The way I feel, with their incredibly expensive costs, the current setup has a very wonky scaling per-level...and no scaling at all post-100 skill. I'm all fine with being able to cap off destruction prior to lv20, but the issue I'm having is - even at its peak it's still roughly 1/3rd the damage of even a meh-geared Conjuration archer has. My bound bow has weapon damage of 96 - completely naked! With just 4k gold, I can easily get +60% damage from the basic vendors...That's completely ignoring the power of enchanting.(20% ring, 20% helm, 20% gloves) - You also get double(triple/sixtuple) sneak attack bonuses...etc etc.

Destructions highest damage single target spell is...90? With full perks?

I think it's fair to compare Archery : destruction because they are essentially the same. One uses unlimited arrows, attacks faster, has a good chance to paralyze, and staggers 50%. The other uses a very limited mana bar(or non-existant late game), 100% stagger when doubling mana cost, and..uh..that's it.

I'm fine with archery having more versatility, but I'd like to see Destruction make up for that via damage. I think that the perk for damage should be a little over doubled - 60% per point. I'd *much* rather see it stay as it is and be made a 5(20,40,60,80,100 skill req - 30% per) points, but I'm not sure that's possible yet.

Is this possible atm? And do you think this would bring it in line with its competition - Archery?

i think destruction should get about 1.5 to 2 times the damage at 100 although turning down base damage of spells and giving more upgrades during leveling the skill as it stands when i was level 4 i was able to kill a troll with ease. where as other types were a struggle if not impossible.

i would say destruction should be about 50% less powerful at the start but scale at double the amount as normal so in the end you are double as powerful and half way its about the same

Or add gear modifications that adds to specific magic type. Damage % for destruction, +time for illusion, +Hp/time for conjuring, Heal bonus % for recovery, ect. Then you'd just need to stack those buffs to do equal damage as an archer.

Personally I'd like to be able to make my own magical staffs.

I havent had the chance to try it yet, but
http://www.skyrimnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=382

Looks like it might be a temp solution till the CK comes out. Guy has a beta for staff crafting as well.