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)