I am level 28, (70 skill in archery, 50 in one-handed, 65 in alchemy, 45 in light armor) and I already "killed" a few dragons near towns, where everybody is hitting them. Now I met my first dragon that fights me alone in open field and I'm dead in 3 seconds. I used a nearby house to circle around and shoot arrows, but after 10 minutes I only took about 30% of its life while I used 30+ health potions because its frost breath kills me in about 5 seconds. Any tactics? Hit and run is not working too well, my character is not fast enough to run out of the frost beam.

summon anything you can to help, it will distract the dragon
use any high power scrolls you may have found (including conjuration and destruction)
use any resist frost potions you might have come across.
if you have any yet, make sure to remember to use your shouts, they can help too.
if you don't have one, get a companion/follower to help you, most are pretty beastly - you can usually hire one in the nearest town's pub/inn.

Did you invest in the steady hand perk yet? It helps slowing movement while aiming at the dragon. I found it difficult with arrows as well, the dragon is too fast in the air. I prefer to fight them with magic and shouts.

It seems the new 1.2 patch broke the resistances system, so dragons are much more feared now. Maybe it has to do with that.

Don't bother. Your frost resistance is not working!

Try using your shouts... and wait for it to land rather than try to fire at it while in flight.

I lowered the difficulty to and now I can kill a dragon without help, 100% with the bow. Takes some time though, try not to always run because they like our backs. If you face them you can learn faster how and where to shoot.

Hit and run is the only way I can fight a Frost Dragon. Level 33. Archery 80, with all available perks in the tree taken, Legendary Ebony Bow with Glass Arrows, and wearing a dark brotherhood cowl (+20% bow damage) and the rest of it (+25 to armor with the full set).

It takes dozens of shots, dozens of potions (if I get caught in the open), and a LOT of hiding from icy breath.

You can hide from the frost breath, peak out at the end of it, and shoot an arrow into the thing's face. It takes time, but it can be done.

(I play always on Adept difficulty)

Man, that explains my experience last night! I'm level 39, and I laugh at frost dragons... normally. I carry gear with me to bring either my frost or fire resistance to the max. When I encounter a frost dragon I put it on and can generally stand right in it's breath while smacking it in the face with no issues. Last night I was getting owned by their breath even with the gear on. I just assumed maybe the dragons scaled or something.

Frost dragons are tough. Without some strong shouts, a companion or two, and plenty of places to hide for a second, you're going to have a hellova time with the Frosties.

I'm having no problem with dragons, playing on expert, they barely dent me.


What difficulty are you playing on?


Even without resistance gear, the rank 1 heal can easily counter any dragon breaths on Expert difficulty.