I've just started a new mage character and I don't usually play as one. I'm focusing on Destruction and was wondering which in your opinion is the best destruction magic to go for? Shock, Frost or Flames. Which does more damage, which is good against certain creatures etc...

Also any other pointers on being a mage would be much appreciated.

frost magic. with the right perk you can paralyze enemies with frost attacks.

I know Shock is the most powerful, but I voted for Flames. I like the fire affects best and there's so much tradition/history around fire as a destructive force that I'm just naturally drawn to it first.

Fire is good all around, not so much on Solstheim.

Frost is...decent. laugh at your foes on Solstheim. Somewhat useful in Skyrim but almost everything is resistant to it. Good for slowing those bandits down.

Shock is okay, only one resists it. But it is the most expensive.

I like shock the best, always use shock on magic characters.

Fire is pretty good too, it deals burning damage even after you stop the spell.

They're all good in their own way but I voted frost. Once you get to adept level and aquire ice storm, that with duel cast is a nightmare for those stamina using, heavy armor and two handed bandit chiefs that are running towards you.

There's a ton of threads on mage-playing. do a quick search and you'll get all the answers you need.

There are no bests here. It's more of personal taste. I made a fire mage long ago, I am currently playing a lightning one and I've always wanted to make a frost one. It depends on the character.

Shock. Always go shock.

There are too many nord bad guys in the game eho are resistant to frost so frost is useless or seriously nerfed against them. Fire is good but almost useless in solsteim. Shock, thunderbolt particularly will allow you to basically almost one shot everything with duel casting.

frost, at least for me, as i use it to keep enemies away from me, the real damage comes indirectly from conjuration/ illusion,

a mixture of at least two would be the best route to go though