I asked this in the wrong place, so let's try it here...

I would like to enhance my smithing and enchanting via Alchemy, but I fear the return won't be worth
the perk investment, advice on the matter...yea or nea?

Alchemy & Enchant. The most powerful skills/perk trees in the entire game. Combined they can make it game breaking.

Alchemy: Take the first perk all 5 times, then take the next perk which branches off after that. Now go up the right branch 1 perk. All the upper perks are crap. I like poisoner, but it doesn't sound like you need it.

Total it is 7 perks. Now it only beefs up enchant a little compared to store bought potions. Best store bought potion: raises enchant 25%, the ones you can make with alchemy enchanted gear are around 30% so not a huge bump. But it boosts smithing a LOT. I think the best smithing potion is 50% increase. I'm currently making 100% increase smithing potions and I still don't have alchemy and enchant maxed with all perks.

It is ABSOLUTELY worth it!! Do it. All you need You need 5/5 Alchemist, then physician and benefactor.

For the first time since I started playing TES (started with OB) I decided I would major in Alchemy. I was not disappointed in the results. My character being a hunter primarily, makes extensive use of poisons as well as a bit of enchanting. IMO the return is definitely worth it...at least if you are willing to put the time and effort into gathering the ingredients.

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1420293-alchemists-post-your-recipies/page__p__21723910#entry21723910 for people to post their favorite alchemical recipes a while back. There are some excellent recipes posted there that will go a long way in helping you survive Skyrim as well as leveling up the skill. Some of them will just plain make you rich.

Outstanding!!! It's on my perk list then Thanx to all!!

Alchemy & Enchant. The most powerful skills/perk trees in the entire game. Combined they can make it game breaking.

Alchemy: Take the first perk all 5 times, then take the next perk which branches off after that. Now go up the right branch 1 perk. All the upper perks are crap. I like poisoner, but it doesn't sound like you need it.

Total it is 7 perks. Now it only beefs up enchant a little compared to store bought potions. Best store bought potion: raises enchant 25%, the ones you can make with alchemy enchanted gear are around 30% so not a huge bump. But it boosts smithing a LOT. I think the best smithing potion is 50% increase. I'm currently making 100% increase smithing potions and I still don't have alchemy and enchant maxed with all perks.

It is ABSOLUTELY worth it!! Do it. All you need You need 5/5 Alchemist, then physician and benefactor.

On my mage character with maxed out Alchemy and Enchanting, I can create Fortify Smithing potions that increase the skill by 147%. That, plus a couple of apparel items with the Fortify Smithing enchantment, is enough to improve Daedric weapons to Legendary with no Smithing perks beyond the first one and Arcane Smithing. I gave Lydia a Daedric sword improved to Legendary this way, and with a shock damage enchantment, and she's pretty much a one-woman killing machine.