Several hundred hours into the game, I still haven't finished the main quests even once...
When I die, I start over.

I am back to the game now after a hiatus and about to get Dawnguard & Dragonborn.

- What are sensible settings for an as-challenging-as-possible experience for a playthrough of the whole game? (I consider the normal difficulty -- lowering my effective hitpoints does not increase the game experience. I do not grind skills. But what other ground rules to use? Smithing/Enchanting still break the game easily without some restraint still?)

- What mods would improve the combat challenge *tactically* without the risk of being one-shotted at every corner (no fun for dead-is-dead)? (SkyRE or Requiem look to be interesting balance mods, but they both appear one-shots-galore oriented.) How about Deadly Dragons and its likes?

(I'm considering a Dwemer-scholar Paladin type build. Unless I can convince myself that crafting won't break my game, I won't use it.)


What do *you* do for a dead-is-dead setup -- especially where you have fair odds of finishing the game but not a certainty?
How do you balance low level to high level challenge changes so that the game remains difficult but not impossible (for dead-is-dead)?

When I play dead-is-dead I do not allow myself to enchant or smith anything and I don't use any potions of any type.

I play on adept and find it fairly balanced, a little to my favor, yet there are times when you can get in trouble so you need to be a little extra cautious.

The new dragons and master vampires are pretty dangerous if you don't take precautions.

I'm curious: have you ever "finished" the game with those settings? (Do you use any mods)

I also ponder if there are any good alchemy mods? I'd like to have a one-potion-at-a-time restriction (no gulping down 20 when you are at low health) along with effect-over-time (as opposed to instant heal).

It is oddly satisfying gathering ingredients while playing, but the instant-use mechanic of potions breaks the immersion for me.