Follow the simple instructions below, craft a bow that deals roughly 1000 damage, and roam Skyrim like a one-shot god while gaining levels like crazy.

The Grand Plan presents a simple path to maximum power that relies on as little advance knowledge as possible.

1. Welcome to Skyrim. Create your character and escape Helgen.

2. Activate the Warrior Stone.

3. Pick up a Follower.

4. "Acquire" Anise's Cabin.

Your choice of weapons doesn't really matter at this point.

Go on whatever adventures you like. Skyrim (mostly) adapts to your level.

• Find better gear.

• Get better at Archery.

• Sell potions.

• Gather ingredients, ore, hides, and souls.

• Keep an eye out for items to disenchant.

Periodically go home to learn Alchemy, Enchanting, and Smithing.

Grab some good stuff around Whiterun. It's optional, but it helps.

• Grab Transmute Mineral Ore and start transmuting.

• Grab Fiery Soul Trap and put it on your bow.

• Stock up on healing potions and arrows and grab Krosis. (If you do this before Dragon Rising, the dragon won't be there yet--though the dragon isn't the real danger.)

1. Train your Smithing skill until you get the Elven Smithing perk.

2. Gather up 16 Refined Moonstones, 2 Quicksilver Ingots, 5 Iron Ingots, and some Leather.

3. Craft a set of Elven gear (but don't improve it yet.)

   • Elven Bow

   • Elven Gilded Armor

   • Elven Gauntlets

   • Elven Helmet

   • Elven Boots

4. Do a Loop of Power. Save your best soul gems for the apparel of Fortify Archery.

From here on out, your bow is the only weapon you'll need.

Continue the main quest line until some cultists come up to you and start the Dragonborn quest line.

Talk to Gjalund Salt-Sage on the Northern Maiden at the Windhelm docks for passage to Solstheim.

Once you have visited Solstheim, you can fast-travel between Solstheim and Skyrim via the arrows in the corner of the maps. Solstheim is just off the coast, only an hour by boat.

1. Get started on Ahzidal's Relics.

2. Optionally, get Severin Manor.

3. Grab Black Book: The Sallow Regent.

4. Do a Loop of Power.

Now that you're making potions worth thousands of gold, it's time to step up production.

• When your Speech skill hits 50, get the Merchant perk to expedite matters.

• Buy Leather, Leather Strips, Iron, Steel, and Moonstone Ingots, and pre-filled soul gems.

• Get your Alchemy, Enchanting, and Smithing skills to 100.

1. Complete Ahzidal's Relics.

2. Do the ultimate Loop of Power.

3. Craft the Ultimate Gear, enabling Fast Leveling.

4. Give yourself a high five, fist bump, or thumbs up. You earned it!

Do whatever you want. You're ready for anything.