Best mod for a mage character

[keithgun]

Hello! I'm well aware that vanilla mages for Skyrim are really weak, and not so fun to play with. After a while, you stop inflicting much damage and the spells are not really... strategic-wise. Anyway, I tried a few mods like Balanced Magic and Apocalypse spell package but then I realised something: I ran low of perks. Then I started using SPERG, AWESOME mod but it doesn't improve magic the way balanced magic do. Now, which should I use, SPERG, Balanced Magic with the Uncapper giving me more perks or perhaps SkyRe (which I haven't tried)? Are there any other nice mods that would help me improve my magic gameplay?

[Oubliette]

Midas Magic and Magic Duel are two mage mods I'd never do without. You can combine a spell pack with an overhaul pack without too many problems but SkyRe is so big it can really limit your choices in other mods as you go so I don't really recommend more than one or two modular parts of it.

[Metafysik]

Balanced Magic is an excellent choice if you do not want to significantly alter vanilla spells and magic mechanics.

You could combine it with Apocalypse Spell Package http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/16225 and ASIS http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/18436. ASIS will make the AI smarter, use potions use perks from Balanced Magic and will allow them to use the plethora of new spells included in Apocalypse. It will also increase spawns and will slightly randomize encounter zones, so that you will not always run into enemies equal to your level, they might be higher, they might be lower.

This will make the game more challenging for sure, however you will feel more empowered as a magic user and you will be able to cast spells more frequently, they will be more powerful and you will have far more viable options as a pure mage type character.

 

Otherwise you could install Skyre, but you need to read through the Skyre page thouroughly to understand the new game mechanics, perks, changes etc to decide if you like it or not. It will make the game even more challenging than ASIS, in more ways than simply combat-related. Also it is HIGHLY recommended that you get the Reproccer patcher (http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/28467) as well and understand how to install and use it. This will ensure maximum compatibility with other mods you may wish to install that add weapons, armors and ammunition.

Note that SkRe is incompatible with mods that change perks and AI behavior, so do not use ASIS or Balanced Magic. You can however use Apocalypse Spell Package with SkyRe, although enemies will not be able to cast ASP spells, so if you don't mind that somewhat immersion breaking caveat, I would recommend you install it alongside SkyRe. I have found (personally have been playing with both mods installed), that ASP spells and the SkyRe spells are well balanced alongside each other. You can roleplay it this way, you are a prodigal mage and thus you are able to cast complex spells that would befuddle others' minds. XD SkyRe Magic Module includes a lot of new spells as well, not as much as ASP however.

 

I Highly Endorse SkyRe, as I think it is the most comprehensive rebalance and much needed gameplay overhaul available to Skyrim mod users. It may not be for everyone and if it is not to your liking (e.g too difficult or foreign), go with the first set of mods I recommended.

[Metafysik]

  On 1/13/2013 at 10:24 PM, Oubliette said:

Midas Magic and Magic Duel are two mage mods I'd never do without. You can combine a spell pack with an overhaul pack without too many problems but SkyRe is so big it can really limit your choices in other mods as you go so I don't really recommend more than one or two modular parts of it.

 

I respectfully disagree with your sentiment on SkyRe being incompatible. Check out.... wait for it..... REPROCCER!!!! http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/28467

 

This dynamic patch generator will automatically scan any .esp and .esm in your Data Files and extrapolate Weapon, Armor, Ammunition and Alchemy stats and will systematically (through some very brilliant algorithms) adjust, balance, rename and make fully compatible with SkyRe's perks, scripts, recipes and other mechanics. It works like a charm, the only things that are still incompatible with SkyRe are mods that alter AI and Perks, which should come to no surprise, however T3ND0 is actually working on making Reproccer and ASIS play nice, so AI tweaks such as enemies using custom spells from other mods can be made. That will leave only the perk trees to be the sole incompatibility with SkyRe and there's a damn good reason you shouldnt be mixing perk tree mods with a mod that COMPLETELY overhauls every skill and perk tree.

 

So yeah, spread the word, SkyRe can be used along side other content mods now.

[keithgun]

You guys are awesome. I'm currently playing my sneak character with SPERG (awesome mod) as it makes pickpocket and lockpicking worth leveling but for every archetype I'll try a different overhaul mod. I think for my mage character I'll use Balanced magic+ASP and use the Uncapper to give me more perks (SPERG had an automatic perk system that allowed you to gain them when you meet certain requirements) Maybe I'll give ASIS a shot, see what's like. By the way, thanks for the roleplaying advise! I can't play if something doesn't make sense to me D: By the way, are Midas Magic spells affected by Balanced Magic? I hope so, they're like vanilla ones, after a while they get weak-.

 

-I'll try SkyRe for my warrior character. It got me when it said that there would be a difference between TwoHanded and OneHanded! By the way, how is that? doesn't really specify it D:

Edited January 13, 2013 by keithgun

[Metafysik]

  On 1/13/2013 at 10:51 PM, keithgun said:

By the way, are Midas Magic spells affected by Balanced Magic? I hope so, they're like vanilla ones, after a while they get weak-.

 

-I'll try SkyRe for my warrior character. It got me when it said that there would be a difference between TwoHanded and OneHanded! By the way, how is that? doesn't really specify it D:

 

No problem! Well in my honest opinion, a lot of Midas Magic spells are overpowered. They are awesome! But overpowered nonetheless. Mainly the higher tier spells start to get a bit ridiculous. There's no harm in trying it out though! To each his own I guess. Its a safe mod to uninstall if you find that you dont like it, so long as you aren't using an ASIS patch (If you are just repatch ASIS after you uninstall it). I will say this though, download the Reactor version since some of the spells are quite powerful and earning them through crafting/questing is a much more satisfying way to roleplay.

 

Now when it comes to SkyRe, I'm not really sure what you mean. The mod's goal is to make every perk tree valuable and unique in playstyle. The author has made it so that the Two-Handed perk tree has unique perks and abilities that cannot be used by a one-hander. In Vanilla, the two-handed perk tree had almost exactly the same perk bonuses/abilities as the one-handed tree which is booring. Also bladed weaponry was marginally superior in vanilla skyrim, these perks add several balanced playstyles to suit the various weapon types integrated into the mod eg (Katana, Tanto, Wakazashi, shortspear, longsword, unarmed). So now each weapon type, one-hander or two-hander has a unique playstyle that is balanced! Look at the perk trees for skyre and you will understand better.

[Deleted1308005User]

Empowered Magick

 

This is best magic-only overhaul I've tried.

Other were just too cluttered up, buggy or so..

 

I'd recommend checking it out. Doing quick tests, figuring out which suits your style the most.

[keithgun]

I'll check it dude, thanks!

[Dart98Rock]

Try AOM and Skyrim School of Wizardry.

[yafeshan]

Skyre and apocalypse opens up many possibilities you can use in a combat. Skyre forces you to use all magic schools together to be effective.