So, I'm playing a sneaky argonian spell caster/treasure hunter. I enjoy conjuring a flame atronach to help me out on my dungeon delving. However, I've been whiffing when I try to summon one.

Points of clarity, I am casting the spell in open relatively open hallways or rooms. The crosshairs are not red. I am holding the spell long enough before releasing it (i.e. the animation is complete and I've gathered all the energy into my hand). When it whiffs, the room turns purple-ish and I lose a small amount of magicka - but not as much as if I'd actually summoned the flame atronach - but nothing manifests. I am usually sneaking when this happens, but I'm not sure if that's the cause. And inevitably, I blow my cover and get mobbed without my trusty flame guardian backing my play.

What am I doing wrong? Thanks for your help!

This has happened to me as well. Try aiming at the ground in front of you, that seems to help, but it might just be a casting failure.

Stop using the Atronach stone and unlearn (as if it was possible ) the Alteration spell absorption perks. Spell absorption can cancel your own summon spells.

Agreed, I was using the Atronach stone until I ended up whiffing a dozen times as a snow bear bore down on me. Shame about that glitch, it would have really fit my character otherwise...

Ah. It all becomes clear to me now. Yeah, two snowy cats were my downfall - then there was the Draugr Scourge Lord. Those were sad times. Time for a new stone. Lamesauce.

Thank you for this!

Then there's the Cloak spell sending your Atronachs back to Oblivion...

Props to the Avatar BTW... Ordinators have a special place in the hearts of us Veterans.

Right back atcha!

I miss being called scum... I don't know what that says about me.

I reccomend the lord stone, it offers some good magic resistance and armor to boot, it's what I used when I found that Atronach doesn't work for conjurors.

Does anyone know if this also makes you choke on your Dragon Shouts? There have been a couple times I got the Fus out, but then nuthin... I didn't have to wait for the bar to recharge, but I also didn't shout. I was thinking it was time to replace the battery in my wireless keyboard, but now I'm thinking it may be the Atronach Stone.

I've had a dead shout button a few times before. Could never put a finger on a reason however. I've never had the Atro Stone, and it hasn't happened since since last patch.

If you're on PC, just use this mod:
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/downloads/file.php?id=3352

It fixes summoning so that magic resistance no longer conflicts with it. Makes Atronach viable again

The question is: is it a bug or an intended feature that spell absorption cancels your own summons?

It's caused by the way spell absorption works. It's impossible that the testers didn't notice it, so my guess is someone decided it's okay to leave in the game; in this way, it's intended. Personally, I think it was an infinitely stupid decision: spell absorption is supposed to help the player, not hinder him. As it is now, a conjurer with Atronach stone and Alteration perks is unplayable.

Lol, sounds like a hint of Daggerfall absorption mechanic

Maybe, but the fact that it also messes up shadow warrior and quick reflexes might mean it's not intended even if they decided to let it go that way.

Considering lost thralls can cause the active effect to be stuck on you, disrupting dialog. The Cloak spell bug can be a good thing.

summoner + atronach stone = phail