I don't know what is better... To have a disc of the game or to buy it on Steam...
If I buy it from Steam and get the key code, can I redownload the game if I delete?

Yes, you can re-download the game.

You can download steam purchases on your steam account as many times as you want (unless specific stated otherwise)

The physical copy! it is a steamwork game so you get a steam code aswell as the disc!

Physical to get the map + manual .

I like retail for multiple reasons.

1. It's a nostalgic, warming experience to receive the physical copy. From all the nuances of reading the manual while excitedly waiting, to installation menus, to the smell of newly opened game cases/discs.
2. The bonuses that come with owning a physical copy like the map, or collector's edition bonuses.
3. If any issue is to occur during the installation/patching/modding process in the future, I just have to uninstall, remove the registry key, and pop the disc back in to reinstall. Steam I'd have to redownload the majority of the game before I could retry the process.

Plus if you get your steam account hacked bam no skyrim for you so RETAIL FTW

Steam if you're paying full price anyway so you can start playing promptly when it unlocks.

But then you can't play the game at midnight on Friday, at least if you're waiting for retail shipment.

After moving across the world a few times in my life, I am a total fan of Steam. So many lost games

Get the physical copy just so you can sniff the game manual.

mmmmmm

Buying retail makes no difference in this situation - once registered the game is tied to your account and cannot be transferred. If something like that ever happens the person involved needs to https://support.steampowered.com/newticket.php and provide them with https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2268-EAFZ-9762 to proove ownership of the account to get it and access to their games back.

So true. Not only that, my GF has a habit of throwing out old physical copies every time she does a spring clean. To be honest, I hate having that stuff taking up space around the house myself. I can guarantee my Skyrim copy will be collecting dust in a cupboard after a couple of weeks...Steam is tidy!

Hmm, how does that make retail better, though? You have one code to use for your account, then it's useless.

You can actually create an install/backup disc from any game in your Steam list. Just saying.

Not having a physical copy means I have that much less household
floss to worry about or to take up room where other floss could occupy that location.

The map is easily printed from a host of map images posted on the intertubes, in fact I prefer
mine as it is the perfect size to post just above my monitor at my desk station. Not too large, not too small, just right.

As a bonus, I won't care if my cat decides the map is something it needs to chew on.

I'm getting a midnight release copy from Gamestop, so I don't have any issues concerning that. Not everyone has the opportunity to play at midnight through steam OR physical retail though due to obligations (school, work, etc) anyway.

for those worried about the security of steam:

after the rash of account hacking on steam a few years ago their security has gotten pretty damn tight, what with authenticators and such (i lost a 4 digit steam ID with several thousand dollars of games). While they won't restore your account, they will restore purchases if you have the original email that they send with each purchase.

The more common thing that happens is that people do not take their own security seriously enough and make sure to do simple things like having anti-virus installed, not using the same email and password for everything, not making sure that their password is secure, and falling for phishing scams (never give your account details to anyone!)

I chose physical copy for a few reasons: I want the map, reinstalling if necessary will be much much faster (I have a rather slow Internet connection) and most obviously it was a much cheaper option than purchasing from Steam.