I am planning to build a dunmer vampire and I can't decide on what class to go. I'm debating between 3 builds:

1. Spellsword - Specializing in One-Handed(Sword), Destruction and Illusion

2. Necromancer - Specializing in Destruction, Conjuration and Illusion

3. Assassin - Specializing in One-Handed(Dual Wielding Daggers), Sneak and Illusion

I'm just asking for some help deciding like positives and negatives of each build from people who have tried them and how well each might pair with the vampire skill tree. So far I've built a sumoner/archer bosmer werewolf and a sneak/archer bosmer and am looking to build something a little different. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

When I played a vampire lord I went with a build that was kind of mixed of Necromancer and Spellsword. I still used a bound sword and destruction but I would also summon allies or raise the dead. In vampire lord form reanimating allies for help can be quite a saving grace if you are in a situation where you need backup; since you won't have a sword you will rely on purely what you can summon and your destruction.

I'd say Necromancer all in all.

(Enchanting gear for regenerative stat effects is a good idea as well so you can counter the sun's effects.)

How could I forget...

http://images.uesp.net/c/c4/Fishystick.jpg

Thanks for the fishystick and the input.

I'm playing my first vampire character as well. Her approach before turning was very rogue like. She was a thief who relied heavily on illusion magic, sneak, pickpocket, light armor and a touch of destructive magic.

Since turning she has begun using vampire powers like drain and such. But her other skills work out very well. She can sneak up on the enemy for a quick bite and kill them before they know she is there.

Go necromancer, loads of fun!

If you're on PC you should D'Load the Better Vampires mod, it really adds to the enjoyment of playing a Vampire!