I've just installed Skyrim on my PC, but I just can't help choose which race. I know the type of character I'd like to play.

- Ideally they'd be proficient at both magic AND melee combat, as I don't really feel like just being stuck to one play style throughout my whole game.
- I'd prefer to use Daggers & Staves etc, as opposed to heavy 2 handed axes & swords/shields.
- I'd prefer to use light or medium armour as opposed to heavy armour.

The problem is though, I love to play as an Orc although they seem to prefer everything I don't such as heavy armour, 2 handed weapons, pure melee combat etc.

If it really makes a difference then the only OTHER race I'm quite interested in playing would be Dark Elves, and it seems they may fit better with the way I want to play, seeing as they get a boost to Magic & Light Armour. Although I was really set on playing an Orc, so I was just wondering whether an Orc COULD become as good as a Dark Elf at Magic etc, or will Dark Elves always be more powerful sorcerers no matter what? The reason I wondered is because Dark Elves start with a boost to Magic & Light Armour whereas an Orc doesn't. Will this eventually balance out or will a Dark Elf always be better in those?


Thanks.

Of course any race can be built any way.

This is some quick stuff about the Orc race and their efficiency and lore, in Skyrim:

Orcs, also called Orsimer or "Pariah Folk" in ancient times, are sophisticated barbarian beastlike peoples of the Wrothgarian Mountains, Dragontail Mountains, and Orsinium, also known as the "City of the Pariah" (the literal translation is "Orc-Town"). They are noted for their unshakable courage in war and their unflinching endurance of hardships. In the past, Orcs have been widely feared and hated by the other nations and races of Tamriel, and were often considered to be goblin-ken. However, they have slowly won acceptance in the Empire, in particular for their distinguished service in the Emperor's Legions. Orc armorers are prized for their craftsmanship, and Orc warriors in heavy armor are among the finest front-line troops in the Empire, and are fearsome when using their berserker rage. Most Imperial citizens regard the Orc society as rough and cruel, but there is much to admire in their fierce tribal loyalties and generous equality of rank and respect among the sixes. The Orcs of the Iliac Bay region have developed their own language, known as Orcish, and have often had their own kingdom, Orsinium.

Traits
Berserker: Once a day, deal double weapon damage while taking half damage for 60 seconds.
Note: Berserker doubles base weapon damage and stacks multiplicatively with other damage enhancements. Because spells are not weapons, Berserker does not increase the damage of spells the player casts during its duration.

Skills

+10 Heavy Armor
+5 Block, Enchanting, One-handed, Smithing, Two-handed

There isn't much difference in the races besides your daily power and a couple extra points in that races specialized skills to start off but you can raise every skill to 100 anyways so it doesn't matter.

You will be just as effective, you just get more starting points in those other skills.

Is there any reason to NOT wear heavy armour apart from the weight of it? For example, could a mage wear heavy armour without any drawbacks?

I play as a High Elf and don't have any experience with either Orc or Dark Elf. I still think you can easily be an Orc and not be a warrior. The racial bonuses do not restrict you at all. Sure the Orc is probably better suited for a warrior than a dark elf but the difference is negligible overall. Any race can work fine for any play style. Just play the game and have fun.

Yeah play however you like with these classes, they can be molded to your liking.

I have an Orc that I am running melee with (two handed, heavy armor, archery) and I love it. Their Berserker Rage is very cool.