I for one was a little bit worried that we wouldn't be able to, but indeed it's possible. healing in left hand and flame in right hand, pull both triggers and you heal yourself at the same time as you cast fire forward. Shock spell in right hand and flame in left hand and you shoot two beams (not 'united' to one spell, but still cast at the same time). I've yet to find out if casting a non-beam spell with different effect will be possible (for example ice spike and fire blast, which are basically the same spell with different elemental behind it).

Skyrims magic system is great! Absolutely bad@ss to shoot an ice spike through and opponent and have it stick through them as a very think, icy arrow!

Seen many utility spells in action? I've no doubt that magical combat kicks ass, but I'm curious how many utility effects a mage will have in their spellbook.

I haven't really done any research into the magic system more than noting that dual-wielding and combining these different 'hold trigger for constant effect', is possible. The ice spike works much like a bow works for a rogue, it has great range and flies straight. A 'wall' effect can be cast (not sure what spell it is) which will damage anyone who walks through it. The circle of protection (at least a scroll version) heals allies within the circle and makes undead flee if they enter it.

Sounds quite cool, thanks for the info

The ice spike spell, I'm assuming that's the spell shown at the beginning of the latest dev diary video? The animation one released today.

Haven't seen that one, but if it's like a thick ice arrow that sticks to the foe, then yes.

There's a perk that let's you combine 2 spells into one... For example instead of separate streams of flamethrowers, it combines them into one. Not sure if this works on let's say a fire and an ice spell, would be great if it did.

It looked more like ice spikes sticking up from the ground... *goes to watch it again*

It does not work, only the same effect gets combined. However, nothing stops you from casting them at the same time.

Sweet! So was the wall flame/frost/shock, or something else entirely?

Edit: If only I could get sneak attack bonuses on that ice spike.

Bummer. Imagine the possibilities if this could work. Not just for destruction, but other schools as well

Edit :Like Combining a fear and a calming spell would get someone confused or sth...

Something else entirely, as I said I have no idea what spell it was. Might as well have been an alteriation spell from all I know!

@C4G4S: It's possible to cast the spells at the same time though Just not 'combined'. So you can cast a healing spell on yourself while at the very same time casting fire on your opponent.

It is for the other schools I believe. There is a perk in each of the respective magic trees (alteration, destruction, conjuration, etc) that lets you combine spells from that school of magic (alteration + alteration, destruction + destruction) that are of the same form (fire + fire, etc). At least I think that's how it works.

Those are for the same spell, not simply the same school.

Oh... I feel dumb now . I wonder what happens if you cast Raise Zombie with both hands. Would the zombie just be stronger or what?
Edit: Reanimate 2 zombies with 1 body

No idea on the actual impact of dual casting yet, other than bigger spells. Destruction spells that are dual cast can also stagger enemies.

Interesting, I just found out that you can cast a constant blast of fire on the enemy while at the same time swinging with your sword!

Try doing that while blocking with a shield?

Blocking with a shield doesn't work like you think, holding block makes a bash move, so a turtle mage isn't possible. Ofcourse you can still block and use a spell, but not at all in the same way like you probably thought.

oh yeah, forgot you can't hold block anymore... so blocking doesn't interrupt the spell though, you just would have to keep re-blocking.

I'm guessing things like bashing/power attacks do interrupt spells since your character does an animation, right?

Swinging a sword also does an animation, so logically thinking it shouldn't interrupt the spell casting. I need to test this to know for sure though, gimme say 5-6 hours and I'll be home with Skyrim and able to test it. (or pretty much anyone should be able to test it, you have a spell in the very beginning and a shield found very early on so it'd be easy to test it)

I was pleased to find out that I could shoot flames and sparks at the same time.