Skyrim Dungeon Chest Build: A Beginner's Guide with CosTools

Updated at: 09/05/2025

Ever dreamt of conquering Skyrim's dungeons, not with brute force, but with meticulously crafted builds? This guide will walk you through creating a powerful and effective dungeon-delving character in Skyrim, specifically tailored for beginners. We'll focus on leveraging the incredible capabilities of CosTools, a modding tool that significantly simplifies character creation and optimization, allowing you to bypass the often-daunting initial complexities of build planning. Forget aimless experimentation; we'll streamline the process, ensuring you're prepared to tackle any crypt or cavern with confidence.

This beginner-friendly guide will cover every aspect of building your perfect dungeon-crawling character, from choosing the right race and skills to equipping optimal armor and weaponry. Get ready to delve into the step-by-step process of constructing a formidable Skyrim dungeon chest build using CosTools, empowering you to conquer even the most challenging dungeons with ease.

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • CosTools (straight cutter, circle cutter, hole punch), WhatTheFoam (6mm, 10mm), 3mm EVA foam, wood burner, Dremel with cutting wheel and stone bit, contact cement, paint, cheap chip brush, hinges, fencing wire, foam dowels
Safety Guidelines
  • Always back up your save files before making any significant changes with CosTools or any other modding tools. This prevents data loss if something goes wrong.
  • Ensure CosTools is properly installed and configured before attempting to build dungeon chests. Incorrect setup can lead to crashes or unexpected behavior.
  • Understand the limitations of CosTools. It may not be able to create chests with every possible item or combination. Experiment and refer to the tool's documentation for specifics.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Constructing the Chest Base

    • Using a 3D model as reference, cut the basic shape of the chest box using CosTools. The measurements for the box are provided later in the video.
    • Glue the pieces of the base box together using contact cement. Ensure even adhesion. Use a sacrificial piece of foam board underneath to prevent blade dulling.
    Assemble the Base Box: Glue the pieces of the base box together using contact cement. Ensure even adhesion. Use a sacrificial piece of foam board underneath to prevent blade dulling.Assemble the Base Box: Glue the pieces of the base box together using contact cement. Ensure even adhesion. Use a sacrificial piece of foam board underneath to prevent blade dulling.
    Constructing the Chest Base

  2. Creating the Dome Lid

    • Use the CosTools circle cutter to create the dome top. Trace the outside of the circle cutter, using the bracing pegs as a guide for the middle line.
    • Cut and glue pieces to create a recess in the center of the dome top for added detail and structural integrity.
    Create the Top Recess: Cut and glue pieces to create a recess in the center of the dome top for added detail and structural integrity.Create the Top Recess: Cut and glue pieces to create a recess in the center of the dome top for added detail and structural integrity.
    Creating the Dome Lid

  3. Adding Recess Details

    • Cut and glue strips of foam onto the base and top to create the intricate recess panels. Reinforce corners with overlapping strips.
    • Contact cement the recess panels to the base of the box, ensuring even placement and firm adhesion.
    Attach Recess Panels: Contact cement the recess panels to the base of the box, ensuring even placement and firm adhesion.Attach Recess Panels: Contact cement the recess panels to the base of the box, ensuring even placement and firm adhesion.
    Adding Recess Details

  4. Crafting Decorative Elements

    • Use the CosTools circle cutter to cut circles for the medallion. Cut out a center in two of these circles to create the beveled edge. Add a small recess for the lock to sit in.
    • Use a Dremel with a stone bit to create wood grain texture on the trim pieces.
    • Create small square details using the 3mm EVA foam, burn in swirls, and attach them to the chest.
    Create and Attach Small Details: Create small square details using the 3mm EVA foam, burn in swirls, and attach them to the chest.Create and Attach Small Details: Create small square details using the 3mm EVA foam, burn in swirls, and attach them to the chest.Create and Attach Small Details: Create small square details using the 3mm EVA foam, burn in swirls, and attach them to the chest.
    Crafting Decorative Elements

  5. Adding Texture and Finishing Touches

    • Use a wood burner to add detail and texture to the 3mm EVA foam recess panels. Work in a well-ventilated area and wear a respirator.
    • Use the CosTools hole punch to create even rivets on the chest.
    Add Rivets: Use the CosTools hole punch to create even rivets on the chest.Add Rivets: Use the CosTools hole punch to create even rivets on the chest.
    Adding Texture and Finishing Touches

  6. Assembling the Chest

    • Install hinges on the back of the chest and attach the lid. Use a cutting wheel on the Dremel to adjust hinge sizes.
    • Create handles using fencing wire and foam dowels, and attach them to the recess panel.
    Create and Attach Handles: Create handles using fencing wire and foam dowels, and attach them to the recess panel.Create and Attach Handles: Create handles using fencing wire and foam dowels, and attach them to the recess panel.
    Assembling the Chest

  7. Painting and Finalizing

    • Paint the chest using dry brushing techniques with Plaid effects paint.
    Paint and Finish: Paint the chest using dry brushing techniques with Plaid effects paint.
    Painting and Finalizing

Read more: Super Crown Cosplay Tutorial: Fabric Covering for a Professional Finish

Tips

  • Use a sacrificial piece of foam board under your cutting surface to prevent blade dulling.
  • Choose foams based on their properties. WhatTheFoam for rigidity, 10mm for thickness and support, and 3mm EVA for easy wood burning.
  • Wear a respirator when wood burning due to fumes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrectly Sizing the Chest

Reason: Using dimensions that don't fit the intended dungeon environment or are too small to hold desired loot.
Solution: Carefully measure the in-game space and use CosTools to create a chest with proportional dimensions.

2. Ignoring Environmental Details

Reason: Creating a chest that clashes stylistically with the surrounding dungeon architecture and props.
Solution: Match the chest's materials, textures, and design to the existing dungeon aesthetic using CosTools' diverse options.

3. Forgetting Practical Functionality

Reason: Building a chest that is visually appealing but inaccessible or difficult to interact with in-game.
Solution: Ensure the chest's placement and design allow for easy access and interaction using CosTools' placement tools and collision settings.

FAQs

What is CosTools, and why is it useful for this build?
CosTools is a Skyrim modding tool that simplifies character creation by allowing you to easily adjust stats, perks, and skills. For a dungeon chest build, it helps you quickly create a character optimized for stealth, lockpicking, and combat, significantly reducing the time spent manually adjusting attributes.