So I'm planning on going entirely without enchanting, smithing, or alchemy. I'm thinking a fairly decent, albeit nowhere near as powerful as a crafter, character is possible. Playing on expert probably.

Main thing I'm hoping to figure out is what ring to use, I really have no idea. If anything beats Nightingale for this character, I'd be surprised but I'm open to suggestions.


Plan for build -
http://chrizel.github.com/skyrim/#t/4/8e50jk,-8vmz22,5qh0,0,0,-siyr5s,5nlc,0

Conjuration for Bound Bow, Dremora Lord
Illusion for Pacify, Invisibility
Restoration mainly for the respite talent, but extra survivability as well
Alteration just for magic resist

So far the plan for gear is -

5/5 Agile Defender + Custom Fit + Matching Set w/Full Nightingale Armor = 316 Armor = 49.92% physical damage reduction. Not amazing, but easily enough to get by as a stealthy archer / mage I'm assuming.
I think getting matching set is definitely worth passing on dragon masks for. Morokai would be nice, but eh...not that nice.

Enchants that matter -

+50% frost resist
+40 stamina
-17% cost illusion spells
Muffle effect (Convenient, at least, just not having to cast it all the time)
Sadly, the Lockpicking, One Handed buff on the gloves are passable for the character, but eh, not too bad considering.

For amulet, thinking Necromancers Amulet.
+50 Magicka
-25% cost conjuration spells
-Health and stamina regen(negligible w/restoration and respite perk)

So yeah, I have no idea for ring. I think shock resist would be ideal since my character will be Dunmer and has Fire/Frost covered w/Nightingale+racial, but not sure. With 70% magic resist eventually, may not be all that necessary. Not bad so far though, getting significant cost reduction for both main spell schools is pretty convenient.

For stone, obviously Lord.

So for mitigation this character ends up @ -
50% physical reduction from armor+perks
10% dodge(perk)
50 pts damage resist from Lord (no idea what this really means but sounds good)
70% magic resistance ---25(Lord)+15(Mara Quest)+30%(Perks)
50% fire(racial)
50% frost(Nightingale)

I'd say pretty tough for a character w/out improved armor or player made enchants. Those perks I spent in alteration are probably a complete waste compared to the benefits of perks in enchanting, but whatever at least I'll look cool!


Granted, it's going to lack the absurd damage a character with stacked +Bow Damage enchants and a Legendary Daedric Bow will do, but I think on expert that's overkill anyway, and wouldn't be all that interesting to play with.