Okay, so I am outlining plans to build the best character ever and will also be role-playing for the first time with said character. In order for it to work, I want a real outline as to what I need to be invest in when it comes to my skill trees I should utilise. Here is my current perk spread planned for a level 25 character...

• Archery (8 Perks)
  
  • Overdraw 5/5
    
  • Eagle Eye 1/1
    
  • Power Shot 1/1
    
  • Quick Shot 1/1
• Conjuration (8 Perks)
  
  • Novice Conjuration 1/1
    
  • Apprentice Conjuration 1/1
    
  • Mystic Binding 1/1
    
  • Soul Stealer 1/1
    
  • Summoner 1/2
    
  • Atromancy 1/1
    
  • Elemental Potency 1/1
    
  • Twin Souls 1/1
• Heavy Armour (8 Perks)
  
  • Juggernaut 5/5
    
  • Fists Of Steel 1/1
    
  • Cushioned 1/1
    
  • Conditioning 1/1

I choose Khajiit as my race, because I plan on using unarmed combat for when my bow doesn't cut it. The conjuration is simply for using a bound bow, instead of a real one. I choose heavy armour because with the right perks it becomes weightless and also has a perk to increase unarmed damage when wearing gauntlets. Finally, archery is a natural choice for an archer. However, I'm not sure what else I should be investing in for this character? Any suggestions?

Also, what is the maximum level of Skyrim?

The maximum level at the moment is 81. My following advice is given assuming that you are also interested in skills to develop after level 25
If you plan to focus on Archery, I suggest you also invest in the perks Steady hand (2) and Critical shot (3). I'm not the best advisor regarding unarmed combat, but since you're already investing in Conjuration, I guess if things get tough, you can always turn to bound sword (which you can dual-wield) and bound axe. From heavy armour - invest in every perk available on this tree imo.

Another good idea is enchanting and/or smithing - once again, since you want to fight unarmed, you could use the best armor available and additional protective enchantments.

Maximum level is 81, but that's only if you take almost all skills up to 100.

As for your build... I don't know, it already looks pretty good for what you intend to do. Maybe enchanting to make the best use of Gloves of the Pugilist? Or smithing to improve your gauntlets.

I second Critical Shot, if you're going to rely on Bound Bow the additional damage is worth it.

Well, I haven't fully decided on the unarmed and may switch it out for a conjured bound sword, since I'm already investing in bound weaponry in my perk trees. But, I'm on about separate skill trees entirely, because I already know that the majority of the perks within the heavy armour and archery is going to be useful. I've never touched on smithing, so might be fun...

I'm pretty sure Critical Shot is just like Bladesman, meaning that the critical hits are only based on the BASE DAMAGE of the weapon. Meaning its not affected by smithing, other perks, or enchantments.

All of the weapon specific perks like bladesman, the axe bleed, critical shot, etc. are pretty much garbage. Don't waste your perks.

Pine, they're really easy to get hold of in Skyrim.


I'd recommend some alchemy or enchanting for that extra kick to your archery, if you have DG; go for smithing too, so you can get some arrow crafting done.

Also, unless you plan on not wearing a helmet, Well Fitted gives you a nice armor bonus.

I probably will.

Exactly. He wants to use a Bound Bow which can't be improved with smithing or enchanting, so the additional damage will be noticable. I would never recommend any critical damage perks to someone who's using a physical weapon
I'm still not sure if it's worth three perks (especially since when you take the last one, you already have maxed out Overdraw), but it's something to think about.

*raises hand.

Excuse me, but what the heck are you doing boosting heavy armor and archery? Please don't tell me you're busting into caves, dungeons, and forts wearing Dwarven armor with a drawn bow.

I say scrap the heavy armor -or- archery and focus on the other skills that compliment your final selection (one/two-handed with heavy armor) or (sneak with archery).

To be blunt: as your outline stands now, I wouldn't know what to recommend for you.

It's called a heavy archer? It's not that weird a thing to do, really. Besides, I'm not doing anything because I've decided not to playthrough the game again. It just bores me now...

God forbid if you deviate from the well trodden path of archer/light armour or melee/heavy armour. I mean, why shouldn't the guy play an archer with heavy armour? I've played the game long enough to know it makes no difference whatsoever what armour skill or weapon type you opt for, because come what May, enemies go down quickly regardless of weapon choice and the armour cap is what it is.

I'm not saying it's wrong, but the question was specifically what tree to build next. I mean, how does one answer that when, logically, the next tree should enhance the skillset in use. It's uncommon to see a heavy archer. It's not wrong, but what should people reply with: two-handed, one-handed, or sneak???

Not to be rude here at all, but if the "normal path" is being deviated, then shouldn't the player have a better idea of what the character should do?

Asking us seems a bit... perplexing when most are either mages, archery/sneak, or heavy/melee players.

That's all I meant.

the max level is 81, but you arnt really suposed to play much further than lvl 50, once you reach 50, you will, or should, have your char buildup finished or very close to finished, and are better off rerolling a new char buildup after that (if you finished the main story lines - revolution - alduin - dawnguard- companions/botherhood/thieves/mage).

from archery-conjuration-heavy armor, I would say you should definetly invest in smithing as your craft skill, it will boost your armor rating and bow damage aswell as give you access to higher end grade gear earlier.
you will also have a few more perks to spare to finish building those 3 and take another secondary tree, I would recommend restoration if you play on higher difficulties, even with conjured minions you will be taking punishment, especially with the movement limitation of heavy armor and bow draw before you get the perks that negate it.

theres nothing wrong playing heavy armor archer, if you are built to receive punishment, but it is pretty evident, at least for master difficulty players, that both destruction and archery is made to avoid being in melee situations, hence the talents to increase movement/escape capabilities and built in CC.
having that said, it comes down to how you build and play the char, not having the best efficiency doesnt mean it cant be used.
keep in mind however that heavy armor doesnt mean you can just stay confortably in melee, power attacks, poisons and magic/enchants are very much so still serious threats, not to mention staggers and aim penalties when you take them.

one thing you may also want to be aware of, if playing on higher difficulties again (tbh lower difficulties doesnt really matter what you do lol), bound bow will become very weak over time you will get much greater damage from smithed bows, if you are taking conjuration just for that... its really not worth it, tho having minions as an archer, is always good.