I've read to maximize Resist Magic, Bretons only need ring, necklace, some perks from the Alteration tree (I think), certain in-game quest rewards,, maybe some other things. Non-Bretons, though, need to have ring, necklace, and shield (but have enough with that so they can use perk points for other things). I think that's right.

The "problem" (or so I understand it, though I could have this entirely wrong) is that when armor is maximized through good use of Alchemy, Enchantment, and Smithing, shields cease to be really useful, since armor's function is to block a percentage of damage, and shield function is to block a percentage of damage, *but* the percentage of damage is capped and can be reached by light or heavy armors anyways. So after your armor reaches a certain efficiency level, shields really don't do much, and it would be better to use dual-wielding single hand weapons, or magic/single hand, or two-handed weapons maybe (though probably not about that two-handed weapon thing, too low DPS)

My question is first, do I understand that mechanic more or less correctly (and is it still true after the Fortify Restoration potion / Fortify Alchemy equipment loop was nerfed), and second, is there a practical way around this?

My second question (I don't have enough experience to know) is could it be viable to build a non-Breton geared towards dual-wielding weapons, *but* that has a shield of magic resistance to equip when magic using foes are around, *or* can still use dual-wielding against bosses but drink a potion of Resist Magic instead? If *every* enemy pretty much uses magic later, then this would be pretty impractical because the character would have to drink nonstop, or would be chained to the less efficient shield-and-weapon style (or shield and magic as you like) to combat the constant danger of magic. But if magic using foes are not terribly common - then maybe?

Thanks in advance for replies.

Hi AardvarkPepper,

Welcome to the forums and have a fishy stick: http://images.uesp.net/c/c4/Fishystick.jpg (I don't know how, but a fishy stick is a traditional welcome for new members).

So you can reach the armor cap without the shield, that's correct. You can also reach the magic resistance cap with any race and any combination of enchanted items, blessings, perks etc. They really aren't related or dependent.

I like shields because there are some pretty great abilities in the Block perk tree (slowing time, for example). However, if a shield doesn't fit your build because you want to do a two-handed attack, that's ok. There are other ways to block incoming damage (armor, magic resistance, a damage sponge in the form of conjured atronachs or followers, or just plain old high health!) so you don't have to focus on the shield.

I think you are relatively new to the game so you are in danger of doing the same thing I did which was to spread your perk points among too many abilities. Concentrate on two or three only. For example, you may benefit the most form Alteration, Two-handed and Light Armor. 'What about smithing and sneak and archery?' you ask. Well, you can try raising all six but you won't become terribly proficient with any of them. It's better to get really good at a few skills and then have them as your fallback as you practice new ones.

Magic resistance comes out of Alteration magic but there's also enchanted items, potions, and quests. Don't worry about squeezing those last few percentage points out of the cap. Once you have enough health, 80 or 85% magic resistance and damage resistance will be just fine.

Have fun!

Bretons can actually meet the magic resistance cap without items. Everyone else is limited to 70 max.:

Agent of Mara-15

Breton magic resistance-25

Lord Stone-25

Alteration-10/20/30