Magic range in skyrim

[standardtrickyness]

How do you determin how far your magic can travel in skyrim? How far of any weapon? Is there any point in trying to shoot or cast on dragons in the air?
Also does equiping a shield hinder casting of spells?

[llammahed]

There are area of effect, projectile, and range spells to cast. Assuming you haven't gotten far enough into the game to become equipped with a skill that allows you to mele a flying dragon, I won't take a chance for spoilers. You'll be able to do ranged spells on a dragon eventually. In the meantime, you'll have to wait until it lands or use projectile magic to shoot it from land to air.

I don't know how to determine the range of s spell other than testing it on a dummy in town. Ranged spells look to be about 5 meters distance while projectiles are basically the same as an arrow. That's an assumption.

EDIT: By ranged, I'm referring to the short range concentration spells like Flame and Spark; where a stream of whatever casts but is something like 15ft in front of you. Projectile spells refer to the Fireball or Ice Spike that are Cast for X mana per cast.

[Docsprock]

Ranged spells and weapons can certainly shoot flying dragons. My best guess, would be about as far as your draw distance.

[Zenarkenstin]

You have to take travel time into effect, but I believe all Vanilla spells (other than touch) shoot far enough for any reasonable situation.

For really moving targets, I suggest Lightning spells, as they travel and deal damage instantly. Fire and Frost spells have to travel the distance first

[Siñor Stripper~Pole]

Originally posted by Docsprock:

Ranged spells and weapons can certainly shoot flying dragons. My best guess, would be about as far as your draw distance.

This, in my experience. Its darned hard though. You have to lead the target quite a bit and as we all know, Dragons are wonkey in their flight patterns. Its possible at the edge of draw distance but extremly unlikely. There are some amazing vids on youtube of missed bow shots that fly through the air and hit goats or rabbits SOO far away you probably could not see em xD

[Belanos]

If you can see your enemy then you're in range.

[lupus_hegemonia]

I don't know (author) exactly what you mean, but during ground-to-air combat with dragons, my companions (Serana-Recorder-Sofia) are shooting with magic (wands & spells) and the magic "travels" really high and far to hit the dragon...

[DALCOhstangultion]

I'm not a magic user. The only magic I use is the Soul Trap for filling Soul Gems. I've got the same issue. I really don't have any idea whether or not the spell is reaching the target. Usually, it seems I have to be within spitting distance for it to work.

[Ceejay]

Originally posted by DaveLessnau:

I'm not a magic user. The only magic I use is the Soul Trap for filling Soul Gems. I've got the same issue. I really don't have any idea whether or not the spell is reaching the target. Usually, it seems I have to be within spitting distance for it to work.

It depends on the spell, I am pretty certain soul trap is not a long range spell. It has same range as flames/sparks about 15ft.

[Red Bat]

Depends on the spell. Most of them can hit flying dragons just fine if you can lead your spell well enough. However given magicka is much more limited than arrows until you get some crazy enchants, I usually wait until my enemies get closer unless I'm using something like Lightning Bolt.