Spellcrafting is one of those things I’ve never really dived very deep into. Sure, I’ve used the service for some things, but usually just to make cheap practice spells I can use to increase skill level in the various schools. I’m curious to hear about some of you all’s favorite uses of Spellcrafting and some of your favorite spell creations!

The one I made and used most often was called "Bamboozle" = a short-duration, maximum strength Charm spell for all those occasions where you need to persuade someone, and the min-game won't go far enough. The spell only needs to last long enough to start the conversation.

My other one I really liked can't be made except with the Construction Set. In my mod, you needed to overcome an NPC's agoraphobia with a combo Charm and Shield spell, and the Charm effect freezes the target in standard spells, so you couldn't lead them outside. Which was a plus in the mod, because players couldn't bypass the steps by making their own.

I quite liked a little utility spell to light up dark places. A ranged spell with a very weak long lasting frost enchantment. When cast, it will stick to dungeon walls, floors, ceilings, etc and provide a nice light source.

This is one Lothran made his own version of. It even gives off a nice sound effect


But whoooo boy, have I got some spells for ya.

One combines all Element protection which has the bonus of adding to the overall Shielding. Not used very often but it's there if need be.

One is called Basic Protection and combines Restore Health (3pts) and Shield (5%) for 120 secs respectively. Seems like not much but if applied before a fight you get continuous health restoration and additional shielding and it's actually quite nifty while being very low on Magicka.

One that Lothran uses often in Plundered Mine and Capstone Cave combines Summon Shield, Restore Health and Fortify Willpower. Another one combines Shield, Summon Shield and Summon Spriggan.

He also has a very effective crowd control spell (Touch) which he uses when he's surrounded by for example lots of goblins.


There are many more but apart from Elemental Protection these are the most frequently used spells in Lothrans arsenal.

I must admit, Lena always went for destruction spells. Her big favourite is an updated version of "Baronoff's Bloody Icicle" (30pt frost damage on target) - she added paralysis to it and made it on touch, to allow for a greater impact. Once they are on the ground frozen, she just hacks them in pieces.

She does have protection spells, but... it seems like cheating... after all, a Silencer should be skilled enough not to get hit... But she uses invisibility to escape if (when) things get dire, and of course, plenty of summons to distract foes. She uses poisons and potions a lot, her alchemy being better than her magic. In the past she also used to like enchanted weapons and developed some very nifty enchantments, but the necessity to recharge those all the time in the end became tedious, and she now mostly uses standard weapons, investing in her agility and blade and marksmanship skills instead.

Oh, and she's got a friend to follow her around... And he's a proper battlemage and normally draws the heat, leaving her free to shoot from the shadows. To be fair, sometimes he doesn't even get a chance to take up his claymore, because he too starts with summons, of course. (And yes, I did give him a good selection of spells so he could decide for himself what to do. He is very clever!)

Eh, Idk. I guess all spells can be considered cheating, but I get what you mean. It's like in Deus Ex when you fail to sneak up on enemies and have to resort to blunt force. It feels cheap


Lothran's protection spells are a great help since he doesn't sneak anymore but rather draw the attention of as many goblins as he can so he can get the most use out of his crowd control spell. It's quite fun to watch them all fall down simultaneously, almost like toy soldiers, hrrm... .....

Step by step, heart to heart
Left, right, left, we all fall down
Like toy soldiers

I read the other day that if you have 100% spell absorption you can make a spell that includes telekinesis and the spell will basically cast for no magicka cost with the return you get from the telekinesis spell being absorbed. Has anyone done this before?

That sounds


And no; haven't done it. Sounds like it wouldn't work like that tbh, but who knows

From the UESP:

Your own Telekinesis spells are affected by any active Spell Absorption effects. Therefore, your chances of successfully casting a Telekinesis spell are reduced (or impossible at 100 pt Spell Absorption). If unsuccessful, you absorb magicka equivalent to the base cost of the spell (which can be exploited to increase your magicka, see following tips).

And:

It can be used in custom spells to negate their magicka cost. At 100 Mysticism and 100% Absorption you can add 25% on top of the spell's magicka cost as Telekinesis to make the spell "free" to cast. However, when used in custom spells the Telekinesis effect is always cast first - when casting the spell it will regenerate 125% of the spell cost, consume 25% for the telekinesis, as per the above point, and consume the remaining 100% of the spell cost. So the spell will be "free" only if you're already missing these 125% from your magicka pool. Meaning, for the spell to be "free" this way, you need to be able to cast it twice - the 125% costs needs to be no more than half of your maximum magicka.

Numbers to the left, brain work to the right.



This is too much for M'aiq