My brain's a tad slow today, *shakes fist at 100 degree weather*, but I've had the idea of a crusader for a while now. I got the random idea one day and quickly jot it down. But this being me, the crusader in question is an Orc, of course!

He's not going to start as a crusader, but as a simple cleric.

But now, where I'm a tad stumped is the skills, I was never good at picking the right ones.

So far I'm thinking;

-Restoration

-Heavy armor

-Blade

-Block

And that's all that comes to mind, Alchemy levels a bit fast for my taste, but RP wise I can see him crafting potions for his fellows.

Being a healer, I believe restoration is going to play a big role. I have a few restoration custom spells in mind!

I'm not sure if I'll drag him through the Knights of the Nine, I don't believe he'll want to take the lead of anything. I can however see him joining, mostly for the armor.

Personally for a crusader, particularly one who starts as a cleric, I'd pick blunt over blade, otherwise he's pretty much a paladin or a knight.

But that's just my opinion. Unfortunately I have no other suggestions for a crusader skillset, never played one.

Though looking at the class listings on the UESPWiki, both Oblivion and Morrowind give the crusader class destruction as a major skill, so that's worth considering, also has the benefit of giving your crusader a ranged attack. Maybe then you could limit destruction to ranged and use absorb health up close, supplementing your melee weapon.

Just a thought