I am leveling a battle mage at the moment (Heavy Armor, 1-handed, destruction, so far) and had a question regarding skills. I am saving my perk point and not spending them at the moment until I am sure about where I want to put them. I know that perk points will make you stronger in different areas but what about the skill level it self? Will a 1-hander at say 25 skill do more damage than a 1-hander with 100 skill assuming there are no perk points in the 1-handed tree? Same with destruction, etc.

Increasing skill increases effectiveness of the skill. Sneakers with no perks at 20 will sneak a whole lot worse than Sneakers at 100. Same applies across the board. The perks provide a bigger boost.

Thanks for the reply. I figured as much but wasn't entirely sure.