I was planning on making a pure mage/wizard character and I have seen many videos on how awsome magic can be once it is leveled but the svckish part is getting there. Anyone have any solid ways to level up magic skills? (other then plainly using them of course).

Kind of wondering why you play a mage if you don't want to put in the time?

You'd be better of playing a warrior and power level smithing, alchemy, and enchanting. Then you'd be god at the end of the first day, and can play on master difficulty without any problems.

First off...are you on PC or console?

Yeah mages are fun,Havent played that much as a mage but have heard on this forum that people dislike the magic in skyrim x)

Im on console.

Train on summoned creatures.

This. IMO, magic would be something that takes a lot of time and effort to learn, moreso than swinging a sword or sneaking about.

To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause.

Anyway it depends on the school you are trying to level. Conjuration and alteration are easy. Use them ALL OF THE TIME. I'm pretty sure just casting soul trap on anything does the trick, alive or dead. Also use magelight extensively when you're just running around. I'm pretty sure any other basic exploit works as well (greybeards/follower immunity). Or Ohgma Infinium or however it's spelled. As for resto, poison yourself then keep restoring health. I haven't dabbled in destructive magic enough.

Why are there two of these topics?

Restoration - Stand in the wind or whatever it is at High Hrothgar. It causes constant damage. Just spam healing spells.

Conjuration - Repeatedly cast soul trap on dead bodies.

Illusion - Spam the muffle smell.

Alteration - Cast Detect life at the Riften market place during peak hours.

Do the number of people detected raise the level increase when using detect life?

google mystic tuning gloves, get them, use them, level up

Whilst i agree with you in principle, i think you and others are forgetting one major thing - it's an RP game.

It's just as plausible playing as a master wizard or whatever straight off the bat as it is playing as an apprentice mage. The game doesn't kick off from birth ala FO3, it begins with your character being an advlt. And the fact there's grey hair, a complexion slider etc, it's easy enough to start your character at any age.

if people can ignore helgen and the MQ, then others can ignore the need to spam spells as to reach a certain proficiency then begin playing from a certain level.

To catch them is your real test, to train them is your cause?

Level up your mages perks by doing some quests or looting and then Join the Mage's College in Windhelm. Do the quests there and learn skills from people. You can buy some good adept robes, spell books and work your way to Archmage.

Yes.

In the Silverhand hide out there is a Werewolf imprisoned in a cage, it's possible to cast spells at it to train. Level up Illusion first, then you can cast Calm on it which makes you go out of combat so you have full Magicka regeneration. If you're going to train Destruction on the Werewolf, also make sure you get the Heal Other spell so you can keep it alive.

did you hear nothing tolfdir said?