How to level sneak without weapons

[gnewna]

So, I'm playing a Requiem character which probably affects this a bit but I think vanilla rules still mostly apply. Basically, I just want to check - sneak is levelled by either spending ages wandering around in stealth mode or to level much more quickly, successful stealthy weapon attacks, right? So if I'm playing a pure mage, I'm going to take forever to level naturally, and should probably just go and pay Delvin all the money I earn for training? As far as I can see, Requiem doesn't allow sneak bonuses for magic attacks, so it's basically still vanilla mechanics in that sense.

(Not interested in power-levelling, grinding, etc, I won't be going and sneaking in a corner for an hour... Just want to check that I'm right about pure mage being very slow to get better at sneaking in natural gameplay.)

[Skyrimnut]

You'll be pleased to know that as it is in Vanilla, sneak levels relatively fast, at least I have found, in Requiem. I played a Bosmer who was in my mid fifties in sneak by the time she was in her teens, levelwise, which we know in Requiem mechanics, is actually pretty good. She did not train sneak either. I imagine it would've been quite a bit higher if she did.

I imagine, because you can't use sneak damage bonuse for XP, you'll probably be at around mid thirties without training. Honestly, it was evading people that raised my levels the most. Cloth will help you a great deal. Heck, even Albee's sneak is almost 20, which is darn near impossible for a heavy-armored warrior, but lol, it goes up when I roleplay stooping to reach something. If nobody saw him stoop, the level goes up.

[gnewna]

Thanks, I'm finding it really hard to increase Nerussa's sneak skill, because it's so lousy she just gets detected as soon as she's in range of anything! She's wearing a bit of light armour in terms of boots and bracers, and occasionally the Thieves' Guild stuff if I think she needs a bit protection, should I stick her in cloth boots, too?

[Improper Use]

For a mage, simply wearing all cloth is a huge boost to sneaking ability.
All armor makes too much noise.

[Carl!!!!]

You could try Spell Sneak Attacks mod. Idk if it works with requiem though, never used it myself. But it adds a lvl 40 sneak perk, nightblade that lets your spells do 1.5x sneak attack damage (3x with backstab effect). Only works with projectile spells, for obvious reasons, and will work with projectile spells added by other mods.

[Nazenn]

Spell Sneak attacks was incredibly broken for me, as was the other one I tried for that which I can no longer remember the name of, and also edits the perk trees so I doubt that would make it compatable with requim.

[Roscaria]

When visiting the College I always went and sneaked around Ancano in the Hall of Elements for a few circuits.

[wowszer]

Cast muffle.

[Brandybuck]

As a mage: Wear cloth, cast muffle, cast invisibility, then sneak around in crowds. Markets areas are good, as merchants are watchful. Also bandit holds are good because of the numerous hostiles. If you're not against grinding, then find a good corner and use autorun while you go off to make some tea.

Or just head off to the trainers.

[Eternie]

I agree with wowser Muffle helps the most and having the spell Muffle as well as the muffle enchantment on your boots.
If you use the quiet casting alteration perk ( probably different in Requiem) then you should be able to do sneak mage attacks?!

I find the Sneak silent roll perk an excellent way of quickly getting somewhere while still sneaking .... Just using sneak regularily will increase it naturally but obviously only when someone could see you..... Friend or foe!

Obviously sneaking up on enemies may not be Nerussa's Style but as a smart Altmer she may scout out an area with sneak enhancing abilities.

[gnewna]

Oh, I can do magic attacks while sneaking, but it doesn't increase my sneak skill, whereas from what I remember a successful sneak attack with a weapon can increase either the weapon skill or sneak - might be wrong, though, but I've always levelled sneak much quicker with stealth archers/stabbers than mages.

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'll get her some cloth boots and gloves, I suppose! She's got the Muffle spell, though I haven't used it much, I always forget :p