In an effort to bring some order to my playstyle, I created a number of builds, each organized on a race and six skills (with three tiers, organized like a pyramid). For the most part, I used the skills that the race gives bonuses for with each build. I've always found it interesting how different playstyles emerge when you consciously limit yourself to the use of a few skills.

My current character is a Nord, My skill goal is to have his secondary skills (light armor and smithing) ten points below the value of the primary skill (two handed), and his tertiary skills (archery, speech, block) twenty points below. Right now, this means I primarily use two handed and avoid leveling the others, to keep it ahead. This seems to be working out well.

I was wondering how big weapons and light armor would work together. I've always considered light armor to be part of a stealth build, and this guy does not do stealth. But they work well together. The reach of the two handed weapons coupled with the mobility of light armor makes me able to strike and dodge when I need to.

I just finished fighting the troll on the steps to High Hrothgar... and killed it for the first time. (My last attempt at playing, I ended up sneaking past it.) It took a few reloads, but in the end, I beat it with a very light touch. Quick strike at extreme range, dodge out of the way, study it for a bit. Hit it with a quick FUS to keep it off balance. When Lydia manages to get it's attention, go in with heavy strikes... but be ready to dodge away the moment it turns back to me. Quite a satisfying victory.

This is a lot like my first attempt at a stratigized build. He worked out pretty good with the two-handed and light armor combo but I would suggest you put more attention into block. My guy ended up gettting smashed by other two-handed enemies when attemting to block power shots at higher levels. Also my main armor was light on the chest but heavy on hands, head and feet so that may have something to do with it too.

I remember the first time I killed that troll I was like "WHA, is this real, did that really just happen?" HAHA

Gah, I don't know why it's never occurred to me to use Fus vs. that particular troll!

But yeah, I really like a Nord, 2-handed, light armor build.

Quick Reflexes is pretty much essential IMO once you hit level 15 or so. At that point, you'll be facing much tougher bandits who can 1 or 2 hit you with their own greatswords and the like. Quick Reflexes is the best way to avoid those, then smash with your own power attack.

Usually around lvl 15 is where these kinds of characters end up dying in my experience, but maybe I just need to work up my tactics.

Well seeing as how you never thought to fus that troll is say it was your tactics. Haha. I kid I kid.

I kind of do this in this game. In Morrowind I made prototype builds of each race and based each character on the pictures of the races in the book and load screens. So they were all equipped as closely as I could get them to match the pictures. The skills I picked were as you mentioned the ones that matched their racial bonuses. I did a couple like that in Ob and have done a Breton female mage that looks just like the one on the in game load screen.

I find these types of roleplays pretty enjoyable.