Thief/Assassin Builds

Thinking about playing a stealthy character in Skyblivion? Learn why the Khajiit race is perfect for Thief and Assassin builds, with tips on attributes, skills, and abilities.

Hey there! Thinking about diving into Skyblivion with a character that prefers to stay in the shadows? You've come to the right place. Let's talk about building a Thief or Assassin, and why the Khajiit might just be your perfect match. Khajiit hail from the province of Elsweyr, and they're known for being quick, agile, and intelligent. The game description even calls them out directly: "They make excellent thieves due to their natural agility and unmatched acrobatics skill. All Khajiit can see in the dark." Pretty telling, right? In Cyrodiil, the Khajiit you'll encounter are often Cathay. Many of them don't even bother with weapons, preferring to rely on their claws. They're unmatched in acrobatic ability and agility, which makes them naturals for stealthy classes like the Thief, Acrobat, or Monk. When you're creating your character, here's what the Khajiit bring to the table: ### Attributes | Attributes | Male | Female | |---|---|---| | Agility | 50 | 50 | | Endurance | 30 | 40 | | Intelligence | 40 | 40 | | Luck | 50 | 50 | | Personality | 40 | 40 | | Speed | 40 | 40 | | Strength | 40 | 30 | | Willpower | 30 | 30 | As you can see, Agility and Luck are their highest starting attributes, which is fantastic for a stealthy character. You'll notice their Endurance and Strength can be a bit lower, especially for males, so keep that in mind when you're planning your progression. ### Skill Bonuses | Skill | Modifier | |---|---| | Acrobatics | +10 | | Athletics | +5 | | Blade | +5 | | Hand-to-Hand | +10 | | Light Armor | +5 | | Security | +5 | | Sneak | +5 | That +10 in Acrobatics and Hand-to-Hand is huge for a thief or assassin build. You'll be moving faster, jumping higher, and dealing some serious unarmed damage. The +5 in Sneak and Security are also exactly what you want for this playstyle. ### Special Abilities * Eye of Night: This lets you cast Night-Eye for 30 seconds without using any Magicka. Super useful for navigating dark dungeons or sneaking around at night. You get unlimited uses, so don't be shy with it! * Eye of Fear: Once per day, you can use this to demoralize a target up to level 25. It's a nice little crowd-control option if you get caught out. * Disposition Bonus: You get +5 disposition when talking to other Khajiit. A small bonus, but it can help smooth over some interactions. ### Why this works for Thieves and Assassins Given their natural agility, high starting Agility and Luck, and bonuses to Acrobatics, Hand-to-Hand, and Sneak, Khajiit are practically tailor-made for stealthy characters. Their Night-Eye ability is a massive advantage for scouting and infiltration, letting you see in the dark without needing to rely on Magicka or potions. Many Khajiit in the game are even pushed into roles like bandits or professional thieves and assassins because of how other races perceive them. So, playing a Khajiit assassin or thief feels pretty thematic! Just remember, while they excel at stealth, their lower starting Endurance and Willpower might mean you'll want to be extra careful when combat does break out. Focus on avoiding direct confrontation, using your stealth to get the drop on enemies, and maybe invest in some Light Armor to keep you protected when things get dicey. Happy sneaking!