SUMMARY:
Armor - Shield - Food *also Mead when you are able - Weapon.

Get those in that order, as far ass your focus. Sneak often, until you do not have to do so.

Armor equipped for the area you are in,so, Leather for Meadows, and, until you cannot upgrade it anymore, plus, also, having a shield made from the materials from that area, so, Wood Tower Shield, also fully upgraded, plus your weapon of choice, fully upgraded for the current / Biome, then, you go to next area, being Black Forest. Also, eat 3 foods at once , plus , sleep at night, for rested, plus then you avoid more dangerous enemies.

I played often in solo, especially Swamp Biome and higher. Key is to focus on Armor, and Shield every time you go to a new area, If you do so, then, your damage is reduced, and you can easily handle fights, plus then, go into next new area / land / Biome.