Looking back over the various characters I've built, I noticed a few things in common, particularly in the skills they all use (and so level up).

All want access to Soul Trap (Apprentice in Mysticism) and to maintain their enchanted gear (Journeyman in Armorer) so they get built to hit those as soon as possible. When I tried to make a pure mage that didn't need them, I discovered that the game won't let me get away completely, as you can't block without an item that needs repairing (shield, weapon or staff) and hand-blocking is much less effective. Enchanting clothes instead of armor gets around the need to repair that, and using Sigil stones to enchant can substitute for Soul Trap, but only if you let the gates open.

Most of the characters have maxed out strength and endurance early, so that has meant Armorer/Block/Heavy being raised, as well as one or more of Blade/Blunt/H2H. So I've tried to make characters that didn't need those, and of course they were poor (can't haul out the loot to sell) and died easily until they got a lot of defensive gear (which had to be light!)

Some of the problems can be alleviated with mods (e.g. Bag of Holding mods that let you carry stuff beyond your encumbrance, unlimited rings or amulets) but I haven't done that to any significant extent.

What has everyone else done? And are there any other attributes/skills you can't do without?

Well, in Oblivion my favourite skills are Alchemy, Destruction, Blade and Marksman. So Dunmer, in short.

With Alchemy, I can create healing and attribute restoration potions, bypassing the need for the temple. Conversely, I can also create poisons to add clout to my offensive output. Plus Alchemy is a serious moneyspinner. I do the rounds and buy all the ingredients I can from the various Inns and Taverns - so Apples, Bread, etc. Using the masses of Restore Fatigue potions, I can sell them on to other stores for a massive profit. I've maxed my Alchemy to 100 (it happens quickly, if you're a fastidious potion maker) and using low-grade apparatus, I still make a 30 septim profit on each potion. Considering the level 100 perk is the ability to make a potion out of one perk, that's double the amount of potions, and just over double the profit. Big bucks.

Next, Destruction. I just like flaming and freezing. As a Dunmer you naturally get a skill boost in this anyway. It's just a shame that it's not based on the same attribute as Alchemy, really. Destruction is just there to give me some comprehensive elemental damage for the period before custom enchantments crop up. So if I'm slogging it out against a troll or ghost, I have a fast method of taking them down then scooting. Destruction also plays the same role as poisons to an extent, in that I can crippled enemy stats, and give then nasty elemental modifiers to enhance my other attacks.

Blade and Marksman are kinda self-explanatory. Poison arrows at range, then swapping to sword and shield as the enemy closes. The bow will always take the sneak shot if available though. Magic can be used in accordance with these two, in that a mixuture of blade and destruction works well up close. At range, I prefer to just rely on arrows. Assassin arrows are fun as well. Enchant your bow with something potent, then use a Grand Soul to enchant something just as potent on an Ebony arrow, or something similar. Double wammy of elemental power, leads to a lot of heartache (literally) for the target.

Because I roleplay it's not so much which skills I can't do without as which skills a particular character uses most. I don't have preference for certain skills. I'm only there to interpret what my character wants.

Most of them did not fast travel in Oblivion. And, for the first 15 or 20 levels, most of my characters were too poor to hire a Silt Strider in Morrrowind. So Athletics has been a popular skill for many of them to raise.

They have often raised a physical weapon skill. Which one depended on the character. Looking back over 8 years it has most often been either Blade (most often Long Blade in Morrowind) or Marksman.

The ones who used Blade (or Long Blade) often also tended to raise Armorer.

I play semi-cowardly/cautious types and the ideal way to kill is delivering poison from a distance from stealth. So alchemy, marksman, sneak.

I always use either Blade or Blunt for strength, Alchemy and Alteration are my skills for building Willpower and Intellegence, even though I have been using Destruction/Conjuration lately due to a mod. I prefer to use Atheletics/Heavy Armor or Block/Light Armor for Speed and Endurance. I prefer Marksman for Agility, even with Mages and thieves. If I have not used two Major Skills together like Blade/Blunt or Block/Heavy armor, I will always use Merchantile instead of Illusion/Speechcraft to build up Personality, I can pay for training my Minor Skills with the extra Septims I earn selling my hard earned loot. I realised where I am posting! In Morrowind I used Mysticism and Alteration for all of my characters. I stuck with Medium armor once I got Tribunal. I still used Marksman for Agility. I always used Blunt because I found my level one character could easily loot a Ruined Shrine with some Levitation Potions, and I did choose Shortblade for Speed and using Keening and The Fang of Haynekhtnamet.

I've noticed that every time i play an elder scrolls game, i've always chosen blade.
nowadays, ive also chosen alteration, mysticism, light armor, and acrobatics.

My always chosen skill? Blade. Perhaps blunt as an alternative, but not one build of mine has gone without either as a major.

Alchemy or Conjuration are pretty standard for my characters.

I usually play with strength and intelligence. If I had to choose something else, it would be willpower and stealth.

I always use Blade, Alchemy, Sneak, Armorer and Alteration. I also always make sure my characters max out there endurance as fast as possible for maximum health benefit. I'm really glad I won't have to worry about those damned +5's in Skyrim :celebration:

In Oblivion, Alchemy. I simply love the versatility it provides.

In Morrowind, none. Each character is completely different from his predecessor. Enchanted items give me a bit more freedom on skills.

Blade, Restoration, Destruction

Blade, Sneak, Lockpick and either one of the armor skills depending on whether or not I go ranged or melee.