I understand the general consensus is that magic leaves a lot to be desired. Though powerful in the right hands, it lacks true crafting, spell, staff or otherwise. So if you could add anything to the world of magicka, what would it be?

Spell crafting because.....it was useful? Yes.... yes it sure was.

Spell combinations, as seen in Gamejam.

I haven't gotten to deep into Skyrim's magic since I've been to busy with other characters to create a full mage, but I have dabbled in conjuration a little bit. I really like summoning and having thralls. So if I could add something, it would be the ability to summon different creatures. For example, Oblivion showed us there are plenty of different Daedra but we can only summon Atronachs. I would also like a spell that lets you conjure a Dremore Lord permanently instead of summoning one for only 60 seconds at a time.

Massively overpowered spells that can clear out a dungeon in one, amazing blast.

Spell crafting for sure. In Oblivion, I had spells that could destroy all and were very powerful. Skyrims destruction spells are very nerfed, and spell creation can fix that.

Destruction based crowd control would be kind of cool. Basically make destruction more viable on its own without enchanting/illusion/conjuration in conjunction

Destruction damage would scale, master level spells wouldn't svck so much, and there would be more variety. Can't do much else that I want without throwing out the existing magic system entirely.

A wider variety of spells, rather than

Novice- weak healing spell
Apprentice- stronger healing spell
....

I wouldnt mind no spellcrafting if there were a larger variety of spells though. Spellcrafting might lead to many exploits, and then people would go "spellcrafting is overpowered, nerf it like you did with smithing"

Oblivion had weakness to magic and elements this let you make devastating spells, Skyrims spells are weaker while enemies has more health.
Had spell effect scaled with skill level it would worked much better,

Magic is for the cowardly!

I would like something like this (for all classes) not just mages. But there has to be a trade off -yes the spell may be godly - but should have a severe physical toll on you. For balance purposes.

Like maybe you lose most of your life points, end up with say only 15 life points. You also lose all of your stamina, mana with regen being denied (including health regen) for full 60 seconds after the spell fully resolves. Mind you this is just an example of the cost & effect to maintain equilibrium.

These kinds of balances gives these powerful spells more purpose. More cerebral input of you of deciding "when to" and when "not to" use them.

You've obviously never tried playing a pure caster. Great way to up the difficulty of the game. I have a level 42 Mage, and I still get one shotted by Forsworn briarhearts. And that's with 100 Alteration, Mage armor, and armor buffs.

Great ideas. Powerful spells with consequences. In some other fantasy worlds, magic actually physically drains the caster. Personally I would love to see wood working and personalized staff creation, as well as weaving my own robes. And scribing scrolls and tomes. Maybe even rediscovering the lost dwemer arts. Contructs and golems and the like.