I like being a warrior in Skyrim but i also like to be a mage cause i like using destruction and restoration magic. But it's so hard for me to decide which race to be because i think imperial has really good warrior/mage skill bonuses with the +10restoration and +5 destruction and it also has +5 enchanting, one handed and block but i think the powers for imperial svck becuase i don't really need voice of the emperor and imperial luck.

But dark elves have better powers like resist fire 50% and ancestor's wrath and the additonal spells but the only skill bonuses i like is the +10 destruction and the sneak. I also want to pickpocket some people.

So what should i be an imperial that has really good skill bonuses but svcky powers or the dark elf with the cool powers but okay skills.

What's your favorite race in skyrim?

You should be a Kahjiit..

Dark Elf all the way....
They just look better... More Evil... More Cool... and yes more dark...

that is just my opinion

Starting skills are near irrelevant after the first few levels. I'm rolling an Altmer 2h warrior and have absolutely no problems keeping up with others.

The dunmer's 50% fire reduction is the only racial bonus that really scales past level 20.

Why not be both? I have two Dunmers, an Imperial, a Nord (of course) and a female Redguard.

and the nord's 50% frost resist

and the powers help imnensly (except battle cry. but the breton's, highborn, and voice of ht emperor are good. and ancestor's wrath)

Dunmer all the way! 50% resistance to fire is very useful.

Dunmer all the way - more useful racial bonus/power, sneak bonus is useful early game if you're going to use that skill, look more interesting and it's far more satisfying beating up that racist guy in Windhelm who harasses your people.

Altmer IMO have some of the best bonuses. The 50 magicka bonus means you are always 5 levels ahead of others and Highborn ability is extremely useful early in the game when you don't have many potions, and late game when you have insane amounts of magicka (my Altmer mage had 600 magicka at level 25, no enchantments except College loot and +40 magicka gloves)

You guys are right about the skill bonuses. They are irrelevant. Early game? Maybe but even then the difference in 15 - 25 is almost none.

if you want to be a spellsword or battlemage those are the two good characters dark elf for spellsword, imperial for battlemage

Basicaly it's up to you. The thing is that you can be any type of character, no matter which race you choose, because the skill difference isn't so high.
I'd pick an imperial because I like their speach skills and like the fact to go out there and ruin the Stormcloacks' rebellion !!

dark elf

I find it's more fun to play what you find interesting rather than worry about what's best. I mean, all of the bonuses and racial abilities are pretty insignificant after a few levels. Personally, I like the imperials more, but, whatever.

How about Breton? Breton is pretty good with their conjuration and magic skills and restoration too. And they also have conjure familiar at start also with 25% magic resistance and its dragonskin power. but i just can't choose what to be but i didn't want to be imperial since i'm already imperial at my another account. so what do u guys think is better for me or you, breton or dark elf

Imperial=gay....if thats the build you want then go for imperial

dunmer are more fun