Stealth doesn't really start getting good until you put two points in it. When I start a new game it's the first thing I pick. I spec bow, pistol, armor, and the last two stealth abilities. one is from the shadows and I forget what the other one is. One of them increases your stealthiness the other one increases your damage when you attack out of stealth.
Put no more than two in parkour. It helps
When you have three points in stealth you will be able to walk up to them and club them. Well that is fun, I have more fun headshotting them with my 9 mm
My pet peeve is silencers can be difficult to come by. But you can use your bow or crossbow until you get one. Scopes are easier to come by.
You are just as effective with a bow or a crossbow. I have more fun with a bow but I can't put a scope on a bow. I can put a scope on a crossbow.
Later game I will equip my crossbow and go to a city the wasteland and one shot the high end zombies that spawn there. Don't stay too long in one place or you'll get overwhelmed.
Your bow or crossbow can become a grenade launcher when you find the correct ranger book. Late game I have a couple of exploding bolts ready for when I enter those rooms that are triggered to jump you. I once cleared an entire room with one exploding crossbow bolt.
I put one point in armor so I can make military armor in the late game. I suppose it would be optional if you're content with padded.