My current character is at level 30. An Orc, Smithing, Enchanting, heavy armor, two handed, Illusion and Conjuration with some unperked Restoration thrown in. I also have an Orc follower I found in the far-far west Orc stronghold. Together we're unstoppable. Last night I waltzed through the Goldenglow Estate job, which is always a bloodbath, without ever losing more than 1/3 of my health. Most of the mercenaries were dead before I ever set foot on the property.

Granted, without the follower it would be more difficult. But still, most of the time she gets in the way of my warhammer anyway and I have to stand back and wait for a good shot. It could be me and the Frost Atronauch dealing out the damage. It would be the difference between needing one or two restore health potions or 5 or 6 for the same mission.

At any rate, I'm not complaining. I just think I've finally played the game to death in every possible character incarnation possible. And this is easily my most powerful character so far (yes, I'm playing on Master difficulty). Usually it takes until around level 45+ to become so powerful, but I'm already taking out Dwarven Centurions singlehandedly---the Berkerker Rage racial ability that Orcs have is amazing...

I've done 'em all now; pure mage, pure thief/assassin, illusionist/thief/assassin, and now battlemage. The only type I haven't done is pure tank, but that doesn't interest me all that much. Character development seems limited and too easy to focus.

I've gotten a sickening amount of hours of enjoyment from the game. The last video game I played was 10 years ago and that was Morrowind. So maybe when TES 6 comes out I'll play that.

Interesting post. I've never played a basher / melee char. Frex, my run at Goldenglow Estate was, IIRC, done w/o any injuries on either side.