Destruction magic in Skyrim.... oh dear.

[Smeggs]

To be honest, I'm pretty sure the 0 cost spell enchantment thing is actually what fixes destruction.

Destruction, damage wise, is pretty mediocre at best. It's only redeeming value is Impact, really. Combined with extremely high mana costs, it's just broken. That is, until you can get those costs down to a reasonable amount... like 0.

Anyway when I got Fireball, as much as I wanted to use it, it was still vastly more efficient to just keep using Firebolt because I didn't have the mana pool for it.

Also, summoned weapons are your friend. When I ran out of mana I'd just conjure a sword and hack away lol.

Hear-hear.

I wasn't able to use Fireball effectively until probably about ten hours after I'd bought the damn thing once I was able to buy Expert Robes of Destruction off of someone along with finding a Ring of Major Destruction and that circlet you get from the Dremora in the Labyrinth which lowers cost of all spells by something like 15%.

Then it was Fireballs for Days.

But then of course by that time I was able to buy Incinerate. Now I'm back where I started.

 

[drmigit2]

I never had this problem, I in fact see the game as totally rigged for destruction mages. See, around the time you get the ability to stun people by dual casting firebolt, you can basically own everything because nobody can attack you effectively. I usually had lydia or breylyna around to tank damage for me in bigger rooms but really, I beat almost all the bosses and other characters by spamming firebolt.

 

[spartan231490]

I seem to have levelled myself into a corner with my Destruction mage high-elf.

Basically, the destruction spells mana cost to damage ratio seems completely out of balance. I'm level 30 now and spending half my game running around in circles waiting for mana to recharge just so I can do an attack that is of equal, if not less, power than the infinite melee ones warriors get. (Yes I have Morokei and Archmage Robes)

Now I know half of you have already gotten halfway through typing 'Just use enchanting to break the game' but I don't really want to do that. Surely a primary combat skill should be powerful enough in and of itself to manage the game without using a cheap exploit.

I've spent the last 20 hours getting completely owned by enemies who my Warrior and sneak characters would stomp all over without a care in the world.

So without enchanting/smithing exploits... let's hear some good advice for those who want to focus on Destruction!

And for the love of god if you're going to derp out something like 'You just suck' or 'you're doing it wrong', have the common sense to offer an alternative tactic.

Put more points in magicka. My friend plays a non-focused mage and he can fireball everything into oblivion long before he runs out of magicka. Do you have the proper tier of destruction half mana cost perks?

 

[Two-step]

"I wanted to play a barbarian like Conan, so I refused to smith or wear anything besides plain ragged trousers. But every time I wade into a fight with 7-8 enemies, I keep getting killed! What's wrong?"

You.
It's you that is wrong.

Playing a mage without using enchanting and alchemy is like playing a warrior without armor or smithing.

You are doing this to yourself.

 

[Baneat]

Playing a mage without using enchanting and alchemy is like playing a warrior without armor or smithing.

Absolutely viable.

 

[Grouchy Imp_v1legacy]

Going pure-breed in TES games has always been a little bit dangerous, as you no doubt know. I would suggest linking Destruction with either one-handed weapons for a Battlemage instead of a pure Mage, or perhaps more to your liking is developing the Alchemy skill. That way even though the damage/cost ratio of spells is still an issue your character can create highly effective yet cheap/free magicka potions to ensure a plentiful and constant supply of crispy, crackly death. I'm not even going to suggest the 'reduce cost' perks in the destruction tree as you are clearly still finding the costs restrictive even with them.

Seriously for my play style I would recommend a battlemage, but if your character concept is for a purely cerebral Mage I think the alchemy route would enable both you to remain in-character and provide you with an alternate means of mana regeneration.

I hope this helps fella, I really do, but as I've said levelling yourself into a corner is always a problem in TES games - I always seem to do it with marksmanship classes.

 

[War Penguin]

I usually play as a warrior that dabbles in the other skill categories, but from what I've learned in my battle mage experimentation is that magicka potions are your friends. Also, don't be afraid to have a dagger or something on standby. Hell, all of those necromancers do it, why shouldn't you?

 

[ToastiestZombie]

I actually found Destruction magic to be quite easy in the game. My most powerful spell was Chain Lighting so I don't really know about the more powerful spells. I did get my magicka to like 350 so I guess that may be where me and MOS differ.

 

[MintyNinja]

I can't ever get into playing a Mage. My aim isn't that great and I end up killing companions more than enemies. However, why don't you try using lower level spells and such? Does that Draugr Wight really need a Fireball? Couldn't a Fire Rune and a Firebolt hurt just as much?

 

[Cpu46]

Branch off into Healing and get the perk that causes your magica to regenerate 25% faster (you can do it twice for a total of 50%). I have the archmage robes Morokei and one rank of that healing perk and enough magica to sustain constant flames and healing for nearly a full minute and I never really have had trouble with magic. You just wait 15-30 seconds between fights and it fills right back up to full.

 

[fnartilter]

Yep, I'm playing an all-round mage, and the Archmage robes, Morokei (the mask), and having enchanting has helped immensely in dishing out spells regularly.
If you still want to avoid enchanting, which to me seems very unmagey, then hold onto those destruction items to reduce casting cost.
Stock up on magika potions.
Put your level points into Magika.
Dual cast firebolt/icespear/lightning bolt.

