User blog comment:Sgt. S.S./Are dragons possibly too much of a challenge?/@comment-770363-20120227212740

Okay, here's your problems Sarge: Here's some advice: These tips are good for the whole game actually, but they're all helpful against dragons.
 * Sparks and Iron are both starter tier weapons and spells. Don't use them.
 * You seem to be under the illusion that a very low-level Dragonborn can take a Dragon alone; you can't.
 * Wait until you have steel armor/weapons before you attack a dragon.
 * Make sure you know what kind of dragon you're up against. If you're a Nord, you'll be able to take more damage from Frost dragons, and Dunmer can take more fire damage. Don't engage something if you don't know what it is, or you know it is too high a level.
 * Save if you see the dragon before it sees you. It will allow you to identify the dragon, learn how often it attacks, and test various strategies, as well as giving you more chances to score that sneak attack crit you want.
 * Take terrain into account. Unless you are an expert archer or mage, you'll want to fight the dragon when it's on or near the ground. They are more likely to land if there is a large enough space available.
 * Bring backup. If you can aquire a follower or horse, your chances have just improved. If you can Conjure up anything, do it. Even scrolls of conjure spells are good enough for this purpose, although Conjuring a Familiar will only buy you 10 seconds at most due to it's weak nature.
 * Equip your backup. If you have a follower, look them up on this wiki to find their strengths, and give them any surplus weapons and armor you've found but don't need or otgrown if they might be good with them. Even if you have to use your own gold, it is a good investment. That said, try to improve your equipment if you can. Even giving your buddy a slightly upgraded piece of gear will help, especially if it is one they are known to be good with. If you can't aim, maybe your buddy can.
 * Round out your playstyle. My character is a level 18 Nord specializing in One-Handed, Heavy Armor, and training his Destruction. He also has good level Smithing. Naturally, I use my Ice Spike in my left hand and my Exquisite Skyforge Steel Waraxe in my right, as this gives me balance out to medium range; but as my ranged attacks leave something to desire, I utilize followers who excel in Archery, Destruction, and Conjuration. This gives me excellent flexibility to engage any foe from afar or up close.
 * Progress through the main quest. There are many shouts you can learn and enable for free in the first six or so quests. This means that you can get Fire Breath, Unrelenting Force, Whirlwind Sprint, and Clear Skies for free, without killing any dragons.