My second biggest gripe with mages in Skyrim (the being the weak destruction) is that you need so much magicka, that I barely end up with enough health. I get one shotted a lot at higher levels. Obviously a mage shouldn't be able to hang in a close fight the same way a warrior can, but is there any advice you can give on making a more durable mage?

I could wear heavy armor, but it takes me so long to get my enchanting up to a level that enchanting my own stuff is worthwhile.

Ebonyflesh with mage armor helps a lot.
Become ethereal is useful while summons are pounding on enemies.
Fortify health potions saved my life the gauldur amulet quest against the teleporting, shouting archer.

Thanks. I've never really used alteration. Is it a viable alternative to wearing armor?

Also, how do you spread your health and magicka?

Turn down the difficulty. That's a not glib response, I mean it. If you don't want to do that, alchemy will help a lot, with buffs for armor and health etc.

Altmer + Lord Stone + Agent of Mara + Gaulder Amulet + Ring of Namira = 180 Mag/180 Health/180 Stamina + 50 armor + 40% magic resistance

(and this is before adding any level-up bonuses OR putting on any clothing/armor.)

Well, hehe... I went all magic (probably not a good idea.) I think it won't substitute for daedric armor, but should stop random arrows/ charging warriors from one-shoting you. I like summoning a frost atronach and then shooting ice storm through them.

Surely putting more points into health and wearing some form of armour would be the way to go?

The -flesh spells are pretty useless until ebonyflesh. You would be better off either using a shield or practising with ward spells. Also The Lord Stone will help.

Mages are inherently "squishy" though.

Do as I did:

Look,I play on expert,so it may be diferent for you.




On the begining of your levels,until level 15,you may wish to Spend everything in HP,so you'll be the most durable in most difficulties,250hp,make sure to put something on Stamina,if you'll be a staff mage,when you're done in this,until level 50,you'll increase only your magicka,About the perk points,Use it on Destruction,restoration,enchanting,Alchemy,Smithing,Light Armor,After you get some fine enchants.enchant the best possible armor ,with the best enchantments,(I'd recomend fortify health and Fortify Magicka),when you done,you continue increasing your magicka,until 70,then you'll can use the most spells.

Ah,don't forget to use some fortify destruction enchants to,helps a lot.

About the stone,your choice,try to use the Lover if you want.


I'd recomend you be a Vampire Lord.

I'd really recomend you finish the Mage's College questline.

I'd REAAAAALLY recommend you finish the Dark brotherhood questline.(20.000 gold helps a lot when buying spells.)


Ah,get some perks from conjurations(Master conjuration and Twin Souls)

Then you finish peryite quest and Thrall Orchendor.

Lok,thu'um.

I'm playing as a pure mage at the moment with no weapons or armour. He has the arch mage robes, gaulder amulet, enchanted gloves boosting magic, enchanted hood boosting magic, enchanted ring boosting health and enchanted boots for carrying extre weight. With this set up I'm having no problems with low health or magicka and level up on a 2:1 ratio of magicka/health and no stamina. Good skills in conjuration is a must for this sort of build or you're going to die rather a lot.