In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, players can take on many different roles, from mighty warriors to cunning mages. But one of the most fun and effective ways to play the game is as an assassin, specializing in fast and lethal dagger attacks. A carefully crafted Skyrim dagger build can turn your character into a shadowy killer, able to eliminate enemies with deadly precision before they even know you’re there.
This guide will help you create the most powerful assassin by optimizing your Skyrim dagger build. We’ll cover everything from the best daggers, dagger mods, and combat tactics, to useful skills and perks. By the end, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of stealth and dagger combat in Skyrim.
Why Choose a Dagger Build in Skyrim?
Daggers in Skyrim are small, fast, and deadly. Though they may not pack the punch of a greatsword or warhammer, they make up for it with speed and critical damage. Especially when combined with high Sneak skills and perks, daggers can deliver astonishing damage in a single strike. But is a dagger build good in Skyrim? Absolutely.
The primary advantage of using a Skyrim dagger build is stealth. Daggers paired with high Sneak skills enable you to deal 15x damage on sneak attacks, making them perfect for assassin-style characters. Whether you’re a member of the Dark Brotherhood or simply a rogue wandering Skyrim’s wilds, a dagger build allows you to strike swiftly and unseen.
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Is There a Point to Using Daggers in Skyrim?
While some players might overlook daggers due to their low base damage, they are incredibly useful when used correctly. The point of using daggers is not in dealing heavy damage upfront but in executing precise and deadly sneak attacks. When combined with the Assassin’s Blade perk in the Sneak tree, daggers become one of the most devastating weapons in the game.
Moreover, daggers are fast. In Skyrim, attack speed can make a huge difference, especially in a combat scenario where speed can sometimes outweigh brute force. This agility, combined with high sneak attack multipliers, makes daggers the preferred weapon for stealthy characters. So yes, there is definitely a point to using daggers in Skyrim if you enjoy a stealthy playstyle.
Key Skills for a Skyrim Dagger Build
To create the ultimate Skyrim dagger build, you’ll need to focus on a few key skills that complement your stealthy approach:
1. Sneak
The Sneak skill is the foundation of any dagger build. Investing in Sneak will allow you to move undetected, getting close to enemies without being seen. Key perks to aim for include:
- Stealth: Makes you harder to detect.
- Backstab: This perk increases sneak attack damage with one-handed weapons by six times.
- Assassin’s Blade: This is the most important perk for a dagger build. It increases sneak attack damage with daggers to 15x, making your attacks incredibly lethal.
2. One-Handed
Since daggers are classified as one-handed weapons, you’ll need to invest in this skill tree to maximize their damage potential. Important perks include:
- Armsman: Increases the damage dealt by one-handed weapons.
- Dual Flurry: If you decide to dual wield daggers, this perk increases your attack speed, allowing you to deliver rapid strikes.
- Dual Savagery: Further increases damage when dual wielding, giving your dagger strikes even more power.
3. Light Armor
While your goal with a dagger build is to avoid being detected, things won’t always go as planned. Investing in Light Armor ensures you have the protection needed if you’re spotted. Light Armor also won’t slow you down as much, keeping your character fast and agile.
4. Alchemy
For the best Skyrim dagger build, alchemy is an essential skill. Using potions and poisons can give you the edge in battle, allowing you to apply effects like paralysis, weakness, or damage over time to your enemies. Crafting potent poisons and coating your dagger before a sneak attack can greatly enhance your damage output.
5. Illusion
Though not required, the Illusion skill can be highly beneficial for a stealth-based character. Spells like Muffle or Invisibility allow you to move unseen, making it easier to get close to enemies for a sneak attack.
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How Do You Make the Best Dagger Build in Skyrim?
To create the best dagger build in Skyrim, you need to carefully select the right skills, perks, and equipment. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to focus on:
1. Invest in Sneak and One-Handed Skills
As mentioned earlier, Sneak and One-Handed are the two most critical skills for a dagger build. Prioritize upgrading these skill trees to unlock perks like Assassin’s Blade and Dual Flurry to maximize your damage output.
2. Craft or Find the Best Daggers
Choosing the right weapon is essential for a dagger build. Daggers with high base damage and useful enchantments are ideal. Some of the best daggers in Skyrim include:
- Mehrunes’ Razor: This unique dagger has a chance to instantly kill any enemy, making it one of the best weapons for assassins.
