Destruction (Skyrim)

''The School of Destruction involves the harnessing the energies of fire, frost and shock. This skill makes it easier to cast spells like Fireball, Ice Spike, and Lightning Bolt.'' "Destruction magic's fine, just don't go burning down any buildings."

- Hold Guard

Destruction is a skill in and is one of the six skills that falls under The Mage play-style.

Destruction skill is raised by the use of certain kinds of spells that the in-game character can use; these spells will identify themselves as Destruction spells and entirely focus on causing damage with fire, frost, and lightning. Destruction spells are the primary weapons for any magic focused character, as it is the only school of magic that causes direct damage. Since custom spell creation no longer exists, Destruction spells and other spells must be learned by reading Spell Tomes found in various dungeons and purchased from various characters.

Branches
Destruction is divided in three types of damage: Fire, Frost and Shock. Each has its own characteristics, costs and effects, as listed below.

Fire
Fire spells consume the least amount of magicka of the three types of Destruction spells. Fire spells travel at an average velocity and inflict damage on contact as well as over time. Most fire spells inflict a "burn" effect on enemies, which boosts damage from other weapons. Dark Elves are 50% resistant to this kind of spell, which can be helpful in fighting fire-breathing dragons. Fire spells also boil small amounts of water when cast at them. A good place to try are the small waterways all around Whiterun.

Frost
Frost spells consume an average amount of Magicka, but its spells travel at a slower velocity compared to shock spells. Frost spells slow the target's movement, while dealing damage to health and stamina. Nords are 50% resistant to this kind of spell, which can be an advantage when fighting frost-breathing dragons. Also, vampires resist between 25% and 100% of frost damage, depending on the stage of vampirism.

Shock
Shock spells consume the most Magicka of the three types of Destruction spells, but its spell velocity is instant. Shock spell damage drains health and magicka, making it a choice against mages. Altmer (High Elves) may benefit more from using this kind of magic, as they have a Magicka recovery-boosting ability called Highborn. Only Bretons, with a 25% resistance to all magic, have an innate resistance to shock spell damage. Shock spells have a special ability that when cast at a dead body, it makes them spasm like they are being electrocuted.

Books and Quests
The following is a list of books that raise the Destruction skill:


 * A Hypothetical Treachery
 * Found at Fellglow Keep.
 * The High Gate Ruins next to a skeleton on the west side of the of the first hall balcony.
 * In a pit at an unnamed Nord monolith south east of Sleeping Tree Camp (Puzzle Stones)
 * The Horror of Castle Xyr - Found at Glenmoril Cavern, in a box containing ingredients that is inside a tent.
 * Mystery of Talara, v3
 * Found deep in Tolvald's Cave, in the Tolvald's Crossing part. It is in a pile of books and bones after you cross a bridge that is being sprayed with mist. Also found in Steepfall Burrow right by the skeleton in the room with the chest.
 * Found in Winterhold (City), inside Birna's Oddments on a dresser on the second floor.
 * Response to Bero's Speech - Found at Haemar's Cavern and Witchmist Grove. Also given as a reward from Urag Gro-Shub after completing Hitting The Books.
 * The Art of War Magic
 * Found in The bandit camp right below The Statue of Diabella.
 * Found in The White Hall, second story.

The following Miscellaneous Quest increases the Destruction Skill:

After finishing the Discerning the Transmundane quest, you can select The Path of Magic to increase your Destruction by 5, as well as the other Mage skills.
 * Find Pantea's Flute for Pantea Ateia in the Bards College in Solitude (Note: also increases Alteration, Enchanting, Conjuration, Restoration and Illusion)
 * returning to urag gro-shub in the college of winterhold after completing Shalidor's Insights when he has completed translating it may increase destruction instead of providing scrolls.

Spells
The following is a complete list of Destruction spells: * Special spells

Master spells can't be purchased initially. To unlock Master Destruction spells, the Destruction Ritual Spell quest must be completed upon reaching level 90 Destruction.

Starting spells
The following are Destruction spells that the character can start with if the correct race is selected:


 * Flames spell is unlocked for all races at the start of the game.
 * Sparks spell is unlocked for Dunmer (Dark Elves) at the start of the game.

Perks
The following are the perks that become available to select as the skill is leveled up

A grand total of 17 Perk Points are required to max out the tree. Note: Impact (dual-cast destruction spells stagger opponents) seems to work on all NPCs, including dragons and even Alduin, so a high enough Magicka pool, or a 100% cost reduction set of Fortify Destruction gear, will probably take any challenge out of combat against single foes. This makes a mage nearly invincible and most encounters become mundane.

Note: Impact will fail if the target is taking damage from Wall of Storms. Confirmed on PC, Draugr Deathlord could not be staggered while he was walking through a Wall of Storms.

Training

 * Wuunferth the Unliving (Adept): Palace of the Kings, Windhelm
 * Sybille Stentor (Expert): Blue Palace, Solitude
 * Faralda (Master): The College of Winterhold

Leveling

 * Wearing four items with 25% reduction to the cost of Destruction spells completely negates the magicka cost, allowing the casting of several spells infinitely.
 * Using Magic Runes can level Destruction quickly because they deal more damage per second. If using these on a non-hostile character, however, they must be set off by the caster using another Destruction spell or the Unrelenting Force shout.
 * Conjure a Frost Atronach and blast it with a fire spell or Conjure a Flame Atronach and blast it with ice. These creations explode upon death. Because Frost Atronachs are too large to fit through certain doorways, they can get stuck, leaving them vulnerable to incoming assaults.
 * Using the Flames and Healing Hands method on an Essential characters can be used to level Destruction, Restoration, and Heavy Armor or Light Armor simultaneously.
 * Repeatedly jumping up and down on a forge causes fire damage, allowing Destruction to level up. Casting healing magic to regain the health lost also raises Restoration.