I currently use both the deadly dragons mod and PISE* to make my game much harder than the vanilla experience, as I found it to be too easy on the lower settings and hard only in a cheap way on higher settings (I just have to hit a guy more times on master than on expert for example rather than fight smarter).
Just like the title says, are there any tips/tricks that you think might help me and other PISE/DD users to alleviate some of their pain.
With frequent CTD's (which I've asked for help for in the correct section of this forum) and not getting a lot of time to play, *sad-face* , I'm still only level 16 and pretty much anything is a one hit KO at the moment and it's going to be a hard slog to get anywhere.

*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMWZ_1CcJ3c&list=PL96C073B0B8BFC01D&index=15&feature=plpp_video - link to a vid which explains and credits both...credit to vid maker

If you are one hitting things at level 16, you need to crank up the diff. I don't mean basic enemies. They should all be one shot anyway.

I think you are asking about tips but you actually want a better AI of the enemy. Those mods are two of the top that are out. PISE (which is now upgraded ti ASIS) makes the enemy use more potions, dodge arrows more, flank more and just react to the player in smarter ways than the Vanilla game.

DD needs to be set with the Mighty Deadly Dragons file and each dragon fight will take at least an hr, real time.

Ice Artificer, \

Play on Master, use One handed and ice spells

fml

Run wyre bash to help the mods mesh better- if you are looking for a more difficult time consider getting "cutthroat merchants" it reduces your sell values and increases merchant prices. It is a good way to keep the stupid wealth in check

No...I am on master difficulty with DD and PISE...and I'M getting one hitt KO'd by everything not the other way around
^ I've never heard of Wyre bash, I go look that up but PISE makes the merchants pretty cutthroat enough anyway

oh and Senor Cinco - in your first reply you say PISE has been updated to ASIS. Any major differences?

HA! Samsonite!...I was way off...

What Archtype if character are you playing? Warrior - Mage - Assassin- Yes...

Warrior, generic sword and shield (well...axe and shield). To back that up I'm using bows (for the start to encounters, getting the first sneak shot off, and dragons...although I mostly run from them atm) + restoration between fights as well as the, now standard, Alch+Smith+Enchanting later on.

If you want more challenge in combat, then create a character who is not strong in combat.

Well then...

1- Pump every level into Health.
2- Stock up on soups and stews.
3- Use your surroundings.

• Take cover under porches and overhangs to battle Dragons.
  
• Lead Dragons to populated areas, be that towns, villages or Bandit camps.
  
• Jump up on rocks when pitted against melee characters and use ranged attacks
  
• Lead Draugr into traps and bottleneck them in narrow passages.

4- Isolate enemies and draw out one at a time.
5- Get the Lord Stone Perk.

EDIT : Oh! and as far as the differences in PISE and ASIS...Honestly, I have not used it yet. I had intentions of upgrading a couple of weeks ago, but got caught up in a Beta Testing Group. The best thing is to check out the thread in the mod forum. http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1387123-wiprel-asis-thread-6/

Ok, couple of questions...
Pump every level into health- ok i understand the logic bug i like shield bashing and power attacks. At what pOint should i stop focusing on health?
Stews - i imagine this is to take advantage of the stam regen ? And effectively replace those lost points of stam that im putting in health
Terrain - now that you say that it does make sense, a few of them i do already like bottlenecking and luring dragons to towns. But, the bottlenecking tends to have the effect of concentrating all the 'enemy fire' on me rather than equally between me and my companions (i have two from modding - lydia and faendal) and it is difficult to survive dragons let alone run all the way to a town and still live.
And, lastly : ), why the lord stone in particular? I cant remember what it does. Im currently using the warrior stone... For obvious reasons

Thanks, all of you, for the help... But especially senor cinco