Skyrim Character Building » Discussions


Character Build: The Vancian Wizard

Tags: #Character Build Elementalist  #Character Build Illusionist  #Character Build Vampire  #Race:Dunmer  #Rank:Legendary 
  • Member
    March 31, 2015

    This is really great and deserves more attention! +1 given I also have a couple of new spells below, if anyone's interested.

    You really managed to get me into playing a mage in Skyrim again - and a very unique one at that. It's simply amazing that you have taken the rather bland system of magic in the game and utilized it to make something so different and engaging. Collecting powers and "earning" or discovering your spells is soooo much more rewarding - especially so since the spells are very powerful.

    Since some of those really powerful spells take quite a while to discover, I created two additional ones specifically for early game use - powerful enough for a Vancian Wizard to bother memorizing, but sooner discovered. These have proven very useful in my playthrough and have kept the game from becoming too tedious while searching for more powerful abilities, which is why I thought to share them here:

    Selis' Fiery Ward: Named after a scroll in Morrowind, this spell creates a defensive barrier of flames that burns foes that approach too close, while defending the caster from magical attacks (and, conveniently, dragon breath). Ancestor's Wrath + Ward spell

    Herald of Worms: Summons a Familiar that used to belong to the legendary King of Worms, Mannimarco. The ghostly wolf howls, calling the nearby dead to rise in defense of the caster. Conjure Familiar + Ritual Stone

  • Member
    March 31, 2015
    Haha yes! I knew someone would eventually throw some new spells my way :) I absolutely love this build myself and have played it twice through now. I like the use of a Ward because it's probably the one tool this wizard needs early on. I admit, collecting dragon souls can be tough but your first spell would help in that aspect alongside the Staff of Fireballs. Your best match up will always be against Frost Dragons unless you happen to get your hands on a Staff of Ice Spikes or something. Make the most of those All-Maker powers. They're easily the best ones in your arsenal and are worth the trip to Solstheim anyday. What level are you now?
  • Member
    April 1, 2015

    Good tips about dragons, much appreciated!

    I'm still only level 7, actually - and just going up High Hrothgar to start the DB questline. I quess I'll go through Miraak's temple and cleanse one or two All-Maker stones to go with, but then I'll definitely have to go hit up the Dawnguard. I'm itching for Mist Form and that stealth bonus - it's very true that you have to learn to choose your fights with this guy.

    It does level very slowly, but that's me; it's hard for me to remember to keep casting Muffle all the time

    I might put up some more spells in the future, too. I've had a thought or two about the Serpent Stone...

  • Member
    April 1, 2015

    You don't need to do Miraak's Temple yet. Just do Dragon Rising (which you have), gain 1 dragon soul, and grab the first word of Bend Will at Saering's Watch and start the cleansing on your own. You can have all the All-Maker powers in no time and they help tremendously. Don't worry about defeating the Lurkers that guard each stone. Grab the power, bolt, and swear vengeance on them later!

    Serpent Stone would be great early on, perhaps better than the Ritual Stone. Of all the powers I think that was the least used because it's so situational. You have to have dead bodies to kill things which rarely happens effectively. Later on, you're able to use Mass Paralysis though which outshines the Serpent Stone.

    Also, you'll have to let me know how the Ahzidal fight goes. I'm always so curious because it was an insanely tough battle. And comment with as many new spells as you want. I may add a link to the build that jumps to your comments for a "Further Spells" section if you come up with enough.

  • Member
    April 1, 2015

    Yeah that's what I said lol. Is there an echo in here

    ...in here

    .....in here

  • Member
    April 1, 2015

    Hellooooooo!

    Hellooo

    helloo

    hell 

  • Member
    April 1, 2015

    Can't see how you can tolerate such dour, serious behavior here on the blog

    can't see how you can tolerate such dour, serious behavior

    can't see how you can tolerate such

    can't see how you

    can't see

    ...yay cathedrals

    Damn, how have I not realized that I can just go and run to Saering's Watch and move from there? Much obliged for all your advice, good sirs!

    Alastor if you like the new spells and if I turn up more after the Easter, you can just as well include them in your build too if you want to, I would be honored if credited. But however you like

    I'll let you now how the Ahzidal fight goes, though it may take me a while to get there. When/if I manage to defeat him, should I let you now here or via PM? Somewhere earlier you were reluctant to talk about those strategies in public

  • Member
    April 2, 2015
    I jus didn't want to share how I defeated Ahzidal because everyone would do it my way lol. Definitely post here, you may help some other poor soul in the future.

    And of course you'll get credit! What I'll do when/if you post more spells, I'll add a hyperlink that takes the reader to your actual comment so they can see it first hand from you :) the little chainlinks sitting next to the "Reply by" phrase of every comment are a hyperlink to your comment and can be copied and pasted for such uses! So handy!

    #themoreyouknow

    #moreyouknow

    #youknow
  • Member
    April 2, 2015

    (for some reason this won't let me reply to your comment so I'll reply here)

    Ooh that's handy for sure! So nice of you too 

    I'll get back to this after easter holidays, when I've had some time for the game - right now I've picked up the Bend Will and set my sights on those stones, at level 9.

    Watch out for those spells. Till then, happy Easter!

    then, happy Easter!

    ,happy Easter!

    Easter!

  • Member
    April 2, 2015
    Wise words indeed, Ben. The biggest problem most players have with Greater Powers are when to use them. With this build, and many Greater Powers, I implore you to not hoard your GPs! Maybe save one or two for the boss like Ben said but they replenish in 24hrs which goes quickly when you fast travel (especially to and from Solstheim). Don't save them, enjoy the overpowered abilities and never look back ;)