Right, I've gotten bored of my current character, he's only level 17, but he's the Arch Mage and due to a "realistic magicka" mod I use, I can take down any enemy easily.

So, I've decided to start a Dead is Dead game! I'm thinking of playing a ranger style character (I'm not sure which race yet) but, I would not use magic at ALL! I've got the Ranger Cabin mod installed and am thinking about getting another one with a house in Riverwood or Falkreath.

I'm only going to be using light armour as well, but does anyone have any advice to make it more challenging for me?

Also any mods you'd suggest for a dead is dead playthrough are welcome as well!!

See sig. Although that is probably too challenging for DiD. You could just ignore the self-gimping rules to make it more viable though.

Asgard's method is OK, but I use a sneakless archer who doesn't resort to melee weapons and trust me, its difficult not to die.

I'd reccomend a Sneak archer, but play on Master so it's not too easy

Whatever charactrer archetype you choose, in a DiD playthrough, you'll want to make sure that you have your character as planned as possible. This way you have no wasted Perk points that could inhibit your characters lifespan.

Also, when playing, tackle the game whenever possible in the same way you'd tackle say... Halo on Legendary. Go low and slow. Plan your attacks on Bandit camps, Dungeons, Crypts, etc. This help to greatly reduce the number of surprise combats that you find yourself involved in. Random World encounters are going to happen, but just make sure that your equipment and Perks are as fully outfitted as you possibly can get them before wandering the world at large,

Alchemy is a must, i forgot to mention.

Keep in mind, That DiD is not as much about it being a "challenge" as it is an actual playing concept. I mean, anybody can start a character and say, " I'm just going to see how far I can get". AND that is fine. People play DiD for different reasons. It's about having fun, after all.

For me, it's about how it makes you feel, every second of the game, no matter if you get to level 60, or never make it out of Helgen.

I started several Skyrim DiD threads, http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1291778-the-skyrim-dead-is-dead-thread-iii/page__view__findpost__p__19471250 from the release date of Skyrim. Sadly I was unable to maintain the mantle. Another gentleman held it for another two threads, http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1339381-skyrim-dead-is-dead-thread-v/page__view__findpost__p__20176668 but was unable to maintain the mantle. I was thinking about it again, but I don't know...

Browse those threads and you may find some inspiration. The OP includes links to the DiD WIKI.

This one will best describe why I play DiD. Sonoura was my first char in Skyrim. Here, we just gain access to the Arch Mage chambers. -no spoilers- and was caught unprepared. http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1255838-the-skyrim-dead-is-dead-thread/page__view__findpost__p__19285568

EDIT :

It's not about playing on Master. It's about HOW you play.

#1 Tip: Don't die...

First 10 levels, upgrade health. Health health health health healthy. It prevents dying.

Make sure you at all times are as prepared as you can be (spent all your money) for suppliers and auxilary gear (potions poisons spells).

Remember where the exit is, so you dont get stuck running for it.

As said, plan your perks carefully. That said- focus on high damage (esp on master did) that means getting those damage perks. (asuming your not abusing smithing, which i bet you are not)

get lord stone.

Light amor is great, train with grelka in riften as often as you can, and just cycle your loot through her.

like it was said, pick your perks wisely.

for me, on master, that means offense at low levels. adding a bit of defense will not stop you from dying. you still need to not get hit.

therefore, kill them fast. get a secondary weapon type. get a control type skill, if applicable: companion, conjure, illusion, etc.

and, lastly, i would say to try and truly get invested into your character. that feeling you can get if they die is pretty amazing for a video game.

edit: and, like udey said-- health for the early levels

Here's my question:

When the character dies, do you delete the save so you can't keep playing? Or, do you just say "well, I made it to level 28, now I'll just use this character regularly!"

I think I'd have a hard time just ending a character haha, but this play style sounds so engaging. I'm thinking about trying one on master with the advanced needs mods.

@Impulse

I would just delete the save! I've done it in previous games as well as Skyrim where I've got bored with a character.

I will however either keep a photo log of my character or a video diary, so I can look back at what I've achieved

Mods for dead-is-dead? Here's what I'm using: (master difficulty obviously, since the "BBB: Stats makes for a more abalnced experience this way.)

Skyrim Compass Tuner: Compass turned completely off.
Imps more complex needs: I need to eat, sleep and drink.
Chesko's Frostfall: In cold weather my stats are drained, unless I build a camp-fire every now and then.
Deadly dragons lite: Hard setting. However, if you're not going to use magic.. This might be too hard.
Alchemy and Food overhaul: Only the alchemy part. Abilities like boost smithing and boost enchanting gone, thus the infinite combo as well. Potions heal health and magicka over time.
Balanced magicka: All schools.
Immediate dragons: Dragons spawn in the game without going further in the main-quest.
Alternative start, life another life: Let's me start the game somewhere completely different than helgen.
Boyd's better balance, Stats and Vendor: Stats actually makes my character a bit more powerful than usual: I gain 3 points to all 3 attributes upon a level-up and can put 7 points where I want as normal. Vendor makes everything cost twice as much, and make things I sell 50% less valuable. However, jobs such as chopping wood and picking crops now pay more.
Better quest objectives.
Dance of death: New finishers, as well as the ability to change the chance of them happening.
Skyrim monster mod: Adds many, many new creatures to the game.
Realistic lighting: Darker dungeons and nights, slightly brighter days.
Skyrim armoury: Makes smithing weapons harder (require more material) as well as introduces a bazillion new weapons to the game. Weapons now upgraded with gem-dust instead of ingots. I highly recommend this mod. Orcish weapons that are made from iron? Daedric weapons made from glass? Silver sword made from dwemer metal? You name it.

Oh and a little addition of my own: Type this into the console when your character is out of the tutorial: player.modav carryweight -120

@GorbadPS3: Nice list there. I'll try out those I don't already use, even if I don't play DiD.