Become a sneaking tank? Possible?

[waffletastic]

With the perk for no weight with heavy armor, is it possible to level up your heavy armor to a 70, then switch your play style over to sneaking, and become a sneaking tank? I am really interested in trying this.

[Lord Elvewyn]

Armour weight would still damage your sneak ability wouldn't it? Not saying it's a bad idea, I like a stealthy tanked mage character myself but as to how well it does the stealthy or tank part will be open to question.

[Talamare]

Heavy Armor and Light Armor both contain perks that reduce the weight of worn armor to zero, meaning you can sneak with no penalty while wearing full heavy armor sets.

[waffletastic]

But I thought that the perk allows whatever you wear that is heavy armor to be weightless.

[Akiraka]

Actually, that's exactly how I've been playing from day one; Heavy Armor, Archery, greatsword, Sneak. Sneak into bow range, and if the conlict even makes it to melee range, mop up.

So far my armor weight only really seemed to matter while my Sneak was below 30. Once it got to 30 I took the first 20% Perk (or maybe I took it before it was actually 30, but either way I never took the next one [which is 25%, not 40%]).

My Sneak is 41 now, I'm wearing full Orcish Armor (rather heavy stuff), and never have a problem with staying hidden when I want to, even after taking multiple pot-shots at targets.

I was going to take the 'Reduce Armor Weight by 50%' Perk, but it's so easy at range (I don't try to Backstab, to be clear) that I'm not going to bother.

So, I can't vouch for ease of Backstabbing while wearing Heavy Armor, but, sneaking around at long- to mid-, even pretty close-range, is more than possible.

[Frogmander]

its perfectly possible and viable, endgame light armor and heavy armor have no differences (except I think with perks a few minor ones)

[Talamare]

My friend is making a Sneaking Archer in Heavy Armor with Destruction Magic Runes

I like to call his build...

Sniper with Claymores from MW2

[OblivionDuruza]

If you do this, go out and acquire the Ebony Mail.

Spoiler:

Heavy armour, that makes you near undetectable in Sneak Mode and deals 5 points of Poison Damage to nearby foes in Combat.