I recently made an Orc warrior on master difficulty. now that I feel like I've gotten the hang of it, I want to try something harder.

I'm going to make a Mage character on master difficulty. I was hoping to try and stay away from going heavy destruction. I was just hoping to get a few ideas of the perks and powers that are vital. I was thinking Breton with maybe the atronach stone.

I have a nord, 80% mage 20% archer and always play on master difficulty since the beginning, I think you will find the game very challenged (without the overpowered archmage clothes) I die like in 3-4 hits and ALWAYS have to have a tank because without him I am dead. Try it, you will find the gameplay very good.

I have a shield conjuration mage with just a little in restoration. I like followers so I let them do all the work.

Quite enjoyable.

Go with conjuration early game and it will pay off in spades later on, and dont be afraid to dabble with enchanting to reduce spell costs. Destruction is arguably harder to utilise properly on master, so stock up on destro damage bonus potions if you use it a lot.

Conjuration - Bound weapons are the best you can get early game and count towards the skill tree advancement ( ie bound sword>1h skill ). Plus Atronachs will power through enemies with weakness to type and give you breathing room in multi enemy combat.

Avoid alteration perks for magic absorbtion, mage armor. Absorbtion is bugged and will stop you casting half your own spells and mage armor perks are made useless by the master level alteration spell.

Conjuration and illusion will help out a lot. You will need to turn enemies against eachother and the summons to tank your enemies. You should also get enchanting for spell reductions and if you use destruction get a 75 percent reduction to use it effectively.

I went with conjuration and stealth with a little dagger. I found the ablilly to sneak and summon daedra lords really pays off. They cant find me and it saves me alot because cant see or hear me and most time im right in front of them. I ALSO really recommend illusion. I suggest going with high elf for its boost in mage and its natural magic regenration it has really comes in hand. So when your low in magic an dont have potion use it natural abilty and you regenrate magic for short time.

I would play master if it did more then just make your enemies hit harder and you weaker. Other then that I don't see the challenge. Just use your same tactics but be prepared to hit the enemy more. And as for dying in a few hits I already do that with only 100 health and not wearing any armor.

I would think since your playing on master and everything hits harder including mages right? you would want to go with breton for the increase in magic defence and dragonskin. Yes I know absorption is bugged so don't summon anything for a minute.