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Trying an Illusion mage, seeking advice

  • March 30, 2017

    As I said in my topic title, I am trying an Illusion mage (Primary: Illusion magic, but I might throw in some Restoration and Alteration for Wards and Healing.)

    However, I've never tried an Illusion mage before, and I am considering:

    Health / Magicka / Stamina: 1 / 6 / 0

    Illusion: everything

    Restoration: Ward Absorb

    Alteration: Atronach, Mage Armor

    For clothes, I am considering the best Mage Robes she can find, eventually she will wear the Arch-Mage's Robes.

    Are the perks I listed above good perks for an Illusion-only mage?

  • Member
    May 20, 2017

    Hey there,

    I have played an illusion mage/ illusion assassin for a while now and have found that relying on illusion can be fun but in some cases challenging if you don’t invest in the correct supporting perks. Sneak is always a helpful tree to invest into, whether you decide to use it to maximise damage or to just avoid enemies altogether it is definitely something I would recommend to you when using illusion. Also, when illusion is coupled with dagger sneak attacks, you can create an amazingly fun and not to mention powerful character. However, I realise that you wish to create an illusion 'ONLY' mage. My advice to you be to invest into the sneak skill tree, mainly due to the fact that your only line of attach and defence revolves around illusion spells, it would be beneficial to perks in this tree as you will be able to avoid being hit as frequently. I'm not saying use sneak all the time, as that would make you more of an assassin/thief than a mage, although it is definitely something to consider.

    Another idea to consider is becoming a vampire as they get a boost to both sneak and illusion, not to mention with the Dawnguard DLC you can get vampire lord form, this power will grant you an alternative way to kill your foes, as well as  helping you to escape more sticky situations. Another great thing about being a vampire is utilising the necromage perk, in the restoration skill tree, which increases the effect of spell on undead, if you are a vampire this buff applies to you and will increase all enchanted item affects by 25% which is always nice. My final piece of advice is to get quiet casting, from the illusion perk tree, as soon as possible, even if you are not sneaking around it will help reduce the amount you are detected by enemies, allowing you to toy with the minds of others and not have to have to deal with quite as much hand to hand combat.