Thanks, Paul, glad you liked it.

That's a good point. I can see how Windshear being quest locked like that might be a no-go. No snakes aLive's suggestion is pretty damn good - I'd forgotten about the Aetherial Shield, though this mainly happened because I wasn't thinking of Dawnguard for this build (now I kinda am, and may update it).

Staves and spells are a good bet, but Illusion requires quite a fair bit of investment. This isn't a criticism - Illusion has recently become my favorite spell school - but it really depends on how you'd proceed. The spells would be very good to get through a dungeon, but you'd still need something to handle the boss/final enemies.

Since you'd be doing the Thieves' Guild questline, you could go with Chillrend. It tops at level 46+ and benefits from Glass smithing (not included in the build, but not entirely out of place in terms of perk spread). I actually thought about using it, but its Paralysis effect is based on chance rather than Windshear's constant staggering. Still, when paralysis triggers it's a good effect. The Frost damage's nothing to scoff about either!

Thanks for the words, Oscar!

Heavy Armor is viable, no doubt about it. Light Armor here was mainly for the concept - running, quick on his/her feet dungeon savant choosing speed over defense (because most of the time, combat would only happen in the end of a dungeon). I can see some benefits for Heavy Armor - Tower of Strenght combined with Force without Effort, for instance.

My thanks, Master Dread ;)

Great build +1 from me definitely! I've just posted a build of my own that kind of explores Illusion further then I've seen it explored so far, anyway I love the build!

Thanks Simon!

I know, Illusion's become my favorite spell school recently. It's incredibly effective and powerful even without the vampiric bonuses, and there's certainly appeal in making others fight themselves rather than taking them head on.

My Illusion build also focuses on staves, daggers and Enchanting too. Staves so that I have offense without having to develop Destruction too much, daggers to soul trap, and Enchanting to reduce spell cost and muffle footwear. And no armor - just clothes and robes!

Hey Zulfir! I really like this build and ima run through this playthrough on Adept. i just wanted to ask you which equipment i should use for a playthrough level 1-25. because you said your level 50 gear is the nightngale and soitude shield so ya. my plan was to join the Dark Brotherhood as soon as possible and get windshear. After that i was going to join the Theives guild and use their armor till i get Linews armor or whatever its called then use that armor till i get nightngale. then after that i would go get shield of solitude. but idk . if you can i was going to ask if you can give me a quest list of which to do first and so on. such as

EX:

1: Dark Brotherhood

(till you ge Windshear)

2: Mainquest

(finish) (do heives guild in between quests)

ETC ETC

just like that if you can do that for me that would be great!

Very well written, and well thought out! It's funny that it works that well.