I know I am one year too late to get in on the game but the only reason is cause my old computer was a bit crappy. Been saving for a new one which I picked up this week.

So I got directly into the game and thought it just made sense to make a Nord Warrior/Ranger/Archer type character since the setting is in Skyrim after all.

I ain't a big wizard/mage fan in these kind of fantasy games. I also don't really like the assassin/rogue type since I will be RPing a lot and I just don't approve with their ways or fighting techniques. The only RPG/MMO that I've played - World of Warcraft I spent most of my time as a Paladin/Warrior and a Hunter. My characters are always heavily based on the LOTR books and lore. That is one of the reason I couldn't enjoy my hunter to the max cause I didn't quite like having a pet. Well technically it was a "Hunter" not a "ranger".

My first attempt I managed to get to level 7 before I realised I put my skill points in the wrong tree and couldn't reset it. This character played more of a 2-H warrior with a sword and board when necessary. However, for my very first dragon kill (the one just outside whiterun) I used simply a bow and arrow sniping from the top of the tower.

I deleted the above Nord and went ahead and created a second one around the ranger arch type from LOTR. It was quite fun for the most part. I put all my points in Archery and got to level 9. However, it became quite annoying when enemies got close to you and when there were too many of them - eg: being the dungeon you run with Farkas from the Companions.

And I still ain't sure on the play style. Since I do RP in the game, I find it to be really unimaginable that a dragonslayer doesn't have a sword and board and uses a bow and arrow to kill a dragon. Even the various skyrim trailers has the dragonborn either dual weilding or equipping a sword and board.

So I am wondering which of the 3 play styles I've mentioned i.e - a Sword and Board/ 2-H/ Ranger - Dual wielding archer works best through out the game?

Cause I also don't really like the look of the light armour in the game. Well any information helps really. Thanks.

I don't stick with only one, I mix and match based of the situation. Mostly though I stick with archery when I'm in open spaces or when I'm sneaking, 1h and shield when things get tight and close and I only ever pull out a 2h weapon when I get bored. However if you prefer 2h over 1h then go with that. It's up to you though, but I recommend using archery with either 1h or 2h.

I would advise not putting all your early perks into any one tree, or focusing exclusively on one type of skill (offense at the expense of defense, ranged at the expense of melee, etc.) unless you are prepared to adopt a playstyle that will accommodate those choices. If you put all your perks in archery with none in defense (beefing up protection from your armor) or melee fighting, then you will have to play with that in mind: i.e., in situations where you are outnumbered and/or outgunned and cannot deal with all enemies from a distance while taking very minimal damage, you simply don't engage at all or only do so if you know you have an available escape route if things get too hairy.

Any of those playstyles should be fine, provided you allocate perks in a thoughtful manner. Playing a "dual wielding archer" is going to be tricky if you put all your early perks into archery, leaving you at a huge disadvantage in close up encounters.

Yes the Alt button is usefull )
You can outrun any humanoid in the game, even giants.

I agree with Darkfire: mix and match is the best way to go. Not every situation can call for a single technique. In some cases, you may find a single enemy, but in others, you may find yourself surrounded with several. If you intend to have a follower with you, this changes the dynamics as well, as many enemies will focus on your follower, rather than you.

I play as an archer + 1H, no board. The bow is used with multiple enemies to help level the field, while 1H is used for close combat, which I'm beginning to enjoy more and more. Plus: decapitations (with perk).

I can't stress enough to follow the advice of not placing all your perks into a single tree. Balance them out and use them when needed. Otherwise, you'll find yourself in a situation where you're too strong for many enemies.

Keep several save files handy as well, and play around. If you find yourself favoring one style more frequently as the game plays, you can reload and re-adjust your perk assignments.

Enjoy the game.

Skyrim may be 'easier' in some respects to earlier TES games, but one thing that is still the same is that you need to raise your skills to a respectable level before taking on things like dragons, unless uber hard challenges are what you want.

Your archery level and your character level control how much damage you can do with arrows, as well as how far and accurately they can travel. I would suggest on your next character doing some dungeon diving for sword and board practice, and doing some range hunting outside of Whiterun for awhile, get your archery up, before starting the main quest. Once dragons are introduced to the game, you want to be confident that the armor you have, your weapon availability, and your skills are up to the task. Trying to take a dragon down with iron or even steel arrows (pretty much the only things you have at level 7) is gonna be wicked hard.

Yep, or helpless against many others, especially early on.