Mright. Finished reading the Infernal City and Lord of Souls. As a result, I have a bit different view on Argonians now (summary - hey, they actually rock). In previous games, though, they have always been shown, imo, as a secondary / backup race characterised by a single stereotype / setting. Additionally, I've always drifted towards a magicka-focused character for the first playthroughs.. Naturally, the background (and, well, the stats) of Bretons in past games always seemed to fit that pretty well.
Now, however - I'm a bit undecided. On the one hand - it feels like having a Breton mage (well, inasmuch as you could call him 'mage' with Skyrim's leveling system) would be the more obvious and self-explanatory choice. Looking at the race portraits, they also don't look half bad this time round, and.. seems like their stat bonuses are well-suited for a magickal character. On the other hand, Argonians are a pretty cool folk (at least going by their portrayal from the novels), they look absolutely stunning in Skyim, it seems, and the fact that they overran Morrowind and forced the Dunmer to flee to Skyrim - well, I feel there might be nice conflict appearing in the game - and that Argonians will not be cast in the sub-class role (as opposed to, say, Oblivion, where both Argonians and Khajiit were pretty much bottom-rung vermin). Then again - not sure if the non-magickal initial stat spread of the lizardfolk will allow for an enjoyable mage play... And plain & simple, I'm just not used to playing as one of the beastraces.. Feels kinda odd. (to clarify - I tend to superimpose myself on my character - I don't necessarily roleplay a 'non-me' character as you would in d'n'd, I rather immerse an alter-ego of myself in the world - and ofc it's easier to do that through a Breton than through an Argonian).
Bottom line, I don't really know. Bretons seem the safer, more miable choice, whereas Argonians just plain look and seem cool and might offer a bit more spice to the playthrough.
Thoughts?

// additional note - Altmer are, alas, out of the picture, as their ... appearance... is something I don't wish to sport on my character. Myeah, vain and silly, but there it is.

Argonian!!!!

Argonian, you fool!

You sound like you'd have more fun with the Argonian so go with that.

Ooooh, it's tied, Breton, just it would make more since. Breton for Magic, Argonian for Alchemy.

If you can't decide yourself nobody will help you. Just try playing both for a while and go with whichever character feels better to you.

I would recommend if you really want to play as an argonian you should create an assasin, although thats if you want to stay true to the race background. But I will say if you are stuck on being an argonian mage maybe you can put a twist on it. Maybe you can be one that specializes in poisens.

This isn't a bad idea, Argonian's make great assassins. But as for a mage I think both can be fun and both could make a good mage. So you should play the one you like best.

Yes, you will learn to appreciate the Dark Side.
Embrace the scales...Embrace them!

Oh, and have you hugged an Ik - Argonian today?

Go with Argonian OP. Alphabetical order.

Also don't worry about Argonians not being too good at magic. In Oblivion, female Argonians were one of the best racial options for a mage class. Plus in Skyrim, Argonians already get some points in Restoration, and Alteration(http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Argonian). So they could be a good choice.

Heh, well you guys struck at the very essence of the problem - Argonians make most sense as poisoners / assassins.. And I'm not really into that play-style, I'm more fond of all-out flashy mage (with the sparkle and the twinkle and the smoke and the black candles and 3oz of mice blood, and so on) - for that it seems the Breton is better suited. And yet I can't bring myself to get interested enough into the Breton race as such - it's sort of like soft clay that's predisposed to suit the playstyle - but it adds nothing at all. Argonians, though, they have character.. Which admittedly is a bit at odds with what I'm planning. :brokencomputer: Then again, Argonians do start with a minor alteration & restoration boost.. so that's kind of in the magic vibe.. Not particularly impressive though.

Hm.

In charecter: bah .. argonians ..... go for the bretons dude
Real life: i think in skyrim it will be much easier to play a "class" that dosnt suit the race, unlike oblivion where it was much more difficult

Argonians start with a skill bonus to restoration and alteration, so they are pretty much a third choice for mage behind Altmer and Breton. Nothing wrong with playing one that way. Their other bonuses are stealth related, so they may go to waste a bit, but that won't matter at all after a few levels.

Like zen said Argonians will probably be a good third choice anyway. But if your still not convinced, Argonians have hist skin, waterbreathing, and disease resistance. Bretons only get some lightning resist, and a (I think)once a day ability to absorb some spells. I think Argonians have the better ability pay off.

Besides, after a while the minor skill benefits you get at the beginning won't matter much.

id sudjest you go breton as they are the best spellcasters, and with the bonus they get with the spell absorbtion id say they would be quite efficient at what they do.

Im only speculating since i have not seen character stats regarding starting health, magicka and stamina (as well as carry capacity), but i would think bretons starts with a higher magicka pool

between the two id pick argonian but my mage (gandolf the swag) is always an altmer... just sayin

Bretons are to http://images.usedcheapcars.org/used-ford/1989-ford-taurus-station-wagon-ford-3-0l-6-cylinder-ffs-4-speed-automatic/1989_FORD_TAURUS_128786_op_800x600-ucc.jpg as Argonians are to http://www.thesupercars.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Hennessey-Venom-GT-front-side-view-in-yellow.jpg