Right now I'm trying my version of a "barbarian" build. I'm using light armor, Two-handed weapons, Archery, the light armor branch of Smithing, and just a few things into the first Stealth ability (the one that makes you harder to detect).

Basically, I'm using ambush tactics. Strike first, and strike as hard as possible.

In my last playthrough, I used a legionnaire build: Heavy Armor, one-handed weapon and shield. I bulldozed pretty much everything in my way, especially once I got that Block perk that allows your shield to block magic.