Started a new character and ran through the thieves guild quests, now ready to do DB but I was hoping to enchant some stuff....Do I really have to join the mages guild to get access?

If you have not been accepted in the University, I don't think you can 'break in' and access the altars. (All my characters enjoy the mages guild, so I have never tried to break in.) I'll be happy to stand corrected if wrong and hopefully another poster can verify this.

Ways to access spellmaking/enchanting altars include:

- Complete the simple quests to enter the University (even simpler if you fast travel).
- Install and upgrade the DLC Wizards Tower.
- Bring up the desired altar menu via the command console (if on PC).
- Mods that provide alternative access to the altars (if on PC).

It is impossible to break into the Arcane University without exploits.

If you are on console, your only solution is The Wizard's Tower DLC.

So am I to assue that no one that has ever faught with the mage's guild was smart enough to have these tools available to them? That's pretty convienent if you in the mages guild. Your enemies are at a significant disadvantage.

Even the enemies of the fighters guild are smart enough to use a weapon so the playing field is somewhat leveled.

I thought mages were supposed to be intelligent...