BUMP.

Did a complete overhaul of the build, bringing it up to modern CB standards (as opposed to back when I had more builds than much of the rest of the group combined). Added an Equipment, Roleplay, Special Moves and Combat section. Let me know what you think!

I only used it for poisoning, so I've got no idea how effective it actually is for damaging things

A lot of fun playing this little witch. Good synergy between perks, and lore-friedly, this should be legendary!!

You don't need the smithing ring because you don't do smithing. You can pretty much do the quest as early as you like, since you can rely on the other prisoners to fight the enemies in the escape tunnel. You've got magic as well so fighting other prisoners while you're trying to get an audience with Madanach is pretty easy.

"You can pretty much do the quest as early as you like"

There's no reason not to do it straight away, the reward isn't leveled.

I was on here a few days ago looking for a good build to play (thought about a dps warrior type or your Soulknife minus the conuration), but then I happened upon this build.  I must say I am impressed, so much so that I gave it a go of sorts.  I am using your perk layout and build focus with a few minor self imposed customizations (male/armor/RP backstory), and I am having a BLAST.  I am usally a pure mage/battlemage/spellsword fan, but the varied strategies that this build allows to a sneaky mage/assassin type character is so much fun.

Thanks for the inspiration and adding some fun back into this game for me.

+1

Did you fully perk the illusion tree?  I have taken most all of them except master so far.