Skyrim: Mastering Expert And Master Destruction Spells
Hey guys! So, you're diving deep into the magical world of Skyrim and want to unleash some seriously powerful spells? You've come to the right place! You've been stuck with Adept-level spells, and you're itching to get your hands on those Expert and Master spells, especially in the School of Destruction, don't worry; I've got you covered. Let's break down how you can become a true master of magic in Skyrim.
Understanding Spell Levels in Skyrim
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it's essential to understand how spell levels work in Skyrim. Spells are categorized into different levels: Novice, Apprentice, Adept, Expert, and Master. Each level requires a certain skill level in the corresponding school of magic to cast effectively. To even buy and learn Expert and Master spells, you'll need to train your skills. So, before you can sling around firestorms and summon storms of lightning, you will have to know the basics.
Skill Level Requirements
To give you a clearer picture, here’s a breakdown of the skill levels you'll need:
- Novice: Available from the start.
- Apprentice: Requires a skill level of 25 in the respective school of magic.
- Adept: Requires a skill level of 50 in the respective school of magic.
- Expert: Requires a skill level of 75 in the respective school of magic.
- Master: Requires a skill level of 100 in the respective school of magic.
Why Destruction Magic?
Now, why is everyone so hyped about Destruction magic? Well, it's simple: Destruction spells are all about dealing direct damage to your enemies. From hurling fireballs to zapping foes with lightning, Destruction magic is the go-to for those who like to take a more aggressive approach. Plus, who doesn't love watching their enemies get incinerated?
Finding Expert Spells
Okay, let's get down to business. How do you actually get your hands on those Expert spells? It's not as simple as walking into Farengar's room in Dragonsreach and buying them. You'll need to put in a bit of effort.
Level Up Your Skills
The first and most crucial step is to level up your magic skills. For Expert spells, you need a skill level of at least 75 in the school of magic you're interested in. So, if you want to become an Expert Destruction mage, get that Destruction skill up to 75.
Training
One of the easiest ways to level up your skills is through training. Each school of magic has trainers who can help you improve your skills in exchange for gold. Here’s where you can find trainers for each school:
- Destruction: Faralda at the College of Winterhold (Expert Trainer).
- Restoration: Colette Marence at the College of Winterhold (Expert Trainer).
- Illusion: Drevis Neloren at the College of Winterhold (Expert Trainer).
- Conjuration: Phinis Gestor at the College of Winterhold (Expert Trainer).
- Alteration: Tolfdir at the College of Winterhold (Expert Trainer).
These trainers can get you to level 75, which is exactly what you need for Expert spells. After that, you'll need to find other ways to reach level 100 for Master spells.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Another way to level up is by using the spells themselves. Find a safe spot, like an empty room or a secluded area in the wilderness, and just keep casting spells. The more powerful the spell, the more experience you'll gain. For Destruction, casting Firebolt or Lightning Bolt repeatedly can quickly boost your skill. You can also use the Equilibrium spell from the Alteration school to convert health into magicka and then use that magicka to cast more Destruction spells. This is particularly effective because, with the proper magicka regeneration enchants, the process becomes sustainable for extended periods.
Seek Out Spell Tomes
Spell tomes are books that, when read, teach you a new spell. You can find them in various locations throughout Skyrim, such as in dungeons, tombs, and occasionally sold by vendors. Keep an eye out for spell tomes in the school of magic you're focusing on.
Court Wizards and College of Winterhold
Court wizards, like Farengar Secret-Fire in Whiterun, and the mages at the College of Winterhold are your primary sources for spell tomes. However, they won't always have the Expert spells you're looking for right away. You need to reach that skill level of 75 before they start stocking them. So, keep checking back regularly as your skill increases.
Join the College of Winterhold
Speaking of the College of Winterhold, joining this institution is a game-changer for any aspiring mage. Not only do you get access to trainers and a wide variety of spell tomes, but you also get to immerse yourself in a community of like-minded individuals. Plus, the questline is pretty awesome.
