So I've started a new character, an honorable ronin. I've given him the Atronach Birthsign, he is only limited to using Mysticism and Restoration schools.

Can I make an Area-of-effect absorb health/magicka target spell? Or must I be in close proximity to my enemy?

He has a while to go, before he is a Master of Restoration, but I need more of a static defense.... Does anyone know?

Yes, AOE works with the absorb effect just fine. Well, untill the Demora casts Dispel on himself that is. Enemies that have access to a "Dispel on self" spell are very quick to use it when hit by an absorb spell of any kind.

Umm... sort of.

Absorb spells only work on enemies within relatively close range. It seems to be a bit longer than touch range-- maybe about claymore range.

If you've gotten away from a Will o'the Wisp's absorb spell, then you've seen how it works. There's a red "bolt" of energy that runs between the caster and the target-- as long as that "bolt" is there, the caster is absorbing. But if they move far enough apart, the "bolt" breaks and the absorption stops.

Try it with a Wisp is you haven't already seen it-- when it hits you with an absorb spell, just back up. At some point (again, a bit further than touch range) the "bolt" will vanish and the absorption stops.

So-- if there are multiple enemies within that range, then yes, AOE absorb will work on them. But it won't work on anything outside of that range.

Alright thanks guys.

Its past claymore range and you can get a about 10 steps away in my experience with it but that's just me.

When I played swordfighters, I loved using claymores and dancing in and out of that 'sweetspot' where you can hit them but they can't hit you. I tried an absorb health x 3 sec on my claymore, but rejected it because I found myself often 'breaking lock' and not getting the full effect.

I tried it on a bow just for grins. Sure enough, it works just fine - but only at melee range! :lmao:

I think you can have area effect absorb magicka and health. But you can only make them "on touch" not "on target".

Even this would be a welcome relief. One-on-one fights are no problem for this character, but when three or more melee fighters rush him.... it's nearly good night, every time. Thanks, we will check this out after he goes to get the wood for his new staff.

Savlian is correct.
Just tried the spell making alter in my game with 100 restoration skill and there is no choice to make absorb health or magicka an on target spell. It's strictly on touch, but you can add AoE to it.
I always wind up making an absorb 100 health within 10ft on touch ("Devouring Sphere") on my characters when they reach 100 in restoration (costs about 139 spell points). Funny thing is, I rarely use it since I'm sneaking around a lot and the Heal Legendary Wounds spell works well enough for me. Pure mage characters can probably make more potent versions of "Devouring Sphere" with greater AoE distances.

Edit: I have tried my spell though. I got bored and went on a rampage in the IC. I tried to see how many guards I could take down without dying. Needless to say being swarmed by half a dozen meleeing guards and near dead, my Devouring Sphere spell worked quite nicely. Totally revamping my health bar. Next time though, I'm thinking about adding the light AoE special effects to Devouring Sphere so it looks or lives more up to its name. Just not sure how to do it yet.

Yup! You can make one of those pretty easily. But if you want it to be useful your gonna have to wait till the higher levels.

Yes, right now my Restoration is only 41. He cannot create spells until he is level 50 in Restoration. I will check it out soon. Thanks.