Originally posted by loppantorkel:

I'm at the same stage in this, my second playthrough. I've found the altar, but there's a bunch of Draugr spawns around the altar, not to mention abomination spawns. I've placed the portal at a secure place, and have been busy destroying all the spawn locations around the altar. ...just to make things easier. ..otoh I'm still mostly in troll armour, so there are different ways to prepare oneself. I just know that stamina is costly in the swamp, and I don't want to pick more fights that necessary...

edit: yea a mace or hammer is probably wise to bring too

Use the root armour set it's straight up the best since you'll resist the occasional archers, you have passive poison resistance and it provides decent protection without too much slow down and if you're in the swamp chances are you'll see more than enough abominations to max out the suit which also helps you explore plains as early as the bronze age.