How to improve shock spell skills

[hangarspace]

My character is a mage-come-archer and at level 37 the best distruction spell I have is firebolts but I'm getting a bored of toasting everything and want to use my shock/lighting spells instead but they are woefully 'weak' in comparison.

 

I've perked up the distruction tree but that hasn't increased the power of the spell, so how do I go about improving it or where can I find a more powerful one to learn?

 

Chris

[BrettM]

The shock spells are as follows, with projectile spells marked by an *:

 

Sparks (Novice)

Lightning Bolt (Apprentice) *

Lightning Rune (Apprentice)

Chain Lightning (Adept) *

Lightning Cloak (Adept)

Thunderbolt (Expert) *

Wall of Storms (Expert)

Lightning Storm (Master)

 

If you want to know where the spells can be found as loot or purchased, see Spell Tomes on the UESP wiki. The higher the level of the spell, the fewer wizards there are who offer it for sale. Faralda, the Destruction Master at the College, is the only wizard selling destruction spells of all levels. Keep in mind, though, that NPCs will not offer to sell you higher-level spells unless you have enough rank in Destruction.

 

The only way to increase the power of shock spells specifically is to get the Augmented Shock perks in the Destruction tree. Destruction Dual Casting and Impact will increase the power of spells of any element if you dual-cast them.

 

If your shock spells of a given level are weaker than your fire spells of that level, then I would guess that you have Augmented Flames but not Augmented Shock. Both Firebolt and Lightning Bolt should do the same base damage. The main differences are that Firebolt has a longer range but slower speed.

[thompsonar]

If you've done everything BrettM suggested (which is all spot on) and have the best spells and relevant perks and still feel underpowered you may want to check out the magic overhaul mods. Magic can seem underpowered when you get to a high level sometimes. I use the mod Balanced Magic that makes spell damage (among other things) scale with your skill level. I recommend using one of the harder difficulties (mod difficulty) because it is easy to overpower yourself with this mod if you use the easiest setting.

 

Not something that is an absolute must, but I think it makes more sense for your spells to scale. It makes it so adept level spells are not useless when you start facing harder enemies. As always just make sure you read up completely on any mod before you install it or you could screw yourself. Make sure you know what it does (and doesn't do) and if it's compatible with other mods.

[EnaiSiaion]

The difference between the elements is that fire has the extra damage burn effect, cold adds stamina damage and lightning adds magicka damage. You are supposed to use fire on most targets because it kills faster and the other two mostly to mill a dangerous warrior or caster. It remains this way until master level where you gain 3 actually different but useless master spells.

 

If you think this is boring, you are absolutely right! A number of amazing people (ahem) made magic mods or packages that fix this and make the elements actually different. Or get at least a perk mod before you hang yourself after the 10,000th fireball.

[hangarspace]

Thanks for the replies, about the only bit I hadn't done was to actually go and buy the spell tomes!

 

My character is pretty well perked up in the destruction tree, I'm just missing the actual spells to use. I've played with the Apocalypse spell mod for a bit of fun but usually end up reverting to using good old standard dual-wielded firebolts but it gets a bit tedious in the end using the same old spell when I'm supposed to be a mage.

 

I shall go and spend some gold on the tomes and begin wreaking havoc with my new powers!

 

Thanks

 

Chris

[fraquar]

There really isn't much reason to go anywhere else than the College for your spell needs. They got the pre-eminent Master Destroyer who is more than just a pretty face....