I finished the main quest as an archer/fighter and reached level 62. I'd like to take a shot at being primarily a magic user. I was hoping for some tips. For instance, how accurate does a destruction spell have to be to take affect? As accurate as an arrow or does being close do damage. Is it best to focus primarily on one or two schools of magic or should all schools be developed as evenly as possible? Also, any tips for what to do if you get into a close range battle? My archer could fight pretty well. Will magic users do well close range? I suspect not. Is it worth wearing armor or should magic users stick with the enchanted robes they come across? When battling do you tend to change robes as you change spells or kind of primarily stick with one robe? Any other tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

There are spells that have to hit to take effect and there are AoE spells. Focus on maybe two schools, but branch into all magic schools. They're all useful. Do not wear armor, just use robes with good enchantments. For close combat, you could have a summon or follower to take the aggro while you stand back and pelt them with spells. I tend to primarily stick to one robe.

When I play a mage, as I very often do, I wear cloth, I put all or pretty much all level ups into magicka. I have no weapons. No swords, no daggers, no nothing. I do use staves as a backup should my magicka pool run dry. I usually start off a destruction-conjuration mage and end up a conjurer-illusionist. For most battles, I always have my frost atronach ready (until I can buy the dremora lord spell) and a destruction spell in the other hand.

Alteration is a very good tree to perk into. You have spell absorb and mage armor (mage armor doubles and triples the effect of the *flesh spells)

Well there's destruction ranged spells and none ranged spells, like flames or frostbite, unfortunately since magic in Skyrim svcks, spells like flames, the ones that can be casted as long as you're holding down the button are too weak. so you'll have to use firebolts or fireball on higher levels. i personally dont use armor, spells like ironflesh or ebonyflesh will do the trick, and with the right perks those spells can raise your armor rating by a lot. and make sure to have both flame spells and frost spells, and use them at the right timing, for example if you're fighting a nord its better to use a flame or shock spell on him because nords are almost immune to frost. same thing with the other races. another example is the dark elves, they also have resistance to fire.

Thats it for destruction i think. but make use of other schools though, they can be helpful. relying on destruction alone will get boring and eventually make you weaker.

Distance is your friend. If you're going to do magic, your best bet is to level magicka as much as you can. Focus on whatever schools you like best. Try them all out and then decide. If someone gets close, do a 180 and get distance. Uforce and whirlwind cloak is also good for distance. Don't spam the shotgun (dual casting + impact) if you use destruction. You will run out of magicka fast. Use it only if enemies get close. I recommend getting dual casting perk when you get destruction to 60. That should give you enough time learn how destruction works, how much magicka it consumes. Armor? Your choice. I prefer flesh spells and the look of robes. Also my preference is that mages are more fun in groups. Get a mage follower and enjoy the fireworks in every fight.

Playing as a mage is somewhat hard at the beginning. Here are some links to help you. I always play as a sorceress / mage so if you need more help let me know in a pm.

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1481463-never-actually-made-a-mage/

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1483118-tips-for-playing-as-a-mage-noob-to-tes-and-skyrim/page-2

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1483118-tips-for-playing-as-a-mage-noob-to-tes-and-skyrim/

I have also included a link for alchemy

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1476782-alchemy-tips/

As a mage, I never put points into health. They are not needed. All my points go into magicka. I take

Start at the college after you get through with the beginning, to get some decent starting gear (at the college). You will also get a room that you can sleep in and store stuff in. Stay with the mage stone. Go slow and save alot and you will be fine.

As far as clothing,

Enjoy the new experience and power of being a mage. Hope this helps

Actually as a mage, health points are somewhat needed.

All though I take more points in Magicka. I make sure ever other odd numbered level, I take points in Stamina and Health. Because if there is an enemy with a giant greatsword, I don't care how much magicka I have, he is going to kill you if you cannot run away or if you don't have enough resilence against it.

Most of my mages become damage sponges due to this. I can easily best someone with a sword, by adding a lot of resilence to my character.

A more important tip is to Use Your Environment.

Maybe its why I level up so slow. But if there is a Deathlord Scourge Draugr coming at me, I'm not going to stand around shooting spells at him. I run past and use the trap.

Remember Flames will set things on fire, not just oil. So if you have to run from a sword swinger coming close, shoot some flames down and he'll walk into them.

I do not put points into health. Never had and never will. I never run anywhere, but always walk and go slow, and 9 times out of 10 I see the enemy before they see me. I have helpers in conjuration, and have no problems staying alive. I do not wear armor, but cloth robes that I enchant myself.

The thing about being a mage, and sneaking, is that you usually get the first shot in. I can blow that 2-handed warrior to bits before he gets to me. I also never use alteration, for I do not like it. By the time I remember to use one of those spells, the enemy is dead.

When I get into a jam, a good dual casted flame cloak spell takes care of a lot and is a great help in battle.

It's how I have always made my mages in any game ridiculously tanky.

I also enchant myself. However, Enesia is simply a destruction restoration mage. He uses no other school of magic. So, I dabble in Health for my non pure mages not using all the schools.

I stop after a while. Like lvl 11 is probably where I'm going to end it and extend his health with awesome rings of awesome.