College Benefits
At the College, you'll find that characters like Tolfdir (Alteration), Faralda (Destruction), and Phinis Gestor (Conjuration) are not only trainers but also vendors who sell spell tomes. As your skill level increases, they'll start offering Expert-level spells. Also, completing the College's questline grants you access to unique areas and items that can further enhance your magical abilities.
Acquiring Master Spells
So, you've mastered Expert spells. What about those oh-so-powerful Master spells? Getting these spells is a bit more involved, but totally worth it.
Reach Skill Level 100
First things first, you need to get your skill level in the desired school of magic to 100. This can take some time and effort, but it's a necessary step. Use the same methods you used to reach level 75: training, practicing, and using spells frequently. Remember, the Equilibrium trick can be really helpful for grinding those levels.
Complete the Ritual Spell Quests
Once you hit level 100, you need to complete a ritual spell quest for the corresponding school of magic. These quests are offered by the teachers at the College of Winterhold.
Destruction Ritual Spell
For Destruction magic, speak to Faralda at the College of Winterhold. She will give you a quest to find a specific book, Power of the Elements. The book location is randomly generated, so you could be sent to anywhere in Skyrim. Once you find the book, read it and return to Faralda. She'll then ask you to demonstrate your mastery of Destruction magic by casting specific spells into three Wards.
Completing this quest will reward you with access to the Master-level Destruction spells: Fire Storm, Lightning Storm, and Blizzard. These spells are incredibly powerful and can devastate your enemies.
Other Ritual Spells
Each school of magic has its own ritual spell quest. Here's a quick rundown:
- Restoration: Speak to Colette Marence. You'll need to heal several afflicted individuals using specific Restoration spells.
- Illusion: Talk to Drevis Neloren. You'll need to cast Illusion spells in specific locations to manipulate people's perceptions.
- Conjuration: Speak to Phinis Gestor. You'll need to summon and bind a powerful Dremora.
- Alteration: Talk to Tolfdir. You'll need to perform a series of experiments involving magical energies.
Completing these quests will grant you access to the Master-level spells in each school.
Master Spell Tomes
After completing the ritual spell quests, the respective teachers will sell you the Master spell tomes. These spells are expensive, so make sure you have plenty of gold.
Destruction Master Spells
The Master Destruction spells are:
- Fire Storm: Creates a massive explosion of fire around the caster, incinerating everything nearby.
- Lightning Storm: Summons a powerful lightning storm that continuously damages enemies in a wide area.
- Blizzard: Creates a swirling blizzard that slows and damages enemies, while also obscuring their vision.
These spells are incredibly powerful, but they also require a lot of magicka to cast. Make sure you have a high magicka pool and good magicka regeneration to use them effectively.
Tips and Tricks for Mastering Magic
Before you go off and start incinerating everything in sight, here are a few tips and tricks to help you on your journey to magical mastery:
Enchanting
Enchanting is your best friend. Enchanting your gear with Fortify Magicka and Fortify [School of Magic] enchantments can significantly boost your magical abilities. These enchantments reduce the magicka cost of spells and increase your maximum magicka, allowing you to cast more spells for longer.
Perks
Invest perks wisely. Each school of magic has its own perk tree. Focus on perks that reduce magicka cost, increase spell damage, and add other beneficial effects. For Destruction magic, the Impact perk is essential as it staggers enemies, preventing them from attacking.
Potions
Don't forget about potions. Potions of Fortify Magicka and Fortify [School of Magic] can provide temporary boosts to your magical abilities. Use them strategically during tough battles.
Use the Right Gear
Certain items in Skyrim can significantly enhance your magical abilities. The Archmage's Robes, for example, provide a massive boost to magicka, magicka regeneration, and spell cost reduction. Look out for unique items like these as you explore Skyrim.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! That's how you get all the Expert and Master spells in Skyrim, with a special focus on Destruction magic. It takes time, effort, and a bit of gold, but it's totally worth it when you're unleashing devastating spells on your enemies. Happy casting, and may your enemies tremble before your magical might!