I’m sure many of you have noticed the ongoing discussion about whether or not Destruction is underpowered. Well, let me say this: Destruction is NOT underpowered. The issue lies in the fact that there is a huge damage disparity between materiel weapons and magic. Because of this, I have come up with a solution, which will make Destruction more powerful and fun to play, without breaking the game.

The solution, as I see it, is quite simple. Increase spell damage based off a proportion of the character’s total Magicka, multiplied by a Destruction Damage Coefficient which value is derived from the spell’s skill level. Doing this would allow the Destruction School to scale better into the late game, as most of the player’s Magicka is gained through leveling up. At this same time, this proposal naturally balances itself, as each point invested into Magicka is one point not put into health or stamina. The formula would look like this:

Total Damage = { Spell Damage + [ Destruction Damage Coefficient x (Total Magicka/3)]}

Destruction Damage Coefficient:

Novice: 0.0
Apprentice: .25
Adept: .50
Expert: .75
Master: 1.0


Here are a few examples of how this formula would affect game play on a character with 600 Magicka, without any other damage modifiers.

Flames Original Damage: 8
Flames New Damage: 8

Ice Spike Original Damage: 25
Ice Spike New Damage: 75

Chain Lightning Original Damage: 40
Chain Lightning New Damage: 140

Icy Spear Original Damage: 60
Icy Spear New Damage: 210

Fire Storm Original Damage: 100
Fire Storm New Damage: 300


As you can see, the damage scaling not only makes destruction more viable in the later stages of the game, but it also creates a more realistic damage progression between lower level spells (Novice) and higher level spells (Master). Yet another side effect is that Mages would be more inclined to invest in Magicka, which is often neglected due to Fortify Destruction Enchantments.

However, the most difficult part of this plan would be implementing it, since many players built their Mages on accumulating health and using armor enchantments. Because of this, it would be necessary that they could reset their skill points, so that they could adjust to the new system. Doing this would also require even more careful planning that I will not go into. Still, I am convinced that many Skyrim players would appreciate such a change, even if there would be some negative consequences. Finally, I would like to thank any one who managed to read this entire thread, and even though it is my first, I hope this reaches Bethesda, regardless of whether or not they consider these changes.

That's one idea.

Destruction IMO is fine except on master difficulty. As a player that doesn't use crafting loops it's frustrating having to rely on potions to significantly boost my spells damage. And this is my problem with doing that, I have to pause to guzzle potions soooooo much. It takes for ever. Even favoriting the potions can still take a long time. Go through a dungeon at a high lvl. See two bandit highwaymen, PAUSE guzzle a potion. Fight em. Loot the area. Continue on. See another bandit. PAUSE guzzle another potion. Rinse and repeat.

In my Mage builds on master difficulty, I always start with destruction but then start to ignore it. It just gets too difficult to maintain compared to the other magic schools. Compared to any skill really. Destruction just becomes an after thought of a tool I'd like to use, But don't.

Damage scaling with destruction lvl, damage scaling with Magicka are both fine to me.

I think simply giving back spell creation could fix the problem. Or maybe even include a destruction damage enchant.

Like the extisting threads?

http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1431916-can-you-even-use-destruction-on-master/


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