There are 8 Governing attributes which control different skills. You will have to pick 2 that your want your character to accel in, if you choose to create your own class. I recommend creating your own because then you can really play the game to the fullest extent. Choose wisely, think about what you would like to use in the game (magic, combat, or stealth), and pick the ones that will help you most in the field you are headed. There are eight to choose from:

Agility – Agility controls damage done by bows, your balance, and your ability to stay hidden. Your ability to pick locks is also another skill governed by agility. This is a good attribute to have if you want to be a marksman or a thief. Argonians, Khajiit, and Bosmer are already skilled in Agility, so it is possible to start with an unusually high Agility with these races.

Endurance – Endurance governs the skills of Block, Armorer, and Heavy Armor. Endurance is the base attribute controlling your amount of health, it also controls the amount of weight you can carry. Orcs, Redguards, and Nords already start out with a high Endurance, so picking Endurance as an attribute with these races will give your character a pretty high health at the start of the game.

Intelligence – This is the base attribute governing Mysticism, Conjuration, and Alchemy. Your base Magicka is also controlled by Intelligence. The amount of Intelligence determines the power of the spells you cast. Bretons and Altmer are already skilled in Intelligence, picking these races with Intelligence as a governing attribute will allow your character to be a very powerful mage.

Luck – Luck governs no skills, but basically effects everything you character does. For example, the more luck you have the better your chances are of winning a bet on an Arena combatant. No race is skilled in luck.

Personality – Personality determines how much people will like you during the game. So if you are not a good persuader, his might be nice to have. It governs Mercantile, Illusion, and Speechcraft. It is nice to have a high personality because creatures and fighters may accept yields from you.

Speed – Speed is what every thief in the game should choose, along with Agility. Argonians, Dunmer, and Bosmer are already skilled in Speed, which governs Acrobatics, Athletics, and Light Armor. It is nice to be fast because travel times are a lot slower. And it is always sweet to be faster than the Unicorn (fastest creature in the game), by first either choosing to be a Dunmer, Bosmer, or Argonian, then choosing to be born under the “Sign of the Steed”, choosing the Speed attribute, and increasing your Speed each time you level.

Strength – Strength is the best choice for any warrior type character. It governs Blade, Blunt, and Hand to Hand. It also effects how much you can carry (Strength x 5). Nords and Redgaurds are already quite strong, so if you plan to carry a lot, one of those races with a strength attribute is not a bad idea.

Willpower – Willpower governs Destruction, Restoration, and Alteration. The rate of which your magicka returns is also determined by your Willpower. Orcs, Bretons, and Altmer all are skilled in Willpower, making them powerfull mages.