Sorry if this has been discussed and clarified already - I didn't see anything obvious after a quick search.

So I'm not clear on how the effective level of the turn undead spells under the Restoration school of magic works. The info on UESP says dual casting doesn't increase the effective level but surely this is talking about enchantments or something, but not spells?

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Turn_Undead_%28effect%29

Unless you can dual cast and increase the effective level, the listed levels are so low that they are practically useless! The Necromage perk only increases the effective level by 25% but you need a restoration skill of 70 to qualify. That's pretty high unless you grind. My illusionist is only at level 32 or 33 so the undead are already beyond most of the spells; that can't be right. What am I missing?

* Turn Lesser Undead - up to level 6

* Repel Lesser Undead - up to level 8 (really? just a two-level bump?!)

* Turn undead - up to level 13

* Circle of protection - level 20

* Repel undead - level 16 (same level spell as Circle of Protection at Expert, but only effective against weaker undead? huh?)

* Turn Greate undead - level 21 (way more expensive than circle of protection and only gets you *one* more level?)

* Bane of the undead (level 30 and a Master spell!)

* Guardian Circel (level 35 and a Master spell)

Kami12 - I don't have your answer but I'm also interested in knowing this. Restoration is a school I haven't messed much with yet. Gratuitous bump!

You arent missing anything. Turn undead is only useful when many fodder undead are attacking you along with a boss. You can clear out the fodders and focus on the boss giving yourself an easier time. Thats as much use as ive gotten out of it.

The difference between "Turn" and "Repel" is that Turn affects one target, and Repel affects multiple targets in an area...

It depends on whether you want to get rid of one 'bigger' guy or several 'little' guys... but I never know what level their description relates to so... meh!

Necromage increases the levels, so guardian circle affects up to level 43, according to the UESPWiki. But only Circle of protection is boosted with dual-cast, up to level 55 with necromage.

The only undead past level 35 are Draugr Death Overlords and Dragon Priests. It would be stupidly broken if you could use it on the highest level undead.

Oh, and Bane of the Undead gets boosted by the Augmented Flames perks and Ahzidal.

Combined with the Necromage perk the cap should be raised to 64, which means that it affects any kind of undead except Nightmaster Vampires.

Illusion spells are still superior, though.

Hey, thanks all. This was very helpful.

So, to me, it looks like Restoration as a means of handling undead is less than optimal. I think my super-squishy stealthy illusionist can do better by simply achieving 90 in illusion magic and taking the Master of the Mind perk. This applies illusion magic to all undead and automatons. She's currently at 74 or 75 so getting there. Plus, she can improve illusion quickly as it is her primary magic discipline where as restoration levels much more slowly. I'm trying really hard not to grind and only do things that are natural to the PC. Essentially, illusion gets you there with one perk and avoids acquiring a bunch of spells.