Now that I have gotten to a sufficiently high level as a mage I am finding that the paralyze spell seems to be the "I win" button. Combine paralyze with a dremora or two and there doesn't seem to be much that can stand in your way. Wards do seem to block the spell. And I failed when I tried to paralyze Astrid. But the Dremora came in and saved the day.

What are your "I win" spells as a mage?

Summoning 2 Dremora Lords is a 'i win' thing even without Paralyze, theres no point for any spell once you can summon a Dremora Lord imo =/