Usually I try to figure out how to play the game. I wanted to use Illuision as a major skill for me. Sadly I can't figure out how to use the skill. I have been using Descruction and 1 Handed alot for combat. What I wanted to do, was try to "use the force mind trick" and make people/animals calm but because I used combat skills alot, I leveled up and now those Illusion skills I have only work up to level 9, how can I be effective at using Illusion skills now at level 18?

I have no clue how to be effective at using Illusion. So what can I do? As I said the magic Illusion powers I have are only good up to level 9 enimies, what can I do now? I play on the 360, but I don't think should matter.

NPCs don't level up the way they're supposed to.
Go back to Riverwood where you first met people (as long as you actually did that)... and cast Calm on them a lot.
Lobbing the spells about the place in Whiterun works for me too.

As you level up illusion you can unlock skills to allow illusion spells to work on higher level enimies. If you look on my channel(link below) about 10 vids back it shows an easy way to level up illusion to 100 in about half hour

The muffle spell trains illusion very fast (even if your not in combat), if you don't want to exploit the game then just use the manipulation spells (fury, fear, calm etc) on every enemy you come across. Make use of the spells that increase the defense of allies.

You need to be dual casting your illusion spells for them to be effective. Then you will need to invest in all the perks in the right side of the tree, you can avoid silent casting if you aren't sneaking. When you have the relevant perks and you dual cast your illusion spells, you will be able to use the basic fury/calm/fear on everything that isn't immune to illusion.

I use these basic spells all the time (level 59), and I've only come across some mercenaries that were to high a level for my basic spells, but the frenzy spell worked on them. The master spells are an absolute waste of time at high levels, you can't dual cast it so it doesn't affect anything strong.

Little tip that I found helpful, the most useful spell is fury/frenzy for groups, cast it on the strongest person in that group and then the enemies will usually focus on him rather than you (higher priority I assume). When you are faced with one enemy, fear is the way to go. Just fear and you can keep hitting them whilst they sit there cowering.

Hope that helps

Edit: I believe dual casting does 2.2 the effect, for 2.8 times the cost.

The fast way is Illusion Dualcasting, it should make that level 9 spell affect NPC′s up to level 18 I believe, possibly even slightly higher.
It needs thrice the Magicka as if single casted though but since it is low level that should be okay.

Focus your lowwr level spells on wolves and mud crabs, you know lesser creatures. Then start getting perks that allow you to control higher level creatures and then buy the higher level spells. Invest in silent casting and get invisibility and muffle. You will eventually be able to control almost anything if you get all illusion perks.

Thanks guys, I didn't know, about the Dual Casting. I will try it. Also without spoilers possible, can I buy higher level spells?

The level of spells for sale depends on your Illusion skill.

The irony is that I usually go up the right side of the Illusion tree solely for the Silent Casting perk and nothing else. Just want to get that perk so I can lob fireballs or summon bound weapons silently.

Illusion is very powerful if you use it enough to keep it levelled high. Its not a skill that you can decide to start using at level 20 and expect it to ever affect anyone you are currently fighting. If you start using it from the very beginning though, you usually have no problems with it affecting everything except dragons.

Headup to winterhold. There's a place there for people like you

I will do that. As soon as I get the TV away from my wife, I will play some Skyrim and start heading there.

Thanks for all the tips people, greatly appreciated.

Haha same, I just mentioned it as a warrior would usually have no need for it.

I like that I can just fury bandits from 50 feet away, conjure some atronachs and just 'snipe' them with incinerate... All without being detected