I want to make an assassin/thief so should archery be a big part of it or what build would be really good?

Yes it is a big part for being an assassin/thief.

No it's not, if you get 2 daggers and dual wield them, and get the 6x damage multiplier perk from the sneak perk tree you can 1 hit KO almost anything.

But, archery CAN be a big part of stealth, I just wet through a dungeon with no Draugr noticing me and picking them off with the bow

It's your choice, like almost aleverything in the game.

With the sneak bonusus i think it will greatly help any character!

Archery has been vastly improved from Oblivion. You don't have to make it a focus of stealth play if you don't want to, but I think once you get a decent bow and a perk or two in the archery tree, you might begin to find plonking arrows into enemies is pretty addicting.

You also don't have to necessarily hang your head in shame and switch weapons if you get noticed. Unlike the pinpricks of Oblivion, arrows in non-stealth combat can still do substantial damage.

I going both archery and one handed (including daggers).
Archery is your strongest weapon with range and damage if you max out damage with enchanting, smithing, and alchemy.

As shown in the spoilers thread where he got for example
+2000 Heavy Armor Base Protection
+3000 Base Damage Swords

Archery should be at least partially developed for any self-respecting 'fighter' player. It gives you option when you know you are unable to win the head-to-head fight.


I'm looking at YOU mammoths.. 30 arrows later..

I'm currently playing as a Werewolf and hunter, a true champion of Hircine so I need to be capable in archery and one handed weaponry as a minimum.

If he goes that route and want to get stealth kills from afar then yes. That's just how my character will build out to be. Also yes about the daggers while sneaking. Its anybody's choice like you said.

That same tree has a 15x damage multiplier. Why stick with 6x ?

Awesome thanks guys super helpful!

With the right perks in sneak plus a certain item you can have a dagger do 30x damage sneak attack.

However, I love archery in this game. I loved it in oblivion, but this is so much better. You can atually fight with it outside of sneak and be effective. The little counter attack move is a lifesaver if you time it right, and with perks the bow is very dangerous.


As far as a stealth character goes, I think a Bow is pretty essential to remain undetected. Some areas are much easier with ranged attacks.