I'm starting to create a full mage character. Was wondering what you all think on function key usage. I was thinking 1 for healing potions, 3 for offensive spells, 3 for defensive spells and maybe 1 for some kind of weapon....... BTW, why do they use only 8 function keys when 12 are available?

I use,

1. Bound Sword or an offensive Spell.

2. Main offensive Spell, or a Ranged attack. This is where My Destruction Spell goes

3. Healing. I began with 1 for Melee, 2 for Ranged, 3 for Healing from prior Games.

4. Flesh Spell

5. Cloak Spell

6. Alternate Element for 2, or an Atronach

7. illusion Spell. Usually Muffle.

8. Summonings not on 6.

the Q button on a PC will bring up a list of Favorites, but the Favorites do not need to be assigned to a Hotkey. I keep Transmute, Equilibtium, Heal Other, and Necromantic Healing (Serana needs help sometimes) and I like to have a Novice Spell to use if I am running low on Magicka. Backing slowly away from an opponent while hitting them with a short burst of Flames every second usually will kill most enemies before they kill Our character.

Here's mine:

1) Destruction spell / enchanted weapon / Destruction staff

2) Destruction spell / Frenzy spell

3) Destruction spell

4) Healing spell

5) Calm spell

6) Flesh spell

7) Paralyze / Ash shell / Invisibility

8) Conjuration Spell / Conjuration staff

I also have potions, Detect Life / Undead, and a ward in the favorites menu for quick access. If i do have multiple destruction spells hot-keyed, it's usually a mix of missile (incinerate) and AOE (ice storm) or of different elements. I add/upgrade spells when I get new ones and have the proper perks for them.

I use in order

1. offensive long range spell (s)

2. long range debuff/CC spells

3. Offensive short range spell

4. short range debuff/cc spells

5. buffs

6. summons

1 healing spell

2 and 3 destruction of choice (change constantly)

4 summon

5 mage armor spell

6 either paralyze or muffle

7 illusion spell

8 weapon of choice, either a staff or a sword

How do those spells equip? Is it "hand specific", like when you hotkey the spell, does it follow the hand you have it equipped in?

I'm not being very clear here...

For Example: If you want firebolt in your right hand as 1, do you equip it in your right hand then hotkey it so it is equipped in your right hand when you press the 1 key?

Then, if you want Oakflesh in your left hand as 2, do the same as above, except equipping it in your left hand?

I am really confused about how the hotkeys work as my characters usually go Duel Wield and they just do not work well for that

One Handed Spells equip in the Left Hand First, hitting the same key again equips the Spell in the Right Hand.

When I am getting ready for a fight I double tap 4 to get a Dual Cast Oakflesh, then I double tap 5(if My character has enough Magicka) to get a Destruction Cloak, then I cast a Summon by tapping 6. When I am ready to actually face an opponent I double tap 2, and alternate which hand is firing to smash Wards. When My character has survived or retreated to a safer area I hit three and Heal.