What is your opinion on the usefulness of Alteration? : V

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 10:21 am

When and why do you use Alteration spells?

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 1:06 pm

Well, I just like to hit things. So, I use it whenever I can't see what I want to hit.

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 8:56 am

On my mages,

I use it for armor
I prefer detect life/dead over Aura Whisper
I'll use telekinesis to pick things up from hard to reach places and
when I want to be in control of the 'x' fight instead of the opposite, I'll use paralysis.

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 2:47 pm

It used to make you more mobile, what with spells Water Breathing, Water Walking, Slowfall, Feather, etc. but now it's more Mage-oriented protection than anything.
So really, I feel it's only useful for mages/anti-mages and people who can't bother with torches or water breathing potions (though you can't cast spells underwater...).

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 9:13 am

armor for mages.

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 9:19 am

On my mages,

I use it for armor
I prefer detect life/dead over Aura Whisper
I'll use telekinesis to pick things up from hard to reach places and
when I want to be in control of the 'x' fight instead of the opposite, I'll use paralysis.

Hm, I role play a lot in this game.
Do you think Alteration would fit RP wise - well with a Mage that don't call himself a Mage because it's bit more about taking down evil things and use "Holy" powers (get some nice Holy spell blast in Dawnguard) so that is kinda where I'm leaning at.

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 5:46 am

It used to make you more mobile, what with spells Water Breathing, Water Walking, Slowfall, Feather, etc. but now it's more Mage-oriented protection than anything.
So really, I feel it's only useful for mages/anti-mages and people who can't bother with torches or water breathing potions (though you can't cast spells underwater...).

Small tip: Cast flame cloak before entering water and go after the slaughterfish

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 2:06 am

Hm, I role play a lot in this game.
Do you think Alteration would fit RP wise - well with a Mage that don't call himself a Mage because it's bit more about taking down evil things and use "Holy" powers (get some nice Holy spell blast in Dawnguard) so that is kinda where I'm leaning at.

I don't see any reason you should leave alteration out of your skillset. I can't find anything "evil" in that school.

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:19 am

I think that skyrim still has too many magic skills for the meager number of skill archetypes available.

I use alteration for armor now and then, but I don't think it actually makes the game funner.
It's just an extra chore.

Detect life/undead are cool, but they drain a lot of stamina fast, they aren't necessarily worth a hotkey slot, and I don't think being able to know where all my enemies are makes the game funner,

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 2:54 pm

It's been a secondary skill on most of my characters, and now I tend to cherry-pick the same spells - Candlelight, Magelight, Detect Life, Detect Dead and Transmute.

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 9:05 am

Putting this out there; telekinesis should work the way it does in Bioshock

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 12:34 pm

Mostly I'm concerned with staying underwater when your only means is a spell. You can chug a potion, but you can't recast water breathing.

I hate how detect life/death are suddenly sustained spells, but personally I find it useful. At least, I would if I could get it at an earlier level like in the older games.
It helps to know exactly what is around the corner for a Squishy Wizard so they can prepare the appropriate spell. (Gods, I miss the old magic system)

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 9:01 am

Perhaps using Turn Lesser Undead and other spells like that added with Illusion's Fear spells could work as a melee defense mechanism instead of Alteration armor spell?

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 3:30 am

Putting this out there; telekinesis should work the way it does in Bioshock

AI is overrated
+1 to this
moar combat mechanics

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 3:07 am

judging by what ive read in other threads and how armor vs damage reduction works i would say all but the highest lvl mage armor spells are useless, i only use alteration for a light source. 40 - 100 ar isnt [censored] if thats all you got, the only time i use the armor spells is for a quick bolstering of my already established defenses. never rely on mage armor you will die

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 12:31 pm

I like Alteration magic. For many of my magic characters, I invest heavily in Alteration fairly early. Paralysis spell is probably the most powerful spell in the game. I also like the master level spell, Dragonhide. I also find the Magic Resistance perks and Atronach perk to be very useful.

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 4:34 am

judging by what ive read in other threads and how armor vs damage reduction works i would say all but the highest lvl mage armor spells are useless, i only use alteration for a light source. 40 - 100 ar isnt [censored] if thats all you got, the only time i use the armor spells is for a quick bolstering of my already established defenses. never rely on mage armor you will die

I guess I'll keep my mind on Illusion for Fear\Charm defense instead?

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 12:54 pm

I guess I'll keep my mind on Illusion for Fear\Charm defense instead?

if you are going a pure cloth mage then yes, i wouldnt waste the magicka on armor. just my opinion of course

» Tue Mar 19, 2013 3:56 am

My pure mage loves her Alteration spells. And I personally find the sound effects of the flesh spells to be quite powerful.