This game is loaded with skills, so we can define our characters anyway we want. What's your favorite non combat one? Mine is pickpocketing. It's brilliant. Being able to interact with every NPC like must have been a massive undertaking.

Pickpocketing FTW. Making NPCs walk around only in shoes.

Speechcraft

*im the only one

I always fully perk the left of Speech.

Which skills are you defining as combat skills?

I wouldn't say that Skyrim is loaded with skills.

It's always alchemy for me, with pickpocketing as a close second.

I'd say "Combat" Skill refers to anything used to directly harm or manipulate a hostile entity, or defend against a hostile entity in open combat.

So basically the Non-combat skills are.

Speech

Lockpicking

Skills that muddy the line:

Alchemy

Enchanting

Smithing

Pickpocketing

Skills that are Decisively Combat-oriented:

Heavy Armor

Light Armor

One-handed

Two-Handed

Archery

Restoration

Alteration

Destruction

Illusion

Conjuration

Sneak

It's hard to pick a favorite individual skill, even if it wasn't limited to just five viable choices.

Out of the vast number of skills we have... Alchemy. I thoroughly enjoy collecting ingredients and cataloguing their effects in a notebook, along with any recipes I like.

I wish Beth would produce a real journal with a section where you can jot down the ingredient effects. I would pay for that.

Better than uesp (as it feels a bit like cheating)

Smithing.

Pickpocket. Nothing feels better than stealing someone else's fortunes right from their butt pocket.

Well, that doesn't leave much to choose from; not surprising given that the game is virtually impossible to "play" if you are not combat oriented. Of those you listed, I'd have to go with Lockpicking. Even then, I have never invested a single perk into Alchemy, Lockpicking, Pickpocket, or Speech. These are skills that, as far as I'm concerned, perks would be wasted on, because very little is added by doing so versus just advancing the skill normally.

Enchanting. I've always liked enchanting.

Pen and paper, my friend.

Edit: Now I get the impression that's what you meant...if so, count me in.