Hailing from the arboreal province of Valenwood, the Bosmer (or Forest Elves) are ane of the ten playable races that can be found in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Historically, they have been characterized by their short stature, dark skin and penchant for both thievery and archery. In some means, they resemble the classic elves of Tolkien-esque lore, merely some things set them apart from this type of depiction significantly.

While a role player tin can be successful as whatever race inSkyrim's main quest, picking a Bosmer Dragonborn grants certain advantages that other races lack. For that reason, there are certain playstyles that Bosmer characters excel at that tin be leveraged to the thespian's advantage, specially early on in the game.

History of the Bosmer

Centuries before the game, the Aldmer (meaning "First Folk") sprawled out over the continent of Tamriel and created settlements. While those who remained in their habitation on Summerset Island became Altmer, those who found themselves attracted to the forests of Valenwood eventually became Bosmer. They adjusted to their terrain, learning quickly how to live in harmony with nature both bestial and plant-like. Some even learned how to command the animals around them, making them extraordinary combatants in wars fought nether the leafy canopies of the province.

One significant part of Bosmer culture is the existence of the Green Pact. This is a strict religious-like lawmaking that many Bosmer follow which upholds the sanctity of plant life above all else. These Bosmer must never harm the forest in which they alive and commit to only eating meat. What stands out is that ane of their tenets commands them to eat the mankind of their fallen enemies, and the cannibalistic nature of this exercise really sets the Bosmer autonomously from the Altmer and Dunmer.

Another of the Light-green Pact's tenets states that the Bosmer must not transform into a wild shape. This is a reference to the Bosmer'south innate magical ability to assume the shape of a feral animate being. When a "Wild Hunt" happens, a horde of Bosmer become beasts and stampede towards their target, whether in aggression or self-defense. Once their foes are defeated, they turn on each other in a frenzy that, over again, ends in cannibalism. It is an act of agony and non a tool that they use lightly.

The events leading up to Skyrim were tumultuous for the Bosmer. They were conquered in Valenwood by an Altmer-led coup and subsequently subsumed into the Aldmeri Dominion, though some Bosmer still harbor resentment for the losses that they suffered thanks to Altmer intentions.

Bosmer Racial Bonuses

One feature that makes the Bosmer stand out is their ability to requite orders to the beasts around them, which adult from their adaptations to the densely populated forests of Valenwood. In Skyrim, this manifests as the Control Animal power. Once per solar day, a Bosmer can use this ability to make an fauna an marry for 60 seconds. While they have to become into dangerous proximity to the brute to brand this work, information technology can pay off immensely and assist plough the tides during a tough fight. There seems to be no level restriction to this, and even deadly mammoths can be turned into allies -- perfect for taking down their Giant keepers.

In add-on to their useable power, Bosmer enjoy a passive 50 percent resistance to both Disease and Poisonous substance. The former is very useful, equally diseases in Skyrim tin can have quite annoying effects, such as Rattles or Witbane reducing a player's Stamina or Magicka consumption past 50 percent respectively. Information technology likewise means, even so, that players who wish to become a vampire may accept problem contracting Sanguinare Vampiris from an enemy. Such players will exist better off seeking some other route to vampirism, such as Babbette at the Night Brotherhood Sanctuary. The Bosmer resistance to Poison is less universally useful, simply players will detect information technology when up against the rare merely annoying foes similar the Falmer and Frostbite Spiders.

Bosmer Dragonborn's skill bonuses accentuate their stereotype as the "thief" race. First, they get +10 to Archery, which is a fantastic skill for most, every bit ranged attacks are very powerful in a world where Dragons are coming back to life. They get +5 bonuses to some other skills too, such as Lockpicking, Pickpocket and Sneak that reinforce that they excel at thievery. In addition to that, a +5 in Alchemy represents their inherent knowledge and respect of the natural world, and a +5 in Calorie-free Armor has them leaning more towards a silent and agile type of combat.

Bosmer Build Suggestions

The Bosmer race is perfect for players looking to use a sneaky archer to take on the game. Focusing on these skills early on will be beneficial in finishing fights healthily, possibly before they begin. Prioritize improving bow damage and gaining ranks in the Overdraw perk. Players who really favor the bow will want to aim for the Ranger perk, which allows them to move quicker with a drawn bow. This is key in battles against tough enemies who may have ranged attacks to fire dorsum at the histrion. Those who want to embody the "sneaky archer" archetype should also get for Hawkeye Eye and Steady Shot, which will improve their ability to snipe enemies from afar.

Leaning into other stealth skills can be a smashing manner to make money and increase survivability. Sneak tin can be useful in all manner of situations and volition likely rise quickly, and then perks such as Stealth and Muffled Motility are perfect fits. Deadly Aim is too a fantastic perk, as it vastly improves archery sneak attacks. However, it does crave taking Backstab (which merely affects one-handed weapons), so it's important to keep that in mind.

Pickpocketing is another skill that can be useful to take perks on, but only if the player intends to use it. It can be unreliable at lower levels, and so it may be better to spend perk points in Light Armor instead. Survivability options are vital for when Sneak lets the player downward, so prioritize Active Defender (which increases armor rating) and recall of Unhindered (which makes light armor weigh nothing when worn) as a long-term goal.

Information technology may also exist beneficial to pick up some magic. Illusion and Alteration spells are great for sneakier players, and Conjuration is great to have for the harder fights. Overall though, a Bosmer with a good bow, upwards-to-appointment armor and tranquility footsteps volition excel in the world of Skyrim. Consider joining the Thieves Guild or Night Brotherhood to get some skill practice in, and choose the Thief Stone blessing to make everything run a little smoother.

Go on READING: The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim - How to Build a Successful Khajiit Character

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