Well I tried a character that used only thieving perks. Nothing else. So I put some in Light Armor, Alchemy, Pick-Pocketing, Sneak and Speech. (Note I can not even image a possible need for any of the Lock-Picking perks, even as a rogue). The idea was to make someone who did not look for a fight, just sneaked around and stole things. The problem is, this is Skyrim, and too many times if you are doing any quests you are put in a situation where you have to fight.

Well the Pick-Pocketing and Speech were fun. Sneak gave me some good bonuses for initial attacks, as did poison. But it just wasn’t enough. By the time I got to level 21 I was just getting owned by the most random encounters. Also every battle was turning into a potion drinking fest and I would need to poison my blade or arrow before each attack and drink some healing if I was getting hit. Of course it would only take a couple fights before I’m out of potions and then I’m all but helpless.

Bottom line without Smithing the weapons and armor you have are just not enough. I could make some potions to up Smithing and maybe get the gear a grade higher, but it’s still not enough. I hate making rogues that have to invest in Smithing, but right now I just don’t see any way around it.

Has anyone been able to make a character like this work?