Illusion Assasin Build?

[Altioris]

Hey guys, I've been trying to perfect a build for an illusion assassin specializing in crowd control and assassination, but I've hit a bit of a bump in the road...perks. I've come up with the basic idea for them, but need help...refining them so to speak. Here's what I have so far: http://skyrimcalculator.com/#55932

I honestly don't want to have to use Archery (I love it, but I wanted illusion so that I could get in close range, not to stay out of the way and snipe -- I have another character for that) but can't figure out any way to avoid it. Any tips, additions, or suggestions would be welcomed and greatly appreciated. Thanks!

P.S. Sorry for the fail spelling in the title. Didn't notice until just now. I'm tired, that's my excuse :\

 

[Savaros]

This would be what I would suggest if you are trying to get up close. If you completely avoid the bow and invest the perks into Illusion and enchanting you can get a powerful combo. With enchanting you can fully enchant you dragon skin armor to reduce cost of illusion spells to 0 magika (you could get the enchantment from the college when first gaining access chose the reply that fits illusion). Also as you know the master illusion spells wreck so I would go for building the magical side first (with one handed so you don't die) because then you will have one of the two stem skills for an illusion assassin build. Here's what I made http://skyrimcalculator.com/#55952

 

[Altioris]

This would be what I would suggest if you are trying to get up close. If you completely avoid the bow and invest the perks into Illusion and enchanting you can get a powerful combo. With enchanting you can fully enchant you dragon skin armor to reduce cost of illusion spells to 0 magika (you could get the enchantment from the college when first gaining access chose the reply that fits illusion). Also as you know the master illusion spells wreck so I would go for building the magical side first (with one handed so you don't die) because then you will have one of the two stem skills for an illusion assassin build. Here's what I made http://skyrimcalculator.com/#55952

Is it more efficient to avoid archery? I love sniping people and all but if you invest heavily in archery and get close, you're screwed, whereas with illusion you can just go invisible and sneak out. And also, I hate the end-game bow draw speed dropoff. Rather annoying if you're planning on killing more than one person or you miss. I was planning on using dual-wielded daggers and just completely annihilating anyone if need be, though I prefer assassinations and crowd control, so I can relax as my opponents turn on each other. Also, does Bladesman work with daggers or just swords? I prefer daggers, but I'm sure you have a reasoning behind the sword perks, which hopefully you'd explain to me haha.

 

[Savaros]

Is it more efficient to avoid archery? I love sniping people and all but if you invest heavily in archery and get close, you're screwed, whereas with illusion you can just go invisible and sneak out. And also, I hate the end-game bow draw speed dropoff. Rather annoying if you're planning on killing more than one person or you miss. I was planning on using dual-wielded daggers and just completely annihilating anyone if need be, though I prefer assassinations and crowd control, so I can relax as my opponents turn on each other. Also, does Bladesman work with daggers or just swords? I prefer daggers, but I'm sure you have a reasoning behind the sword perks, which hopefully you'd explain to me haha.

Well when you avoid archery (and other ranged attacks per say destruction) then you obviously become an in your opponents face type of character and I do have a reason for swords. See when it is a one on one battle like your jut gonna maul this person then daggers are not a bad choice however... Daggers do less damage then swords and if your in a hardcore battle (like in the civil war quest line) and your opponent is wearing heavy armor then your dagger sadly enough won't do much (I understand that's where illusion comes in but just bare with me here) and even if you do cast mayhem you still could be caught in a battle. So my suggestion is when being sneaky go for the daggers even if your like fighting one or two people daggers could still work. But when you are fighting more than two in a large combat (and every time you try and cast a spell you get hit which cancels it) some super powerful daedric swords couldn't hurt

 

[Altioris]

Well when you avoid archery (and other ranged attacks per say destruction) then you obviously become an in your opponents face type of character and I do have a reason for swords. See when it is a one on one battle like your jut gonna maul this person then daggers are not a bad choice however... Daggers do less damage then swords and if your in a hardcore battle (like in the civil war quest line) and your opponent is wearing heavy armor then your dagger sadly enough won't do much (I understand that's where illusion comes in but just bare with me here) and even if you do cast mayhem you still could be caught in a battle. So my suggestion is when being sneaky go for the daggers even if your like fighting one or two people daggers could still work. But when you are fighting more than two in a large combat (and every time you try and cast a spell you get hit which cancels it) some super powerful daedric swords couldn't hurt

Valid point. Is there any benefit to avoiding archery or should I just suck it up and spend the perks? Because I want to have a somewhat viable character, but I like having some crowd control as well and as far as I can tell there's no easy way to mesh Stealth/One-Handed/Illusion/Archery easily while keeping the bare necessities (Armor, Smithing). So is there any middle ground?

