General Tips
Every nubling adventurer needs a little guidance to help start them off on the right foot. Here are some helpful tips.
Please note that these are general tips. For more specific tips on leveling a skill quickly, please go to that respective skills section.
Tips for Success
SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!
The dangers of Skyrim are plentiful and therefore the most invaluable tip would be to save often. Plenty of times one makes it to the final boss of the dungeon to only get killed and have to start over from the moment the player entered that specific part of the dungeon. Most importantly, save before major encounters. For example if the player knows a dragon priest fight approaches then they are able to save before the fight. If the player does indeed die then they are then able to use their knowledge of what is ahead to plan and strategize, and something good can come out of it! And there is always that added bonus of not having to retrace your steps. Another great time to save is right before a master or expert lock, that way if you lose all lock picks or most of them you can reload and try again. Also don't forget to save over old saves that are now useless.
USE YOUR RESOURCES
While adventuring throughout the world collect as many items as you can. Most of the items in Skyrim are used for something. For example; the pelt which is used for leather or the Dwemer scrap metal which can be transformed into ingots. All of the items you pick up could help you level up skills you are interested in. An example of this is using the leather from a bear pelt to craft items to increase smithing. Another reason to pick as many items as possible is quests, as often times they task you with getting items you might not have. This is optional as maybe you would like to go outside and retrieve it the adventurous way.
Be aware, though, that carrying too much could slow you down.
Getting Six or More "Followers"
There's a way to form an incredible (sometimes) death-defying super death squad with multiple followers. Referred to lovingly as an "Insane Crown Posse" (you are a Thane after all), this ever-growing party will absolutely murder anything and everything in your path, including dragons and giants.
Here's how:
You can trick the system by going on certain quests to recruit people into your party but not finishing the quest. They will remain in your party forever until you complete the quest or dismiss them. In A Daedra's Best Friend you get to recruit a rather reliable dog companion named Barbas. In Alduin's Wall, two seasoned fighters tag along. (Occasionally, Delphine will try to leave, but simply tell her to follow you.) Combine these NPCs with a Conjuration or two (must be at max level), a horse, and a follower, then you've got a full traveling troupe of insanity.
Quests in which you get an NPC who doesn't replace your existing follower that can stick around include:
Alduin's Wall
A Daedra's Best Friend
Speaking With Silence
The Blessing Of Nature (There is a guy who asks to join you when you initiate the quest.)
A horse like Shadowmere from The Cure For Madness.
Any ability that summons a temporary helper.
The Sanguine Rose summons another Atronach.
Summon Spectral Assassin.
Laid to Rest (speak to Thommir in front of the cave. This guys light a torch whenever it's dark!)
More...?
Just be careful that they don't literally get in your way as you try to navigate smaller spaces. And also just be careful that they don't get in each other's way in combat. You will encounter situations where they will start ripping into each other if one accidently hits another of your followers.
Be sure to check the full list of followers! Typically, you can have one human follower and one animal follower, in addition to the quest NPCs, potentially creating a massive hunting party.
Use Equipment Shortcuts
Remember to favorite your most-used items, spells, and weapons. You can bring up the quick-access favorites menu (control pad up on consoles) to select and assign your favorites to your hands manually, or press left or right on the pad while in the menu to create two equipment sets. Left is set #1, right is set #2. To select the sets while in combat, simply press left or right on the control pad. You can also use this shortcut to equip an item in both hands by tapping the direction twice (useful for double casting).
