I have an Imperial at level 3 - my first character in Skyrim - and am running into problems. A few tips would be appreciated.

I just tried Redorans Retreat and had to give up. The first room was easy - one bandit and one dog - but the other room left me killed by the bandit chief every time I tried. I can kill the other bandit in that room first with a bit of concentration and if my spell doesn't miss. I'm using a sword and a shield, and a Firebolt to soften people up.

I have noticed that I run out of Stamina very quickly in combat. That's new - my last experience with TES was Morrowind. Any tips on that?

Also, my idea with this character was to combine Magic (Destruction and Restoration) with Combat (One-handed and Block). but I may have bitten off a bit much there for now. Perhaps better to concentrate on the combat skills. I went to the magic college and couldn't get in because I didn't have enough magicka to cast "Fear". I guess that may have been a bit unlucky - I can cast a Firebolt twice without running out.

Also, it seems that the roads are somewhat unsafe for a low level character - perhaps especially at night. I've been killed three times travelling roads - twice because I didn't want to pay to get past and once because I hit upon a number of skeletons at night.

Finally, I'm using the PS3 and have a bit of trouble with the controls. That's part of the explanation for my lack of combat proficiency, but certainly not all of it.

Well if you want to make game super easy use the dawnstar chest. As for getting killed a lot if a dundeon is too hard try different one, go kill some wolves and deer. Go get the golden claw that is easy one.

What sign did you pick when you left the beginning of the game?

Go to Riverwood, make you some good starting armor. (There's Iron Ingots where all the smithing activators that you can use.)

Join the Companions and do a few of their starting quests until you level up more.

Do the main quest until the jarl tells you you need to go see the Greybeards. This will help you level more too.

Loot everything that's not tied down to sell and buy the best armor and weapons you can get for the money you have.

Go clear out Fort Greymoor and loot everything. (Only Bandits in there.)

What is the dawnstar chest?

I thought the golden claw was difficult. I'll do that. I did the Ebershaw mine (near Riverwood), that was not a problem.

Balok: If you mean the three stones, I picked the Combat one. And thanks for the tips. I planned to go for the Imperial legion, but I guess the Companions are better for a low level character.

Bandit chiefs at level 3 are deadly,come back when you are more powerfull.

It's a hidden chest in dawnstar with all the shops inv in it. If you google it then it will show you where it is
. I'm actually starting my character over without it because it makes game too easy.

Companions are side quest line you can do both.

check your difficulty level and make sure you're not maxed for some reason... stamina is a big deal if you're holding your attack button because every attack becomes a power attack, even as a mage... a majority of the bandit chiefs are massacres waiting to happen.

I'd recommend that you find a place for your character so that they are able to at least run out of melee and back in because those guys hit hard or just don't get into melee.

At level 3 flames and sparks and frostbite are actually more cost effective than the bigger hitting spells from destruction. Fear isn't a novice level spell so I'd avoid using it. Same with Firebolt. Go with what you know you can sustain and don't feel like a chicken if you have to run back and make the chief run through a line of fire or frost on the floor to get you before you attack again. At all costs this is what you need to remember: DONT LET THEM HIT YOU... you're in your pj's and they're wearing plate.

If you want to play a Spellsword, use Alteration first to cast a shield spell like Oakflesh (the spellbook is available from the Riverwood Trader). After casting Oakflesh then use a Destruction spell to weaken an opponent as they close, then equip a shield to go Sword and Board. The healing spells should be cast after clearing a section of a Dungeon, use potions in Combat.
The Ward spells from Restoration can be used as a shield against a spellcaster to protect yourself as you close, or as an alternative to a shield.
The Turn Undead spells from Restoration can be used as a break to get away from undead, but do not work against a Conjurer who has decided to fry you with an elemental attack.
Playing a character who uses both Magic and Melee is fun and challenging, but a straight Warrior is easier to play in the beginning, and a Mage will really shine mid game, but a mix will always have a weak spot that the game will find and exploit.

vegetable soup gives you limitless stamina for power attacks and shield bashes an can be cooked from easily gathered items.

Thanks a lot everybody. It helps.
How do I check the difficulty level om a PS3?

If it's anything like the Xbox version, go into the start menu under Gameplay options.

Also, make it to Whiterun and the chick at the armory will give you a couple of side quests to learn smithing which will also give you some early armor.

If you have a piece of equipment that gives you extra magic wear it and when ever you run our take it off then reequip it and it will give you the amout off magic it grants again.

I went to Bleak Falls Barrow, cleaned out the three bandits outside and a tower on the way with three other guys and fast travelled to Riverwood to sell my loot. I met Faerendal and completed the quest with him, and then discovered that he offered himself as a companion. That solved it or now - he's an archer which is extremely useful. I've gone through the Barrows with him, and next step is to deliver the Dragonstone. Then I guess I'll take a look at the Companions. That bandit chief will have to wait - I'll meet him in a narrow passage, and I don't expect Fearendal's archery is much use there. Unless I can draw him into a room - but my navigation skills are still a bit lacking.

So, thanks a lot again or your help. I feel like I've passed the bump now.

Oh, and my difficulty level is Adept - middle of the road. I guess that's reasonable.

When I first get out of Helgen, I head to the Standing Guardian Stones and pick a sign. Then I kick bandit butt in the Embershard Mine and then I continue on to Riverwood. There, I learn some basic smithing techniques, craft better gear, do a few quests, get my first follower (either Sven or Faendal). Take one of them with you on the Golden Claw quest.

After that, you have a bit of gold in your pocket, so hit the road, pick on some more bandits. Head to Whiterun and do a few quests around there. (Find Amren's Family sword for example, it's a nearby bandits den and the cave isn't too big).

Most importantly: HAVE FUN

EDIT: Adept difficulty level is a great way to play the game

I kept Faendal as a follower for a long time until after the werewolf change/ceremony and upon returning to Whiterun found him lying dead in the circular courtyard. Don't know if I killed him during the werewolf change or an assassin got him, but I got to know a lot about him before then. I did get a 300 gold inheritance from him after he died.

Equip Faendal with a melee weapon in addition to his bow and he will use it in combat at the appropriate time.
Give him better armor and he will wear it. Make sure you equip it for him. You have to lace up his booties and put his mittens on before he goes outside.
You can use him as a pack mule and you can also take stuff from him including gold.
Take the key to his house and you can turn it into your house. I still use his house even after he is dead and has been replaced.
You can take stuff from his house and chests including red items and he doesn't seem to mind.
You can store stuff in his 2 chests (gems and some items will turn red but you can still freely take them from the chest).
You can pay him to train you in archery and then refund the money from him.

Tips: He is usually a better archer and often I was tied up casting spells or something while he was shooting at bad guys, so give him the best bow and arrows to use. Make sure you select the type of arrows for him to use otherwise if given a choice he will pull out the cheap plastic arrows with the rubber cups to use.

I did give him a Steel Sword once I discovered he was using a dagger. But I didn't know that you could do so much with your follower. I'll try it out.