I think you may see 6 attributes. Which then fits nicely with the 18 skills.

Might as well throw my guesses in.

CONFIRMED (with Smithing assumed)

1. Alchemy
2. Illusion
3. Conjuration
4. Restoration
5. Destruction
6. Alteration
7. Enchanting
8. Smithing

My Guesses

9. One-handed Weapons
10. Two-handed Weapons
11. Sneak
12. Security
13. Physique (Some combination of Athletics and Acrobatics)
14. Persuasion (Mercantile and Speechcraft combined)
15. Marksman
16. Armored
17. Unarmored
18. Survival (for crafting, mining and all the other jobs and such combined)

I know they made a reference to a "one handed skill" or something like that
But I find it hard to believe they would make a "one handed skill" and a "two handed skill"
Its a terrible idea, throwing blunt and axe together was bad enough as it were.

How could being excellent with a dagger mean picking up a large mace and being a master with it. The tactics that would be associated with these seperate skills are so different. Its even backed up by skill books. It just doesn't make sense.

One of the things they wish to accomplish is to make characters feel unique, and combining those skills does the opposite, because it removes any specialization your character may have had.

But thats my opinion.

Reading over these posts, it concerns me for stealth types. I really thought we'd get some love in Skyrim and perhaps we still will. But skills for Stealth types are limited as it is. If Alchemy becomes part of it, that just erodes, instead of adding, depth to the stealth character. I've seen attributes are in and I've seen others say nothing is confirmed. If there are attributes, perhaps they reduce them to 6 and assign three skills per attribute. Here's my guess/hope:
Alchemy
Illusion
Destruction
Conjuration
Alteration
Enchant
Restoration
Smithing
Those we know of and that's 8. So here's my guess for the next 10:
1 handed would include shield
2 handed
Marksman hopefully to include xbows and throwing weapons
Unarmed
Stealth
Security
Speech to include Barter
Light Armor
Heavy Armor-I know it's popular to combine the two, but they are so different. If I'm a rogue, should I be running around in Orcish or Daedric?
Acrobatics-If they take the Stealth characters ability to jump to high spots and rain arrows down on their victims....or give that ability to any character, it just further gimps the Stealth player.

I hope that the 18 skills are balanced. Mages got love in Oblivion, Fighters were the kings of MW....it's time for some stealth players to get some love.

Most definitely not. Swords are the most basic weapon there is, no way they would remove swords for spears... I do believe that they merged Mercantile and Speech craft though.

Oblivion Skills--21
Blade
Blunt
Hand to Hand
Armorer
Block
Heavy Armor
Athletics
Acrobatics
Light Armor
Sneak
Security
Marksman
Mercantile
Speechcraft
Illusion
Alchemy
Conjuration
Mysticism
Alteration
Destruction
Restoration


Skyrim--18
That we know of

Alchemy
Illusion
Conjuration
Destruction
Enchanting
Smithing
Restoration
Conjuration

Skyrim if Speech and Mercantile were mixed as well as Athletics and Acrobatics. Removal of Mysticism, addition of Smithing which would contain Armorer. Since I accidently missed Enchanting I fused Sneak and Security. Changed hand to hand to Unarmored since it can include simular things.

Blade
Blunt
Unarmored
Block
Heavy Armor
Athletics
Light Armor
Sneak
Marksman
Speechcraft
Illusion
Alchemy
Conjuration
Alteration
Destruction
Restoration
Smithing
Enchanting

While we are all guessing. Thanks for Vitellius for the "format".

CONFIRMED (with Smithing assumed)

1. Alchemy (handle cooking)
2. Illusion
3. Conjuration
4. Restoration
5. Destruction
6. Alteration
7. Enchanting
8. Smithing (handle forging + repairing weapons/armors)

My Guesses

9. One-handed Weapons
10. Two-handed Weapons
11. Sneak
12. Security
13. Streetwise (Mercantile and Speechcraft combined)
14. Marksman (wasn't this one confirmed in text?)
15. Light armor
16. Heavy armor
17. Block (or Shields)
18. Unarmored

I don't think hand-to-hand is coming back (or it could be with Unarmored) and Althetics/Acrobatics don't work in the new levelling system. Also, most of the "crafting" don't really need skills or can be handled by other skills (woodcutting => axes => weapon skill, etc).

The reason I group alchemy in with stealth is the thought of poisons, or even throwing explosive potions or what have you, seems like a stealth character thing to do.

I still cant think they would get rid of blade and blunt for one hand and two handed weapons so im sticking with the list I have over getting rid of blade and blunt

@Thousandfold
Im not sure if your trying to say you dont think Alchemy wont be a skill because the GI mag has a picture of Alchemy in with the other skills

Alteration and Restoration are confirmed in the magazine too.

