Hi there!

Imperial mêlée over here. I've been neglecting my armour a bit and now I'm level 22 and still in unenchanted Steel. Just killed off a bandit with a full Steel Plate set. Should I even bother questing for Dwemer now? Also, where does Steel Plate fit in the Smith tree? I don't recall seeing it before?

Steele is the first perk. I think Dwarven is second on the heavy side. If you've thrown a perk point at smithing, you have steel.

Steel is the first perk while steel plate is the Advanced Armor perk,the third on the left,I armor is mainly preference because you can reach max with any armor with enough invested.


If you get the Dwarven perk you can also create Dwarven stuff,which could come in handy later,I usually use light and stop at Elven just because I think the armor looks cool and I've gotten to the 70s level with it.

Steel plate is better than Dwarven armor, but not as good as Orcish armor. If you're just looting and buying armor instead of smithing your own, then you should use the plate and skip Dwarven.

As stated it's all personal preference. It's what looks good to you, it's what fits your characters roleplay.

You can use steel (or Bonemold. same perk lighter/slightly higher ac except the shield) for as long as you keep your Blacksmithing ranked up. All you have to do is spend 1 perk point. It's pretty awesome I have done it several times. If you use Bows or Blunt you might perk Dwarven because


Skyforged has no Bow or Mace or Warhammer which uses the Steel Perk but off the top of my head I think equals Elven quality weapons. Nord Hero is the exact same but has a bow, but Dwarven Bows are still better.


You can hit Armor cap with almost any armor set that benefits from a Smithing Perk + High Blacksmithing Skill + Armor Perks.

Don't forget smithing potions too