I want to make one, but I doubt an archer is any good without sneak, and I'm not sure how much heavy armor will affect my sneak.

I'm currently using Archery with my Heavy Armor Paladin. It's not that bad, not doing that much damage though, but I haven't specced all that much in Archery yet. Trying to sneak up on mobs is a bit of a problem though, they always seem to notice me but I guess all that clinging metal is to blame. XD

Pure archer? The idea is to stay away from your enemies and heavy armor is not conducive to doing so. If you want to play an archer/tank, then sure.

If you are wearing heavy armor, then archery is just a nice add-on to melee.

If you want to use archery as your main damage, go light. You will need the stealth.

It being my first character, mainly to get used to the game, my character is a little of everything. I have him using mainly 1h, archery, destruction, restoration, smithing, and heavy armor.

Part time heavy armor archer checking in. Always opt to use a bow before going into Leeroy Jenkins mode.

EDIT: and my sneak is up to the mid 40s from just playing naturally with the required perks for 3x SA damage.

I'm doing it now, works just fine. Archery, Heavy Armor, Sneak, Smithing, Enchanting. I can get away with not having a melee weapon skill because I'm Khajit, and I have the Heavy Armor perk which adds armor rating of gloves to unarmed damage on top of the Khajit bonus.

Once you get the -50% noise from armor and a couple ranks in the first Sneak perk, there's almost no difference in detection between Heavy Armor and Light Armor.

As a matter of fact, I'd say Heavy Armor is your best option for ANY build in this game. Mage, Rogue, whatever. There's just no downside to it other than slightly slower movement. Tons of upside. In that you take a lot less damage.

I'm a heavy armor Archer, Mage, Sneaker.

You pretty much need to hit things at a good long range to still get the stealth-opener bonuses.


The good news is when they get into melee range, you won't get slaughtered and have time to burn them down with spells and a good 1-hander when Magicka runs low.