Hey guys, I had this idea where we all add general non-spoiler tips for the game, and create a huge thread of all our tips. Let's try to get to 500 tips! I'll start with 5 of my own.
1. Give a follower a torch and they will use it when it's dark.
2. Waiting one hour will refill all your health/magicka/stamina bars.
3. Shops reload inventory and gold every 2 in-game days.
4. Save as much as possible.
5. Loot based on a 1/10 weight/value ratio. For example, those boots that are worth 10 gold but weigh only 1? Take 'em. But don't take that warhammer that's worth 50 gold but weighs 20.
I use number 5 as a rule of thumb as well.
I wrote some Adventuring Tips just a few days after launch. They'll be my contribution.
Instead of waiting, as in number 3, save, kill the merchant and reload.. You can run ahead of hadvar or ralof and speak to arvol or gerdur prematurely their arrival to get Before the Storm quest as soon as soon as possible, etc.. I know a bit more but I have been a little bit off the game latelly.
6.) Get the Transmute Mineral Ore in Halted Stream Camp just north and a little west of whiterun and Mine as much iron ore as you can. Smelt the gold Ore and make Jewelry, increasing your smithing, then enchant them, increasing your Enchanting. then sell the finished product for Booku Bucks.
7.) Don't worry about getting the best armor set you can, worry about getting the perks in your selected Armor skill tree. Even steel armor can nearly get the maximum Armor rating with the right perks!
8.) Don't shun Vampirism because of its disadvantages. they can be easily overcome. Plus, with the necromage Perk from the restoration skill tree, You can be a mighty Spellcaster.