To try and defeat some of the "failures" of the game, I am embarking on a challenge...

Expert difficulty, NO "worldly" weapons may be used (Bound weapons only) except due to game requirement (Nettlebane, Axe, Pick, Kahvozein's Fang, etc), NO creating of potions of any kind EVER, and NO activating of perks. (I have also not worn any heavy armor, and only hide/leather bracers/boots + the Diadem; but opting for no armor whatsoever should be feasible.)

Any other game exploits may be used, but without the benefit of perks, most leveling exploits become counter-productive.


NOTES:

-Without enchanting perks, existing game artifacts/uniques become MUCH more useful.
-Certain Standing Stones and Divine Blessings become welcomed boosts that help enough to go looking for them.
-Followers and their skills become ESSENTIAL to survival. ESSENTIAL.
-Strategies for situations become more complex than "Ice enemies in this cave; I'll use fire magic."
-FOOD. Elsweyr Fondue might be the most underrated asset in Skyrim.

(Currently level 15; M/H/S (Augmented) = 330/200/130)


Questions/Comments/Suggestions welcome...

Why...? Bound weapons are stronger than normal weapons. And exploits are exploits. Might as well play the game with weapons, alchemy, and perks without exploits.

--Have fun.

Pass...

Why? Because sadly, it takes an act of self-imposition to actually make the game challenging.

Seriously, NO game exploit outside the restoloop is as gamebreaking as the Impact perk.



Also true that bound weapons are better than normal weapons at lower levels, but without other benefits it becomes the difference between "this weapon is f'n awesome" and "this weapon is f'n necessary"

Perks aren't gamebreaking. Just don't enchant or use blacksmithing.