I decided after 500 hours of one character I wanted to start a new character. I ether want to go with full Mage or wood elf bow and arrow. Also I think I want to not go any where near the story. Has anyone done this and is full Mage workable in this game since magic is sorta broken? I really am interested in conjuration but I'm afraid it isn't powerful enough. Please tell me I'm wrong. I have never played a Mage ever in any game, I'm a little worried I'll feel out of place without my sword and shield, beside destruction I don't even really know what skills to invest in. For example restoration, do I really needs that if I use alchemy and make some nice potions? Just give me a few tips on this please.

I know everything else about Skyrim but Magic is very new to me.

Plenty of people play pure mages with no problem. You just have to be able to not go tunnel vision on spells (use different schools of magic).

I have several characters I play (mage, elf ranger, kajiit thief, assassin). I find a thorough search through the Nexus and here for mods related to that class really spruce the playability of the character quite a bit. It's sometimes a pain in the rear to keep up with them, but depending on what characters I'm playing at the time, I have a whole different set of mods I load catering to that character.

I'm not talking about "godly" powers or anything, but mods that make things more immersible. For example, I use the Riverwood Temple mod for my cleric, as it suits her storyline to keep returning there as her home. Also makes having to buy other houses less of importance. She also has a few conjuring and additional spell mods for her play. Then my ranger has bow and leather mods, and so forth.

Just makes the re-playability much more enjoyable for me...

The proplem with mage charecters is that if u wanted to focuse on one element in dystruction
Most ppl with fire since it does most dmg BUT it gets tio freaking easy. since there is a perk that makes duel casting fire spells stagger every enemy. Dragons included....
U should not only focuse on one skill since you need dystruction for offense. Restoration for healing and magika regsin and magic ressistance etc
Conj used fir support. Also its fun. Illusion can be used when over powered by lots of enemies. But that wont happen if u have that fiee perk i alk about earlier. Alteration is mainly for armor

A mage charecter is fun. Lots of fub
Go for it

There are many ways to play a mage, all viable. Personally I went Conjuration/destruction and enjoyed it. My husband NEVER plays mages, but he went pure mage Destruction/ Alteration and is having a blast. Anything new to you will be fun!