On legendary. On novice, I would have said no smithing no questions asked, but I dont want to spend 20 arrows on a single enemy (and risking being caught after each one, and otherwise Im dead as soon as I see a random dragon attack, lairs can be backstabbed). A 200-ish damage daedric/dragonbone bow (with fort archery gear) will do around 50-70 damage on legendary, which is perfectly reasonable for an assassin.

The pros:

Legendary smithed weapons (though these can be achieved with 23% smithing gear for lv 192 smithing without the perk)

Dragonscale armor (cant decide between this for matching the dragonbone bow or the worn shrouded armor for aesthetics, might pick daedric if i go shrouded)

The cons:

takes 5/6 perk points for something that can be bought at a high enough level

Alright, is there a question or are you just stating a fact?

If you think you'll be fine playing an assassin on Legendary without Smithing, then go for it. I imagine it will be pretty damn difficult in the beginning.

I already started the game a while ago, lving enchanting atm, lv 31 Khajit. It takes forever to kill bandit highwaymen/outlaws with a 20 frost damage unimproved elven bow (about 30 or so damage atm) It was a question.

No smithing = really low armor rating. I'd imagine that once you get into close combat (which you WILL), you'll die fairly quickly

Ah, okay. It's just there wasn't any question marks in there.

Unless you're not having an enjoyable time, stick with what you're doing right now. If you feel you need to do more damage, then of course you should invest in Smithing. At least get the Arcane Blacksmith perk.

Yes to smithing when playing on legendary difficulty, tis a no brainer.......

Unless you like staring at loading screens for most of your game session that is

I don't know, but I'd like to try out a rogue-type character, with sneak, pickpocket, alchemy & conjuration's bound weapons -maybe illusion too for quiet casting and trouble-free getaways, if I decide that I want something more than the Nightingale's powers.

Completing the thieves guild questline will far outweigh the power of the skeleton key for pickpocketing, as once you complete the city influence quests and become guild master, you can clear your bounty for like 12 gold and keep your stolen goods, and best part is you can pickpocket them again if you're caught (only tried this in riften so far so idk about other cities) as far as getaways, the nightingale invisibility is amazing with muffle, which are on the nightingale boots

Just felt like saying that

Basically, it was Nightingale Subterfuge what I've had in mind. Shadow Warrior should be able to handle most of everything else

Yeah I want to go back and get subterfuge but I dont want to go through the sepulcher lol

I would say smith, but only on your weapon. Waste of resource if you're an assassin. Warriors will still destroy you even with a legendary hood.

Umm....

Smiths don't sell dragonscale armor. EVER.

If I'm wrong, they only do so on such high level you'd have to wait a rather long time.

Plan C: Do the Dragonborn questline, as it will give you the opportunity to retrieve those perks.

Thats actually whats happening to my current assassin. Shes an archer primarily but does one handed in the event that shes caught. Seems like im having difficulty with bandits. I was trying to play without doing any crafting bit its looking like i might have to do smithing to get a higher armor rating. Shes currently lvl 16 and playing on adept.

I'm with C-Note on this.. I mean even if not on Legendary, it depends on the Assassin playstyle you are looking for. If it's the "Throat Cutter", then absolutely. Being able to one shot the enemy is whole idea behind it. You all but demand as high of a damage output you can get prior to getting the right perks.

Smithing is one of the MOST important thing to do in Skyrim. Whether it be improving your weapons or armor. Making yourself harder to kill and stronger so enemies are not able to kill you. Common sence.

That's why you've leveled up so quickly, as it takes SO many hits to kill something that is otherwise trivial at lower difficulty. You'll certainly want to invest in all or two trade skills on Legendary.

I always found myself becoming OP by maxing smithing and enchanting. But if im having problems killing bandits then i might have to give in and just do it.

if your playing on Master or Legendary difficulty then i'd say it's less over powering yourself with two or three trade skills, and more getting yourself on an equal footing with the NPC's. If your on Expert difficulty then one would suffice or if lower then they are more optional.

I was thinking of doing that with a new assassin/ duelist character as well , but in master not legendary :

Build would be : One handed / Block / Sneak / Alchemy / Enchanting

I'd still wear light armor and smith my equipment but without perking those skills , somehow i never tried to play a character in master without smithing yet unless it was a pure mage

I'd like to have a major weakness : no ranged capability , i don't want to use shields (i'll fight with one sword and a free left hand to block and switch to dual wielding if needed ) and i want to use my own poisons regularly and enchant my gear to compensate for not having a powerful equipment , and i don't want to be a dragonborn with this character so no shouts and no triggering of mainquest (no dragonborn dlc as well )

I'm wondering if its viable , i think i'll try that this week end , hmmmm ....

Anythings possible in this game.