To embark on your spellcrafting journey, you must first join the Mages Guild and gain entry to the prestigious Arcane University. Once inside, make your way to the Praxographical Center where the Altar of Spellmaking awaits your arcane talents.
The system operates on a fundamental principle: you can only incorporate spell effects that you already know and can cast. For example, if Shield magic isn’t in your repertoire, you won’t be able to create any new spells featuring that protection effect. Similarly, if you possess a Summon Storm Atronach spell but lack the ability to cast it, creating a weaker version remains beyond your capabilities.
Here’s where complexity enters the equation. Even with knowledge of a spell and the ability to cast it, you might create a spell beyond your current casting abilities. The spell creation interface displays the required skill level needed to cast your newly designed spell at the bottom of the screen. Fortunately, virtually every desirable spell effect can be purchased from local temples or at the Mages Guild.
Understanding Spell Parameters
When adding effects to your custom spell, you’ll navigate several important options after selecting the base effect. The first decision involves Range, offering three choices: Self, Touch, and Target. Self applies the effect to your character, while Touch and Target determine whether your spell requires close proximity or can be launched from a distance. Target spells prove significantly more effective and versatile, though they demand greater Magicka expenditure.
You’ll also configure Magnitude, Area, and Duration parameters. Magnitude defines the spell’s raw power—increasing this value makes your fireball inflict greater damage on impact. Area determines the spell’s effective radius; a large Area setting allows you to damage multiple enemies when striking a central target. While these wide-effect spells are expensive, they can be valuable in specific situations.
Duration controls how long the spell effect persists. A Fire Damage spell with extended Duration continues inflicting damage each second until the effect expires. This approach proves more effective, albeit slower, than emphasizing Magnitude alone, and comes highly recommended for optimal results.
For truly devastating combinations, consider creating spells that first inflict weakness to specific effects before delivering that same type of damage. A spell incorporating Weakness to Lightning Damage, Weakness to Magic, and Lightning Damage will devastate opponents with remarkable efficiency.
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