 

[6_Qubed]

Start cooking. No, I'm serious, Elsewhere (forget the fancy spelling) Fondue is a surprisingly good spellcasting aid. Ale, Eidor Cheese Wheel, and Moon Sugar.

Epic Meal Time, bitches. Crack soup. Yummy.

 

[Ridley1987]

I basically made a destruction conjuration restoration caster, followed the Mage missions to completion, as well as the sidequest, and then went on with the main story. I leveled magicka:health in a 3:2 ratio and it works well. Got the Masters Destruction Robes, Morokei, a ring to reduce conjuration and galdur's amulet (haven't found anything better). My mage is around level 30 and gibs most ppl in my path.

I primarily use fire as it gets the most in terms of damage, i use frost and lightning equally at about half or less usage compared to fire. I conjure elementals to tank immediately and a undead for longer usage. The master level thrall spells are quite useful as it basically gives me 4 tanks to hide behind without the hero shouts. 1 elemental 1 undead 1 dog 1 groupie. I generally use ice form as a shout if i run out of magicka i just stand there and recharge while they thaw. Also wards are quite useful against spell casters and dragon breath.

I admit that my two-handed alt is fun and extremely easy to play but, I don't get the satisfaction of blasting people away with a kamehameha lightning storm, or walking into a enemy camp setting up a blizzard and watching them all die before they reach me. I can't say I don't die alot, but I can literally fight toe to toe with the dragon priest and win.

 

[kouriichi]

Raj always been fearful of Destruction magic. No one man should have all that power!

But what i know? Could not throw fireball to save life. Wouldnt to save Wife Mjoll's.

Then again, she would only be scarier as Draugr, so Raj would try at least.


Have friend who is mage though. Nice guy, troll-shit crazy. Thinks all problems should be handled by spinning in circles screaming "THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE" while spewing flames. Wife Mjoll wont let me invite him over since last time. He says "Enchantment good for mage! Should always have gear to lower magic cost! Not the size of fireball, its how many you can fling, and where you can fling them!"

Raj doesnt argue with his logic. Seen what happens to guard when they talk about arrows and knees. Not pretty. Not smell good. Raj runs for cover. Doesnt help.

 

[BlackStar42]

I have gear that reduces my Destruction costs by 80%, my fights consist of casting Paralyse, using Lightning Storm, yelling KAMEHAMEHA and blasting everything to ash.

 

[keve4433]

My game plan for most my mage builds in any game is 80% into magic and the rest into health. Don't worry to much about mana regen, but on reducing the costs of your spells. Stock up on potions and keep them in your favorites menu and always have a familiar/companion with you and you will do just fine.

 

[1-up]

Destruction seems to hit awkward phases as you begin to advance to each "new level" of spells. One thing you'll have to accept is that you can't use your shiny new toy all the time to begin with. You need to level up enough for the perk. My understanding is also that the cost goes down as your magic skill goes up.

Waiting for mana is part of the game. Make sure you have a good physical weapon or a spot to break line of sight. Followers are pretty handy for distractions.

I understand the desire not to break the game via crafting. I feel that way myself. I try to craft "honestly", without exploiting the loops and whatnot. Anybody can see that 2x enchants on gear is a powerful ability, and it should be for being top tier (Many of the other ones are pretty assey). If free bothers you, just knock it down 75% and spread the love around. At 75% (or 80% or whatever it's up to now) reduction I will still run out of mana on tough things like bosses or large groups of folks if I'm spamming my higher level spells like Incinerate, but I feel like I have staying power.

But yeah, you run out of mana fast as a mage, and is sure as heck doesn't feel like it regenerates as quickly as it should.

 

[Dogstile]

"I wanted to play a barbarian like Conan, so I refused to smith or wear anything besides plain ragged trousers. But every time I wade into a fight with 7-8 enemies, I keep getting killed! What's wrong?"

You.
It's you that is wrong.

Playing a mage without using enchanting and alchemy is like playing a warrior without armor or smithing.

You are doing this to yourself.

Bad analogy. I played a warrior without smithing and base armour (as in, i liked the iron stuff so much I didn't change it). I only quit that because I got bored of kicking everythings arse so damn fast.

Then again, switching to stealthy archer didn't help, considering i'm one shotting everything now.

 

[IlikeLolis]

The game can be hard, (like lvl 1 run into a deadra prince with fur armor hard.)

or the game can be fun, (laying multicolored spell traps that explode into a fury of nature and wrath fun.)


Enchanting, or lack thereof, makes the difference between these two with quite ease. It doesn't break the game, if anything the game was already broke (So don't fix it!)

 

[honestdiscussioner]

I haven't tried doing pure magic based, I would normally drain my magic, then switch to melee until I run out of stamina, then back to magic while the stamina recharges. Rinse, repeat.

Are you saying you don't want to use ANY enchantments? That's just not how the game works. I can understand not wanting to enchant to make destruction free, but if you simply increase your magicka regeneration rate enough, you'll still run out but you'll be able to get it back rather quickly. Enough to make it still tactical.

Another suggestion would be to switch up your destruction spells a bit. Start out with cold that slows them down so you don't have them on your ass so quickly, then follow up with flames to deal extra damage. You really shouldn't be focusing on SOLEY destruction magic. That's like focusing soley on block. Add in some alteration and increase your armor, or conjure up a distraction. Don't forget, making potions can be pretty cheap if you know where to find the ingredients.