Pure mage all the way, I love to blow [censored] up with my Altmer.

I'll probably switch between weapons, but my primary will be a two-handed great sword. And I'll be a Nord.

I can't choose between having a Breton or a Dunmer as my battlemage, but here goes.

Battlemage: Destruction (duh) and one handed (probably axes)

and a Khajiit rogue who dual wields (that's DUAL, with an A, folks) one handed.

Here's my biggest problem: I love the idea of a dw Khajiit, but I'm not sure whether I should focus on axes or swords.

See, given the perks, dw'ing will have greatly increased speed (I think it's 20% every rank for two ranks), which means more DPS. The perks for axes give you bleeding damage over time after every strike, while the perks for swords give you extra crit. chance. In attacking at a fast speed, how do I best pump my DPS? Consistent crits or DOT with lots of awesome lacerations?

I'm probably going to go for swords with my Khajiit for two reasons: obviously, crits will stack, as you get them one at a time (and quickly, given the right perks), but there's no telling whether bleeding damage will stack (likely not, I'd guess); secondly, my battlemage is going to use axes, so I'll have that variety.

My battlemage will most certainly have axes because they look cool and totally work with the archetype, I think, and because that bleeding perk is a must, since he won't be dw'ing melee weapons (so can't take advantage of the +dw attack speed perk) and since the axes won't be his only line of offense; I'd like to strike for bleeding damage that would stack with the magic damage I deal.

Anyway, I'M EXCITED. ME SO EXCITE.

swords in one hand spell in the other. I'll mix that up with dual spells.

Hopefully umbra

Sword and magic on my first character for sure. Both look great, and I really enjoy mixing the vast power and utility of magic with the rush of up close combat.

However, I do enjoy the thrill of sneaking in the shadows and letting loose an arrow into the head of an unaware foe. I am sure either my main, or some other character will end up using everything a little at least, especially for levelling so I can get many perks.

Sooner or later I will make a barbarian character who focuses on purely up-close combat, either using sword and shield, dual wielding, or two handed. Eventually I will try everything, but to begin, I will use sword and magic, maybe mixing it with some shield and dual wielding.

SWORDS NOT WORDS!

I want to bash peoples faces in with my shield. I like shields......but im not sure how the shield exactly works in skyrim can anyone fill me in?

I'm thinking a 2-handed sword for my primary weapon, as well as a longsword axe combination and elemental destruction spells in either hand for my other weapon sets