Ward (Skyrim)



Wards are restoration spells in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. When held up, they negate spell damage or effects and increase Armor Rating.

Wards act like a magic shields. They provide defense against magic damage, while also boosting armor by 40 points. The cast button needs to be held for this spell not to wear off, much like Destruction's Flames / Frostbite / Sparks spell.

Strategy

 * For players interested in being pure mage characters, defense and armor are indeed serious issues, as pure mages do not invest in health and do not wear armor. To date, the most powerful confirmed Magearmor Spell is Ebonyflesh, wich provides 100 armor for 60s. Alongside with Greater Ward, armor goes up to 180, but activating Ebonyflesh every 60s may prove to be magicka costy, and timing Greater Ward activation with incoming blows may prove to be tricky for new players. Luckly, there are Perks that improve Ebonyflesh up to 300 points, enlarge its duration and halve its cost (proof that Perks are very important in the game). On the Greater Ward side, its cost can also be halved, allowing for less magicka consumption and thus a somewhat looser timing. We also highly recommend Restoration's Recovery and Ward Absorb Perks. Alongside with enchantments, armor could go as high as 400 with these Adept-level spells, value higher than the Dragonscale Armor full set itself, but for a limited and magicka-consuming time.
 * If the spell has not been learned before joining The College of Winterhold, Tolfdir provides one free of charge if the Dragonborn participates in his Ward lesson.