Okay guys I'm going to create a new Alteration/Destruction Mage and I need some ideas on branching out, without depending on other skills so much to deal damage. By way of background on my last play through which was around 200 hours I ended up at level 41 with Destruction/Alteration/Enchantment/Alchemy/Speech leveled to 100. My Modus Operendi was to use Fortify potions, Dragonhide, Paralyze & Incinerate.

This time around I have some ideas about a new character that includes switching Incinerate for thunderbolt because of the speed and ease of leading flying dragons but I also want to include other skills and I'd like some feedback on these choices or any others you'd like to suggest;

• Sneak plus silent casting through Illusion leveled to 50
  
• Archery using poisons to increase magicka damage and shock damage
  
• Sneak plus one-handed using poisons to increase magicka damage and shock damage

I'd like some feedback on these choices and any other suggestions you might have to offer me.

There are a number of mods now which add new spells and change how the existing schools and perks work. Personally if I was to make a second mage I'd probably test a couple of those first as they look pretty interesting (open lock spells for example).

illusion,sneak,destruction, i'd leave archery out of it or just use low level bow or else you end up sneak killing everything with bows making all other skills useless.