Like someone who is a jack of all trades type D&D bard.

I'm messing around with a build:

Alteration (for armor)
Illusion
One-Handed
Speech
Restoration (she hates undead)
some Sneak
some Enchantment
some Archery
some Alchemy


Seems like the build won't hit its stride until the 20s though. I notice I have to really use a mix of skills (first time with any character I've used Healing with any frequency mid-fight).

Who has tried a similar build?

looks fun, if only we could play music though. the closest thing iv done to a bard is a swordsman without armour and it worked out pretty well, so yours will be fine

I havn't tried a bard but I have tried a Duelist combat class:

One-Handed-I only used swords
Block-I didn't use a shield
Light Armour-I only wore bracers and boots, and normal clothes.
Sneak
Speech

I'm guessing this is close enough to a (generic) bard, yes?

I suppose my healer is a tiny bit similar, take out the archery, sneak and illusion, add a bit of destruction. Having to get into combat unarmoured, especially with no block using healing and one handed, is a serious challenge, and even a bandit chief can rip you in half. I suppose the illusion will make things easier for your character, as long as you take the perks to push the max. levels for the spells.

One problem/glitch that happens to me sometimes, and it's a total pain as being unarmoured I absolutely rely on restoration, is if you try to shout while a spell is in the process of casting (at least I think that is what causes it), you can get locked out of doing both for a short while, no fun against a briarheart and some ravagers when missing the chance to heal can mean death.

I haven't tried it, but I have thought about it.

Looks like a good skill setup though, in terms of RPing a bard. I might be tempted to go more rogue-y, throwing in some Lockpick, maybe Light Armor instead of Alteration (though, which set? Maybe Thieves' Guild... dunno.). A bit of Pickpocket too, I think.

Anyway, seems very effective, even with just One-handed and Restoration.

Could be interesting. I think I'd do it more like an Illusion mage in build but played differently. The idea would be a mostly non-violent rogue type depending on Illusion with some sneaky, thief skills for variety. I might try this out tonight.

I never tried that Too bad we cant be a real bard.
I mean they could at least create a little animation when you. lets say.. click on the lute,drum and flute. Then you will see your character play a little song.

Not quite that type of build, but I am a bard by trade, using my speech to my advantage and imperial charms.