- Blade of Woe: Found during the Dark Brotherhood questline, this dagger absorbs health from enemies, helping you stay alive in combat.
- Dragonbone Dagger: This dagger has the highest base damage of any craftable dagger in the game, making it a powerful choice for any dagger build.
3. Use Enchantments
Enchanting your daggers can give you a significant advantage. Some recommended enchantments include:
- Absorb Health: This enchantment restores your health with each strike, keeping you alive longer.
- Paralyze: Temporarily paralyzing your enemies gives you a chance to land multiple hits while they’re unable to move.
- Elemental Damage (Fire, Frost, or Shock): Adding elemental damage to your daggers increases their damage output and makes each hit more lethal.
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Is It Better to Dual Wield Daggers in Skyrim?
One of the most common questions when creating a Skyrim dagger build is whether or not it’s better to dual wield daggers. The answer depends on your playstyle. Dual wielding allows you to attack much faster, making it a great choice if you want to overwhelm enemies with a flurry of strikes. However, you won’t be able to block, so you’ll need to rely on dodging or using stealth.
For pure assassins who focus on sneaking up on enemies and killing them before they know what hit them, dual wielding can be devastating. When combined with perks like Dual Flurry, you’ll be able to strike quickly and deal massive damage before your enemies can react.
Skyrim Dagger Build Stats: What to Focus On
To optimize your Skyrim dagger build, focus on the following stats:
- Stamina: Dual wielding and power attacks use a lot of stamina, so it’s important to invest in this stat. A high stamina pool allows you to chain attacks together without running out of energy.
- Health: Since your character will sometimes be detected, investing in health ensures you can survive surprise attacks.
- Magicka (Optional): If you plan to use Illusion spells like Invisibility or Muffle, investing in Magicka is a good idea.
Skyrim Dagger ID: How to Spawn Daggers with Console Commands
For players who prefer to use console commands, here are some Skyrim dagger IDs for the best daggers:
- Mehrunes’ Razor:
000240D2 - Blade of Woe:
0009CCDC - Dragonbone Dagger:
02014FCE - Daedric Dagger:
000139B6 - Glass Dagger:
000139A8
To spawn a dagger, open the console by pressing the ~ key and type player.additem [Dagger ID] 1.
Skyrim Dagger Mods: Enhancing Your Build
There are several mods available for Skyrim that can enhance your dagger build by adding new weapons, abilities, and features. Here are some popular Skyrim dagger mods:
1. Immersive Weapons
This mod adds a variety of new weapons to the game, including unique daggers that can make your assassin build even more versatile.
2. Unique Uniques
This mod improves the appearance and stats of unique weapons, including daggers like Mehrunes’ Razor and the Blade of Woe. It’s perfect if you want your weapons to stand out.
3. DaggerCraft Package
This mod is dedicated to adding new daggers to the game, many of which are lore-friendly and well-balanced. It’s an excellent addition for players who want more variety in their Skyrim dagger build.
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How to Upgrade Daggers in Skyrim
Upgrading your daggers ensures they remain powerful as you progress through the game. Here’s how to upgrade your daggers:
1. Use a Grindstone
You can improve any dagger at a grindstone, increasing its base damage. The materials needed to upgrade will depend on the type of dagger. For example, upgrading a Daedric Dagger requires Ebony Ingots, while upgrading a Dragonbone Dagger requires Dragon Bones.
2. Use Fortify Smithing Gear and Potions
To further increase the effectiveness of your upgrades, use Fortify Smithing potions and gear. These items temporarily boost your Smithing skill, allowing you to improve your daggers beyond their normal limits.
Conclusion
Creating the ultimate Skyrim dagger build requires careful planning and execution, but the rewards are well worth the effort. By focusing on Sneak, One-Handed, and Light Armor skills, and combining them with powerful daggers like Mehrunes’ Razor or the Blade of Woe, you can become a deadly assassin capable of eliminating enemies with ease.
Whether you choose to dual wield daggers or stick with a single blade, remember that speed, precision, and stealth are your greatest assets. With the right build, skills, and tactics, your dagger-wielding assassin will be one of the most feared characters in all of Skyrim.
Now, it’s time to don your Dark Brotherhood armor, sharpen your daggers, and step into the shadows – the people of Skyrim won’t know what hit them.
Reference: https://gamerant.com/skyrim-best-daggers-where-find/
