Just picked up the game and I'm torn on the build path. Thinking of making a barbarian style with focus on light armor, two handers, archery, sneak, alchemy, and block. A couple of dilemmas though....

First, dual wielding or two handers? Both trees look freakin sweet. How effective are they? The sweep ability looks amazing for zwei handers, but flurry and dual wielding with decaps are pretty intense. How is the damage output and how do they stack against each other?

Next dilemma. Race...Redguard or Nord...is the battlecry worth it, because that adrenaline rush on the redguard seems pretty badass with the newer stamina system.

What have other people done with a similiar build style?



Its this or I do my staple first run character for any elder scrolls...dark elf assassin working for the dark brotherhood (cliche enough though it may be...).

I have a similar build that I am currently on the early stages, and so far I'm loving it. Well is more a combination of a death knight and barbarian template combine:
Nord
Focus: Two-handed, Conjuration (only for bound weapons, and undead), and archery.
Second Focus: Light Armor, Block, Enchanting or Smithing, haven't decided

I decided on two-handed over duel since block is not possible in the later, but with this light build you can move around really well so I don't think not being able to block would hinder you .Keep in mind that duel wielding could allow you to deal even more damage than a two handed in the long run due to the two extra perks on the OH tree that aim at the duel wield specialty. They increment the speed to %20 times 2, and %50 damage of the power attack. So if damage is what you're looking for duel-w is what you want.

I still when for two handed regardless since it wouldn't feel "barbaric" enough unless I was caring something large and heavy with "ouch" writing all over

Can't really comment on the race. I chose Nord more for an aesthetic perspective, though battlecry did save my bacon once, but havent use it since. I wonder how it does at higher levels?

I ended up taking Redguard. That stamina boost with dual wield is awesome since dual wield eats through your stamina.

My focus has been:
Primary: One hand (dual wield), archery, and light armor
Secondary: Alchemy, Sneak, and smithing.

Gonna go away from magic completely since I'm a barbarian and I SMASH THINGS!


Still iffy on dual wield and I'm about level 7 or 8 right now, the lack of block is disconcerting at times...but at the same time I can equip a shield with my one handers still in a pinch...I think I miss two handers.

I'm playing a pure warrior. I don't focus on light or heavy, instead I wear whatever I feel like wearing and focus on smithing instead. One -handed and Blocking is his specialty.