If you want to sneak, you better be invisible...

[POWER Surge]

I'm building a Thief/Assasin for my 1st run in Skyrim, so far I've been upgrading my sneaking well, but I notice that sneaking isn't that effective. What I mean is, I find it that enemies see my too easily, even when I'm at a good distance. Someone had told me that hiding in the foliage was one direction to take, but I now see they where bluffing. I just don't fully understand the sneaking mechanics of this game.

Is there any hints that you sneaky people can give me on how to sneak around proper?

Thanks.

PS: I've been leveling up my sneaking and perks also, but I'm currently lvl 40 sneaking.

[Alembrik]

Like everything else in the game, you'll get better at Sneaking the more you do it. Most combine it with Archery, and do range attacks.

[qwerty uiop]

High also dont forget do you know the mine near riverview the village at the beginning of the game i found removing the torche's from the wall in there and i guess other places will make it harder for those in the mine in this case bandit's to see you and make sneaking more efective in building's so try removing torchs and always also keep in the shadows outside look for light armor with the silenced effect ore use a spell to help you are spoted in this game more by light and sound these two method's might help you a little

[rettshift]

Level 40 isn't high enough to stop most things from seeing you. But as someone who levels sneak in every playthrough, here are some tips.

1) Heavier armor makes more noise. This can be remedied some with the appropriate perks, but your best bet is to go with Light Armor.
2) Do the thieves guild quest line, and possible the Dark Brotherhood quest line. Both give you equipment that help bolster sneakiness, including boots that automatically muffle your footsteps
3) Sneak a lot. All the time you are near enemies but they haven't seen you yet. Keep investing points into the perks too, they are useful
4) There is a Daedric quest that grants you a piece of Armor called Ebony Mail. Read about it here[elderscrolls.wikia.com] This armor muffles movement and provides a small poison damage to enemies that get to close
5) If you are willing to invest in Magic, the spells Muffle and Invisibility are invaluable. Both are illusion level spells. Beware though, in order for them to be effective you need the Silent Casting perk, which is only gotten at level 50 Illusion, and the Invisibility spell is only available for purchase at level 70, though you could find it randomly in the world as well.
6) Sneak attacks count towards sneak experience as well, so try that. I recommend using an bow to do sneak attacks at first until your sneak level is higher. The 15x damage with a dagger is way strong, and the thieves guild and dark brotherhood provide armor which can boost this to 30x.

[countryraven]

Originally posted by Alembrik:

Like everything else in the game, you'll get better at Sneaking the more you do it. Most combine it with Archery, and do range attacks.

yes agreed so you use many arrows just to lure bad guys to a certain area then when they go there you can change positions again or use the dragonborn shout of throwing your voice to
further confuse them.

[pecoes]

7) You can dual-wield while sneak attacking. You'll get the sneak attack bonus from both hands *and* you'll be ready for a real fight, if the sneak attack fails.
8) Sneak attacks give you way more XP than basic sneaking. Use them a lot! If you get spotted, retreat and hide until you can sneak attack again.
9) Always sneak around undead. They're much easier to sneak up to than any other enemy in the game. They make for perfect practice. When aiming at undead lying in their crypts, take care to aim a little lower.
10) Sneaking and the invisibility spell are a terrific mixture. Just be careful about it! Every action you take - absolutely every action - be it attacking, opening a door or chest, drinking a potion, etc. - will cancel your invisibility. But with a little practice, it's possible to perfectly time your invisibility casting so that you will become invisible immediately again.
11) Learn how to misdirect your enemies by shooting arrows into far away corners. The Throw Voice shout will make that even easier. It's not necessarily a good idea to attack the closest enemy first. If you attack the furthest first, the others will go and check up on him - which moves them away from you.
12) Enemies will follow once they've spotted you, but if they lose line of sight while doing so, they'll eventually return to their positions. You should learn how to retreat. Try to flank them or move in circles around them while evading them.
13) Remember that only line of sight and sound matter. Shadow and darkness are not your friends. Foliage is your enemy. You cannot see through it. Enemies can.

