What are good examples of when to use Flame? Firebolt? And Fire Rune?

Someone told me to only use Firebolt in tight spots. Because in open spaces I have a bigger chance of missing the enemy that is running and/or moving side to side.

1 Flame - AoE vs multiple targets
2 Firebolt - Burst vs single target, or whenever max range sniping is needed
3 Fire Rune - burst when combined with either 1 or 2

Runes are good for setting positions and traps. Try tossing a rune in front of you before you start shooting arrows for example. Runemaster lets you use runes offensively, then you can just aim under anything you are fighting.

Anyone else? Would like more opinions/feedback please.

i dont use runes tbh... flames is great when shot in short bursts, firebolt with the impact perk is my long range snipe and standart attack in fights, fireball is for groups, especially double-cast, but make sure you have impact, augmented flames 2/2 and Aspect of Terror in the Illusion tree (boosts also fire damage)

I only used Fire Runs a couple of times, honestly Fireball makes it a bit obsolete if you've got the magicka.

Fire bolt is handy for when you don't want to kill your follower... Poor burning Lydia...

This.
And Lightning Bolt is faster, so you may want to use that one against moving targets that are a bit far away.
Fire Runes you can place best when not in combat to "mine" a possible escape route if things get hairy.

One additional point - you want to try to somehow get the enemies on fire with a "cheap" fire spell, if you can, before using a more expensive fire spell - fire spells seem to do, I dunno 50%, more damage against enemies already on fire. My mage character is high enough level this isn't as big a deal any more, but at lower levels, when I didn't have as much cost reduction equipment, 2 or 3 firebolts could wipe out my magicka. So, I'd summon a flame atro, let her set my enemies on fire with her firebolt, then try to hit them with my firebolt right after she hit them. Or use a single-cast firebolt to set them on fire, the dual-cast while they're are still aflame.

You'll reach a point where it doesn't make a lot of sense to use the novice spells anymore, because they do far too little damage to enemies that can shrug it off. At that point, you pretty much have to use the higher-level spells (but, by then, hopefully you also have good equipment that is reducing your casting cost and increasing your regen, so it's not as big a deal; at that point, if an enemy is hard to hit, try to use the fireball instead of firebolt (the AoE means you only have to "almost" hit them).

If I am in a pretty open spot and have a good group of enemy NPCs I like to run away and cast runes at my feet.... as they chase me they run over them and boom. Also - given it's an exploit - but if you cast a rune at the base of a gate it will cast half on the other side of the gate - always fun to taunt Skeletons towards that trap :shocking:

I very much appreciate everyones input on my question. But I would like MORE input. Just so I can keep learning. EVERYONE does have their own way of using these spells. It would be interesting to learn of a new AND creative way.

Anyone else?

Really?! No one?

Before you run into one of these big areas place a dualcasted firerune at the doorway. Then begin blasting the enemies inside this room with firebolt when you feel you're in trouble run out of the room leading them straight into your rune.
I also recommend the other schools of magic. Restoration is good for healing and repeling undead. Alteration helps you buff your armor with a shield. Illusion can cause enemies to fight each other or flee. And conjuration provides you with atronarchs to fight by your side. All worthy tactics.

Firebolt is more magicka efficiency against a single target and has longer range. Given how mages tend to be weakest at close quarters then you should really be using firebolt more then flames as flames is only a short/medium range spell. Runes are great from the point of view that you can set them up before a battle even begins and regenerate the magicka. Frost Rune maybe more helpful then Fire or Lightning as the things more likely to run at you are straight up fighters where the slow down effect and stamina drain can help a bit.

Did you really need another person to point that out?

-Flames is just a filler before you get bolts, and then it becomes completely useless and not good for any situation unless you are extremely low on magicka.

-Runes are good to place before a fight begins, regen magicka, then pull mobs. Past level 25-30(depends on difficulty) they are good for nothing, as their damage is really bad and you're better off not even wasting time with them.

-Firebolt is good in most situations due to low magicka and staggerlock until you get high enough magicka/+Destro to replace it completely with fireball/incinerate.


You can probably bet on just spamming fireball/incinerate for most of your play hours due to the 3 spells you mentioned not scaling.

Much appreciated! Thanks to everyone for helping!