I played a thief archer and always used my bow to bring down dragons.

I just hit level 21 as a mage, I have not triggered first dragon fight near whiterun yet. but I am starting to want some good old shouts!

so I am thinking of triggering dragons. but I really don't want to run out, buy a bow, and then probably pay faendal to train it JUST for shooting them dang lizards.


thoughts?

D'jinn has easily killed dragons with magic. Use shock spells such as Lightning Bolt, although you will have to wait for the dragon to land before you can hit it. It sometimes takes a frustratingly long time for D'jinn to kill dragons, but she usually keeps either a healing or warding spell equipped at the same time.

So yes, it can be done, it just may take you a bit longer.

Thanks. Have not used any shock spells I fell in love with fire and use ice on dunmer or fire resistant stuff

I use dual-cast Firebolt and have the Arch-Mage robes, Mage's Circlet and the previous Arch-Mage's Amulet so my Magicka Regen is in good shape. Your Alchemy skill can also ensure you have plenty of Magicka Regen potions and Health potions. I never use a blade anymore and I did at the beginning. I get off a few arrows at the dragon and then switch to spells. The Ice Spike spell is good too.

Fireballs, ice storm, and dragonrend.

Optionally, take an arrow, douse liberally in weakness to element poison, and use that first...
Now take 1 potion of destruction.
Take out your staves (or spells), one in each hand - Shock is best since it's hard to miss with lightning bolts... apply liberally to dragon.
Cook til lightly browned, and dead (At level 40 in master this will be around 3-5 salvos)


My artificer fights with a bow and arrow usually (In melee too ;p) - but when I want to kill something dead with extreme prejudice, i crack out the old staves... magical staves used properly are the perfect anti-dragon rocket launcher - have a look at this thread if you want to learn more about using magical devices without relying on actual spellcasting
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1312501-the-way-of-the-artificer

you can definitely use magic against a dragon. might take a while at first but when you get impact you can not quite stunlock them but you can definitely kill them.

its best to get a distance from them via whirlwind sprint as all they can use is a lower dmaging long rang breath. Then use longer ranged spells like firebolt for ice dragons and ice spike for fire

Lightning is best for dragons in flight, as long as they aren't too far away. Lightning hits instantly so you don't have to lead your shots like other projectile spells.