This is my first play through, and I always tend to just 'go with the flow' with my first run...

Well my first flow seems to have slid me into a wall.

I am level 7 (Nord)
The three skills I have decided upon are
Duel Wield
Bow
Sneak
And I have split my abilities mostly into health with some into stamina

Me, and Sven have been doing rather well... Hell we took down a dragon.

The problem has came up though when I attempted to do the job for the 'companions' or what ever they are called, and went to clear out the troll king. Three blows from a troll, and I am dead... it takes 5 shots to take one down... Not the mention the centipede on crack that sees through my stealth.

There is just no way I can complete this quest. Have I split my skills into to many brackets? Should I forsaken my 'cool lookin/feelin' duel wield for a pansy ass shield? Just at a loss here. I hated having to run away with my tail between my legs...

First of all, Trolls are very tough in this game.
Secondly, I just recommend gaining a few more levels.

But an observation... you kinda have perks that orientated towards Stealth gameplay. The Companions is all about combat, combat and more combat.

i would have to agree with Pluto as to your Character being oriented to backstabbing and long distance attacks(sneak). Second, Trolls ARE difficult so don't give up yet and gain a level or 2 before trying again. If you are a dual wielder, make sure you put something on both blades that can harm the troll either directly or over time, gobble some food, drink some wine get all you boosts from items. Keep in mind you can also block(though less efficiently than a with shield) with your dual wield. Anyway don't be too hard on yourself and keep trying.

....and level 7 is a bit too weak for troll-work, as well, unless you're either 1) very, very good, or 2) the sort of person who doesn't mind reloading a lot. What Pluto said.

<-- Sneaky, dual-wielding archer

Focus more on sneak and archery and forget dual-wielding. It'll level as you need it, but sneak and archery can become your bread and butter.

Edit to add: Oh, and I'm a companion. They do make fun of those who sneak, but it didn't stop me.

2nd Edit: Do lots of hunting. Sneak and shoot game as you come upon it. That'll help increase the skills as you go.

You are obviously geared toward high damage output and low damage absorption. It is viable to play, however, my only character (Level 26) is a Sword and Shield Warrior on Adept who is geared toward low damage output and high damage absorption. Anyways, my tip is when you see a Troll, who could even kill my character with couple hits early on, you cannot be close to him. You need to keep your distance by running away because he is slow and use your range. At level 15 my Sword & Shield Warrior can't even stay close to him throughout the whole fight. One way is to use terrain to your advantage. Enemies cannot jump down a rock while you can, so when I cannot take down something; Trolls, Mammoth, Giants (I die in 2 hits, so you probably will die in 1), I usually fight them near a rock where I can jump down, but they have to walk around it giving me time to heal (I do not use any potions).


If you could take down that first Dragon then you are doing very well. On my playthrough, it was the Soldiers who took down that Dragon, while my Sword & Shield Warrior hid in the Tower and probably did 1% of total damage to him at the end to steal the kill. My Warrior got stronger about 15 Dragons after that though.

Okay, apart from the fact that trolls are insanely powerful there's a fundamental problem with your character build as well. You can not dual wield in light armour. Trust me, you just can't. You can not sneak in heavy armour. Again, trust me on this. So you see where the problem comes in?

A dual weilding character can not block at all. Therefore his best bet for survival is heavy armour and plenty of perks in both one handed and heavy armor. I have a lvl 34 Redguard that can cut down anything in his path in seconds. You need to develop skills that compliment each other. For my Redguard my main skills are one handed, heavy armour, smithing, enchanting and restoration.

Likewise for a thief, assasin you need to focus on skills like sneak, pick pocket, illusion (for invisibility and crowd control), archery and/or one handed and maybe alchemy. You're not suppose to get hit so don't worry too much about getting perks in light armour. Sneak in, kill silently and leave. If zll hell breaks lose run for it and hide. Then go back and finish the job.

The first quest the Companions give you is a lot more difficult than the others: you must prove your worth. As for me, I've inherited the Falmer quest; my character is now level 15 and I haven't done it yet. There's no hurry anyway. Wait, get tougher and everything will be okay.

Hey, hey, Whoa, I didn't see that!
Shield isn't only used to protect yourself, but also others and with the right use is considered weapon. Many times have I Shield Bash an enemy to protect NPCs I am to guard (and keep him alive so he gives me more loot). And it's not running away, it's strategy and tactics; brain vs brute force.

Just need some levels is all, or you can always lower the settings for the fight.

Sneak is pretty bad in the lower levels, but once you get it up a bit, you will be fine.

Shields are very helpful tools.

Trolls regenerate health and that's one of the reasons they're difficult to kill. However, for some reason trolls are susceptible to fire and it takes their health down very quickly. Whether you use a fire destruction spell that your character comes with or a flame enchanted weapon, it doesn't matter. Just as long as it's some sort of fire it will do massive damage to the troll.

Go to Riften. Hire Marcurio. You win.

I disagree. I have a lvl 27 dual wielding character in light armor that is doing just fine. What you must do is never stop moving and avoid being hit as much as possible. If you try to outlast your opponent in a direct confrontation you'll die.

I have a level 64 DW. At high level you can pratically power move kill Ancient dragons with two hits. Use your power move, Press both right & left hand attack at the same time. The philosophy of DW is kill before killed and will use lots of health potions when at low level. You'll also need to get the best possible armor as you'll be constanly getting hit as there are no blocking for DW. On the positive side you'll hit 100 on armor skill of your choice quicker than most other builds.

It is possible make no mistake, especially if you have a high level of sneak to work with. However, unless you enjoy things complicated it's a lot easier to go heavy armour and get the Steed guardian stone which makes your armor weigh nothing and it won't slow you down either. Of course, if you're aiming for an assassin type dual weilder then you have no choice but to use light armour. But you will have to get the damage multiplier perks from sneak as soon as you can.

Nothing wrong with stealth with them. My Paldin's main stuff is One handed, Shield, Bow, Heavy Armor, Smithing, Enchanting, Sneak... hasn't posed a problem. I have other none major stuff too. Only thing is, duel wielding kinda svcks in Skyrim. You're really better off being a sword and board to protect yourself... because at least then, you can block. XD

Okay thank you very much for all the help. I will put the quest on the back burner, and keep on trudging along.

you can get more levels

you can turn down the difficulty

and don't forget to use a little magic.

trolls are hurt by fire

oakskin adds 40 points to your armor

Trolls hurt, you're rather low level for dealing with that, as has already been said.

I dual wielded in light armor, no sneak, up to about level 30. It's true you really can't take alot of abuse early on (heavily defensive bosses with shields are a brutal fight, everything else is managable) but it's very possible to succeed, float like a butterfly on crack; sting like a bee.

Dual-wield is generally a bad idea early in the game. Don't get me wrong, dual-wield is by far the strongest style in late game, but until you have the perks dual flurry and dual savagery, your attacks are not much stronger than a guy with a shield. But your survivability is certainly much lower.