Hey.

This is my first post. Skyrim is also my first Elder Scrolls experience. So far I like it. A lot. I play the PC version on normal difficulty. Currently a breton level 13 or 14. Can't remember. Currently doing Companions questline and in the main quest I killed my dragon and was just to visit some sort of shout callers or experts.

I read the forums daily. Also have the strategy guide for what is worth. So consider me well informed about builds (archery, one hand being very solid), currently debated issues (destrucition scaling; perk system being too good in some trees and less useful in others; Rpg'ing vs Not Rpg'ing; "creative use of game mechanics" like fast leveling smithing, enchanting, etc.), interface issues (mostly for PC), and many others.

The following is my playstyle: I try to RPG the experience. I am not intrested in powerleveling smithing or enchanting or alchemy. My playstyle is pretty much: archer + conjurer with quite a lot of sneaking. Basically kill the bad guys from range while stealthed and if they get too close I fire-atronach them. I would prefer to play a balanced game in difficulty. Not frustatingly hard but not too easy either. So far it has been easier than expected. For example, my conjured atronach kills 4 guys in the time it takes for me to kill one! Heh. With a follower added is very easy.

Archery at like 40 (recently pay aela to train me from 35 to 40, Conjuration at 35, Enchanting at 29 (mostly by disenchanting everything I find), Smithing at 30, Sneaking at 35, the rest are pretty much base.
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Now to my concern. I "feel", this is purely my inexperienced opinion, that I am leveling too fast? I killed my first dragon on the main quest at level 11. Was that too high?

I haven't been to other major or minor cities except for Riverwood and Whiterun and I am already level 13 or 14? Is that normal? However I have been sent to do stuff and visit people in a lot of other cities.

I can't fathom what level I am going to be when I do all of it.

I am well aware that this is an open box game. That there is no pre-structed way of doing things. However I have a concern. I am torn between doing side quests versus following the main story which I really like.
I feel that if open Pandora's Box and go to visit and explore the whole world Skyrim has to offer I will be too a high level when "I get back" to the original main story questline.

How am I supposed to approach this? I would really appreaciate everyones advice.

How do you guys play this game:

1- Complete the main storyline first and do the side quests later?
2- Do sidequests and explore Skyrim first and then get on the main storyline?
3- A bit of both at the same time? If so, how do you decide when to "get back" to the main story questline.

What are the advantages or disadvantages of your approach? I don't know what to do.

Am I playing this game "right"?

I touched on the main quest occassionally, but mainly explored and did side quests and worked on my character. Out of all the groups, my Battlemage only joined the Companions and the Mage's guild and stayed neutral where the Civil War was concerned. After 150+ hours, I finished the main arc, and kinda wish I'd waited longer to do it.

Started a mage this week, and will be taking much more time to complete the main arc. He's gonna do the Mage's guild, too, but he'll also be a Stormcloak who's holding a grudge against the Imperials for trying to execute him simply for being in the vicinity of Stormcloaks. That stuff just ain't right, and they're gonna pay.

Play the game however you want, but I'd recommend a healthy dose of exploring this rich world.

Thanks for the input bigraj.

Do you remember what level was your character at the end of your first playthrough.

Around 46 or so.

Thanks! Hey. Another question.

If you just do the main questline. Will it eventually take you through all major and minor cities or no? Like, if you just do the main questline, will it leave major and minor cities un-explored?

I didn't step foot near Faulkreath until after I'd finished the main story. Only went there because I hadn't gone there yet. Outside of Whiterun, I don't know that you absolutely HAVE TO go into any of the other major cities to progress the main quest. Maybe Solitude and Windhelm, but I may have only gone there because of side quests. Certainly helps to go places so that you can get some experience under your belt and money in your pocket.

Appreciate your help.

Be aware that progressing the main quest increases the qty and strength of dragons in your world.

I've fought dragons back to back and Ancient dragons are now harassing me. Saw my first Ancient around level 32ish and conveniently right after I decided to continue into "Act 2" so MAYBE it's coincidental but I think it's an Act change mechanic.

However continuing main line will also get you to a point where you can go questing for dragon shouts.... a major part of the game and way to diversify your character.

So it's up to you really... when you feel comfortable with it.

After first learning from Hrothgar Mountain I'd probably recommend doing at least 1 "Guild" quest line... Companions, Mages College, or Thieves/Dark Brotherhood depending on your playstyle/character. Maybe even 2-3 of them.

Go explore and adventure.

When you feel ready... continue main story.

It can be fun just to take a carriage to a new hold and start doing random quests.... but then... I've got like 4-5 characters so I need to break a cpl away from Whiterun so I'm not doing the same quests 3 times in a row