How to keep stealth interesting?

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Wishmaker1234

Speaker to the Dazed
I want to play a thief but I don't want to become to overpowered any suggestions, also the character is not an assassin how do i keep it challenging w/o making it too frustrating. I have thought about not using perks, going non violent/only killing people with environmental hazards.
 

Mewness

Trans-Neptunian Object
When you say, "not an assassin," are you referring to something about your playstyle or do you mean that you won't be joining the Dark Brotherhood?

Also, can/do you use mods?

Obviously everyone's going to have a different take on how powerful is overpowered, but what I did with my sneaky archer was:

--I use a realistic lighting mod that makes nights and dungeon interiors darker (so there's a tradeoff between being able to see and being as stealthy as possible)

--I don't smith or enchant equipment myself; I only use stuff that I buy or find

--I do use Sneak perks but I only have the first level of the Stealth perk.

That worked pretty well for me.
 

NiteMare

Presto Change'O !!
Role play your character by limiting his or her use of certain weapons. Try sticking to weapons with less damage, for instance: Iron daggers. Don't use enchants that increase your damage out-put. Use potions to stun or paralyze them for a short period so you may sneak by without killing them. Make your presence known to the NPC you wish to kill or sneak by, by using a shout and then hiding in the shadows until they walk by you. If you play the PC version use Mods that increase the defense or health NPC's have so they last longer in combat. Stealth characters are pretty much over powered because of the bonuses to damage they get. Hinder yourself in anyway possible. play on legendary difficulty :D
 

Wishmaker1234

Speaker to the Dazed
When you say, "not an assassin," are you referring to something about your playstyle or do you mean that you won't be joining the Dark Brotherhood?

Also, can/do you use mods?

Obviously everyone's going to have a different take on how powerful is overpowered, but what I did with my sneaky archer was:

--I use a realistic lighting mod that makes nights and dungeon interiors darker (so there's a tradeoff between being able to see and being as stealthy as possible)

--I don't smith or enchant equipment myself; I only use stuff that I buy or find

--I do use Sneak perks but I only have the first level of the Stealth perk.

That worked pretty well for me.

By not an assassin i mean that my character is a "good" guy and doesnt really want to kill people if possible but she will if her life is threatened oh and sadly im on 360 so no mods :sadface:
 

Nighthiker77

Well-Known Member
Wear clothes, and only use bound weapons. No inventory except loot. No crafting. Sell everything but the clothes on your back.

I think thievery is inherently boring though.

You could be a master of disguise and try to always blend in. Wear whatever won't get you noticed.

There really isn't anything OP about a thief build anyway. A thief shouldn't have 5/5 weapon perks.
 
My answer to anyone's question from now on when they want to try playing a character but are worried about being too OP? Install skyrim redone. Enable all mods except survival . You won't have to worry about being OP lol.
 

Mewness

Trans-Neptunian Object
My general take is that the problem with sneak attackers is not that it does too much damage--I think it should be easy for a sneaky character to kill someone they get the drop on--but that it's too easy to get the drop on people. I think not taking Sneak perks or deliberately using crappy weapons removes a lot of the fun of being sneaky. I would do some mix of the following (but if you disagree with my basic premises, then you should ignore me):

--Take only one level of the Stealth perk and don't wear items that boost stealth or muffle you. Don't take Shadow Warrior.

--Limit yourself to backstabbing targets rather than using archery. It's harder to backstab than it is to shoot people from hiding.

--Wear little armor/no armor, depending on how vulnerable you think you should be when discovered.
 

Hildolfr

It's a big hammer.
My general take is that the problem with sneak attackers is not that it does too much damage--I think it should be easy for a sneaky character to kill someone they get the drop on--but that it's too easy to get the drop on people. I think not taking Sneak perks or deliberately using crappy weapons removes a lot of the fun of being sneaky. I would do some mix of the following (but if you disagree with my basic premises, then you should ignore me):

--Take only one level of the Stealth perk and don't wear items that boost stealth or muffle you. Don't take Shadow Warrior.