P.S. I saved the Jarrin Root to make the 1hko poison. Who is the best target for it?
P.P.S. Is there any benefit to doing the High Hrothgar sneak leveling trick or does it screw up your game flow? Always been curious. Likewise with the Archery leveling trick in Riverwood.
P.P.P.S. What race would be best for this? For some reason I was thinking Altmer, but I could and probably am wrong.

 

[Altioris]

Also, Ebony Mail? Is it good/bad, is it worth mixing in sets, is it better only if you choose heavy armor?

 

[Dvalin]

Valid point. Is there any benefit to avoiding archery or should I just suck it up and spend the perks? Because I want to have a somewhat viable character, but I like having some crowd control as well and as far as I can tell there's no easy way to mesh Stealth/One-Handed/Illusion/Archery easily while keeping the bare necessities (Armor, Smithing). So is there any middle ground?

P.S. I saved the Jarrin Root to make the 1hko poison. Who is the best target for it?
P.P.S. Is there any benefit to doing the High Hrothgar sneak leveling trick or does it screw up your game flow? Always been curious. Likewise with the Archery leveling trick in Riverwood.
P.P.P.S. What race would be best for this? For some reason I was thinking Altmer, but I could and probably am wrong.

I've ruined 2 characters with leveling exploits. The game is very well balanced so to answer your P.S. No, I would avoid outleveling 1 skill. Makes the baddies Much stronger agains every other skill that isn't leveled. The play style you're looking for is possible but you'll need 8 perks in enchanting and your enchanting to 100 (Its a long process) You do lose some perks but end up not needing them, multiple enchants on your gear are all the 'perk' you need. Good luck

 

[Altioris]

I've ruined 2 characters with leveling exploits. The game is very well balanced so to answer your P.S. No, I would avoid outleveling 1 skill. Makes the baddies Much stronger agains every other skill that isn't leveled. The play style you're looking for is possible but you'll need 8 perks in enchanting and your enchanting to 100 (Its a long process) You do lose some perks but end up not needing them, multiple enchants on your gear are all the 'perk' you need. Good luck

Erm. I'm an idiot. So...could you detail the perks and whatnot? Like...on Skyrim Calculator? PRETTY PLEASE? Haha...I think I know roughly what I'm doing but when it comes to limiting myself I'm not very good. Preferably ideas on leveling ratios and race and whatnot. If you don't have time I understand lol

 

[Savaros]

Just go ahead and ditch the archery that's the point of this character right? and two there is not really middle ground that is effective for what your aiming for.
1. I don't really have a suggestion
2.In no way would it mess up the flow but its not legit and if you use the perks in sneak to early then it could mess it up as I said begin on magic
3.dunmer

 

[Altioris]

Thanks Sav. I'm gonna try it as best I can I hope it works out later on or I'll be pissed, haha.

 

[Dvalin]

Erm. I'm an idiot. So...could you detail the perks and whatnot? Like...on Skyrim Calculator? PRETTY PLEASE? Haha...I think I know roughly what I'm doing but when it comes to limiting myself I'm not very good. Preferably ideas on leveling ratios and race and whatnot. If you don't have time I understand lol

Here's a build I came up with. Very similar to Sav's but changed bladesman in favor of duel savegry. It all depends on wether you want to use daggers or swords as a main weapon. Be sure to take the top perk in enchanting. 1 perk DOUBLES the worth of enchanting. Possibly one of the best perks out there. My advice do the black star quest as early as possible. Dunmer or Nord would work based on their beginning stats but Dunmer would be a better fit. Have fun.

