You pick elf, a frail and very weak race that's going to constantly need protections.
You power up to hero and just assume all things will be 100%? I seen a log where you cranial someone, and you improved on it to 86%. Do you know how long it should've taken you to master weapons, and cranial once you learned it? Take a paladin, learn all the weapons. Wouldn't take any time at all. Use the venoms from the woman south of galadon, as they do not disappear when you die.
#1 tip would've been to learn daggers instead of spear. I don't like the idea of losing dual wield as an elf. The idea of making them bleed, and dropping their iron weapons appeals more to me.
#2 Stop throwing your life away all the time. We all know the swing that goes on. That's why I lost the urge to roll fortress.
#3 If you can't handle any of that, roll a storm giant sword spec. Stop using pole arms with all your giants. Polearms aren't that good. Swords are probably the best spec in the game. Not really a probably.