I have thought about this for a long time. At first, I was ALL for the assassin life. Being stealthy, slitting throats and running amock was all I ever wanted to do. But after trying a few warrior and non-stealth builds, and developing a distaste for assassins such as those in the Dark Brotherhood, have made me reconsider.

Most who use stealth, are arguably very bad people. Thieves, assassins, some necromancers...most who would wind up dead in a second in open combat.

Those who are not adept in working in the shadows, are often regarded highly by most (warriors, soldiers, political figures, everyday people)

I honestly cannot recall any character who uses stealth benevolently. The only thing that could come to my mind are Ezio and his Assassins, but that's a whole different story.

What is your opinion on the use of stealth and shadow? Is it cool? Is it cowardly? Do you even care?

I couldn't complete the poll because I couldn't answer the last two questions. There is no Bow in the weapons of choice. And that alignment mess doesn't play into TES.

I like to refer to the civil war mission that can involve sneaking. Sneaking is a warriors tool like anything. The element of surprise is valuable. I've made all manor of stealth characters although I prefer warriors, but on a lot of my warriors, I still used sneak to deliver that first powerful blow before the battle starts, even with my shield and axe warriors. I don't now, but that's because of rp reasons. Meaning I don't think someone in heavy armor could be a master at sneak. Anyway, no it's not. A true nord knows all's fair in love and war. I'd correct Kodlak in a heartbeat on that if I was able.

Woops. Bow added. And I know TES is far from D&D. I just feel that morality system is familiar and more precise.

I don't associate that with any of my characters. It just doesn't feel right.

Like when people refer to their character as a toon. I refuse to recognize those things.

"All warfare is based on deception".

--Sun Tzu

Whoever claims that stealth is "Dishonorable" is just mad that you're not playing by their rules, making it harder for them to smush you.

There are certainly lines you don't cross in combat... but getting the drop on your foe is not one of them.

Oh, I feel you on the toon thing. When people say it, I literally shudder.

I'll add an "i dont use that" option on the last question if you like.

There is honor in being a thief or assassin, look at Dunmeri culture for instance. Being apart of the Morag Tong is a great honor and the Morag Tong basically stop houses from going to war if the temple fails at being mediators and they are also used as a tool of vengeance. As for thieves I would say the Thieves Guild can be honorable since we have the Bal Molagmer and the Grey Fox.

Though really, honor is nothing but perspective and subjective it doesn't actually exist.

It's your poll, my man. Don't let me direct you away. I should have just kept that part aside and simply noted the lack of the Bow option.

Why would it be dishonorable? Is it dishonorable to be smart? First who get killed are dumb, ignorant, drunk nords who run at everyone without thinking. Might kill the first guy but the second guy with a bow and a third one with magic would kill him very quickly. Meanwhile, "Stealth boy" probably scouted the area first, counted how many enemies he has to deal with. Pick them off one by one. Not one of them is the wiser.

What is dishonorable, however, is stupid, dumb AI with ADD. In Oblivion, you hit someone with an arrow and they are still alive, they would spot you instantly, run at you like a madman and from a hundred feet start swinging their warhammer like a maniac. In Skyrim, 3 seconds later they forgot about it. It kills the immersion.

Agreed. I remember someone flipped on me when I asked what that was as if I was oppressing their right to call their character a toon.

I absolutely loathe that term. It feels so damn... IDK. I guess is is something that is sparked from JRPGs or something. Still, if someone refers to their character as a toon, I will just pretend their post doesn't exist.

I'm an RPer so it quite depends on the character. However I answered from the perspective of my actual Assassin, who kills for fun and profit. She was proficient with a bow, but preferred to get up close and slit a throat instead. Much more satisfying. Obviously a stealth fan, heck I'd quicksave and reload a lot just so she could stealth-murder everyone in the room. I went with Neutral Evil, she's not into killing everything like a Chaotic (i.e. no guards or most civilians), but she's not interested in any power grabs or upholding order like a Lawful.

My Paladin however was fully into honorable fighting. No sneaking at all, walked into the place and offered terms of surrender. Otherwise it was a mace to the face. Neutral Good, she wasn't totally above bending rules for a good cause.

And everything in between.

I agree with the dislike of "toon". Characters, that's what I have.

Stealth is my favorite playstyle when it comes to TES games.

I can't really categorize my character completely, but I went ahead and said he's chaotic good. He's a stormcloak, so rebel. Rebellions are chaotic and he's fighting for what they consider to be a good cause. But he's cruel, very cruel. He always trapped souls for enchanting his armor and weapons, but when he learns about the Soul Cairn, he takes extra care to trap the souls of nord legionaries to keep them out of Sovngarde. He sees them as traitors to their race and thinks them undeserving of the honor, even if Shor does not. So he can be a dike. For instance, after getting taken to a certain house and being offered a certain choice, he kills the person giving him the ultimatum, then leaves the three people in the house to rot. Doesn't kill em, doesn't release em, just leaves them there. But he did get rid of the organization afterwards, so that is good. He's a mixed bag.

No.

Yes.

Sneaky mageish. If I do sneak, my summons are providing a distraction while I'm invisible.

Honor, lol? Though I do give "some" if my opponent asks for it. It varies though. If a warrior wants an "honorable" fight, I point him to my Dremora/Wrathman/Draugr and say, there ya go. Knock your-self out.

Sword.

Morality? lol. Uh... neutral evilish I guess. I'm by no means a "good" guy, and I have no problem taunting guards by having summons and zombies following me into the Jarl's chambers, and into taverns. But I do have some lines I draw, and I'm generally helpful to those who need help.

This. Sneaking is far from being a coward, it's rather smarter than to run into a fight clueless. Perhaps the guy getting stabbed in the back should have a bit more wits on his surroundings.

There is no middle ground for me. A honored warrior always faces his enemies on equal ground.

When I use Unrelenting Force, it's just so I can have some breathing room and heal. I don't strike the opponent while he's down. I wait for him to get up so we can continue.

I can't answer these questions. As a roleplayer each character I play is different. An action that one character might consider dishonorable might be honorable to another character.

I think stealth used in any mutually agreed upon combat to determine who is the better warrior is dishonorable because anyone who has the drop can claim momentary victory over almost any opponent.

But I will say that outside of duels or any other agreed engagements to fight fairly, anything goes and you have to keep your guard up at all times.