Foolish dragons in Skyrim.
Foolish dragons in Skyrim.
On tougher challenges, adding a follower is strongly suggested for more enjoyment. Keep in mind that if you're not editing the game, followers remain at the level they encountered you at. For example, I meet Lydia at level 10, then progress to 40 and bring her along. She stays at level 10, getting defeated there. But I recently met Mjol at level 40, so she also remains at that level. We conquer the dungeon together. There are mods available to adjust this so followers match your level. I strongly advise using them for all followers.
You're looking to focus on gear that suits your current level and goals. With a rating around 170, you should aim for skills that boost your stats without overspending. Dwarf armor isn't ideal at this stage, so consider more versatile options. For weapons, prioritize skills that enhance your damage output and survivability, especially since dragon might be a long shot. Balance growth with practicality!
Dragon Armor offers a solid build. The right side leans toward heavy protection, while the left provides lighter defense. Acquiring the Smithing level is essential regardless of side. Orcish→Ebony seems like a good starting point. The second and third skill slots on the right side are recommended. Orcish favors Orichalcum, Ebony uses Ebony. These items are typically available from blacksmiths if you prefer not to mine yourself. The fastest path is crafting iron daggers, which provide high XP with minimal production cost. Jewelry yields significant XP relative to its use, though supply is limited by gold ore and precious gems. It’s best to focus on Alchemy, gathering ingredients for enchanting potions. Apply those potions with Fortify Smithing to enhance gloves and amulets, then produce many Iron Daggers and reinforce them. If Fortify Smithing isn’t available, purchase it from blacksmiths or mages (look for Dragonreach). Keep repeating the cycle as you improve Alchemy, creating stronger enchanting items that boost Smithing and Enchanting simultaneously. This approach is multiplicative—each level strengthens both skills together, raising your stats in tandem. Your Alchemy boosts Enchanting, which in turn improves Smithing, while Enchantment enhances Alchemy. Make Smithing Potions to unlock powerful reinforcements and XP gains. Eventually, you’ll have a robust arsenal of weapons and armor. Up to you—this strategy might make the game feel different once you’re out of town. Elder Dragons typically appear around level 40, which can be tough, so plan accordingly. The process demands a lot of resources, so you’ll need ample gold or materials to sustain it.
Potions become too strong since you can access your menu (which halts time) and apply them anytime during combat. Certain potions greatly enhance almost anything—like stealth, healing, smithing, enchantment, or boosting healing/magic regeneration. Alchemy is straightforward. Simply consume one of each ingredient you discover, noting at least one trait of it, then use the menu to explore possible combinations. After gathering all ingredients, head to the alchemy section and it will display a list of potions you can craft. Those unavailable will appear grayed out. Finally, select the desired recipes and combine the ingredients accordingly. It’s quite manageable.