First dragon you ever fought, where were you, what level?

[EbonyWarrior]

I'm doing a fresh playthrough after like two years and just got jumped by a dragon near Whiterun at level 12 with basically no perks in Destruction, and it made me curious what everyone else's first dragon encounter was like.

Mine was actually embarrassing. I think I was level 8, wandered way too far north doing some fetch quest, and a dragon landed right in front of me while I was trying to sneak past some bandits. Spent like five minutes running in circles spamming Flames while my follower (I think it was Lydia) just stood there looking confused. I died twice before I realized I could actually use the Thu'um. Barely scraped by with maybe 10 health left.

What about you guys? Was it the scripted one at Helgen or did you stumble into one early? I feel like the game's way less scary on replays because you know what's coming, but that first one hit different.

 

[ScrollsOfTamriel]

Mine was the one at the watchtower just outside Whiterun - I think it's called Bleak Falls or something near there? I was like level 11, had done maybe the first couple main quests, and I genuinely thought I was going to die. I had no idea dragons could just show up randomly in the world. I was used to games where big boss fights are telegraphed, so when this thing landed and started breathing fire I just panicked and ran back toward the nearest guard.

The guards actually helped me kill it, which felt like cheating but I was not complaining. I remember looting the soul and being like "oh, so THIS is what the main quest was building toward." Made the whole Dragonborn thing click for me in a way it hadn't during the opening.

Your point about it being less scary on replays is spot on though. Once you know you can tank a hit or two and that your shout will actually do something, the fear factor completely evaporates. I think part of it is just that first-time you don't realize how tanky the player character actually gets, even at low levels with basic gear.