Every Skyrim player reaches a point where normal just isn’t enough. You’ve cleared Bleak Falls Barrow a dozen times, shouted half of Skyrim off cliffs, and somehow still end up over-encumbered by cheese wheels. That’s when the thought hits: what if I built something so broken it ruins the game?
These are the character builds that make Alduin look like a mudcrab and turn every dungeon into a walking power fantasy. Some are creative exploits, some rely on hidden synergies, and all of them are absolutely unbalanced.
1. The Stealth Archer (The Classic Crime)
Let’s start with the one every Skyrim player accidentally becomes. You promise yourself you’ll be a battle-mage this time. Then five hours later, you’re crouched in a corner with a bow, picking off enemies who never even saw you.
Why it breaks the game:
- Stealth mechanics in Skyrim scale too generously.
- A fully upgraded bow with Sneak and Archery perks equals one-shot kills from the shadows.
- Enemies forget about you faster than your last New Year’s resolution.
Pro tip:
Combine the Shrouded Gloves (double sneak attack damage) with a Dragonbone Bow and enchantments for absurd damage.
2. The Conjuration Assassin
Imagine never fighting directly again. You just walk in, summon two Dremora Lords, and sip your potion while they delete everything in sight.
Why it breaks the game:
- Conjuration scales hard and stays safe.
- Dremora Lords have high-tier Daedric weapons by default.
- You gain all the experience without taking any risk.
Power combo:
Dual cast Conjure Dremora Lord, stack Magicka regeneration gear, and sit back as your minions shout “SKY ABOVE, VOICE WITHIN” for the next hour.
3. The Infinite Shout Build
The Thu’um was supposed to be a rare, world-shaking power. Then you realise you can make it infinite.
How it works:
- Equip the Amulet of Talos for 20% shout cooldown reduction.
- Stack the Blessing of Talos (from a shrine).
- Add a few Fortify Restoration potion exploits, and suddenly your cooldowns vanish.
Why it breaks the game:
You can spam Unrelenting Force forever. Dragons? Gone. Bandits? Gone. The concept of “balance”? Also gone.
4. The Crafting God
Smithing, Enchanting, and Alchemy form Skyrim’s unholy trinity of power. Used correctly, you can forge armour so powerful it turns the game into a walking simulator.
The loop:
- Make Fortify Alchemy gear.
- Use that gear to make stronger Fortify Smithing potions.
- Use those to make absurdly strong gear.
- Enchant that gear to make your Alchemy stronger.
- Repeat until you break causality.
Why it breaks the game:
You can reach attack and defence values that outscale everything. Even giants become pushovers.
5. The Vampire Necromage
If you really want to abuse the mechanics, become a vampire and take the Necromage perk from Restoration.
Why it’s broken:
The perk boosts all spells and enchantments affecting undead… and vampires count as undead.
That means your own buffs last longer and hit harder.
Stack it with:
- Fortify Restoration gear
- Become Ethereal shout for invulnerability
- Any self-healing spell
Congratulations, you’re now immortal.
6. The Destruction Tank (Yes, It Works)
Normally, Destruction mages are glass cannons. But not when you turn your Magicka into armour.
How to do it:
- Max Destruction and Alteration.
- Use Ebonyflesh and Dragonhide.
- Add heavy Magicka regeneration and cost reduction gear.
Why it’s broken:
You can facetank enemies while shooting fireballs non-stop. Combine this with the Impact perk for stagger-locking enemies, and nothing moves again.
7. The Werewolf Berserker
Forget subtlety. This build turns you into a primal wrecking ball.
Setup:
- Join the Companions and embrace lycanthropy.
- Upgrade your Beast Form with Totems of Hircine.
- Add Fortify Two-Handed potions for extra bite.
Why it breaks the game:
You get super speed, massive damage, and regenerating health. Add Ring of Hircine for infinite transformations, and you’re essentially Skyrim’s apex predator.
8. The Speech and Persuasion Tyrant
Not all broken builds are about damage. Some are about pure control.
The trick:
Speech skill lets you buy low, sell high, and persuade your way through the world. Max it early, and you’re suddenly a millionaire who never has to fight.
Bonus exploit:
Combine high Speech with pickpocket perks and invisibility potions. You’ll be robbing the Thieves Guild blind before they notice.
The Seven Swords Takeaway
Breaking Skyrim isn’t hard. The game practically encourages it. Its charm lies in those moments when you realise you’ve become an unstoppable force of chaos wearing Daedric armour and bunny slippers.
You can play fair, or you can embrace the beautiful absurdity that is Skyrim’s balance system. Either way, Tamriel won’t know what hit it.
