im starting a new game with a stealth build and since this is the first time playing this game. im not sure what skills i want to focus on the most and which ones i need to ignore, other than the obvious. i know i need sneak, lockpicking, light armor, but for my offense im wanting a mix between archery for long range and one handed with destruction for close range battles i dont know if im trying to take on too much at one time or what. any suggestions for a different build would be helpful and tips for this would be much appreciated

Stealth, Archery, and Alchemy is the best combo for me. If you're looking to be a thieving type, add Picklocking and Pickpocketing to that list. I would forget about Destruction because it's not easy to stay in the shadows when you're lobbing fireballs. A bow with toxic arrows and a sword at your side will keep your enemies at bay.

how many skills do you think i can take on at once without being overwhelmed, i was back and forth with destruction and alchemy though so thanks for the tip

The stealth builds I've used so far
http://skyrimcalculator.com/#46577 my Nightblade
http://skyrimcalculator.com/#50916 my Assassin
Didn't really use archery with either. But if I did make a stealth archer it would probably look like - http://skyrimcalculator.com/#50922 still leaves a few points to spend too...

This^

Although I wouldn't concentrate too much on lockpicking. Practice and patience make perfect, although buying some training initially (when it's cheap) is a good way to build the skill quickly so that you don't have to spend any perks on it.

Sneaking, archery, one handed, and of course light armor. A lot of people seem to like including illusion and restoration as part of a thief build as well. My current thief character is Level 28 but I've never used a single illusion spell with the exception of clairvoyance, which helps you find your way out of confusing places faster--which is really nice when it's 2 in the morning and you really need to get to bed.

You'll get most field experience in Stealth and Archery. Alchemy is based on how often you want to make potions, so that's up to you. Picklocking is fairly difficult to raise even if you're picking a lot of locks and try to Pickpocket your enemies at every chance, but you may need to pay for training if you want to access some of the wonderful perks. Light Armor goes nowhere for me because my enemies are dead before they reach me. One-Handed is especially useful, but I only opened two perks on that tree because Archery is so much more effective. Stick with all those skills and you can add a couple more without stretching yourself too thin. I personally recommend Block and Smithing, but it's up to you.

Sneak, Archery, and 1 Hand is all you need to be honest. Illusion adds a lot of function and fun also.

Sneak up, shoot from distance with the bow, or daggers for up close. If you are actualy going toe to toe, swap to dual weild swords.

Illusion meshes very well with invisiblity, muffle, and quiet casting perk. Can't kill what they can't find. Calm and Frenzy are just bonuses.

Oh! Pickpocketing. I never used it during my first run through but on this one I've had a blast getting good at it. I've yet to poison someone with it although I do want to try it out on that snobby guy in Whiterun who constantly implies I'm trashy; "Have you been to the ... of course you haven't." I'm gonna poison him but good very soon.

I will just recommend my thief build. He is level 49, and his skills are:

One-handed 80
Block 73
Light Armor 92
Archery 100
Sneak 100
Alchemy 76
Smithing 100
Lockpicking 92

I played Redguard but I don't think it matters. Attributes are split 50/50 Health and Stamina.

Perks are:

One-handed - middle branch
Block - right branch
Light Armor - left branch
Archery - left branch plus crits
Sneak - just armor noise and sneak attacks
Alchemy 76 - none yet
Smithing 100 - left branch
Lockpicking 92 - none

I use an unenchanted sword, a quest-item shield, enchanted glass armor that I have found or bought (actually I made him glass boots of muffle since that effect is not dependent on your Enchanting skill, his is 18 after that), an unenchanted glass bow, paralysis poisons. Armor rating with shield is 631, or 564 without shield, sword damage is 94, bow damage is 209. For backstab I use an unenchanted glass dagger rated 88. Play on Master, he is very deadly.

How did you get 92 Light Armor? Combat or training? I'm at level 32 and my Light Armor skill is 28.

I think all he has trained is Archery, about 5-7 points iirc. This guy fights sword and board when he is discovered, I think that is all.