I keep seeing everyone play with either a weapon and magick or weapon and shield when not using two-handed weapons. Has anyone thought about using a shield in one hand and magick in the other? Shield bash then attack for example. Anyone think this would be interesting to try out?

Interesting concept but I really think the game needs to be out a few weeks before we can declare the best/worst playstyles.

There's been a few topics about this. In previous TES games, using a shield decreased the effectiveness of spells. Like instead of your fireball nuking for 75 damage, it only did 50 damage, So it was a matter of trading offense for more defense.

So far we know that in Skyrim wearing armor will decrease the rate you regain magicka. Rather this will hold true for shields in Skyrim was unconfirmed last I checked.

whoever asked if it would be the best or worst playstyle? I am just sharing an idea of mine as it is unconventional and I thought interesting.

Theres no spell effectiveness in Skyrim.

But if youre holding a shield you can cast a spell with both hands so to an extent this is still true.

Tradeoff...

It would be awesome for battlemage type characters. You could be skilled in one handed and Alteration as well as destruction and block. Battlemage will be so versatile now.

Balanced battlemage : Fire + shield. Sword + block spell.

Feeling magical?: fire+ shield spell

Out of mana? Good thing your skilled in block and one handed

MMMMh, it may not be too much related to the topic (though it is... since it's related to mages), but when reading the title I thought this was about wards. I have a simple question I'm not sure of, I saw there were several different ward spells, and I know at least one of them blocks enemy's magic (and I was told how it works)... But I wonder, is there, in the other ward spells (probably the more advanced ones) ward(s) that also shield you from more "physical" attacks? Even if it's only missiles (namely arrows)? because having at least one hand dedicated to shield you ONLY from enemy spells feels... odd to me, I mean of course there are some situations when it would be very useful (necromancer's lair, some bosses) but still, a magical barrier that could shield you from spells AND arrows (at least) would make you feel so much more powerful as a mage!

Do you mean "can't"?

I plan to play this way. But then I plan to mix magic and tech.

I'll have one ACTUAL magic school (probably alteration), and use alchemy and enchanting to simulate the other schools using mechanical means. And instead of using wards and oakflesh, I'll have light armour and block (And I can supplement that with alchemy and alteration too)

I plan to get all, or all but one school of magic... and use one sword so I'll take sword skill for sure or whatever it's called. I also plan on getting alchemy, mosty for poisons and RP purpose... I didn't really plan this build neatly so I don't know if there is any slots remaining fore more skills, or even if I can take all the above.
What I may also do I skip destruction and take an archery skill... (did so twice in oblivion, resulted in a ranger like character who is a proficient mage at the same time.... more or less an all rounder) but I'm not really sure about that.