Character creation, Blending Mage and Warrior? Options

[Magefire]

Hi!

I am thinking about creating my first character. With MW, it was possible to use magic and armour, but now I see that armour hampers the effectiveness of spells. OTOH, playing the game as a pure mage is easier than MW, where you need a reasonable skill in combat especially at the lower levels.

I'm watching my son play - while waiting for my new computer to arrive - and his mage is doing well. However, I would like to have more combat with my character and was thinking for a change of having a Nord female, instead of the Imperial female I play in MW. My initial notes show that I'd be better off with a Breton for the higher initial intelligence and starting skills.

Please share what characters are working well for you all. I would be really interested to know. And if anyone is playing a mage/combat character. I figure you need some self healing ability at least.

(PS: Is it just me or are the old faces to be found no more at the Elder Scrolls forums, but just here.....? There seems to be a lot of new names on their Ob boards, with increased flaming, etc)

[Cadaver]

I posted a huge discussion on character creation
HERE

I was hoping to get feedback on it. Basically, I went at it starting with an initially weak character with no skill over 35, but with a maximum possible level of 50 or higher and a sign like Mage or Apprentice. My theory was that the maxed out character would be more powerful because of higher HP and Magicka. All the signs with stat bonuses and such dont seem useful because you can LEVEL and get the stats up...

I have been thinking after this thread though... if you start with a "weaker" character and the enemies level with you, then perhaps the game will be very difficult right up until lvl 45 or so. Maybe you NEED a sign like the thief, or maybe you need to pick majors inside you area of specialization in order to have that "edge" that will allow you to beat the enemies of your level.

Basically, do you need to specialize in one or at most 2 areas in order to allow you to Make It through the game?
If so, I would say make a purist Mage. Eventually, when your magic is maxed, you can begin the Combat and Stealth skills, but I dont know....

This may actually be the first game where I dont just min/max a char and maybe I will actually play an "archtype."

I cannot wait to experiment. If anyone can, please check out my Character Post, and let me know your thoughts on my theories. This is such an INTELLIGENT forum site, many thanks to the moderators that police it and remover gibberish (lol, including my "introduction post" that I erroneously posted on the boards...)

Cadaver