Edit. Lol, I'm a bone head. Here's the link http://skyrimcalculator.com/#56145

 

[Altioris]

Here's a build I came up with. Very similar to Sav's but changed bladesman in favor of duel savegry. It all depends on wether you want to use daggers or swords as a main weapon. Be sure to take the top perk in enchanting. 1 perk DOUBLES the worth of enchanting. Possibly one of the best perks out there. My advice do the black star quest as early as possible. Dunmer or Nord would work based on their beginning stats but Dunmer would be a better fit. Have fun.

Edit. Lol, I'm a bone head. Here's the link http://skyrimcalculator.com/#56145

I'll try it and get back to you on the viability. Thanks for the help, I really hope this works cause it seems like it would be fun. Should I put anything into magicka do you think?

 

[Dvalin]

I'll try it and get back to you on the viability. Thanks for the help, I really hope this works cause it seems like it would be fun. Should I put anything into magicka do you think?

I would level a 2:1 health/stam ratio, hitting enchanting as hard as you can. Throw a reduce casting cost of Illusion on an amulet, chest armor, helmet and ring.Once your enchant is 80 it equils minus 25% on each piece - ie. free illusion spells. Then have fun with your magister assassin. If you view that as an exploit then a 1:2:1 ratio should work.

 

[Altioris]

I would level a 2:1 health/stam ratio, hitting enchanting as hard as you can. Throw a reduce casting cost of Illusion on an amulet, chest armor, helmet and ring.Once your enchant is 80 it equils minus 25% on each piece - ie. free illusion spells. Then have fun with your magister assassin. If you view that as an exploit then a 1:2:1 ratio should work.

I just need to get Soul Trap, then I should be good for enchanting since iron daggers are in such abundance early on. Luckily, disenchanting levels your enchant very rapidly. Also, if you have the double enchant perk, can you enchant, say...shrouded armor?

 

[Dvalin]

Yes. Get soul trap and the black star as early as possible. I usually disenchant EVERYTHING. Once its maxed you pretty much can play whatever style you want from enchant buffs. As for leveling, Enchanting items gives the most xp, then disenchanting. Recharging your weapon also levels it, but at a much lower amount.

Side note: I've read this but haven't confirmed, that the type of soul gem doesn't matter for recieving xp, ie. grand soul gems make the best enchantments but contribute to leveling the same as a petty soul gem would.

 

[Altioris]

As far as getting the best return on your investment, pretty soul gems are your gem of choice, because the price is inversely proportional to the amount of uses.

 

[Taunt]

With Illusion your not going to need so many points in Sneak. Put 1 point in Stealth and take everything on the right side of the tree. Left side is totally optional. I took it to Silence.....why crouch and move like a snail when you can just Invis and sprint. I started using the Mages Stone and hit 100 Sneak and Illusion at roughly the same time. Even though I hardly use it I have Archery set up the way you do, its nice to have. Free op those points you have in Dual Flurry and Savagery. As an Illusionist you will have 1 Dagger and 1 Spell as opposed to 2 Daggers. I took everything in Illusion except Master Illusion and Master of the Mind (Probably going to grab this sometime soon though). I really only use Invisible and Pacify but it is fun to play around with Frenzy Conjuration I have set up the same, I see no need for more. Smithing will be to your liking. I have Steel, Arcane and Eleven Smithing only....for RP purposes. I love the Ill/Ass build even though it feels a little to OP at times. There is no need to build a 0 Magika cost Ill/Ass. I have 300 natural Magika and I think about 50% reduc...I totally regret having that much magika. If you take 1 thing away from this post DONT waste to many points in Sneak....its beyond unnecessary

 

[Savaros]

If you're still interested I figured out a character where you have an illusion thief/assassin that is perfect you still have one handed, archery and illusion it's the highest level yes but It would be exactly what you are looking for.
http://skyrimcalculator.com/#58232

 

[Ender]

I'm about to start a new character and am going to do a High Elf Illusionist / Assassin.

Are you planning on doing archery, duel wielding conjured swords, or using daggers? There seems to be some conflict in talent points there since there is no conjured daggers.

For me I'm going to be doing this build myself using nothing but conjured bow and a lot of planning and posturing to get my foes to kill themselves. I'm going to attempt to do this on Master Difficulty as well:
http://skyrimcalculator.com/#58303