I'm a little bit confused by the description of the enchanting effect of resist magic (it IS NOT the effect from the shield of Solitude, just the normal resist magic effect).

It says it blocks a % of spell damage. That much was clear. But for resisting fire/frost/shock does it work for all elemental damage, or just all elemental damage that is caused by spells? That is, will resist magic mitigate dragon breaths and atronachs.

What I'm asking is resist magic vs. resist fire/frost/shock. Does resist magic mitigate all elemental damage, everywhere, or does it only mitigate elemental damage caused by spells?

Wasn't expressly clear in the in-game description.

Resist Magic protects only from damage caused by spells and it's capped to 85%. It also protects from dragon breath (fire or frost) and magical damage caused by enchanted weapons / staffs.
It can stack with resist fire / frost / shock for up to 98-99% total elemental resistance. Resist Magic probably is the most useful defensive enchantment. IMO you don't need resist fire / frost / shock at all if you already have magic resistance 85% and decent armor.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Resist_Magic
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Enchanting_Effects


Alteration tree has perks for up to 30% magic resistance (permanent). "Agent of Mara" permanent ability (quest reward) provides 15% magic resistance. The Lord Stone provides 25% magic resistance.

True however it's pretty easy to make good resist element potions if you are an good alchemist, up to 85% with forty alchemy gear.
I usually make an fire+ frost potion and one for shock.

Thanks very much.