Not sure whether something like this was suppose to go in General Discussion or not so my apologies should it be in the wrong forum, but here goes. I need a little bit of help starting a genuinely new character in terms of viability on Master difficulty (in short, some build help would be greatly appreciated). Every other character I've built has turned out the same (spellsword who does the same quests in pretty much the same order) and that has gotten boring quite frankly. I just couldn't find time since I've bought the same to properly RP so I've found running around trying everything enjoyable.

My backstory is simple enough. I'm playing a Redguard who left his homeland in venture towards Skyrim to seek aid against the Aldmeri Dominion. From what little lore I know this semi makes sense. He ends up getting caught at the border->hauled to prison->escaping as per game. He begins siding with the stormcloaks because he believes their hatred for the dominion would ensure aid from them in fighting the pesky elves. This includes joining the DB (I'll have to think up a reason for that) and [SPOILERS] $$$$$$$$Killing the emperor$$$$$$$$$$$$[/SPOILER]. However, after reading the files during the MQ about Ulfric being an asset for the Thalmor as well as slowly coming to the realization that the Imperials and a unified Tamriel would be stronger, he switches sides and destroys the rebellion.

I'm trying to build an assassin type character, so necessities for me are going to include stealth, marksman, one-handed, and light armour. I'm still debating between alchemy and smithing, (both/one/neither). Neither of which would be abused. It will all come down to fighting style I suppose. Illusion I am also debating (Muffle, Invisibility).

The question I have is on master, without exploiting crafting, what is a viable fighting style for an assassin type character against, say, a dragon, whom you can not sneak up on and deal insane amounts of damage? I think dual daggers would play out rather lamely in such a situation, not to mention my defense against any type of attack would be like nothing (no blocking nor wards).