Faralda's test not random?

[Aethuviel]

Faralda's test to get into the College of Winterhold is supposed to be random.
But no matter how many times I try, she INSISTS on only the firebolt spell. I am playing an ice mage and refuse to learn another fire spell just for the sake of this test. I would gladly cast healing hands or fear, but she will never offer me anything other than destruction.

[Aethuviel]

Okay, I tried one more thing: Console commanding illusion and restoration to a much higher level than destruction. That made her ask me to do an illusion spell. But then my question stands, it's not random if she actually picks the school I'm most skilled at. While every page I read about it says it's "random".

[Valden21]

If you've met with the Greybeards, you can tell her that you're the Dragonborn. She asks to see a Shout if you use that option.

[Turtleswatter]

Originally posted by Argagax:

Okay, I tried one more thing: Console commanding illusion and restoration to a much higher level than destruction. That made her ask me to do an illusion spell. But then my question stands, it's not random if she actually picks the school I'm most skilled at. While every page I read about it says it's "random".

That's really strange. I've been there myself and she's asked me for a spell in a discipline I've not put perks in and haven't used. Yet with you she seems to be going for your highest skill. Up to now I would have definitely said it was random.

[ralphtobybob]

I've started that a couple of times recently. The first time I was asked to do a magelight spell, the second time was something different. At any rate, the spell she'll sell you is only 30 gold.

[Aethuviel]

I hadn't gone to the Greybeards yet unfortunately, so that was not an option. I ended up (not wanting to cheat in any way) going down to the sea and repeatedly almost drowning myself, levelling up my restoration, as it was the second highest to destruction. She immediately offered me the healing hands spell, and that was that. :|

[Aethuviel]

Originally posted by ralphtobybob:

I've started that a couple of times recently. The first time I was asked to do a magelight spell, the second time was something different. At any rate, the spell she'll sell you is only 30 gold.

Yes, it was not due to stinginess, I just don't want fire spells cluttering up my spells. :p And it's by principle. He's an ice mage, and I'm very selective about all spells on this one, not getting any I won't use.

[John]

Originally posted by Argagax:

Originally posted by ralphtobybob:

I've started that a couple of times recently. The first time I was asked to do a magelight spell, the second time was something different. At any rate, the spell she'll sell you is only 30 gold.

Yes, it was not due to stinginess, I just don't want fire spells cluttering up my spells. :p And it's by principle. He's an ice mage, and I'm very selective about all spells on this one, not getting any I won't use.

An ice mage?, in a game 75% of enemies have 50% base cold resist?, you sure about going that route buddy?

[ralphtobybob]

Originally posted by Argagax:

Originally posted by ralphtobybob:

I've started that a couple of times recently. The first time I was asked to do a magelight spell, the second time was something different. At any rate, the spell she'll sell you is only 30 gold.

Yes, it was not due to stinginess, I just don't want fire spells cluttering up my spells. :p And it's by principle. He's an ice mage, and I'm very selective about all spells on this one, not getting any I won't use.

Well...what answer are you looking for that doesn't involve writing nasty letters to the devs? The NPC's responses are limited. There have been times I'd already learned higher level ward spells than the lesser ward the College gives. It does clutter things, but oh well. I suppose if this traumatizes you severely enough, you could probably favorite them.
You might want to stay away from the role playing monster mod that gives you spells to role play as every available creature in Skyrim.

Look for a mod, or write one.

[Aethuviel]

Originally posted by John:

Originally posted by Argagax:

Yes, it was not due to stinginess, I just don't want fire spells cluttering up my spells. :p And it's by principle. He's an ice mage, and I'm very selective about all spells on this one, not getting any I won't use.

An ice mage?, in a game 75% of enemies have 50% base cold resist?, you sure about going that route buddy?

Yep, he's a Snow elf, it's for roleplay purposes. But he also has block and archery (for getting and using Auriel's shield and bow). It's an unusual build but again, it's for RP purposes and it's no fun always going through the game with the same few "most effective" builds.

[McJiggy]

She always makes me summon a fire atronach

[Turtleswatter]

Originally posted by JamestheFreak:

She always makes me summon a fire atronach

I've never had the same spell twice. Truly random for me. I wonder how it works?

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by Turtleswatter:

Originally posted by JamestheFreak:

She always makes me summon a fire atronach

I've never had the same spell twice. Truly random for me. I wonder how it works?

She always asks me for a spell I don't have...... and I've never gotten her to sell me any spells either, although I do read she's supposed to sell them to you if you haven't got them.....

Which is why I usually just do the option to use a shout for the test.

[Mr. Monday]

Originally posted by Turtleswatter:

Originally posted by JamestheFreak:

She always makes me summon a fire atronach

I've never had the same spell twice. Truly random for me. I wonder how it works?

Same with me.

[Turtleswatter]

Originally posted by alexander_dougherty:

Originally posted by Turtleswatter:

I've never had the same spell twice. Truly random for me. I wonder how it works?

She always asks me for a spell I don't have...... and I've never gotten her to sell me any spells either, although I do read she's supposed to sell them to you if you haven't got them.....

Which is why I usually just do the option to use a shout for the test.

I didn't know you could do that. I've never seen the option.

[alexander_dougherty]

Originally posted by Turtleswatter:

Originally posted by alexander_dougherty:

She always asks me for a spell I don't have...... and I've never gotten her to sell me any spells either, although I do read she's supposed to sell them to you if you haven't got them.....

Which is why I usually just do the option to use a shout for the test.

I didn't know you could do that. I've never seen the option.

Should be an option to ask them if they are interested in the dragonborn, which them sets the test to you shouting at the test target.