I've played Skyrim since the first month it came out. Have had many characters. Now I am "delving" (bad pun) with a good (Wood) Elf and a bad (Dark) Elf who majors in maging. I have never

actually played as an Orc or other heavy-weaponed specialist.

My question is: Which of all the races do you think is best for an all-around character who likes Archery, slamming with one-handed swords and also enjoys Destruction magic. I am thinking Redguard, but would

like some thoughts or opinions, if anyone cares to share.

Nord, but I have played Nords since Bloodmoon was released for Morrowind. Orsimer have a great Racial Power for a Two Hander that softens opponents at Range.

I do not like having Archery and Destruction together on a character unless I know I will be taking the character past Level 50.

A good all around character is a two hander that uses Magic to weaken Opponents before smashing through them.

You do not need Perks in Armor.

You do not need Dual Casting.

You can skimp on Health, or Stamina, and even Magicka depending on how the character deals with Opponents. I can have a character that does not die very often on Adept and Expert with just 100 Health. Venison Stew makes the lack of Health managable, most of the time.

I would not play a newer character with just 100 Health, because of Dawngaurd and mass Vampire attacks in the Wilderness. I do play My older Saves with Dawngaurd, but most of My 100 Health characters have a Cloak Spell to deal with being swamped by multiple opponents. Morvunski is also a bad place for a character with a small Health Pool.

There's not really any "best" race for these skills, since you can choose and customize the perks the way you want in the game. If you're looking for the race with starting bonuses for these skills, then the Redguard would be the way to go.

Starting bonuses:

> Redguard: +10 One-Handed, +5 Alteration, Archery, Block, Destruction, Smithing

Good comments from both. I liked Redguard in Oblivion, too. But, Bradleyh (or anyone), How do you get Health higher than 101? I am playing my two characters in mid-60's on Expert(well, most of the time--hey, I'll be 70 this year), and my Health won't go past 101.

When Your character advances in Level, increase Health instead of Stamina or Magicka?

Are You using a Mod that changes how a character levels? Attributes normally increase 10 Points at a level up.

The starting bonuses don't really contribute anything in the later stages, so I would go with a Breton or an Orc. Depending on whether you prefer magic or fighting. In other words, just go with the race who you think have the best racial. Argonian's are okay too because of their Histskin power.

Archery, Sword and Magic is what I call the 'all-round' characters. Traditionally in TES the best races for these types were the Imperials, Dunmer, Argonians. Warriors were Redguards, Orcs and Nords; Mages were Bretons and Altmers; Rogues were Khajiits and Bosmers. But this is Skyrim, which sadly means race basically is just picking how you want your character to look and little more.

If I was you for role-playing purposes I would pick Dunmer, just for the fire resistance (that is nice to have) and the added Lore and Dunmer items in DB DLC.

Bretons make for good Jacks-of-all-trades. 25% magic resist is super handy against dragons, priests, and mages.

Really, starting skill points don't matter beyond the first level or two and if you're willing to seek out specific quests and standing stones for special effects, you can build any race any way you want.

bradleyh: Thanks for your comment. I had a "senior moment" with my comment about Health not advancing past 101. I was actually meaning Skill points.

Lots of good comments by all and I think I will start my next character with a race I have never used before.