I want to use every skill and lvl them all. I used to play fable when I was a kid and used archery and magic but eventually maxed my sword. Im new to skyrim and thought of making a imperial. And suggestions?

What kind of character you want to play?

If you want to be pure warrior, use orc or Nord. Do you want to focus purely on magic? Be a high elf. etc, etc...

Want to be a sneaky assassin? You can be a khajit or dark elf.

The possibilities are endless. Imperials are pretty balanced.

Also check out the power each race gets. Which one is more attractive to you?

When in doubt, go Dark Elf.

Just my opinion obviously. I have always loved Dark Elves.

Hmm so dark elf vs imperial!

Guy with too much Skyrim on his life comment incoming.

From what I've played, here are my favourite picks (Based on racials) -

Warrior - Orc
Melee Rogue - Khajiit
Archer Rogue - Wood Elf / Khajiit
Mage - High Elf.

They've performed the best for me.

If you have to ask, then Nord. It's the default.

Warrior 2handed weapons = NOrd(bonus 2 h)
Defensive warriors = Orc(bonus Heavy armor) or Redguard(bonus one handed)
Dual weild= well nord red guards or the oter race with light armor proficience, becouse dual weild = power atack and this cost stamina and you recover stamina faster with the proper perk of light armor.
Archer= Bosmer
Stealth= bosmer lizard catmen.
Mage= dark elf, high elf and breton.

But do what you like, in the long run race dont make a big diference.

You'll find it a futile effort to try to be good at every skill on a single player, thanks to the large number of perks and the limited number of perk slots. Your best bet is to stick to a single archetype, in which case I'd have to say that I agree with xan0713's picks. Just one thing, though.. Be a Nord instead of an Orc. We're so much cooler.

Orc or Redguard for a warrior
High Elf is the ultimate for magic
Argonian, Khajiit or Bosmer for stealth.

All others are nice and flexible.

Race in this game matters less than the previous two ES games. Much less. Play whatever you think looks good.

chose what you like most, you will find out that this game is very easy so you dont need pick good race/class setup to enjoy it. also you wont use your race powers very often ^^

Honestly, the racials barely make a difference. Pick whichever race looks cool to you and you'll be fine.

...unless you have berserk or adrenaline rush, as they are awesomesauce.

What exactly is it about the Nord's racials that causes everyone to want to overlook them? They're actually quite good.

Nords or deffinitly Khajiit !!!!! they are the best race i saw untill now...them and argonians.......ummmm try them all just like i did and what you best prefer..start seriouselly

The resist frost ability could be handy. But so is double strength and defence.

And what of their other ability that you seem to have forgotten about? =P

Every race can fill any role, what I suggest you do is pick what you want to do and stick with it.
Warrior, thief or mage.
Pick one and a race you like. Some races are better at some things, but in the end any race can be as good at anything. It might just take a while longer to get started.

Orc is IMO the best warrior, the racial puts it over the top of Nord by a long shot. Talk 1/2 damage and deal 2X as much I think.

It would be better if it scaled with you. Sadly it eventually becomes more or less obsolete. Beserk Rage on the other hand will save you time and again, probably why thats the only racial ability the Orcs have.

Dont get me wrong though, I'm not saying one is better than the other, the resist frost attribute is useful in this game the same way the Dark Elves fire resistance was very handy in Oblivion.

They all pretty much play identically anymore, it used to matter what race you where, but not so much anymore. I would say the strongest are the Nords (50% frost resistance, somthing important in Skyrim as many beasts deal ice damage.) Dark Elves, who have a 50% fire resistance (Most dragons use fire as their primary weapon, and is the 2nd most used enemy spell) Argonians can breath under water, and have a 50% poison, and disease resistance. they are somewhat useful skills, but in 50+ hours i've only ever gotten 3 diseases which are easily cured. f you want magic, try high elves or Bretans, both are pretty good magic races.


Other than that, the rest are not as good as the above, but i go by what they look like, rather than ability.

The really nice thing about Nordic Frost resistance is that it becomes even better should you decide to become a Vampire (which I don't recommend unless you're the masochistic type). I believe that in later stages, you can actually garner a 100% resistance.

I choose Orc over Nord for Warrior because of the racial.

Why Orc over Nord?

My Orc Warrior (Level 26) seems to be a much better choice. I specced Two Hander with him (Secondary tree Block for obvious reasons), and have a ratio of 40HP : 60 STAM, and I use a high damage Warhammer, rather than an Axe. When the odds are against me, Berserker racial turns the tables dramatically, and I will always never lose a fight. Funnily, I can kill everything in 1 single hit or two when Beserker is active, including mobs that would be considered bosses.

My Nord Warrior (Level 26) hasn't turned the tables in my favour very much even with it's racials. It's HP/Stam ratio is: 60HP / 40 STAM (It's a total swap around compared to the Orc because of the Orcs racial), and I use equal weapons and armour as my Orc.

This. When I fight blood dragons it's a ton easier with a Nord. You don't need to to heal even nearly as much while they're flying around pelting you with frost.