Hi,
I've got an Orc fighter up to level 5, and would like some advice on whether I should be bumping Health, or Stamina. I've been going 50-50, but it seems like there should be a better anolysis available

Any rules of thumb people use?
thanks,

Health > Stamina, go at least 2:1 or even 3-4:1.

I would say a 7-3 or maybe even 8-2 health to stamina ratio. Or just do health until you find yourself being overencumbered too often. (better armor is usually heavier)

Depends. If you use power attacks/shield bash a lot, go something like 2:3. If you're ok dishing damage but are struggling to take it, try a 3:2. Depends on personal preference.

I got about 70:30 or 60:40 (something like that) Health and Stamina on my orc warlord. He has heavy armor and two-handed, and is damn near unkillable. He also has a hefty amount of sprint available at level 36, and can perform several power attacks.

My Bosmer warrior, however, with about 50:50 Health and Stamina is fairly tough, and he's in light armor. He can sprint for a good minute, and zoom with his bow for a long time.

It really depends a lot on the certain build you use.

Probably the best advise. I've been doing about 3:2.

Basically, each time I level I think back to what seemed to be most in short supply over the last level and I bump it although I make sure both go up regularly. I usually end up needing a bit more health then I do stamina. Besides, if I run out of stamina I can just lay off the power attacks and kill it almost as fast. If I run out of health I have to load a save.

For me I just assume there's no way I'm going to be able to power attack my way through every fight. I usually save them for key points in the fight. Like things which are really laying down the hurt on me. Magic users are especially likely to get one of my signature one-shot kill power attacks.

Agreed. It completely depends on your playing style, and I've been going pretty much 1:1 health vs stamina since I started my dual wielding warrior because I do a lot of power attacks, and this set up really helps my character dispatch large crowds or tough bosses quickly since I can just unleash power attack after power attack without pots. The havoc level just increases with shouts thrown in-between and stuns/staggers from my constant power attacks. I'll probably keep health above stamina as I level, but there won't be too much separation.

Edit: I also forgot to mention my bow and one-handed skill are almost equal, and having that extra stamina really helps extend your slow-down/zoom ability.

Depends on a lot of factors but the biggest is how quick you kill stuff. Personally, I prefer the "leap w/o looking" philosophy so I've dumped more into stamina than health. If I can't kill a group quickly then it ain't happening at all.

I've been doing fine as a Wood Elf with perks only spent in the One-Handed (dual-wielding) and Light Armor skill trees with a Health/Stamina distribution of 1:1.
Level 20.

I use dual wield sword and mace and use a lot of power attacks and I'm about 50 / 50 (im level 43) and my character kicks everyones ass

EDIT: sorry it was lagging somehow so i double posted

If you plan to enchant, then go with stamina all the way. You can add health or stamina through enchanting armor, but if you take stamina through leveling you get the carry weight bonus, then use the add health enchantments.

Thanks so much for all the great responses!