Board Thread:Skyrim/@comment-11344160-20140115224817/@comment-71.8.149.193-20140116044638

For Destruction magic, the Impact perk is essential. With that, coupled with 2/2 in the Augmented perks of a certain element and the Expert level destruction spell, you will stagger anything if you hit it with a dual-cast spell. If you repeatedly cast them, you can stagger-lock enemies and nothing will ever really hit you. You may also want to level up Enchanting and enchant apparel (headwear, bodywear, a ring, and a necklace) with 25% Destruction cost reduction to make running out of Magicka a non-issue for your offensive spells.

For the elemental spells, I use shock as the main spell since it is nearly unresisted (if I'm right, only storm atronachs have a significant resistance to them). I also use frost as backup for storm atronachs, as well as for warriors as it slows them down and drains their stamina.

With those things, a pure destruction mage can be very effective, though I've found it can be a little boring. I was fighting Volthuryol and all it took was me dual-casting repeatedly and he couldn't even hit me.