Is destruction magic useless?

[Immersed Killer]

I have played Skyrim since release, between Xbox editions, to now PC. I only recently got the anniversary edition on steam, i have gone straight for a battle mage only to use destruction and some conjuration.

I really feel that magic has been completely nerfed (which is a massive shame if it has been as ive never fully played as a mage) as it takes me nearly 8/10 minutes to kill a troll with chain-lightning and/or lightning bolt, I usually play on Master or Legendary, but currently having to play on adept (and im still considering turning it down further) as I feel like a child shooting a nerf gun in the middle of a warzone.

I really wanted to play unmodded so i can get the full "anniversary edition" experience, would my best bet be to get mods ? Will i also still get achievements ? thank you for any help, again, its a massive shame magic has to be so weak when you want to use to use destruction.

[Duneman]

If you're using vanilla spells you absolutely want to utilize Fortify Destruction potions. Nightshade and Glowing Mushroom will produce that effect, and can be grown anywhere with a garden.

Now that you have the Anniversary Edition you want to look for the Elemental series. These are tri-element attacks that scale with all 3 Augmented element perks. It is a spell line tuned for use on Master/Legendary difficulty.

Speaking of Anniversary Edition, you now have access to Goldenhills Plantation. This farm can support over 40 garden plots, and passively generates samples of what you plant in a cupboard in the main building. It also generates passive income based on the value of what you plant. Lastly, it has an alchemy station on site, so you can make hundreds of Fortify Destruction potions as needed. Heck, you can just use the side garden for those and put money crops in the main field and that is fine as well.

[CalhounMKZ]

Part of your problem is you are using lightning against trolls. They have a rather strong regeneration effect that you need to use fire to stop.

Overall destruction is still useful. I'm currently in a mage only run on adept, and the only things that have taken more than 3 or 4 hits from the adept level spells are Elder Dragons and the boss of the Saints and Seducers CC content.
Only thing I can see with using destruction on the higher difficulties is that you will be required to run with as much magika regeneration and spell cost reduction as possible in your enchantments to deal with the sponge effect of increased hp on enemies.

[Immersed Killer]

yes, that is true about trolls i know this. But I just dont remember it taking that long even so

[John]

You have to look at it this way. Are you using one handed as just one handed? No you use a shield to block, armor to absorb damage, smithing to upgrade everything, etc etc.

For a mage you need to use more than just destruction. Use spells they are weak to, use conjuration for extra damage, etc etc. It's potent, far more potent than people realize.

[Immersed Killer]

Originally posted by Duneman:

If you're using vanilla spells you absolutely want to utilize Fortify Destruction potions. Nightshade and Glowing Mushroom will produce that effect, and can be grown anywhere with a garden.

Now that you have the Anniversary Edition you want to look for the Elemental series. These are tri-element attacks that scale with all 3 Augmented element perks. It is a spell line tuned for use on Master/Legendary difficulty.

Speaking of Anniversary Edition, you now have access to Goldenhills Plantation. This farm can support over 40 garden plots, and passively generates samples of what you plant in a cupboard in the main building. It also generates passive income based on the value of what you plant. Lastly, it has an alchemy station on site, so you can make hundreds of Fortify Destruction potions as needed. Heck, you can just use the side garden for those and put money crops in the main field and that is fine as well.

I did notice the multi-elements spells, i will for sure have to look into this. I also have high alchemy as i used it to up my level a bit when i need too. thank you for the advice.

i really have not realised how much content they added to the game, i did no research on this edition at all.

[Immersed Killer]

Originally posted by John:

You have to look at it this way. Are you using one handed as just one handed? No you use a shield to block, armor to absorb damage, smithing to upgrade everything, etc etc.

For a mage you need to use more than just destruction. Use spells they are weak to, use conjuration for extra damage, etc etc. It's potent, far more potent than people realize.

I promise you i have a staff for frost atronacht, undying ghost spell and a flame atronacht staff, i use mainly electric spells and i use heavy armour which i have levelled, on master and legendary, runes are the only way for me to deal any sort of damage, magic is WACK for me for some reason, there are new spells ive been suggested to try.

[Perplex]

It is OP as hell when you get impact.

[FauxFurry]

Not at all. It just is not very good even with the Impact perk at high levels without the new spells added by Arcane Accessories. With the mixed elemental spells, it is more effective than the strongest melee weaponry.

[Halliwax]

On legendary difficulty, I find the flames spell is actually the best way to do damage for the first hour or two of the game. That's it. After that I will have the rare utility use of destruction magic (to set off a trap rune or flame cloak to swim in survival mode, that sort of thing) but as a means of dealing damage it just isn't competitive.

[Kalypso]

Magic is fine. If you don't focus it, you will have a tough time but that's true for every combat skill in the game. Make sure you are grabbing the new college robe and the new destruction and alteration spells for your level and you are actually overpowered. My current run is a magic build. i am killing everything without really any trouble. Harkon was an absolute joke. i didn't even drain half of my magika to kill him.

[hexnessie]

Don't forget that Destruction level/perks also affects any weapon enchanted with a destructive magic event (burning, cold, shock etc.)

So you can basically go full Destruction and use it "on touch" style by enchanting a dagger with several magic damage types. They will benefit from the perks you've invested in Destruction tree, and you can get 2 effects at once, per hit.

[Vlad 254]

With a few mods you can magically change that.

And with the right mods the game will still be a challenge and you'll grind your way up the ladder, but it will feel right as you go. And the reward will be worth it.

I don't find magic that bad and I've played a lot of vanilla. But with a few good mods that change magic, the perk system - things like that - without going overkill, the magic seems to be just right. Have to be careful though or it will be too powerful. For me that's no fun. Yep the right mods.

[Heimdall313]

No, it at least is capable of killing things. Alteration magic, that is outright useless. Even more useless than Mysticism in Oblivion and I don't make that claim lightly.

Originally posted by hexnessie:

Don't forget that Destruction level/perks also affects any weapon enchanted with a destructive magic event (burning, cold, shock etc.)

So you can basically go full Destruction and use it "on touch" style by enchanting a dagger with several magic damage types. They will benefit from the perks you've invested in Destruction tree, and you can get 2 effects at once, per hit.

Just two effects? Stalhrim weapon with Chaos damage + another element of choice is outright stupid even though it dice rolls and can literally inflict 3 different elements simultaneously. Add Chaos + Fiery Soul Trap and you have up to 4 effects lol

[seal cub clubbing club]

secret of arcana+incinirate, only 2 things gave me trouble on legendairy: the ebony warrior and karstaag

[Immersed Killer]

ive been using the new destruction spells and playing on master, it seems to be ok about there currently, legendary is still hella bad