Forum: gaming.stackexchange.com
Tags: <the-elder-scrolls-5-skyrim>
Title: Are thieves at a disadvantage when it comes to dragon fights?
Question: Fighting a dragon, at least in the videos, looks to be combat focused (as it should be) so armor, weapon skill, and magic skill all aid in killing a dragon.  My question is, would a thief-type character (or a non-destruction mage) still be able to kill a dragon?

Answers:
sents: text: I'm a Thief with a bow...
text: Archer Thief.
text: I have no real issues, just have to have good cover nearby!
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/6036/Barrie Reader
score: 16
sents: text: Earlier on you'll have to be a total wimp and kite the dragon around, plinking at it from cover with your bow.
text: Be sure to keep lots of ammo.
text: Later on, I'm currently level 25 and I've assassinated a couple of slumbering dragons with one well placed backstab(with a dagger, of course).
text: Just make sure your Sneak and 1-hander skill is solid if you wanna try that though.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/14523/PartVI
score: 5
sents: text: There is a Thu'um that pulls dragons out of the air.
text: Get that.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/14828/Michael
score: 4
sents: text: If you are a dagger type thief, just let the dragon fly away, then move to his direction.
text: Usually he will be standing on a dragon wall, so just sneak behind him and attack him...
text: This can grant you a one hit kill sometimes if you have the Assassin's Blade perk, a good dagger and the Dark Brotherhood gloves...
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/17199/Dovahkiin
score: 1
sents: text: Conjure a flame atronarch and let her fireball it while you safely barrage the dragon with poisoned arrows and use potion to boost your archery damage.
text: Invisible spell is truly handy if you're alone.
text: Be patient.
text: Keep attacking, stay alive and you'll eventually own it.
text: I'm an assassin/thief, using sneak style archery and one handed for quick and powerful battling.
text: I'm a Khajit.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/24420/Daniel
score: 1
sents: text: You can get one hit kills as an assassin if you leave your left hand empty and have a good dagger in the right hand, as well as the shadow warrior perk.
text: (need the assassins blade perk too, duh!)
text: Walk up to the landed dragon, when you are close, go to stealth and immediately stab.
text: You will at least get the 15x or 30x (if you have the shrouded gloves) and often go into a mini-sequence of brutally stabbing it in the head.
text: If you just get the 15x damage, unstealth, restealth and stab immediately again.
text: usually by the 3rd shot you will be on the dragons back stabbing it in the brain.
text: Oh, and if you do this at the right time when a bear is attacking you, I have seen an animation where you thrust your arm down its throat and the twist your arm for an instant kill.
text: Funny to do on slaughterfish hehe, all this crazy animation and what not for just killing a fish :)
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/31441/Joshua
score: 1
sents: text: If you're a thief I would imagine sneaking is your best bet.
text: Dual wielding and bows would be a close second.
text: Use your strengths, alchemy will be your friend.
text: Poisons will definitely tip the fight in your favor.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/16027/JagenXI
score: 0

Summary of the answers:
Sneaking or dual wielding and bows would be your best bet. Try leaving your left hand empty and have a gold dagger in your right.
There seems to be disadvantages in the early levels, which can be overcome later using certain skills.