I want to play an Imperial next, but I would like some feedback from any of you who enjoy playing them. I was thinking of a basic warrior with some magic backup. Maybe the Restoration and Alteration trees. Also Smithing and Enchanting. Do any of you use Destruction also? I would like some build suggestions if anyone has interesting ones.

thanks!

For a short time, I had an Imperial swordsman, with light armor as well as some restoration and alteration. It was good fun, but then I became obsessed with Oblivion. When I came back to Skyrim, I decided to just start a new character.

They make good Crusaders or Battlemages.

If you want to play to their natural skills, yes they do. Other than that they can become whatever you want them to, like every other race.

It depends what kind of character you want to play as.

You have your 3 RPG Archtypes of "Warrior", "Thief" and "Mage".

Just play as the character you'd like to be and use the appropriate skills.

Being Imperial has little bearing on it (except you don't have racial training wheels for combat or magic).

Az

I plan to make an Imperial sorceress/necromancer, but that's only my idea. I guess a "suggested" (skill-based) build would be Battlemage/Cleric.

Thanks for the ideas. I guess I'd enjoy a Cleric type so that's probably what I'll go for.

if you want some cleric ideas, i know that Riskybiz has some good postings about it.

Here is an idea you might like, use maces, especially if you like the old school Cleric. the armor penetration perk gets dissed on uesp, but it isn't bad because unlike bleeding and crits it is not based on the weapon base damage which is low, but always gives a % damage increase. so it is based on final damage calculation and enemy armor rating, which means at high level/damage it has increased reward whereas the other two are peaked and useless at high level.

oh, and alteration with armor is really good, even though people will often say do either/or as the endgame either will give high ar. problem is you do a lot of fighting prior to endgame. plus alteration has some good synergies as the apprentice perk allows for both stoneflesh and magic resistance. passive bonuses are great. if you go with Lord stone, magic resistance, agent of mara, and one of the good magic resistance quest reward shields you get pretty will immune to magic. and it has paralyze...

How I would build my cleric(roughly):

Main Skills: Restoration, Alteration, Heavy Armor, One-Handed and either Illusion or Conjuration.

Restoration: Very much attention goes to develop this skill, aiming for the Master Perk to get Guardian Circle and Bane of the Undead. The passive perks are useful, and the Necromage perk fits well with the Cleric type character.

Alteration: Casting spells to protect yourself, paralyze enemies and gain passive resistance to magic. High priority skill.

Heavy Armor: The most basic perks should be covered, though how much you want to invest is up to you. I suggest Juggernaut 5/5 and Well Fittet as the basic choice.

One-Handed: Armsman and Bone Breaker is the basis setup, though Fighting Stance is also useful. Adding Savage Strike can be helpful, though I wouldn't add anything more in this three than that.

Illusion: Rally and buff allies and calm enemies. One good option as I see it.

Conjuration: Some clerics in different fantasy lore can summen creatures so it could be an option, though I personally would rather go with Illusion.

The first few levels I suggest you focus mainly on Health and Magica while, temporary, ignoring stamina so prevent the character from becoming too spread out.

Look to the old Crusader classes for inspiration:




One handed
Heavy armor
Block
Alteration
Restoration

possibly Destruction and Smithing

Personally I really enjoy the battlemage and spellsword, where my battlemage use dual destruction, heavy armor, conjuration, restoration, alteration and one handed and the spellsword is basically the above build but with more focus on magic

With my warriors I usually only use restoration. Been thinking of useing illusion too. I've been using an archer for a while & highly recommend it. I just made a mage & plan to go all the way with him for once.

2h, light armor, fighter/everything except offensive magic

imperials are set up to be epic crusader/paladins from the start.

Imperial Legionair comes to mind, also Paladins, Spell-swords and Agents work well as Imperial Archetypes.

Imperial Legionair: Heavy Armour/Light Armour, Archery, Block, One-Handed (Only use Legion weapons and armour, this may become a handicap later on in the game)

Paladin: Heavy-Armour, Restoration, One-Handed, Two-Handed, Block

Spell-Sword: Destruction, Light Armour, Restoration, Alteration, Enchanting (Only use basic clothing along with Light Armour boots and gauntlets)

Agent: Archery, Illusion, Speach, Lockpicking, Pickpocketing, Sneak (Only wear full clothing)

The imperial agent idea is quite nice. Maybe a member of the Penitus Oculatus.
If you want to use smithing anyway you can pimp the armor they use (it looks quite nice).
Additional to what Dsoft already said i think i remember them also using destruction magic if you fight them.

Mace and Shield, Heavy Armor, and a heavy focus on Restoration and Speechcraft

Well, you can go rioter build(as I like to call it) Use destruction in your right, and have a light shield in the other, wear light armor and have tons of fun!

I'm going to make an Imperial Paladin. Heavy Armour, One-handed (maces probably), Block and Restoration. I may add Smithing and Enchanting later on for role-play and experience.