A tanky Paladin build in Skyrim combines heavy armor, restoration magic, and melee combat to create a righteous juggernaut. Here’s how to bring this holy warrior to life:
1. Choose the Right Race
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Nord: Strong melee stats, 50% frost resistance, and Battle Cry for crowd control.
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Imperial: Bonus Restoration skill and Voice of the Emperor to calm enemies — great for roleplaying and survivability.
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Breton: 25% magic resistance and bonus to Conjuration and Restoration — ideal if you want to resist magic-heavy enemies.
2. Focused Skills
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Heavy Armor: Max this to become a walking fortress. Perks like Fists of Steel and Conditioning make you nearly unstoppable.
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Block: Use a shield to absorb massive damage and control the battlefield with Shield Bash and Power Bash.
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One-Handed: Specialize in swords or maces for divine justice. Paladins favor disciplined, righteous melee strikes.
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Restoration: Keep yourself and allies alive with Healing, Close Wounds, and undead-banishing spells like Turn Undead and Stendarr’s Aura.
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Smithing: Craft and upgrade your armor and weapons, especially if you're aiming for Daedric or Dragonplate gear.
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Enchanting (optional): Add resistances, health regen, or reduced Restoration cost for even more sustain.
3. Gear Up Like a Paladin
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Armor: Go with heavy sets like Steel Plate, Ebony, or Dragonplate. For the true Paladin feel, try the Dawnguard heavy armor set.
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Shield: The Shield of Solitude or Spellbreaker offers excellent defense and magic resistance.
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Weapon: Dawnbreaker is a must — a radiant sword that burns undead and fits the Paladin theme perfectly.
4. Playstyle Tips
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Open fights with shield blocks and crowd control.
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Use Restoration between fights or mid-combat for healing and turning undead.
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Don’t rush — let enemies come to you and hold your ground.
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Use shouts like Unrelenting Force or Elemental Fury for battlefield control.
5. Roleplay and Alignment
Stick to moral decisions. Help the innocent, fight undead and Daedra, and align with factions like the Dawnguard or the Companions for righteous quests.
With the right build, your Paladin will be a symbol of unshakable justice — a shining beacon in Skyrim’s dark and chaotic world. Stand tall, shield raised, and let no evil pass.
