I am debating between being a Paladin (Heavy warrior with restoration), a Hunter (Typical thief/assassin), and a Warlock (Combat-oriented mage). I would enjoy playing any of these but would like to commit to a single one. So my question is, which do you think would be the strongest one? Also, if I do play a mage, I will NOT be doing "weakness to whatever" because I can't stand it .... Any advice or reasons for me playing that one would be great thanks!

You may be asking the wrong question. Any class you choose will be (overly) strong by the time you reach the higher levels. Focus on which class you would most enjoy experiencing the next 100+ hours of the game with. That is a question that only you can answer. Enjoy yourself, and stop worrying about whether or not your character is 'strongest' (he/she is).

From my own experience I would say that Bosmer archer is the strongest build, followed by blade-mage and last the paladin.
Keep in mind though, that it only feels like that because I happen to play Oblivion that way. :toughninja:

Destri is right, of course! What style do you enjoy the most? Archer, magic or warrior? Try all three builds and see what you like.

I have played all of these builds sometime in the past and enjoyed them all equally which is why it was a decision based on power not on favoritism, since I can't decide one way or the other on which is more fun to play. Thanks by the way, I'll go with the archer build

Make sure that you head down the path of the drain speed bow or the demoralize bow. Both allow you to keep shooting without being swamped by the opposition.

Drain speed can be obtained from http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Drain_Speed

i absolutely love using a paladin orientated character. I would go with him. but rogue type characters can be VERY deadly if you get certain items and get into the routine of stealth killing. However it can get insanely repatative.... Paladins offer a chance to explore the role playing of a holy good warrior who travels across lands learning and helping society which can prove more interesting. Not only that, but the joy of wearing and using heavy armor is a very great benefit to have when getting further into the game. The rouge's armor and weapons (in my opinion) can get limited and repetative after a while, and believe me im not being biast

In my signature you will find my character creation guide. Give it a look over and see if it helps.

I recommend playing all three. Could take a long time, but then this is not a short term game.

Which one others might enjoy most doesn't mean you will. I like all three.

That said a pure mage is pretty much certainly the most powerful character by far at higher levels (but can be tough at low levels).

i have found from personal experience that the paladin class, seems to be the best suited/powerful one. With all of their great strength they can plunge a cave, ayleid ruin, mine, or fort no problem. Not only this but when you level your character efficiently, their restoration level will as well. With this, their healing magic will be proven quite useful. Everytime i create a paladin, i find that financially i gain much as well. That could go for any class but for some reason i find so much useless light armor and daggers to a point where i could have two chests full and still have 50,000 gold. I find that becoming a stealthy orientated character can get very repatative... thats not being biaist or anything

My personal opinion is that a skilled character of any kind will be good, but I would go with the Paladin myself. yay Paladin

Right now i'm a dark elf with blade, heavy armor, restoration, destruction etc as my major skills.
Working pretty good for me right now.

I'm playing a Dark Elf with Marksman, Blade, Blunt, Destruction, Restoration, Block and Mercantile or something as my Majors. It may not be efficient, but it's fun!