Going Rogue: An Unarmored Thief Build?

[invertedpanda]

I've played a variety of characters in Skyrim up to level 30 at a minimum. My latest was a paladin style build featuring 1H (Mace), Heavy Armor, Enchanting, Blacksmithing, Alteration, and Restoration (using Wards as my shields). It's a really fun build, but I'm looking to play another stealthy character.

 

I played an archer style rogue, as well as an illusionist rogue. Both wore light armor, but I'm thinking that this time, it might be cool to play a rogue that goes the armor-less route (using alteration). I was thinking doing 1h/Destruction for combat (playing my paladin made dragon combat difficult without any ranged option), but there are other skills I'd like to invest in (pickpocket, for instance). Any suggestions?

[Linsolv]

I play an unarmored thief almost every time I play a thief these days. The trick is, you shouldn't engage in combat without some kind of edge. The fact that you can fire of a sneak attack, hide behind a corner, and have the guy believe he must've been imagining the arrow in his back is a good edge. If you find yourself in a situation where you're toe-to-toe with a Draugr deathlord, you're going to want that armor back.

 

Also, the Radiant Raimant is my favorite spot for getting an outfit. I always have to buy a carriage to Solitude before I do ANYTHING. :P

Edited January 19, 2012 by Linsolv

[invertedpanda]

Looking through the perks I'll want, I should probably consider dropping 1h and destruction and just going bow to free up my tree. Even if I go destruction, I'll still need silent casting from Illusion. I dunno; there's got to be a viable way to do it. I had wanted to do alchemy + enchanting, but if I drop alchemy I may be able to do 1h + destruction.

 

I can't wait until some good n' proper clothing mods come out. I want my vest and black pants (think Sweeney Todd).

 

*edit* scratch that. I'm going with 1h, alteration, alchemy, enchantment, sneak, and pickpocket. What I'll do is just get Dragonrend ASAP to help with the dragon combat and I should be fine. The goal is to play someone who uses a lot of poisons (both pickpocketing and applying to my dagger). I'll pump most of my levels into health. Since I won't be carrying armor, and just a dagger (can anyone guess what dagger I'm going with once I hit level 20? :P) for a weapon, I shouldn't need much in stamina, and can use stamina boosting enchantments. I'll pick up the +100 carry weight perk from pickpocketing ASAP to help with loot, because I'm DEFINITELY not using a companion with a stealth focused build.

 

I wanted to have a fun character to play the Dark Brotherhood quests (that's the one faction I haven't completed yet), and I think this will do it.

Edited January 19, 2012 by invertedpanda

[pastafrola]

I wonder how powerfull can be your end game poisons (no exploits). I made a fortify alchemy set (+25%x4) but my alchemy is not maximized yet. I could make 70dmg poisons.

 

I want to make pure poisoner char too ^^

[CalibanX]

Interesting build idea. I like the concept of a non-armored poisoner/alchemist. I'd probably also do some Speech too. A poisoner should also be smooth talker. :)

[surg23]

If you find yourself in a situation where you're toe-to-toe with a Draugr deathlord, you're going to want that armor back.

 

 

 

I don't mean to Nit-pick, but Draugr's fall into the "Kitable" category, where they really can't hurt you if you are agile. The only situation where you need armor is fighting a Bear or Saber Cat, sure they can be Kited/Glitched around rocks, but without suitable terrain they will catch and 1-2 hit kill a lightly armored character on Master.

[NorthWolf]

Not sure I consider kiting an entirely legitimate strategy, but different strokes, etc. This is an interesting idea, however, no matter your interpretation of what's legit and not (it's Skyrim, so who cares?), I think this would be a fun build to try. I could see it being entirely legitimate (and immersive!) if you started with the Dark Brotherhood and actually specifically focused on sneak attacks, because with a x30 critical thanks to the sneak tree and the shrouded gloves you could be quite the formidable opponent provided you were sneak attacking.

[chanchan05]

I would have loved to build a pure alchemist if Beth implemented exploding potions for us to throw, kind of like in Diablo 2.

[surg23]

Not sure I consider kiting an entirely legitimate strategy, but different strokes, etc. This is an interesting idea, however, no matter your interpretation of what's legit and not (it's Skyrim, so who cares?), I think this would be a fun build to try. I could see it being entirely legitimate (and immersive!) if you started with the Dark Brotherhood and actually specifically focused on sneak attacks, because with a x30 critical thanks to the sneak tree and the shrouded gloves you could be quite the formidable opponent provided you were sneak attacking.

 

 

 

So you prefer to use non-dynamic combat mechanics like sit there and click LMB in rapid succession until whatever is in front of you dies ?

 

 

No thanks, i'de rather make combat more interesting and skill-based. "Kiting" is a much more noble pursuit than stacking 5 billion armor rating and gloating over the fact that you are invincible, Or the simple spamming mouse clicks to see who dies first.

 

Archery - cheap

Armor - cheap

Superior damage - cheap

 

In a game without true skill-based dynamic combat mechanics, one must compensate given what they have. If you have a more interesting idea on how to kill something that will destroy you if it gets into Melee range, i'de love to hear it.

Edited January 20, 2012 by surg23

[invertedpanda]

So far, so good. Early on you're really rather tame. I spent my early levels working on my alchemy, enchanting, sneak, and pickpocket skills; first 10 levels I boosted health, and got my novice level perks for everything. I'm playing on Adept difficulty, by the way. The build really doesn't flesh out until you get your sneak up; enchanting helps, as does joining the Dark Brotherhood (to get better sneak gear early on). Going armorless has proven to be pretty easy thus far, but I wish Skyrim had more interesting clothing. I ended up using the console to give me the alternate textured College Robes.

 

I've never played a pickpocket character in any of the TES games before, and I am really enjoying it right now. Given how many times I've played the main quest and other faction quests, sometimes I get bored and decide to go on a pickpocket spree :)

 

I haven't gotten my reverse-pickpocket-poison perk yet, but when I do, I can't freaking wait.

 

I think the largest downside is that sneak attack with melee is almost useless outside of D.B. quests. Occasionally I find people to sneak up on, but it's not NEAR as easy as it is with a bow, where you can sneak attack nearly every foe in the game.