I started building a new character over the weekend and it's been a success so far so I thought I'd share and see what people think:

Before I start this is NOT a Mage Blade / Spellsword or whatever it's called type of character.

I prefer magic over everything else but I also enjoyed being stealthy. I don't know about yall but I when I get close to or enter a dungeon I constantly am in stealth regardless of my character type. My first toon was a magic heavy class. However once it became clear that without getting close to the -100% Destruction cost spell casting is only good as long as you have the mana or pots to keep it up I figured I would try something else. Next I tried a rogue type class. Dual weilding daggers and 1 shotting anything that didn't see me first. This also had a flaw as I had real trouble with boss characters or 2h heavy hitters. Fighting dragons could also be an issue as well. It was then that I had an interesting idea. If I only use certain skill points and focus on certain spells I create a magic heavy character while still being able to 1shot most enemies from stealth. Or at least that is the idea.

Here's how I went about it. First thing I bought the spell tome muffle. I don't put any points into Illusion because my mana pool is big enough to cast it since I never need it in combat by only choosing Magicka each time I leveled up. Next I put only 1 perk into the first tier of the stealth tree giving me the 20% increased stealth. Then following the right side (Only) of the stealth tree I have the 15x dagger damage + the gloves that give 2x backstab damage from the Dark Brotherhood. I think it's only 6-8 perks to become just as capable as any stealth heavy class. With 30x dagger damage + power attack I can still one shot almost anything. I don't need anymore warrior / thief perks at this point and everything else goes into enchanting / alchemy for poison creation for extra damage and the rest go into Destruction so I can still be a mage.

There are two things that makes this spec viable. Firstly is Muffle which gives either 50/100% armor / walking noise reduction. That and coupled with the cloth shoes from the Dark Brotherhood that give 50% noise reduction I'm practically invisible. Even at low levels these two abilities make any class a powerhouse.

If I do need to take something head on I put enough points into Alteration to get the 3x Mage Armor if wearing all cloth which gives me about the durability of heavy armor. Except for boss characters I'm pretty much impervious to anything Skyrim has to offer.

I believe in playing without fully commiting to being a full Thief / Mage / Warrior. Hybrids are truly the most OP classes in the game as well as being much more enjoyable.
I do miss my bow though. Mabye I'll incorperate that later.

Thoughts?

This is essentially what I did.

But, I went for quiet casting, conjuration along with sneak. I sneak around every dungeon and I usually pick off lone or distracted enemies myself, but if I get to a big room I'll throw a Dremora Lord out into the middle of it. I'll wait for him to identify all hostiles and draw their attention away so I can back stab/slit animation everyone to bits. Works like a charm. It also works for the boss fights as the conjured Atronach or Dremora can turn around a boss so I can backstab them too.

Lets vote for backstab magic damage ITs logical. You would be surprised if a fireball come blasting at your butt.

Illusion for the muffle, quiet casting, and invisibility. Wear cloths with 0 armor rating and you'll be a ghost in broad daylight.

Exit stealth with paralyze, if the enemy falls forward you wont be detected. Kill quickly with spells or swords, whatever, invisibility before anyone notices.

I agree magic should crit if you haven't been detected. Lightning may be loud and bright but it's instant therefore faster than an arrow. Also arrows make a noise although quiet, at least in real life, and depending on what kind it is the noise will differ. I'd like to see a bandit that can move faste than a fully charged chain lightning.

yeah the db got a mage assassin... want that too. give magic sneakbonus