I want to basically make Gandalf, so I was wondering what race, perks and upgrades to health magicka and stamina should i use. I heard that destruction was underpowered unfortunately, but in the movie he duel wields a sword and staff.

o.O gandalf? Gandalf is kinda like a hybrid though. if you really want gandalf i suppose you could try imperial or breton. As long as its human races.

Well I guess you would need alteration as his main spell (in the movie he has that shield to defend himself against the balrog), you would also need the perk to gain more armor points from alteration shields when using robes, Sword in one hand, a Staff in the other, If you would use destruction I think he would use lighting, tho at the beggining of the first movie he has magic fireworks which are all by the fire element. You need a white horse too!

Hmm... Speechcraft too, as difficult as it is to level up... And the rest is up to you. You could use enchant/conjuration to recharge your staff.

Oh yes, and he would need to be an old Breton.

Max enchant -> OP staff -> don't need to learn a [censored]ton of UP crappy spells -> PROFIT :hubbahubba:
+ you'll be able to craft Narya.

Use an elven sword, and a staff of magelight, or similar. Focus on alteration and illusion. Use ward spells for defense, and any illusion to fortify your companions. Get a ring that increases stamina. That's about it. Not a very exciting build if you ask me, though I guess it depends on how true to the books (or even movies as well) you want to be.

u can enchant staffs?? that would be good since a staffs charge is based on its school of magic level, so if i could make a really good lightening staff coupled with an enchanted sword...