Do you feel its a necessity for a mage character to be a high elf since they have such advantages to it? (+50 magicka & magicka regeneration power)

Or do you think other races are just as viable, if not better?

High elves, Bretons, and Dark elves are good for magic. But you can be any race it will take longer to master magic though. As long as you spend you perks on magic related stuff, you'll become good at it, it will just take longer with other races. Also use the mage stone it increases magic leveling up by 20 percent.

In the end, all races are just as viable. Only depends on your preference.

Made an Orc mage that was a lot better than my high elf one. Experience helps, but a sorcer/spellsword orc is a good option

Altmer do tend to be favored due to the +50 magicka, other races can be a little more challenging without that advantage, but nothing you can't get past.

Im make Nord spellsword types(i.e.Paladins, Deathknights, etc)all the time, I feel that any race, given time and effort,can become quite good at it.

I've always wanted to make a spellsword.. but I always mess it up. Any good guides out thee to use other than being a WoW player?

I like to research, so if you go to UESP Wiki, you can keep your build pretty cloe to the Lore as far as how they are specialized. I also use DnD wiki as a reference for other possible combinations of skills and abilities as well as backstories. Ultimately though, its up to you how you want to best fill out the class with what skills you want.

I find Bretons to be better mid to late game. The magic resist plus the magic absorb help out a lot against mages and dragons when they become a problem later. But like others have said its all about preference.

For instance here is my Pally:

Sigrid Olafsson
Age: 32
Height: 6’4”
Race: Nord
Deity: Stendarr
Alignment: Righteous Good
Class: Paladin

Description: A dedicated Holy Paladin of Stendarr who has answered the call of the Dawnguard to rid his Native Skyrim of vampires (as well as any other form of undead or unnatural evil.

Background: When Sigrid was only 5 he lost his father Olaf and mother to the evil of a gargoyle summoned by a vampire named Harkon. While hiding in the cupboard of their cottage, Sigrid watched his parents drained of all life and soul. From this point forth, Sigrid vowed to learn the martial and magical arts that would aid him in vanquishing the undead threat to Skyrim. When he was old enough to travel, Sigrid journeyed with one of the khajit caravans to the distant city of Anvil in the central province of Cyrodiil, it was time to get out of Skyrim. He sought out those who could train him for his oath and searched for weeks for the one who could teach him. During his time in Anvil, Sigrid was accepted into the Fellowship of the Crusader, a group dedicated to the Crusader that Arkay and Stendarr had jointly raised to fight the ancient evil Umaril. After many years of hard training and prayer to Stendarr, Sigrid finally achieved the power of his god in return for his service to Stendarr. At last, with his skills prepared, Sigrid has set off to Skyrim heading along the northern road from Cyrodiil. As he approaches the border with his caravan, a man named Lokir calls out that there is a fight ahead, Sigrid quickly ride to the front to see what all the commotion is about…..

Skill Distribution
5 x Archery – crossbows (for extra punch against undead)
8 x Heavy Armor (obvious reason)
11 x Block (obvious reason)
7 x One Handed (primary damage dealing)
2 x Smithing (only enough to upgrade magical weaponry)
9 x Restoration (Anti-Undead)
8 x Enchanting (Magical Augmentation)