Originally posted by Migz - DH:

As for your concerns, OP, you should defeat the Elder. Once you've done that, pick up some iron, and make a few upgraded pieces. While in the swamp, use bows, imo, until you become more survivable.

Oh gee... I missed he hadn't killed him yet. :) You can't get into the crypts until you've killed the elder, so all those comments are wasted. Well, you really need to get into those crypts to get that iron. :) I think you can get it occasionally from drops outside the crypts, but 99% is inside.

Originally posted by Terratrox:

I feel like I should be stealthing the swamp, but my stealth skills are terrible and they don't help when the draugr come 3 - 5 at a time and kill in 2 hits.

Btw, my comments about being quiet don't mean full on stealth mode. I've hardly used the sta-draining crouched stealth either; it's just more about taking it slow, avoiding fights, killing things if necessary at range before they get close and make a big noisy melee fight, etc.