So for my new playthrough, I'm primarily going for block and 1H. My old playthrough utilized the paralysis potion on my arrows. Since I'm unable to enchant a shield to paralyze on contact, I'm going to use the enchant on my sword.

After surfing UESP for a bit, I've found that you can pickpocket most NPC's (that are able to be paralyzed) with 0 consequences to pickpocket skill and quite easily at that. So my question is, if I can freely pickpocket, can I pickpocket equipped items such as the sword they are using or the arrows in their quiver? Or do I have to perk up and get that ability for taking equipped items?

Thanks!

I think you'd still have to have the Perk in order to pickpocket items that are equipped...

I'm going to guess the opposite of Uriel. You will be able to pickpocket anything when you are using the paralyze-and-pickpocket technique. I haven't tried it out myself, though.