So after 40 hours i feel it is time to create a new character. With my first character i completed the Main Quest, joined and completed all quests for the Companions, and done around 30 Misc Quests. I know there's a lot out there still to do so i wont delete my current character. I will also get round to the Civil War Quests with that character. He was a Redguard who specialised in 1 hand combat with a shield, and used Heavy Armor, never used magic or enchanting. He did me very well and was a strong warrior who could defeat anything.

I would really like to go down the route of an Assassin next, but im also open to suggestions from the community, if not an assassin then perhaps a magical character etc.

What would be a good focus for my next character ?

A stealthy archer type is a pretty good build. Chuck in some alchemy. Cant go wrong.

Pure mage? Destruction, Alteration, Restoration and a bit of Conjuration and Enchanting?

I'm a fan of stealth characters; archery is quite neat. Although I also tend to focus on one-handed, and eventually I can dish out enough damage to where it's basically a light armored dual-wielding warrior. There's a breakpoint where stealth becomes unnecessary (even though I can one or two-shot most enemies with a bow from stealth, or slice throats) and I can just run into people and axe faces. It's just faster the second way when there's multiple enemies around, especially once I pick up some nifty shouts.

Mages I find frustrating to play. Not enough direct combat skills for my tastes.

Yeah that was the only thing that put me off doing an Assassin the first time, i felt like going toe to toe with all my enemies was going to get things done faster, a sword and shield got me through every enemy i encounter and i don't see me getting better than the redguard i used first time round. Although i might just go for it and join the theives guild, become a thief/assassin and see what happens. I suppose the beauty of Skyrim is i can always go down the Mage route at a later date. Join the College of Winterhold and get studying magic

Race: Dunmer Vampire!

Specialty: Illusion and Sneak

Description: He is an assassin.

Join the DB.

I totally forgot about the Dark Brotherhood faction. I won't include that with my 1st character but i will go down that route with my new character soon. Although i have to admit, the vampire idea never really appealed to me at all. What kind of benefits to do you get being a vampire ??

im also guessing most of your adventures will need to take place during the night.