So I'm level 30 on this mage character, been using wards against mages every time I come across them. I have all three ward spells, usually use the middle one but the lesser ward works consistently against dragons.

But I come across this mage, He's nothing special, not to powerful, yet he breaks my steadfast ward with the sparks spell in 2 seconds!?

I know enemy mages spells get a damage bonus, and I think I was on expert when I killed him (switch between master and expert) so he gets a boost there. But breaking a 60 damage absorb ward with sparks!?

Considering I use the weakest ward against dragons, and the greater ward was fine against the boss mentioned in the spoiler who uses thunderbolt IIRC, what is going on.

Dragons don't use Magic, they use Shouts. From what I read, Magic is what counteracts Wards, I have not seen where I could use a Shout against a Ward. That might be it.

how do you know it was sparks and not a more powerful spell?

Wards block shouts to, but I didn't think of that. I suppose thats why you can use the weakest ward to block their breath. Doesn't explain why the greater ward was blocking

It wasn't wall of lightning, so it must have been sparks. It was a continuous flowing lightning spells so it must have been sparks.

Because unlike Oblivion, there are no two same spells. Sparks is sparks.

I noticed that the boss you mentioned was breaking my wards rather easily as well. I think I was using weaker wards, but it still seemed like he was quite powerful.

Shock spells drain magicka, and deplete wards double fast.

Really makes sense if you take a minute to think about it...

This is true. I don't know if shock spells break wards faster though; I think they just make them run out faster.

I can block fire and frost breath with my lesser ward.

Lightning Wall looks almost identical to Sparks, short of having an extra effect. I'm willing to bet that was the spell he used

I just rolled up a character to answer a question about Ward Absorb working with Spellbreaker.

Spent a few hours messing around with it, and from what I could percieve... with no hard numbers :

For the ward Spellbreaker creates, shock spells almost immediately break the ward vs. anything else.

I assumed it would be the same for Restoration Wards.

And, yes, Ward Absorb does work with Spellbreaker.

Lightning wall stays where it hits, trust me it was sparks. Shock spells don't break wards faster either.

Sweet. I was the one that asked if the Restoration perk "Ward Absorb" functions with the Ward that Spellbreaker puts up.
I too have noticed Shock spells breaking Wards hella fast. With "Elemental Protection" perk in Block, 40% Resist Magic from Lord Stone+Agent of Mara, 30% Fire/Shock Resist from Otar, and 80% Frost Resist from Nord Racial+Otar, i can block 3 Fire Mages who almost simultaneously cast Fireballs and Incinerates, and even a Elder/Ancient Dragon's Frost/Fire Breath no problem with Spellbreaker, but i've seen Sparks break the ward that Spellbreaker puts up.

KKKKOOOORRRRBBBBUUUUU!!!!

Yeah man, shock spells eat through wards. Good thing about Spellbreaker is, just drop it and raise it again though.

You definitely need to get Shield Charge with it, that is a blast.

Yep, got Shield Charge. I found that Forsworn Briarheart at the Sundered Towers near Red Eagle Redoubt, and i used Shield Charge to throw him off the ledge, and he died. Was a nice surprise to find a special sword on him. That perk is hilarious.
I can definately see a Spellsword use Spellbreaker to recharge their Magicka along with the "Ward Absorb" perk when fighting Mages. Then when they get to full Magicka, switch back to 1H+Spell.

shouts count as magic. enemy mage's wards can block your shouts.