[Nephilim]

Like graywolfe42 said you need the Silent Casting perk if you plan on using invisibility. Once your sneak is very high and if you have the muffle spell or have it on your boots I find that it is very hard for anyone to see me even if I am close. Helps if they are looking the other direction or not directly at you. If you don't want to be seen at all then you must have invisibility.

To level up sneak quickly just get behind any of the fast travel carriages at any major town and you will level up quick since they just sit there in their carriage with their back turned to you. It is also a good time to level up some magic spells that you can cast while you are sneaking behind them.

[POWER Surge]

Wow, thanks alot guys. I wasn't even aware that I could use arrows to deviate the enemy. As for casting, I have not upgraded any spells at the moment, I'm kinda focusing on Sneak / One Handed / Light Armor, but I also see that Blocking has a perk that slows down time when an enemies strikes me with a heavy attack, I'm not sure if that applies to blocking with a single dagger.

But thanks alot guys, info really helps!

[maidofmanynames]

At the lower levels sneaking can be a little challenging but eventually it gets much easier. There are actually a lot of mods that work to make sneaking more challenging. Basically it all boils down to line of sight, light, noise and if an enemy has previously seen you. Check out the link to the wiki for more (very good) information, hints and explanations of sneak attacks.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Sneak

As for the block perks... I believe you need a shield equipped to work. Most people who go the sneaking route don't worry about the block tree. Archery, as previously mentioned, is truly the ultimate tool for stealthy characters. Some say it's overpowered. Snipe while hidden and mop up the rest with dual wield daggers is a common strategy.

[pecoes]

Originally posted by maidofmanynames:

As for the block perks... I believe you need a shield equipped to work. Most people who go the sneaking route don't worry about the block tree. Archery, as previously mentioned, is truly the ultimate tool for stealthy characters. Some say it's overpowered. Snipe while hidden and mop up the rest with dual wield daggers is a common strategy.

No, blocking works fine with a weapon - any weapon really. The left side of the block tree - the perks that allow you deflect arrows and reduce magic damage - require a shield though - as stated in the perk description. But the right side works fine with a weapon. The bash damage with a dagger will be a lot smaller than the bash damage of a two-hander of course...

I suppose the main reason why most favor the bow in combination with sneak, is that it's much easier to retreat from the safe distance of a bow's range. There's also the risk of spreading yourself thin, if you invest in sneak *and* archery *and* one-handed *and* block at once.

[maidofmanynames]

Thanks for the clarification pecoes. I suppose I've been dual wielding far too long ;)!

[Alembrik]

There are Archery perks that slow time and also allow you to zoom in on your target.

[pecoes]

Originally posted by Alembrik:

There are Archery perks that slow time and also allow you to zoom in on your target.

I don't like those at all. Your arrows are not affected by the slow time effect - only your zoom. That means this perk does not make it easier to hit a fast moving enemy. It makes it harder actually, because it becomes more difficult to gauge the enemy's speed.

[danconnors]

When sneaking in light armor, remove your shoes. If using a bow, fire one shot and move out of line of sight. Don't stay in position. Don't equip any spells, or heal yourself while in line of sight. Don't drag along companions wearing heavy armor. Lydia couldn't sneak up on a rock. Stay in the darkness and under cover. Use any available foliage.

If fighting multiple opponents, especially spellcasters, kill the weakest ones first, one shot at a time. After firing your bow, while moving, unequip it; you'll move faster and more quietly. Sneak advances more quickly than most skills. Until your sneak skill is in the 90's don't depend on it too much.

Bow sniping can be extremely effective. I once sniped all but the ceremony master in the Wolf Queen's tower on master difficulty level. Couldn't do it on Legendary difficulty, but I did thin them down. Make sure you have the best bow and arrows you can make.

[Casul Gamer]

If I plan on using invisibility is it pointless to level up sneak?

[rettshift]

Originally posted by SuperLotus97:

If I plan on using invisibility is it pointless to level up sneak?

Not at all. Because if you take any action your invisibility ends, and a high sneak will help keep you hidden. Plus, if you are sneaking while invisible, you will level up your sneak anyways.