When exploring the northern parts of the map, youll notice how the dense forests and rocky outcrops create natural chokepoints that you need to navigate carefully, especially during snowstorms which reduce visibility. The best approach is keeping an eye on guard patrol patterns while using the thick treeline for cover, since enemies tend to stick to established paths and rarely venture deep into the woods. Finding worthwhile loot usually means climbing those steep mountain paths where the snow actually works to your advantage by muffling your footsteps, and the npcs will have a harder time spotting you from their regular posts.

The cities and settlements feel more organic when you time your visits around dawn or dusk, as thats when most traders are either setting up or closing shop which creates natural opportunities for pickpocketing or eavesdropping on important conversations. Watch the guard rotation schedules closely, they change shifts at specific hours and thats your window for accessing restricted areas without raising suspicion. Maybe interesting - the taverns are actually great spots for learning patrol routes since guards often discuss their assignments over drinks during off-hours.

Combat encounters work best when you use the terrain to your advantage, specifically those narrow mountain passes where you can funnel enemies into bottlenecks. The npcs will try to flank you if theres enough space, so positioning yourself near cliff edges or dense vegetation limits their movement options and makes them more predictable.