Destruction (Skyrim)

Destruction is a skill in, and is one of the skills that falls under The Mage play-style. Destruction skill is raised by casting Destruction spells. These spells identify themselves as coming from the Destruction school, because their tomes depict an open palm, circled in fire. Destruction spells serve as the main offensive for mages, as it is the only spell school to cause direct damage. (Multiple Conjuration spells cause damage, such as Bound Sword, but the damage is not technically caused by the use of the spell directly.)

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. Notably, Faralda of the College of Winterhold is the master of Destruction and sells the bulk of Destruction spell tomes.

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 20% and 50% 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 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.

Books and quests
The following is a list of books that raise the Destruction skill. Specific locations can be found on each, individual book page.
 * A Hypothetical Treachery
 * The Horror of Castle Xyr
 * Mystery of Talara, v3
 * Response to Bero's Speech
 * The Art of War Magic
 * Oghma Infinium raises Destruction, and all other magically based skills, by 5 increments when the "Path of Magic" is taken.

The following miscellaneous quests increases the Destruction Skill:
 * Find Pantea's Flute for Pantea Ateia in the Bards College in Solitude. This also increases Alteration, Enchanting, Conjuration, Restoration, and Illusion.
 * After completing Shalidor's Insights for Urag gro-Shub at the College of Winterhold, he may increase the Destruction skill instead of offering scrolls when the manuscripts have been translated.

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. 17 Perk points are required to max out the tree.

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. In this sense, it also means there is less of a purpose in taking the Adept, Expert, or Master Destruction perks, allowing the Dragonborn to spend perks on other skills.
 * 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. Alternatively, after damaging the atronach, use healing spells from the Restoration school to level a third spell type all in one session.
 * 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. Patch v1.4 corrected this exploit.

Distruzione (Skyrim)