Managing and switching spells breaks action RPGs. A melee character can quick strike, power strike, lunge and knock back while never changing to another weapon. Much more satisfying and engaging. I believe magic can feel more visceral and dynamic. Here is an example.

Fireball

1. Quick taps let loose mini fire balls

2. Holding the button down charges a fireball (basic fireball->AoE fireball->Exploding AoE fireball) release when desired.

3. quick tap followed by a tap and hold creates cone of fire.

Shift or trigger+fireball key

4. Press once to lay a glyph

5. Hold to create walls of fire along where your target is focused on.

Seven fire spells with the same icon/quick key. Mana cost would very with each spell version and spells would be affected by talents and stats. This can be done with other spells like the summoning spell.

Summon Skeleton

1. Press once for basic skeleton

2. Charge for improve more powerful version

3. Tap and then hold summon multiple weaker versions

Shift or trigger + summon

4. Lay a glyph that when triggers summons a skeleton on spot.

5. Hold to create a more powerful skeleton glyph

This would make play control of mage classes so much more enjoyable. With six hot keys you could have 30 some odd spells at your figure tips.

Interesting, i think this is a good idea.

We already know that it doesnt work like this, its interesting... but wishful thinking.

I like your idea very much but what i dont understand is how in all the videos ive seen they made the destruction staff do this.

In all Elder scrolls games ive played ive have never used a destruction staff i think it is point less to have one. I mean if your a mage why would you use a staff that shots destruction spells when you can learn these spells from a book????

I like your ideas, a lot. Good ideas.

Combat is not like Skyrim. In this game all weapons have a quick strike, powerstrike, and block, including the saves. Spells are activated by hotkeys. So while this idea is nice, it is not needed at all.