I'm trying my first pure caster character on master. After being set free I head to Farengar and expand my spell inventory, then off to Winterhold by carriage. I get the college quest line underway, and head for Fellglow keep. I'm level 5 at entry, perked for destruction and alteration with 3 in the former and 1 in the latter. I have never had to play and think on my toes like this. The combat is furious, and honestly the best I've had in terms of sheer strategy and honest to goodness Mage warfare. Wards to handle the dot frost, shock and flames, lightning bolts and carefully placed lightning runes to keep them fighting with depleted mana reserves, and I am now in love with the staff of Jyrik Gaulderson(?). The spell, counter spell, strategic use of highborn and balancing each potion use against the combat ahead and the limited resources available is simply amazing. I have never experienced Skyrim like this. I don't know if everything is just clicking by chance or what, but I actually felt like a magic user. Like they nailed it in design. I read a lot of threads about how certain schools or spells are useless and unnecessary, but I needed every ability at my disposal just to stay standing, and I have a new respect for certain spells that I once thought were underpowered. Any other epic struggles out there from any other play styles that could be shared? If so please include level, play style and location if you don't mind so I can check it out myself.