I was thinking about doing a mage-type of character... that uses a shield in my off-hand. I think I'll go with Destruction (offense, in place of a melee weapon) and Alteration (no armor, so I need Oakflesh and stuff). I'll be working on Block+Destruction+Alteration; I do NOT want to use any bound weapons so Conjuration is out. I reckon Restoration will do then.

Has anyone done this? If so, what was it like?

I know there are some that have and had a lot of success with it. I recently explored the Block tree to the fullest and I could easily see a Shield Mage. Conjuration is always useful. The summoned help is always handy.

Bashing can be absolutely deadly by stunlocking an opponent and essentially killing them with your shield. That Shield Charge perk is the greatest thing since they put red on a tomato.

I thought about doing a similar build, you'd probably get creamed by mages though. Yes you have bash but you wouldn't want to be up close because you're using spells too.

Isn't there a perk in the block tree that gives you a large bonus to magic resistance?

Have fun not using impact.

I haven't tried it, seen people using it, but using a shield in this way just doesn't interest me, personally. Spamming restoration in one hand with the respite perk, combined with a shield & the resist magic 50% perk, you just gonna mash all before you to death, lol.

Unique? No.

Actually, this is where Shield Charge shines. Ready a Lightning bolt on the right hand and knock'em down. They take a few seconds to get up, by that time you're ready to do it again but not before zapping their ass with a couple of shots.


Why would he not be using Impact?

Because he has a shield in the off hand.

I thought it was pretty unique until I started seeing random aggressive adventurers using the same build. On that same character.
Either way, no, not that unique.

It's a really solid defensive-mage build though. I used a female Breton, so by the time I got to level 40 I had a really high magic resistance even without the Agent of Mara and Lord Stone buffs.

It could work, I'm not saying it wouldn't work, Personally i think it would be quite a fun build.


Yes, but only when blocking.