--Limit yourself to backstabbing targets rather than using archery. It's harder to backstab than it is to shoot people from hiding.

--Wear little armor/no armor, depending on how vulnerable you think you should be when discovered.

I like these tips. I'm playing a stealth character right now and I have limited myself to backstabs (and direct confrontation when exposed). The stealthy archer is really powerful, I think. I've played it in the past and you really do just snipe the crap out of everything.
 

Wildroses

Well-Known Member
Right now I'm playing a sneaking archer with perks in both those trees. It's not a build I've ever played before and I'm greatly enjoying it. I have three techniques which evolved that have stopped my Altmer becoming overpowered.

1) Play on Master. This way enemies take less damage even with your successful sneak attacks.
2) Once you hit 220, you may not put any more stat points into health. Enchantments are permitted, but no perks in enchanting. This way, successful sneak attacks are pretty damn important because if even one enemy sees you and gets close enough to hit you, you will die. Large groups of enemies are more of a challenge now.
3) Get a dog. Dog's aren't sneaky. The slightest threat and they go charging in barking their head off, alerting all and sundry to your presence.

Seeing as you are on console and can't make your dogs essential, you'll probably end up killing any dogs you have unless it's Barbas, unfortunately. Maybe you could get an unsneaky follower instead.
 

Wishmaker1234

Speaker to the Dazed
Wear clothes, and only use bound weapons. No inventory except loot. No crafting. Sell everything but the clothes on your back.

I think thievery is inherently boring though.

You could be a master of disguise and try to always blend in. Wear whatever won't get you noticed.

There really isn't anything OP about a thief build anyway. A thief shouldn't have 5/5 weapon perks.

I have always enjoyed thievery especially in Oblivion, granted it is not as exciting in skyrim. Yes I have been doing some of that whenever i walk into towns I dress like a normal person and scout for locations then when it's night I change into my thieves armor, and sneak into the stores and houses and rob them.
 

Wishmaker1234

Speaker to the Dazed
Right now I'm playing a sneaking archer with perks in both those trees. It's not a build I've ever played before and I'm greatly enjoying it. I have three techniques which evolved that have stopped my Altmer becoming overpowered.

1) Play on Master. This way enemies take less damage even with your successful sneak attacks.
2) Once you hit 220, you may not put any more stat points into health. Enchantments are permitted, but no perks in enchanting. This way, successful sneak attacks are pretty damn important because if even one enemy sees you and gets close enough to hit you, you will die. Large groups of enemies are more of a challenge now.
3) Get a dog. Dog's aren't sneaky. The slightest threat and they go charging in barking their head off, alerting all and sundry to your presence.

Seeing as you are on console and can't make your dogs essential, you'll probably end up killing any dogs you have unless it's Barbas, unfortunately. Maybe you could get an unsneaky follower instead.

Haha I have used a dog with a stealth character before but he always got away and made me fall of legdes. I do like the Idea of putting health at 220 because a thief is supposed to be kinda fragile.
 

Wishmaker1234

Speaker to the Dazed
My general take is that the problem with sneak attackers is not that it does too much damage--I think it should be easy for a sneaky character to kill someone they get the drop on--but that it's too easy to get the drop on people. I think not taking Sneak perks or deliberately using crappy weapons removes a lot of the fun of being sneaky. I would do some mix of the following (but if you disagree with my basic premises, then you should ignore me):

--Take only one level of the Stealth perk and don't wear items that boost stealth or muffle you. Don't take Shadow Warrior.

--Limit yourself to backstabbing targets rather than using archery. It's harder to backstab than it is to shoot people from hiding.



I have been using your first and second it has been challenging, but it is still doable
 

Mewness

Trans-Neptunian Object
Glad to help, hope it works out :)
 

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