So, i typically really like caster/mage classes, and i like the idea of a caster in Skyrim. But i am hesitant, due to some technical limitations.

With the way that hot-keys and spell casting works, i am worried it will feel tedious. In Oblivion, i was forced to use the menu's to select my buff skills before fights to keep all of my combat/offensive spells on the 8 key hotbar. after a few hours, it becomes tedious going into the menus every few minutes to re-cast buffs.

conversely, going sword and board is straight forward and seems more engaging, if perhaps a bit less involved.

Does anyone have any input from either playing or watching lots of in game footage?

oh, and back-peddling. if being a caster means i am constantly running away from everything to get range - i think thats reason enough to pass as well.

thanks for any input!

Watch and see how the NPC's do it. Then realize smithing is awesome and become a warrior.

what do you know about smithing that i dont?