Here is my illusionist build

Solves all problems by messing with peoples minds and duel wielding illusion blades (conjured sword)

Build
http://www.ign.com/builds/the-elder-scrolls-5-skyrim?d=0000000000000000001111111111111100000001110000000000000000000000000000000000000000500011100100001000000000000000000000000000000501100032100000000000000000051111151111110011001111110510110013

Race: High Elf, extra magica and an illusion spell right out of the gate? Yes please

Weapons: Bound swords when needed, but try to solve all problems through illusion

Armor: Nightingale armor, I dont know if you can enchant it more with the perk but its work trying, also looks BADASSSSSS

This should be a fun and differant way to play the game might be hard at first but should get very fun very quick!

Thoughts, suggestions, and conversations about the build are more than welcome

I think that this would be a fun and unorthodox play style

The rogue archtype in the Skyrim Prima guide is basically a sneaking illusionist/occasional backstabber. It does sound like a lot of fun, but leveling might be a [censored]. Hell, your going after fun though, not min/maxing. Enjoy, might try it eventually!

ALSO use conjure familiar in battle two make them think that a wolf is attacking

@ Magicman
You mentioned the rogue archtype on the guide? How many builds does the guide give you??
OT: sounds pretty neat, I might try it.

I have an Imperial, male Vampire who is an "illusionist" and that's pretty much all he uses. Illusion (100), Enchanting (100), Sneaking (75), and has a one handed blade (35) equipped just for show.

The Warrior: Light armored, One-handed and shield with some archery

The Mage: Classic pure mage

The Archer: Archery, sneak, light armor, block

The Beserker: Two handed heavy armored orc with smithing and block

The Spellsword: One handed and spell in the other hand with light armor, destruction/illusion

The Necromancer: Mage that focuses on using reanimating spells from conjuration and illusion to protect themselves, along with alteration and restoration

The Assassin: Sneak, one handed, alchemy, pick pocket with dual wielding

The Battle Mage: Heavy armored mage who uses staffs and one handers occasionally, more free form but less mana regen

The Weaponmaster: One handed heavy armor, archery and enchanting. Dual wielding warrior

The Rogue: Sneak, illusion, archery, one handed. hybrid mage-thief

Dragon shouts for ranged dps because you ARE the dragonborn

Take the 3 points out of speech and put them into novie and apprentice restoration, as well as regeneration if you want to be able to heal yourself in combat, I will test it to see how well this works

http://www.ign.com/builds/the-elder-scrolls-5-skyrim?d=00000000000000000011111011111111000000011111000000000000000000000000000000000000001000111001000010000000000000000000000000000005011000321511112300000000000511111511111110110010011101

Another option if you want the bound bow

http://www.ign.com/builds/the-elder-scrolls-5-skyrim?d=00000000000000000011111011111111000000011111000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001000010000000000000000000000000000005011000321511112311000000000511111511111110110010011103

Sorry this is the best one. IF YOU WANT A GOOD ILLUSIONIST BUILD take this one

Some spontaneous thoughts:

- I think most of the perk-points in lockpicking are wasted. I'm opening master locks with zero perks.
- Two perks in smithing are not enough if you want to keep using it, unless you plan on sticking to basic armour types.
- Adding archery (in the later builds) is a good call.
- I'd get a few points in restoration (the magicka and stamina reg ones).
- No enchanting at all? Would make up for the lack of weapon enchants (bound weapons eventually tapper off a bit).
- I'd drop the dual-wield perks as you'll use the bow and could get Assassin's Blade for just one perk and you have 1H power attacks.
- IGN's skill planner is cumbersome; I prefer http://www.jayzar.co.uk one.

I play something similar, but fewer points in illusion and heavier on the crafting. When not in stealth, I use a bound sword in one hand and a healing spell in the other. The tricky part for either build is the stats distribution. Enchanting helps to be able to go easier on magicka and higher on health and stamina.

Question on the illusion tree, on the right side, with the two paths up to Master of the Mind, do I have to take both sides? Doesn't each arm basically accomplish the same thing?

Yes they both do the same thing, personaly, I would so that the bonuses work together and make duel casting basicaly always effective good question!

Mivo thanks man! The perk calculator is better

Im using nightingale armor, cant enchant it or weapons whats the point?

An altered optimized build, Ive noticed if I ever have to heal im screwed so Ive fixed that