 4. However, those seeking optimal gameplay often opt for the Stealth Archer in Skyrim or the Infiltrator in Fallout 4. Despite being from different games, these builds function similarly and share a key characteristic.

The perks system in Bethesda's RPG franchises is straightforward and operates in a similar manner. In Skyrim, players can choose from 18 different skills, each with its own set of perks, totaling over 251 options. In Fallout 4, players can level up seven individual SPECIAL skills and select from over 70 perks in total. SPECIAL stands for strength, perception, endurance, charisma, intelligence, agility, and luck. With such varied perk systems, players have the freedom to create characters that truly reflect their preferred playstyles. For many players, this involves sniping enemies from the shadows.

The Strongest Builds in Skyrim and Fallout 4 Are All About Stealth

In Skyrim and Fallout 4, the Stealth Archer and Infiltrator builds are widely regarded as the strongest and most broken. Both builds focus on exploiting the games' sneak attack mechanics, which are similar with minor variations. When a player successfully lands a hit on an enemy while in stealth, they receive a significant bonus multiplier to their damage. In Fallout 4, the base ranged sneak attack multiplier is 3.3x, while in Skyrim, it is 3x. This results in a substantial amount of damage with just a single shot.

To maximize their effectiveness, these builds are best suited for ranged combat to minimize the chances of the player being detected. In Skyrim, the endgame Dragon Bow is the optimal weapon choice, while in Fallout 4, the Deliverer from the Railroad faction is highly recommended. Both weapon types possess the ability to deal massive damage without attracting much attention. Additionally, the Deliverer provides bonuses to accuracy and action point cost in VATS, making it easier to achieve multiple kills. By equipping armor that is enchanted or modded with stealth bonuses, players can navigate through almost any dungeon without being detected by enemies.

The Stealth Archer and Infiltrator Playstyle and its Weaknesses

The play style for Skyrim's Stealth Archer and Fallout 4's Infiltrator is simple: enter stealth, shoot the enemy to activate the sneak attack multiplier, and if facing multiple enemies, strategically evade their line of sight to remain unnoticed. This allows the player to eliminate enemies one by one with the significant bonus from sneak attacks.

Although both builds are highly effective, they do have some drawbacks. First, the repetitive nature of the playstyle can become boring after a while. Additionally, a lot of patience is required as players must remain in stealth to ensure successful sneak attacks. Moreover, these builds are not ideal for fighting larger enemies. In Skyrim, Stealth Archer players can rely on bow damage to defeat Dragons even outside of stealth, while Infiltrator mains in Fallout 4 may struggle to take down Deathclaws with only a silenced pistol. Fortunately, such encounters are rare and can often be avoided altogether.

The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is available now on the Nintendo Switch, PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.