Warding is actually quite practical. We had a lengthy discussion over the past month in regards to the use of wards. At level 19 using an Altmer under the The Ritual birthstone, with 32 restoration, and (due to an adept hood and my race attributes) 370 magicka, I've found warding to be quite practical.

In fact, I just finished off a group of bandits where 2 were primarily melee based but the third was a mage.
Jenassa quickly engaged the melee fighters and I branched off to lure their mage away.

Keep in mind I'm playing on Adept so the battle wasn't as lengthy as you may be imagining.

Still, the ability to use steadfast ward combined with the altmer 'Highborn' ability made it very easy to ward in this instance.

I've also been able to ward off dragon thuums and even traps where a single jet of flame couldn't penetrate the lesser ward.

I noticed in our discussion that many people said wards were a waste of magicka. I was able to hold steadfast ward up for about 8 seconds coupled with lighting bolt and easily dispatched the mage attacking me in time to support jenassa with a courage spell and my own destruction magic.

My actual combat setup differs from enemy to enemy but the gist is:

An adept hood(50 points if magicka)
adept robes((100% magicka regeneration)
unenchanted boots and gloves
necklace of magicka(30 points of magicka)
and a ring of health(30 points) [to counter my characters low HP]

With all of these items equiped, my characters overall stats are:

400 magicka, 140 HP, 100 stamina

Often times she wears banded iron armor at the start of a fight to absorb any melee damage inflicted on her. Typically after the first enemy is slain, depending on their level, they are reanimated to protect me while I start my usual routine.

Oakflesh/Stoneflesh/ebonflesh etc -> courage on any applicable followers -> poison added to reserve weapons in the event that my magicka is drained -> and then I engage in combat.

With this ritual I can typically dispatch most enemies. All of it made possible by wards.( in instances where enemy magic is present)

I'd like to add that wards arent practical to use in ever scenario. The same could be said for bows and swords.

Anyway, I hope this thread is insightful for those who doubt the use of wards.

(Also worth noting - Adaara is a skilled Archer and is nearly proficient in the use of one handedweapons. I believe all character builds should never depend solely on one apsect of the combat triangle. Even NPCs draw daggers when their magicka is low)



I just wanted to share this find with the forums. I'll try to post an update on Adaaras progress at level 40.

The one thing in your example is the racial bonus. Try this with a mage "other than" an Altmer

Wards can be useful and good, I agree. However, as a spell set from the beginning, not so much. A mage needs perks, magicka increases, and equipment that makes them more viable. So, for me, wards are at best a mid to end game spell set

It doesn't matter which race or method of attack, most people will support their characters with items/bonuses/perks that are pertinent to their characters affinities. Ive had to take no extraordinary steps to build an efficient ward build.

I understand which races offer the best bonuses for certain skill sets and utilized the knowledge to build the character I wanted. If I were trying to prove that any race can ward than I wouldn't have chosen an Altmer. However, my only concern, at this particular moment, was achieving a successful ward build with minimal time invested and maximum utliziation.

Although now thatve tossed the idea out there, I may start again with an Orc or Redgaurd.

Edit: And by maximum I mean the best items currently at my disposal.