Dragons? Nah.

[David Tyrer]

I have activated the main quest and killed my first dragon on the advice given. You are right.

I'm glad to have helped. You shouldn't have to worry too much about being underpowered v Dragons for a while yet (depending on where you're up to) but you'll certainly get more out of the game this way. Enjoy

 

[Cycoon]

Personally, I find dragons to be on par with giants. By using shouts appropriately (Unrelenting Force to topple the giants, and Marked for Death to weaken the dragons), any magic user can defend themselves against either. Conversely, I would think that someone who is well-versed in archery, and who has gathered a few decent shouts, could easily down a dragon (except for those Frost Dragons; I spent two hours trying to kill one of those things yesterday). As for giants, that's where it would get tricky for non-magic users. I would guess keeping your distance and making good use of that stamina would be the only way (including the use of shouts, of course).

 

[Gemini Sierra]

I've discovered in my travels and dealing with dragons that the best offense against these brutes it lightning. Build up your Destruction spells and get the IMPACT perk. Lightning seems to be the best to do damage to all the dragons and with the impact perk will stagger and stop their breath attacks. Wait until they're hovering and ZOT! I will either use dual lightning or lightning and a staff of chainlightning. The down side to the chainlightning is you have to make sure your follower and any friendly NPC's nearby are not close to the dragon as the chainlightning will jump to them too.
As for setting myself up, when I encounter a dragon, I put on a ring, necklace and circlet that all have 15-20% bonus to destruction spells and I drink a potion to fortify destruction as well as resist fire, cold, magic.
Last night I also discovered that Storm Atronach are handy to have as they're casting lightning too. I also have as a follower Aranea Ienith. She uses destructive and confuration magics and likes to summon Flame Atronach's that shoot fire balls/darts.
In any case, That's my normal attack against dragons. Slow sometimes but effective and I almost always survive.

 

[Garrison]

As for giants, that's where it would get tricky for non-magic users. I would guess keeping your distance and making good use of that stamina would be the only way (including the use of shouts, of course).

Many giants/mammoths are near water and/or are camped by a rocky hill. Neither of them climb particularly well, nor will they enter the water... so long as you're out of club's reach, even an underpowered character can slowly defeat these adversaries. They eventually tire and give up trying to reach you, so you may have to bait them to return. Sporting? No. Effective? Oh yes.

 

[Cycoon]

Garrison: Interesting.

@Gemeni Sierra: I've been trying to level my conjouration recently; what level do you need to conjour Storm Atronochs? Because I love lightning spells. A looooot. In fact, I almost always end up using them against dragons, as you suggested. And I often opt for the Flame Atronoch as well, seeing as they can used ranged attacks, and the Frost Atronochs cannot.

 

[Gemini Sierra]

Garrison: Interesting.

@Gemeni Sierra: I've been trying to level my conjouration recently; what level do you need to conjour Storm Atronochs? Because I love lightning spells. A looooot. In fact, I almost always end up using them against dragons, as you suggested. And I often opt for the Flame Atronoch as well, seeing as they can used ranged attacks, and the Frost Atronochs cannot.

You have to be an Expert Conjurer to cast Storm Atronochs. However, I was using them off a scroll that I'd found somewhere and now try to find until I get Conjuration higher.

 

[Eric Badders]

I have been fighting them from the beginning. I'm level 47 and have been getting ancient dragons since the high 30's. The elders and ancients can be a little bit of a challenge but my bow a few potions and a some cover and it's easy peasy. Truthfully, Dragon Priests and Snow bears/Snow Cats are way harder to kill.

 

[Cycoon]

You have to be an Expert Conjurer to cast Storm Atronochs. However, I was using them off a scroll that I'd found somewhere and now try to find until I get Conjuration higher.

Thanks! This helps a lot.