I'm wondering if anyone's done this. I'm planning to do it on Expert with the Heavy Legion Armour but it's the worst steel armour so I guess it would get pretty hard.

Also with Legion shield and sword and shield.

I have an Imperial character. His name is Tiberius. He wears full heavy legion armor, wields an Imperial steel sword and dons the Shield of Solitude. With only the steel smithing perk, his AR has reached the cap quite easily. He's a total bad-ass.

That's what I've been doing on the Imperial Warrior I made yesterday. This, until earlier today when he hit level 20, while mopping up the last automatons, standing between him and the Ancient Knowledge perk. The bonus 25% AR is too good to pass up so, I'll be using Dwarven Armor for a while.

But I'll get back to the Imperial Heavy set -soon.

I know you can reach the cap but I'm not planning to train smithing above 50.

Also using the Blade of Woe as a backup dagger to make things easier.

You don't have to use Dwarven armor to get the 25% bonus. It works with any armor; compare and verify for yourself!

Unofficial Skyrim Patch user here a.k.a. the way it was meant to be played

iv done playthroughs with the light set, its VERY difficult, but doable. mind you i duel wield, so no blocking for me.

i used offense as a good defense, i could cut through bandits and dragons with pretty decent damage, using imperial swords and a whole lot of poison.