Huh. I used the term melee loosely you know. Ever heard of martial arts? If blocking isn't a big part of it, it's as important as striking. It's not particularly complicated, anyone not caring on actual hand to hand can just specialize themselves in blocking. Well, I think a single skill encompassing all melee weapons would be feasible if thought well. I made a theory about SKyrim's skills/attributes/perks and used this as an example. I'm not advancing that it's what will happen. But it could work if it has enough depth. But again you can see I used melee loosely, I just don't know how to name the skill. Still, I really don't see how it would not make sense at all.

Heres what I think the skills will be

Combat:
Blade
Blunt
Block
Hand to Hand
Heavy Armor
Smithing

Magic:
Alteration
Illusion
Conjuration
Destruction
Enchanting
Restoration

Stealth:
Alchemy (Yes i think Alchemy will be in that category now)
Sneak (includes Security)
Acrobatics
Light Armor
Speech Craft (include mercantile)
Marksman

@GkrewZ: What I'm saying is that I see alchemy being associated with stealth instead of combat or magic to balance the skills to six for each type. The reason I can see it fitting in with stealth is because there doesn't have to be anything magical to do with alchemy. I can easily see thieves and assassins wanting to make poisons or explosive substances or potions that increase their wits/reflexes, etc. Plus they would also be the character type most in need of healing potions.

Oh I see, I miss read it thinking you took alchemy out of the list altogether and said it was part of stealth.

@Kitzler

The only thing from your list I would change is making Hand to Hand Unarmored instead since I feel Unarmored kinda has H2H as something that would work into it.

Here's what I want:

Blade (or 1h)
Blunt (or 2h)
Polearms
Marksman
Hand to Hand
Block
Armor
Restoration
Alteration
Alchemy
Illusion
Conjuration
Destruction
Enchanting
Smithing
Sneak
Security
Speech

I know skills are already set, but I'd like to see traps. The thought of Smithing be a new skill, makes me think there may be a few other surprises. Didn't make sense to me in Oblivion that NPC's could set traps, but the player could not.

Get rid of Luck (always been useless), and combine agility and speed (redundant).

Strength
Endurance
Willpower
Intelligence
Personality
Agility

Skills:
One handed Weapons
Two Handed Weapons
Polearms
Marksman
Duel Wield
Block
Armour Heavy armour / Medium Armour / Light Armour combined
Cooking
Mining
Woodcuttting
Smithing
Restoration
Alteration
Illusion
Conjuration
Destruction
Enchanting
Speachcraft/Mercantile as one skill

Attributes:
Strength
Intelligence
Willpower
Agility
Speed
Endurance
Personality
Luck

.....

Yes I want ALL of the old attributes

^ Seems pretty reasonable to me. Using those attributes, and assuming each governs three skills:

Strength [1H, 2H, Unarmed*]
Endurance [Heavy Armor, Shield, Smithing*]
Willpower [Destruction, Restoration, Alteration*]
Intelligence [Conjuration, Enchanting, Alchemy]
Personality [Illusion, Speechcraft, Security*]
Agility [Sneak, Marksman, Light Armor]

I put asterisks next to the skills that are a bit iffy in terms of placement... Also, the list would change a bit if Heavy/Light Armor are replaced by Armored and Unarmored, or Armored and Athletics. (Note: I'm only considering the scenarios I've already proposed as I feel they are most likely to be the actual 18 skills and I don't want to take the time to make a new list for every possible set.)

COMBAT
Long blade
Blunt
Polearm
Block
Hand to hand
Smithing

STEALTH
Athletics (which would actually be athletics mixed with acrobatics)
Charisma (Speechcraft mixed with mercantile
Sneak (Includes security)
Marksman
Climbing (I just want it, so this may be wishful thinking and it's probably not going to be in)
Short blade

MAGIC
Restoration
Conjuration
Alteration
Illusion
Destruction
Alchemy (I wish enchant was here but I don't think it will be, as there must be 6 for each section)

I really won't try to narrow it down too much, but my guess is that acrobatics and athletics will indeed be merged. Other than that, maybe speech and trade. But not more I could theorise on.

You forgot marksman Dargonbone. Unless you think bows are gone completely.

Marksman
One handed
Two handed
Armored
Unarmored
Block
Hand to hand

Destruction
Alteration
Conjuration
Illusion
Restoration
Enchant
Alchemy

Sneak
Security
Speechcraft & Mercantile
Smithing(repair + crafting)
Acrobatics+Athletics

Ah, yes. Well I've changed my mind on a few things and also learned a bit more info about the game since then.

Marksman
One handed
Two handed
Polearms
Defense
Hand to hand
Destruction
Alteration
Illusion
Conjuration
Restoration
Enchanting
Alchemy
Sneak
Security
Athletics(Merged with acrobatics)
Smithing
Social skills and mercantile