Let’s be honest, choosing perks in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim can feel like trying to pick a favourite child when all of them can one-shot a dragon if you train them right. The game hands you an enormous constellation of options, then expects you to commit to one every time you level up. No pressure, right?
So instead of wasting perk points on something you’ll regret (looking at you, novice lockpicking), here’s a breakdown of the best perks in each skill tree. Whether you’re a stealth archer, battle-mage, or “naked Nord who punches bears” kind of player, this list helps you spend smarter.
Combat Skill Trees
One-Handed
Best Perk: Armsman (Rank 5)
Simple, powerful, and essential. Every rank boosts your one-handed weapon damage by 20%, stacking up to 100%. Pair it with a Daedric sword and you’ll be cutting through Draugr like stale bread.
Honourable Mention: Savage Strike for that sweet decapitation animation that never gets old.
Two-Handed
Best Perk: Great Critical Charge
Because nothing screams “Nordic energy” like sprinting toward an enemy and smashing them into the next province. This perk turns two-handed combat into pure chaos, and it’s beautiful.
Honourable Mention: Champion’s Stance reduces stamina cost for power attacks, perfect for players who swing first and think never.
Archery
Best Perk: Overdraw (Rank 5)
Every rank adds 20% damage. With all five ranks, your arrows hit harder than most spells.
Honourable Mention: Steady Hand, because time slowing down when you aim makes you feel like a cinematic god.
Block
Best Perk: Quick Reflexes
It slows time when an enemy power attacks, which is basically Skyrim’s version of a parry window. Once you master it, you’ll never be stagger-locked again.
Honourable Mention: Shield Charge, for when you want to become the human equivalent of a bowling ball.
Heavy Armour
Best Perk: Conditioning
Removes weight penalties, so you can tank hits without moving like you’re underwater. Also lets you sprint in full Daedric like a fashionably angry tank.
Honourable Mention: Juggernaut (Rank 5) for the raw armour rating boost.
Smithing
Best Perk: Arcane Blacksmith
The ability to improve enchanted gear is a game-changer. Suddenly that unique sword you found doesn’t have to gather dust on a shelf.
Honourable Mention: Daedric Smithing, because you know you want that jet-black aesthetic.
Magic Skill Trees
Destruction
Best Perk: Impact
Dual-casting spells staggers enemies, making mages surprisingly tanky. Stun-locking dragons with lightning bolts? Yes, please.
Honourable Mention: Augmented Flames/Frost/Shock depending on your chosen element.
Restoration
Best Perk: Recovery (Rank 2)
Increased magicka regen means less downtime between heals or wards. Perfect for cleric builds and anyone tired of drinking magicka potions like wine.
Honourable Mention: Respite lets healing spells restore stamina, turning you into your own support class.
Alteration
Best Perk: Stability
Boosts the duration of all alteration spells. Longer Paralyze and Ebonyflesh effects make survival a breeze.
Honourable Mention: Atronach, because absorbing magicka feels like cheating in the best way.
Illusion
Best Perk: Quiet Casting
Absolutely mandatory for stealth builds. Cast spells without blowing your cover. Combine it with Invisibility and you’re basically a ghost with a dagger.
Honourable Mention: Kindred Mage, making your illusion spells more effective against people instead of just animals and weak bandits.
Conjuration
Best Perk: Twin Souls
Allows two summoned creatures or undead at once. It turns fights into something between necromancy and Pokémon battles, and honestly, that’s the dream.
Honourable Mention: Elemental Potency to make your summoned creatures hit even harder.
Enchanting
Best Perk: Extra Effect
Two enchantments per item. Enough said. It’s the most overpowered perk in the game, and it deserves your respect.
Honourable Mention: Insightful Enchanter for boosting skill-related enchantments like Smithing or Alchemy.
Stealth Skill Trees
Sneak
Best Perk: Assassin’s Blade
Fifteen times damage with daggers. Combine it with Shrouded Gloves and the Blade of Woe, and you’re basically Skyrim’s silent apocalypse.
Honourable Mention: Silent Roll for those who love parkouring behind enemies like a medieval ninja.
Lockpicking
Best Perk: Treasure Hunter
Increases the chance of finding better loot in chests. Makes the skill feel worthwhile when you realise most locks hide 9 gold and a tomato.
Honourable Mention: Golden Touch for more gold early game.
Pickpocket
Best Perk: Extra Pockets
Adds 100 to carrying capacity. Not glamorous, but practical. Think of it as the backpack mod without installing one.
Honourable Mention: Perfect Touch lets you strip enemies of their weapons mid-conversation if you’re feeling chaotic.
Speech
Best Perk: Investor
Lets you invest 500 gold in shops to permanently increase their funds. It’s capitalism with benefits.
Honourable Mention: Haggling (Rank 5) for maximum profit from selling every iron dagger you’ve accidentally crafted.
Light Armour
Best Perk: Wind Walker
Boosts stamina regeneration when wearing all light armour. Perfect for those who live by dodging instead of blocking.
Honourable Mention: Unhindered, removing movement penalties so you can stay stylish and agile.
Alchemy
Best Perk: Benefactor
Enhances beneficial potions, making your healing and buff brews ridiculously strong.
Honourable Mention: Poisoner for the sneaky assassins who like their damage delivered discreetly.
The Seven Swords Takeaway
Skyrim’s perk system rewards experimentation, but it also punishes commitment to bad ideas. You can make almost any build work, but these perks are the backbone of the game’s best setups.
So next time you’re staring at the perk constellation wondering if “Deft Movement” is worth it (spoiler: it is), remember, the best builds aren’t always the flashiest. They’re the ones that let you shout enemies off cliffs, vanish into the dark, or roast a dragon with style.
