So I was walking through the rift and was passing through some random farm I can't remember the name of, it's population was probably about 5 including the two rift guards. There was a random dragon attack, it landed in the farm so I ran at it, sword drawn, ready to lay the smackdown. But then the 2 guards and all 3 farmers just start spamming the hell out of it, so I decided to just sit back and enjoy the show. The 2 guards got toasted, but this didn't scare the 3 completely unarmoured, under equipped farmers. Eventually 2 of the farmers had been killed, but the last guy just kept getting up, drawing his woodcutting axe and charging at the huge, angry, fire breathing piece if winged death infront of him. In the end I waited till the dragon was on it's last legs and shot it with a well placed arrow, killed it, took the soul and the glory. But it seems skyrim doesn't need a dragonborn that much.

just the fact that there happened to be some npc's nearby made this encounter really underwhelming. It makes being dragonborn feel a bit of a gimmick since "random man with beard" can kill a dragon aswell. I understand guards jumping in, and I'm fine with watching them die, but random npc's should run for the hills.

*Minor spoiler ahead*

Actually, i think anyone can kill a dragon given enough training, time, hp, skill.
The dunmer housecarl in Whiterun is one such person who shows this fortitude for dragon hunting.

A dragonborn however is the only one who can absorb dragon souls, and can learn shouts which to a
normal npc would take years of training. (according to the Greybeards) and of course fulfill the prophecy.

My 2 cents.

Yeah its ridiculous.

Comic is relevant.

http://cdn.themis-media.com/media/global/images/library/deriv/75/75179.jpg

Im pretty sure it was said that "slaying a dragon will not truly kill it, but absorbing its soul will permanently and effectively kill it, hence only a dragon born can truly kill a dragon"
This is not a quote but a point I remember being stated in the game.

Haha, so true... In those moments I don't really feel like the hero that steps in to save the peasants. I'm just another guy whacking at the giant lizard.

a) it is cool what the did.

but

B) I agree, most NPCs should run. fast.

So someone starts off as some humble farmer; their village is attacked. They pick up an axe and try to fight the beast, but they're the only survivor. Then some powerful, enigmatic stranger appears and vanquishes it for them. It's like you stumbled into the intro scene of some other game here! :laugh:

Although this means next time you see him you're probably going to have to die and leave them some cryptic warnings, or else betray them and reveal that you've been working with the bad guys all along.

Yes, the dragons are very out of line in terms of mythology and doom-bringer like creatures. For instance, bring a cave bear to the village and it kills the people, brings down the dragon, the house and forces you to reload last save

any random Hobo Nord can kill a dragons body, but u need to absorb the soul as a dragon born to keep it dead. Like Umaril with NotN for oblivion. it aint dead till the souls dead dude.

Actually I kited a giant from the camp south of Whiterun outside of the gates, and a lot of the guards went running...But then the old Graymane woman ran up slashing it only to get launched into the air a mile high. 1 guard helped by shooting arrows, the other few guards ran away or just stood there like nothing was happening.

I agree, those porely armed farmers (not to forget shopkeepers and blacksmiths) should screaming and cowardly run for cover and not get themselves killed all the time. It's unfair towards Dragonborn's heroic reputation, and it's unfair towards Dragonborn's personal economy.

The Blades were once the greatest organization of dragonslayers in existence. They were mere men.

MINOR SPOILER: Farkas helps Dovahkiin slay a BLOOD dragon.

I'd say mere mortals can stand up against the 'mighty' dragons.

Even simple farmers who have never held a weapon in their life?

"PA! PA! Dat dragon killed Lil Pete!"
"Get me meh whuppin stick! It's blood for blood, boys!"

You beat me to it, I was about to post this one