I'm interested in a few hybrid builds like Nightblade, Crusader, Spellsword etc but I'm having trouble figuring out an ideal level of stamina/magicka/health level-ups so I'm asking you folks out there how you typically distribute your levels between the three

I'm worried that I won't be able to effectively play a hybrid without Enchanting to reduce costs or raise stats

If i had a Spellsword Id give him primarily a little bit more magick than health, and maybe every 6-10 levels one into stamina. I say this because a Spellsword has always had a Magick specialization in ES series.

A crusader i would give Health primarily to and every 3 levels magick.

No need for any level-ups into stamina. Vegetable soup takes care of all stam needs.

For my current Shadow Knight build (dual wielding, heavy armored necromancer) I am giving points into Magicka every other level, and keeping my Health stat double my Stamina stat...

What I mean by that is if my Stamina is 110, then my Health is 120, Stamina is 120, then Health is 140, Stamina is 130, then Health is 160, and so on and so forth.

I need a little bit of stamina, since I'm dual wielding, I need to be able to get off those power attacks, but I need health a lot more.

Right, exept for sprinting and carry weight.

Crusader: 80% health to 20% stamina or so?

Nightblade (I'm guessing that is a thief based build?): 40% health 40% stamina 20% magicka? Depends on the build, if no illusion for it then you probably don't need any magicka.

Spellsword: 60% magicka 30% health 10% stamina?

Health is always important, for my spellsword i did health/magica in 1:1 ratio, and put 2 levels into stamina (just enough to get 4 power attacks in a row with a light weapon).

I can't speak for Nightblades, but if you could tell me more about your Crusader, I'd be glad to help!

What I do as a melee fighter is to put everything into health unless I absolutely need something else until I feel safe enough. I usually end up 150 magicka 250 health 100 stamina for level 21 and 200 450 150 for level 51. I don't think putting points into stamina affects survival for a melee user who has potions and vegetable soup, but it is quite convenient to have it. I try to mInimize number of deaths, but if your style is different and do not mind dying as much, you can put fewer points into health.

Nothing wrong with enchanting. Just don't abuse it. My current mage has about 300 magicka, 200 health, and am currently putting points into stamina for sprinting and carry weight. It's not a true hybrid but could easily be one if I put on armor. I do use conjured weapons quite a bit and if I went hybrid that's what I would stick with. But atm I'm having fun sneaking and staying hidden and cloth works best for that since I don't have many perks in sneak. If I was to go true hybrid I would want just a bit more into health but not much. I would probably trade about 50 to 75 of my points from Magicka into health and that should be sufficient.

It all depends on your fights. Stamina influences Melee the most, so if your fights are stand off and fling spells, then Stamina is the least needed.

You get 5 carry weight for every level up into stamina; it's not exactly a huge pay-off. Sprinting, yeah, but my plans don't generally involve running away from fights. If yours do, so be it.

on master, my hybrid takes all health until about 250. i keep it up until i have at least 300 health and about 200 stamina. for magic, you have to determine whether or not you're going to use enchanting 'normal' or not and other methods to decrease spell cost and/or increase total magicka.

as well, my hybrid never takes more than 300 stamina, since, it's more than enough with the right perks.

Well this only works if you meta-game grind your way through. For a normal progression play- in order to use spells, you need more magica. Sure you can grind your way as a warrior, and
Max enchanting sometime in your late 20s, and then pretend to be a mage, but that might be terribly boring and unnatural.

I'm playing a spellsword-centered generalist. Health is preferred, stamina, second, magicka third (although near equal to stamina). Switching up attire for the sitch I sometimes have magicka higher than stamina. If I'm going dungeon-diving alone than stamina is better. If I'm going out with Lydia than I prefer a lighter setup with magicka/bow in support of hard-charging Lydia. Either way, health remains most important.

you do not have to powergrind this build.

organic gameplay works perfectly. enchanting is a normal skill in the game. exploiting and over exploiting are very different.

you just need to have a basic understanding of how you're going to accomplish magicka regen and total pool. no grinding or exploiting necessary.

On my Breton paladin I do 5 points in health, 3 in stamina, then 2 in magica. Then process starts over

If you play a mage-type hybrid, I suggest you take 4 Health : 4 Magicka : 2 Stamina
If you play a warrior-type hybrid, take 4 Health : 2 Magicka : 4 Stamina

I don't think you understand what I meant, that's ok.

Breton Warrior - Level 27 - All into Health mainly 350 & now going to put a few into Stamina for 150-200. Then back into health again after that. Dont need Magicka.

Breton Pure Mage - Level 16 - All into Magicka atm 250/60 (i think) & now going to alternate into Health & Magicka 1:1 untill Health is about 150-200. Then back into Magicka again after that. Not Enchanting.


Not exactly Hybrids though

well, you could have explained it, first off. i'm always up for learning about being more effective.

yes, magic takes backstage, but, in a hybrid something always has to. i don't have to preplan this build.

you can add some magic at the beginning to allow for some higher cost spells. in fact, stamina can easily take a backseat if you want magic to be a priority.

it can be a very natural, free flowing development process.