Leveling and Skills question

[Jesse_Dylan]

I was one of those people in Oblivion who fretted over getting the best health and attribute increases every level, who purposely chose a race that did not have bonuses for the skills I wanted to use because I wanted to level up more.

 

My question, how is it best to do this in Skyrim? I'm playing stealth, so I chose a wood elf (boy is she ugly, too). I have now noticed that she her stealth skills, and archery and a few other things, started with bonuses. Has this gimped my leveling? Would it be better to choose, say, an orc or redguard, who starts with lower stealth and archery skills? Or is it better to choose a race that supports the type of character I want to play?

 

Secondarily, but maybe more importantly, and rather off-topic, without the "age" slider in character creation, I am having a really hard time creating a character that doesn't look worn and ugly. I know, it's more authentic to be older, worn and ugly, but this is my fantasy, not to mention I'm going to be staring at this character for hundreds of hours, and I'd prefer to have a young, attractive female to stare at, realistic or not.

 

Thanks in advance for advice on the above. :)

[dewcakes]

I did the same thing in oblivion for level maximisation, I understand that in Skyrim there are no bonuses for leveling up from a lower starting number. Pretty much the race that you choose with the enhanced abilities gives you just a little headstart in that skill towards getiing to 100 skill points. There is no diference in a orc with 100 destruction vs a high elf with 100 distruction (except of course the special abilities). It seems the best way to go is to pick a race with a special ability that you like or just by looks.

It looks like most people like the orc with the insane special skill, the high elf with the extra magica, or the nord cuz they look awsome.

It looks like keeping track of stats and careful plannig on character optimization is out and you just level up to 100 to get as strong as you can. I am a little disapointed, i really got into the leveling of oblivion, hope elder scrolls 6 gets back into stats for sure.