My current character is a stealth/archer type. I'm considering my next one to use a combination of shield and spell. Only because I'm interested to see how the combat changes/other tactics I'll have to use/how viable is the playstyle.

Basically use shield to get close to enemies, and toast them with destruction. Rather than playing a more agile mage type to avoid damage. Similar to a battle mage in heavy armour, but with just a shield.

Thoughts? Sound alright, or a recipe for disaster (which can be fun!)?

Its not so bad, got a character trying to get Spellbreaker so I can see if ward absorb works with it.

If it does, it may be one of the funner builds available for a mage.

Using a spell in one hand and a shield in the other sounds interesting. My current character is a spellsword.

Single cast spell damage is really low, even compared to plain one handed sword attacks. Shields are fun though, as is throwing fireballs, and the shield should keep you alive, so as long as you're ok with fights taking about twice as long, it'll probably work.

I somehow have this image of a cowardly mage hiding behind his shield and occasionally peeping out to fling a meagre fireball at his enemies.

Can imagine NPC's going, 'THAT'S the Dragonborn!?!?! Oh man, we're totally screwed!!!'

Lol. But yeah, should be an interesting way to play it out.

It really is, I get a Talos amulet and Talos blessing from the shrine to reduce shout cooldowns.

I put perks into Destruction to reduce costs, with whatever enchants I could pick up.

Got a little Illusion, mix in some Alteration to tack on some armor rating...

Restoration of course.

Really trying to stay away from Conjuration personally.

Shield bash something, fireball to the face, and then Unrelenting Force it in the air.They act like flaming projectiles. Going with the Talos stuff really helps for when magicka runs dry too. Could just stack enchants I guess, but meh...

Turtle Mage, Shieldspeller, still working on a name.

Yeah, it is a little. Definitely want to have fortify destruction pots, and I more often than not use chain lightning.

It works pretty well early on, but you will definitely see a jump in difficulty past 25 or so. Part of the reason I lean so much on Shouts now.

Hmm yeah I've found in my current build I don't really need shouts that often. Mostly Unrelenting force and whirlwind sprint (sprint is great for maintaining distance as an archer). But I guess they would become a much more integral part of the arsenal for a Turtle Mage.

I'm using this style now. My character is a sword and shield fighter, with a smattering of magick, but as I'm now level 56 I've concentrated a bit more on the spell-casting side of things.

With the right shield perks, you can soak up 50% frost, fire, shock, plus if you pick up the 'agent of mara' perk that's another 15%...and the shield gives you both a good defensive ability, higher armour rating, and with power-bashing it's a weapon in it's own right, with the added benefit of staggering opponents, which for a spell-caster type is probably better than actually chopping them up with a sword or axe in one hand. If you take the 'running with shield' perk, your mobility is still good as well.

All considered, I think that a shield-spell caster character is a solid and viable choice of character. Might seem a bit odd, and break with the traditional concept of mage types using wards, but down in the deeps where the draugr lay and the fighting areas are fairly constricted, it's a strong and advantageous combination.

This is so amazing.

Out of magicka?
No shout available?

Time to go bowling.

It would be nice if there were still high damage "touch" spells, that would go really well with a shield, since you have to be point blank to be able to bash.

Yeah would be nice at low level, but cloak spells act sort of similarly though, without the need to drop the shield for blocking.

They cost more than touch spells would, but require less maintenance.

I was specifically thinking something with high enough damage to keep up with dual cast incinerate, the cloak spells are easier but they only do as much damage as single cast flames, which is pretty worthless at high levels.

You could always look for a mod that allows you to put destruction damage increasing enchantments on your gear. That would allow you to do decent damage with single-cast spells. That's if you're on the PC, anyway. If you're on a console, stock up on potions to increase your destruction damage (and maybe your blocking too).

Oh yeah, I agree.

I'd like something similar to a 'harm' spell from back in the day, or a drain health spell that only requires touch.

I'm still waiting to see if Spellbreaker and Ward absorb work, but it is really... really... hard for me to die now at 38. Bash does a little damage, moreso with the perk, and the added benefit on not using magicka.

So there is that.