Hi All,

A few weeks ago, I started a topic on a prospective build for a mage built on no/light armour, shield and one hand casting. So I've recently decided to take a break from my main character (Khajiit Woodsman) to give the magic-user a go.

Rough stats: Breton Mage, level 5, focusing on Destruction/conjuration/illusion and Block, with some minor time spent generating items through enchanting and alchemy.

My focus for the character is magic, and as such I've headed straight for the college to start their quest (which I've never done before). So far it's certainly an interesting playstyle. The block mechanic in the game is quite good IMO - even though it feels a little gimped early on, as you still take significant damage without perks/with low skill even while blocking. And the shield bash saps a lot of stamina.

But it's definitely a very tactical playstyle - almost taking the most difficult parts of mage builds and putting them together. The decision to stick with one handed takes out the option for duel casting, and the use of the shield pushes combat into close quarters, but without the use of melee weapons.

So far I will say it's a satisfying experience, even though I'm only level 5 into it. You really need to plan out fights a lot more, since once blows start coming in, death comes very fast if you aren't staging correctly to deal with it. Destruction has levelled the fastest along with block, but I do plan on shifting to a more conjuration/illusion base for future fights - the tactical advantages for crowd control are quite appealing.

So yeah, just a note about what I think is an interesting way of playing.

I like this. Keep us posted on how it goes.

I play this type of character also but with a little difference. I have a shield mage in heavy armor who's only focus is conjuration and restoration. I have a follower and a dog and 2 summons, usually the lords. I let them do all my fighting while I run around and shield slam everything. I really have never even come close to dying with this setup and its pretty fun if you want to try something different.

I've heard that you can get dogs as followers, but I've never seen it. Where/how do you get them?

There are random stray dogs in the world. If you talk to one he will start to follow you. That's how I got mine once anyway. He got on my nerves after a short time though and I got rid of him.