Has anyone else had a problem getting close enough to people to use the x15 dmg multiplier. I have 3 points in the first sneak perk and still can not get close enough to use my daggers. I end up having to use my bow with the x3 multiplier.

It didn't start getting easy for me to backstab people until i got that Ninja roll perk

that makes sence I do have that.

Get all sneak perks, maybe enchant armor with +sneak if you having that much of a problem? I can literally sit in front of foes, and stay hidden ha, I am sneak level 100 with all sneak perks though.

ehehe I found the ninja roll to be relatively worthless - just another stepping stone on the track to the Silent Running thing.

but to answer OP's question, I think it is mainly a problem (which I have had some of) of adjusting to the new interface in Skyrim. Sometimes it won't tell you the NPC's name when you're close enough to kill them, which is a pain, but the Sneak Critical will still work. As a general rule of thumb, if you're close enough for it to say "Pickpocket," then you're probably close enough to stab. You don't have to be 100% hidden, but it helps immensely, the chances go down quickly once that eye starts to open.

Or, if you're just having trouble being sneaky enough to get close without getting caught, remember to walk slowly when you're getting close, stick to the shadows (this is literally true, helps), and wear light armor or just clothes. Also, approaching from behind helps.

OP? lol. That is good advice and I wasnt sneaking up on the from the front that would be stupid. Its just that if I move an inch the eye starts to open up and I have to back off. I guess ill wait until I have all of the first perk before I try to do it again along with the silent runner perk. thanks for the advice.

I have 2 points invested in the first stealth perk, and the first 3 perks beyond it. I wear light armor, and I've never had an issue sneaking up behind anyone. So long as I'm sneaking up behind them... line of sight makes a big difference sometimes.

So that is something that they changed from Oblivion then. I remember you could sneak right past the people even if they were facing you with low level sneak.

Once I got to lvl 50 sneak...it started getting pretty easy for me. Until that point, I had to use the bow most of the time. Now I almost never pull my bow out. I don't know if difficulty matters, I play on adept. My sneak is lvl 80 right now, getting successful backstabs levels your sneak up super fast. Seems like higher level mobs have an easier time spotting me, but it's still pretty easy for me to sneak up on them from behind. Sneaking up from in front in the light is hard. Dragons always spot me regardless.

This may be a stupid thought, but make sure you aren't in run mode, which seems to be the default. You make more noise running.

try walking instead of running, don't move infront of them, and the boss level guys will detect you if you attempt to get the power attack x15 bonus versus the regular attack x15 until your stealth improves.