Grandmaster - True Unarmed and Unarmored Combat
⚪ Last updated 2015⚠️ Install Order · 3 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
Preview

🔍 Analysis
- 👍 3.1% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
- 🏆 #12 of 16 Skills and Leveling mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
Please read the FAQs below so you'll know how this works. This is not your typical mod.
I recommend keeping it in it's own tree because it works as a complete skill replacement. A new way (unarmed) to increase the skill has been introduced so it requires it's own stand-alone tree to really feel right. But then again, the config gives you the freedom to do what you want, so have at!
I sifted through the animations that come packaged with the game and found some that are faster punches. These are Bethesda's animations, not ones I created.
If you enjoy this (or any) mod, please swing back by and click the endorse button. It's the closest thing to getting paid we modders get for all of our work, and we really do appreciate it.
ATTN: This mod is only available here on the Nexus.
(Category: 340 - Combat)
************************ Description **************************** The act of punching raises the Grandmaster skill just like any other combat skill. No need to equip some unusual "fist weapon" or confusing tie-ins with other skills - just start punching bare fisted!As you work up the perk tree your fists will fire magic effects upon impact. Shock, fire, or ice - gloves are awarded with the first perk to change the spells used, so the choice is yours! Specialize in a destruction branch and unleash the fury with your bare fists! If you want the unarmed damage scaling with no magic, just take the first few perks and wear armor and you'll still get the scaled unarmed damage, disarms, knockdowns, critical strikes, etc. but with no magic.
Adds unique perks and abilities to unarmed fighting and wearing no armor that can't be added with the standard ck perk creator but had to be hand scripted. True unarmed combat is finally a viable option in Skyrim!
This replaces the Speechcraft skill with a new Grandmaster skill. I believe it works best as a standalone tree, but should you feel otherwise, the instructions to change it are in the config file.
Adds visual effects on both the targets and the players depending on which perk fires off. Standard power attacks and unarmed disarming have a subtle puff of dust and an impact noise, chi strikes surround the target in sparks, elemental fist throws a magic attack, when the Sifu perk goes off the player is surrounded in a red glow, when your health drops low a magic shield appears, and just wait till your arrows become supercharged with Chi!
If you like it - please click the endorse button and let me know. Than
Grandmaster - True Unarmed and Unarmored Combat is a Skyrim mod that adds a new skill for unarmed combat, allowing players to level up by punching bare-fisted. It features faster punching animations and integrates seamlessly with the game's skill system. With over 3,000 endorsements and 100,000 downloads, it's a popular choice for martial arts enthusiasts.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Huge community trust with 3,156 endorsements and over 102k downloads.
- Streamlines unarmed combat into a single skill, cutting out the hassle of fist weapons.
- Faster animations make punching feel more responsive and less clunky.
⚠️ Cons
- Last updated in 2015—may have compatibility issues with newer Skyrim versions or mods.
- No documentation or install instructions provided by the author.
- Adds a new skill that might conflict with other skill overhauls or perk mods.
For Skyrim players who want to role-play as a bare-fisted brawler or monk without relying on modded weapons. It's perfect for those who enjoy unarmed combat but find the vanilla system lacking. Skip if you prefer magic or weapon-based builds.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Since the mod is from 2015, check if your Skyrim version is compatible—if you're on Special Edition, you may need to convert the mod.
- Use a mod manager like Vortex or Mod Organizer 2 to install and manage the mod easily.
- If you have other skill overhaul mods, load Grandmaster after them to avoid conflicts.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Skyrim LE Mods
- Author
- leesterr
- Version
- 9.07
- Downloads
- 102,423
- Endorsements
- 3,156
- Category
- Skills and Leveling
- Created
- 3/19/2012
- Updated
- 4/12/2015
🔧 How to Install Skyrim LE Mods
Download from Nexus.
📖 Full step-by-step install guide for Skyrim LE →
Visit the official mod page for specific installation instructions for this mod.
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