So I originally started Skyrim as an Imperial sword and board imperial but kept getting smoked by everything, even melee units would kick the crap out of me (I think I had chosen my perks somewhat poorly). I got to around level 15 and rerolled

My current character is a lvl 21 wood elf archer / dw / restoration based thief and its all well and fun but I wan't to walk around in the heavy armor and kick the crap out of things and possibly switch to a 2h to deal some damage. Also it just doesn't feel right having an elf be dovahkiin and bellowing when he's a wood elf, just doesn't seem to fit at all.

So I think I'm going to reroll yet again to either an Nord Warrior as mentioned above or maybe a redguard or briton for the magic resistance.

Here's my issue though, I really don't like using magic with my characters that are supposed to be more normal folk, not super battle mages that sneak and use bows, but at the same time I want to be able to survive encounters, would putting perks into alchemy be able to let me craft enough potions to survive with relative ease. I just think it looks so stupid for a warrior to switch out his weapon and run around healing himself before he returns to the fight.

So assuming I stick with alchemy instead of magic, how hard is it to stay stocked up on decent potions, are getting the reagent for the potions a hassle? I always just pick up herbs but never really messed around with alchemy much.

Any thoughts would be appreciated