Hello. As you probably saw in my other thread, I recently started playing Oblivion again for the first time in years. And loving it! However, the game is getting a bit difficult, a bit too soon. Maybe you guys can help me.

I'm a level 13 Redguard Scout. Birthsign The Warrior. So far I have been doing fine and have been able to survive with my share of Alchemy poisons, shields, skooma, etc. However, the level scaling is starting to kick my butt. I'm talking about enemies who drain my entire health bar and I barely damage them. Will-O-Wisps, Spriggans, hell, even 2 bandits wielding Dwarven Warhammers at the same time can really kill me. I was doing fine against the wolves, rats, and occasional bears, but now instead of wolves, it's Will-O-Wisps. This is getting a bit frustrating to be honest.

Can you guys give me some tips on how to maximize my combat potential? Usually I apply a poison to my weapon (which is a Silver Longsword), and then I drink a Shield potion and possibly a Fortify Strength potion, or a Skooma, and try to battle. Sometimes I switch to my enchanted Shockblade for tougher opponents, which deals 15 points of Shock Damage. But it doesn't seem to be enough. Should I just be running away from these difficult battles? Is there something I'm missing that can make combat a bit easier?

And keep in mind, I'm only talking about enemies on the main roads between cities. Fighting one Will-O-Wisp near Leyawiin takes every health potion I have in my inventory to defeat (total of about 8 potions - 5 weak and 3 normal strength). I recently made a nice bounty by doing some odd tasks so I have gold to spend, but if I need to buy a million potions, it's going to run out quick.

So how does everyone here deal with the level scaling? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I'd suggest you avoid such battles. Will-o-wisps are really difficult to deal with not to mention Spriggans.. Well at least until you get a proper weapon and some resistances. Did you try getting some blessings? Not that I wanna be a snob since you mentioned that you were mostly fighting only on the outside try running for a nearby patrol guard if you're indoors try looking for traps they can prove to be useful at times.