So what race/playstyle have you guys gone for in the end?

I need interesting anecdotes and crazy stories to tide me over until I can actually play it.

@Mic: Could you put a spoiler warning in the title once plot spoilers start to get discussed? I'll be careful reading the comments anyway but would be a nice heads up.

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That's actually a good point that I partially disagree with.

Stealh characters tend to be more vulnerable in combat (especially at the start), relying on stealth, speed, traps, archery and therelike, which would make initial encounters more risky. Combined with the uncertainty of a first playthrough, I can see where the appeal might be in such an approach.

I disagree in that you seem to underestimate the difficulty of playing the other classes. There is always room for failure, no matter what build you pick - otherwise the game would be much too easy in general. I died many, many times in Oblivion on my later playthroughs on normal, despite being an experienced warrior. The equipment is a pretty big factor, and it's tricky to find good stuff that could give you somesort of early headstart.

In the end, I think all of the approaches have value and it remains mostly a matter of personal taste.

also regarding playing stealth character as the first playthrough... i think its the best way.
you still dont know enemies, their awareness, the locations, monster density etc. its a thrill.
after playing as berserker... you would kinda know what to expect and wouldnt sneak through the whole forest like a dumbass.
this wouldnt be the case other way around - knowledge of whats ahead doesnt concern you - youll bash all their skulls, thats why you are playing warrior after all.