Dabiene Caristiana
Your friendly neighborhood weirdo
(Archery):
http://chrizel.github.io/skyrim/#t/13/0,0,0,0,0,-s8z5s0,g376le,5boow
(One-handed):
http://chrizel.github.io/skyrim/#t/11/0,0,0,0,-zik0zk,iyw,g37vvm,5boow
(Alchemy usage):
http://chrizel.github.io/skyrim/#t/0/a8,0,0,0,4fti4g,2t883s,4v8de,5bow0
(Illusion one-handed):
http://chrizel.github.io/skyrim/#t/11/1q7qio,0,0,0,-zik0zk,iyw,4uyw2,5bow0
(Illusion, bow):
http://chrizel.github.io/skyrim/#t/15/1q7qio,0,0,0,0,2trd34,4wdgi,5bow0
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These are just a few set ups I've used. I keep it between 40-50 perk levels because that's a good range about mid-late game and leaves room for you to make your skills legendary and add extra perks, to expand if you will. Add your own little flare.
Good shouts to use:
Detect Life shout
Marked for Death (Usually reserved for assassins)
Disarm shout (can help you in a pinch)
Slow time
Unrelenting force (hit and run shout when you're in trouble)
Some tips:
Although the Shadow Warrior perk is rumored to be absolutely useless, it is actually a life savor from my experience. If caught on a job and for some reason the guards are just attacking you, out running them and crouching, out-running and crouching can get them off you. If you decide to activate it and then slit their throat silently that works too. Especially good with high level bandits.
Combining the hidden perk Prowler's Profit, Merchant perk and the Treasure Hunter perk, you will collect so many valuable objects to sell, expensive stuff will not be an issue with you. See something you like? Extremely expensive? Laugh it off and sell the treasure junk you don't need as well as all the gems you collected. This makes trainers like the light armor trainer in Riften's market area useful. Leveling up Light Armor can be useful from her and you can easily pay her and get your money back from all the training. Now you won't be a squishy thief.
I would say depending on build (aside from Illusion) I would keep it at a 1 health:1 stamina ratio. Until about 200 on both. Then you can decide from there which needs more of a boost. I usually amp up health after this for quite a few levels. For Illusion, you're gonna need quite the thought to it. You can sacrifice stamina and go for 1:1:1 Magicka:Health:Stamina until 150 stamina and stop there, putting the rest into the other two, or you can do something else. The question is.... How much will you use your skills? Illusion can be expensive. Plan carefully. If you do however, with the Treasure Hunter Perk should you decide to take it, you may find some nice cost reduction equipment for Illusion. That would be a nice piece of treasure..
Alchemy can be pretty dang powerful. I think we all know that. Nothing much needs to be said. You can expand more into it, or put more perks into offensive weapons. Or into any other skills.
----------------------------------------------------
A few will disagree with my perk placement, which is fine. These are the set ups I've used and I have had no problems. I even breezed past the old ruin behind Riften in the mountains with one of the builds. Ultimately though, it's up to YOU to decide what play style suits you.
----------------------------------------------------
Quests (Added write up here):
Leave the DB alone for a while after your special meeting with a certain special someone.
Afterward your character may blow them off. Then after the whole drama with the thieves guild is done, they can decided to bring it to former glory (if you haven't already) or your character can decide to walk away and rethink Astrid's proposal.
Depending on your character's attitude toward the main quest, they can decide to scuff at the dragonborn stories, or maybe take a gamble at fate. After all the world is ending. I doubt your character would want it to end. :/ No more stealing or riches otherwise.
Dawnguard or Volkihar (DLC).. If you have it, it would depend on your character's morals I guess. Dawnguard also have more equipment. Side quests are about the same.
Companions should probably be left alone. But bounty hunting jobs can be a good thing. Unless you're wanted that is.
