Before I start playing through the whole game I just wanted to get a feel for whether it's feasible to stick with a non-magic wielding type character, i.e. a pure fighter type. Are there any parts of the game which requires the use of magic and-or stealth or will i be limiting my game experience too much by not having any focus whatsoever on magic?

Well, it depends.

By nature, the game doesn't force you to do anything, but if say you decide to join the Mages Guild, there are parts in which you absolutely have to cast spells. You don't need to specialize in magic abilities, since scrolls are there, but the fact is; yes there will be points in which you need to cast magic, but only if you throw yourself into such a situation. If you stick to things like Arena and Fighters Guild, you will never have to cast magic.

They basically left a lot of stuff open. Anyone can do anything, that's what's so brilliant about the game. Even mages can become successful dungeon divers. If they have a high destruction skill, strong feather spell and good shield spell; they are just as effective as heavily armed fighters, especially if they have high conjuration, they can even summon an entire daedric suit of armor and a daedric weapon.

Similarly, a warhammer toting brute can become a stealthy little rascal if he simply sips on an Invisibility potion.

And stealthy sneaks can perform anything a mage can, simply by buying (or even stealing) a scroll.

See, it works out well no matter what.

Hah, yeah I guess so =). I was trying to cover all my bases and select a skill set that would make me multi-talented, but really feel more like just bashing some brains in.

@ OP: No. You can do just about whatever you want no matter what character you play.

Some are easier than others depending on knowledge and personal preferences, but a pure class does work if you work at it and plan ahead imo.
Having some back up is a good idea, but is not really needed.
As in most cases all problems that may crop up can be solved with the difficulty slider getting notched a few clicks up or down for new or older players alike.

As others have said, you aren't forced to do anything in this game.

A Mage can do anything a fighter or a sneak can by utilising the magic schools. Likewise a fighter or a theif can do everything a mage can with scrolls or potions.

People have gone through the game without touching magic at all. I myself once tried a character who was afraid of anything magical (scrolls, potions, casters etc) and refused to use any. It makes the VERY hard.

But it's your choice

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1117992-zakarius-svedlins-guide-to-character-creation/

That is an in-depth guide that I wrote just for new players with the questions your asking. Check it out for everything you want to know, broken down as simple as possible. (my 6 year old cousin can understand it).

Short answer is that yes its completely possible to do the whole game as a pure fighter, Ive done many times even though I am now playing a pure mage.

The easiest way through the 1st time would probably be a pure fighter type build but the beauty of this game is that you can set up your character the way you want him or her set up

Thanks all. I think I've spent too much time reading about this game rather than playing it, and I've been so focused on leveling correctly and choosing the right skills in order to get a really good setup that it's taking the fun out of it. Like I'm walking around instead of running in order to not level my athletics too fast, and I'm using blunt, blade and h2h in even amounts to level properly. It kinda svcks when I just want a nice big axe.

I'm gonna just play for fun now =)

All of my Morrowind characters and most of my early Oblivion characters were 'pure' warriors who didn't touch magic at all. Here's a list of magic-oriented things they didn't do.

They:
* Did not enchant armor, weapons or clothes.
* Did not use pre-enchanted armor, weapons or clothes.
* Did not use spells.
* Did not use scrolls.
* Did not use potions.
* Did not use soul gems.
* Did not use Aylied Stones.
* Did not use Aylied Wells.
* Did not use Altars.
* Did not use Wayshrines.
* Did not do Alchemy.
* Did not use menu-based fast transport (I consider this a form of magic).

As if this wasn't enough they also didn't wear shields or helmets.

That's pretty cool that you can play it like that. I don't think I can keep my finger off of the magic button, tho =)

Yes, as others have said, it's possible to play a non-magic character. You might wanna stock up on potions over the long run, though (especially healing and fortify-type potions) since "no magic" also means your character won't be using magic healing from the Restoration school. UP to you, though. Have fun.

Dude, just sig. that thing. It'll make it a lot easier for everyone.

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1117992-zakarius-svedlins-guide-to-character-creation/

There, I did it for you, just put that in your signature.

You don't need to use magic at all but you probably won't get far without at least using it minimally for recharging enchanted weapons unless you plan on using a weapon with tons of charge like Umbra or a low level Mehrunes Razor. If you don't use magic then I believe you MUST use alchemy.

but it wont have enough room for my Husker banter... or will it?

Probably not, but it wasn't really doing much good to anyone anyway. The guide is pretty helpful and should get plenty of publicity. It even helped me out on my newest mage character. (A healer actually, but same principle)

Strictly speaking, "no magic" also mean "no potions." In the Elder Scrolls universe potions are magical. Of course, as you say, it's up to him whether or not he feels like bending the rules or not.