I've read where people have become way too OP by maxing out smithing/enchanting. I'd like to create a paladin-type build that utilizes both skills, but not so much that my character is overpowered and just enough that I won't get completely annihilated on Master difficulty.

here's a link to what I have in mind:

http://skyrimcalculator.com/#15913

possible equipment:

Righteous Helmet
Righteous Armor
Righteous Boots
Righteous Gauntlets

Spellbreaker (does Ward Absorb work with this?)

Zombieslayer
----Turn Undead
----Fire Damage (Extra Effect)

Signet of the Lightbringer
Amulet of the Lightbringer


Steel / Arcane smithing just so I can improve magical items.
Enchanting up to Extra Effect for the additional enchants, but only 1 point in the first tier and only enhanced fire enchants


would this be a viable build? any suggestions on the other trees are welcome also. thanks

Paladins have always been my favorite character to play in any game. How exactly do you do that in Skyrim? Shield and sword, but swap out sword for healing when you're low? And where is this "Righteous" stuff from? When I google it, all I get is World of Warcraft. (And sorry for not helping [yet]. Obviously all I did was ask lots of questions >.>)

You should put more points into the first Enchanting perk, and might even consider taking smithing perks up to ebony smithing. It won't make you too overpowered, as long as you smith without any boosting enchants, and enchanting without any boosting potions. The comboing is what makes the crafting skills OP, really.

I was playing a paladin build for a while. Heavy armor, one-handed (swords in my case, using Dawnbreaker because it fits the character), smithing, restoration, enchanting. Once I get greater ward I often use that spell in one hand rather than a shield since greater ward can block all spell effects and dragon breath too, whereas shields simply decrease the damage.

I have a Paladin that is level 37 and I never really had to use healing. My shield blocks enough damage
Right now I am trying to upgrade my Enchanting to increase my One-Handed skill.

I am currently a Paladin. But as of right now I can give you some tips on how to make your Paladin effective.

Armor of Choice : Currently, Steel plate is the viable choice for Paladin's. As it just looks fitting.

Weapon : Up to you but Dawnbreaker isn't a bad idea.

Perks : Invest mainly into heavy armor, restoration, smithing, one handed and block.

I do other things with mine aswell, but thats just a suggestion.

I can't speak to Master difficulty but if you don't want to be overpowered I'd say take Smithing or Enchanting but not both until you get to higher levels. Low levels put more time into building up your actual weapon, armor and block skills. Weapon skills especially since they increase based on each hit you do not the total damage. So if you have an uber-smithed/enchanted weapon you won't be doing as many hits to raise the skill (the Elemental Fury shout increases your speed but not the damage done per hit so it's safe to use). On my One Hand Characters I keep a Steel Dagger in my inventory to level up the skill on easier targets. For armor Smith to your hearts content since it increases your survivability by increasing your AC.

I did a build similiar to yours, although I was actually trying to be an old school cleric with a mace.

I always play on master starting from level one. Imperials are perfect btw, since they start with skill bonuses in every single skill you want.

That being said, it was brutal early on, even more so than when I did a destruction cloth wearing mage.

There were many times I ran screaming like a girl from fights I had an easy time with other characters.

You don't really get good until you get your block and armor up, you gotta run away to heal as trying to heal and block during battle didn't cut it.

I didn't start to feel powerful until I got upgraded to dwarven armor by looting and smelting dwemer scrap.

Magicka was a real problem for me since I had to skimp on the magicka pool because taking advantage of your good heals requires having a decent health pool, and you need stamina to use your shield skills and weapon skills...

I didn't use a companion though, so your mileage may vary.

thanks for the feedback. I was also considering maybe throwing a few points into destruction for ranged. novice/fire augment/apprentice.

@marshmellow: the righteous gear would probably be steel plate armor that I renamed during the enchanting process