---------------------------------------------------
You are already at level 15 so this whole post may be pointless. But maybe if you ever play a thief again this may help you. Have fun! And happy stealing!
http://chrizel.github.io/skyrim/#t/13/0,0,0,0,0,-s8z5s0,g376le,5boow
(One-handed):
http://chrizel.github.io/skyrim/#t/11/0,0,0,0,-zik0zk,iyw,g37vvm,5boow
(Alchemy usage):
http://chrizel.github.io/skyrim/#t/0/a8,0,0,0,4fti4g,2t883s,4v8de,5bow0
(Illusion one-handed):
http://chrizel.github.io/skyrim/#t/11/1q7qio,0,0,0,-zik0zk,iyw,4uyw2,5bow0
(Illusion, bow):
http://chrizel.github.io/skyrim/#t/15/1q7qio,0,0,0,0,2trd34,4wdgi,5bow0
------------------------------------------
These are just a few set ups I've used. I keep it between 40-50 perk levels because that's a good range about mid-late game and leaves room for you to make your skills legendary and add extra perks, to expand if you will. Add your own little flare.
Good shouts to use:
Detect Life shout
Marked for Death (Usually reserved for assassins)
Disarm shout (can help you in a pinch)
Slow time
Unrelenting force (hit and run shout when you're in trouble)
Some tips:
Although the Shadow Warrior perk is rumored to be absolutely useless, it is actually a life savor from my experience. If caught on a job and for some reason the guards are just attacking you, out running them and crouching, out-running and crouching can get them off you. If you decide to activate it and then slit their throat silently that works too. Especially good with high level bandits.
Combining the hidden perk Prowler's Profit, Merchant perk and the Treasure Hunter perk, you will collect so many valuable objects to sell, expensive stuff will not be an issue with you. See something you like? Extremely expensive? Laugh it off and sell the treasure junk you don't need as well as all the gems you collected. This makes trainers like the light armor trainer in Riften's market area useful. Leveling up Light Armor can be useful from her and you can easily pay her and get your money back from all the training. Now you won't be a squishy thief.
I would say depending on build (aside from Illusion) I would keep it at a 1 health:1 stamina ratio. Until about 200 on both. Then you can decide from there which needs more of a boost. I usually amp up health after this for quite a few levels. For Illusion, you're gonna need quite the thought to it. You can sacrifice stamina and go for 1:1:1 Magicka:Health:Stamina until 150 stamina and stop there, putting the rest into the other two, or you can do something else. The question is.... How much will you use your skills? Illusion can be expensive. Plan carefully. If you do however, with the Treasure Hunter Perk should you decide to take it, you may find some nice cost reduction equipment for Illusion. That would be a nice piece of treasure..
Alchemy can be pretty dang powerful. I think we all know that. Nothing much needs to be said. You can expand more into it, or put more perks into offensive weapons. Or into any other skills.
----------------------------------------------------
A few will disagree with my perk placement, which is fine. These are the set ups I've used and I have had no problems. I even breezed past the old ruin behind Riften in the mountains with one of the builds. Ultimately though, it's up to YOU to decide what play style suits you.
----------------------------------------------------
Quests (Added write up here):
Leave the DB alone for a while after your special meeting with a certain special someone.
Afterward your character may blow them off. Then after the whole drama with the thieves guild is done, they can decided to bring it to former glory (if you haven't already) or your character can decide to walk away and rethink Astrid's proposal.
Depending on your character's attitude toward the main quest, they can decide to scuff at the dragonborn stories, or maybe take a gamble at fate. After all the world is ending. I doubt your character would want it to end. :/ No more stealing or riches otherwise.
Dawnguard or Volkihar (DLC).. If you have it, it would depend on your character's morals I guess. Dawnguard also have more equipment. Side quests are about the same.
Companions should probably be left alone. But bounty hunting jobs can be a good thing. Unless you're wanted that is.
---------------------------------------------------
You are already at level 15 so this whole post may be pointless. But maybe if you ever play a thief again this may help you. Have fun! And happy stealing!