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Elder Scrolls
SkillIllusion
For other uses, see Illusion.

Illusion is one of the six skills that fall under The Mage play-style. Targeted Illusion spells include Calm, Frenzy, Fear, or Courage and spells cast on one's self such as Muffle or Invisibility. Casting Illusion spells raise the corresponding skill. Casting Illusion spells consumes Magicka. The effectiveness of Illusion spells depends on the caster's skill and the foe's resistance to the spells or spells in general. Some beings are entirely immune to Illusion magic. Only one race begins the game with an Illusion spell; an Altmer Dragonborn, with the rage-inducing spell Fury. Those of mer blood excel at Illusion and begin the game with increased ranks in the skill. Altmer begin with 25, while Bretons and Dunmer begin with 20.

"You're the one that casts those illusions. Impressive."
Hold Guard[src]

Illusion can be advanced by casting spells governed by the school, by reading books associated with the topic, performing certain quests or services for others, or by employing a teacher proficient in the field such as Drevis Neloren, a professor of Illusion at the College of Winterhold. Illusion is used to avoid confrontations with law enforcement or hostile beings, evade battles, and also buy time in battle for further maneuvering. This magic group is more commonly used by the stealthy characters in Skyrim.

Changes from previous game (Oblivion)[]

Light (Magelight and Candlelight) and Paralyze have been moved to the Alteration school. Command Daedra is now the only command type spell and is in the conjuration school. Fear has replaced Demoralize but both have the same effect.

Nighteye is now only a racial power of the Khajiit.

Charm, Silence and Chameleon are entirely absent.

Skill Books[]

Main article: Skill Books (Skyrim)

The Daedric artifact Oghma Infinium raises Illusion and all other magicka-based skills by 5, if the "path of the Mage" is taken.

Quests[]

Spells[]

The following is a complete list of Illusion spells:

Novice (skill level 0)[]

Spell Name Description Magicka Base Cost
Clairvoyance Shows the path to the current goal. 25 per second
Courage Target won't flee for 60 seconds, and gets some extra health and stamina. 39
Fury Creatures and people up to level 6 will attack anything nearby for 30 seconds. 67
Vision of the Tenth Eye Makes the Master Illusion texts visible. Also gives night vision for 30 seconds. 0

Apprentice (skill level 25)[]

Spell Name Description Magicka Base Cost
Calm Creatures and people up to level 9 won't fight for 30 seconds. 146
Fear Creatures and people up to level 9 flee from combat for 30 seconds. 153
Muffle Move more quietly for 180 seconds. 144
Vampire's Seduction Calms creatures and people up to level 10 for 30 seconds. 146

Adept (skill level 50)[]

Spell Name Description Magicka Base Cost
Frenzy Creatures and people up to level 14 will attack anyone nearby for 60 seconds. 209
Frenzy Rune DR Creatures and people up to level 20 will attack anyone nearby for 30 seconds. 165
Rally Targets won't flee for 60 seconds and get extra health and stamina. 113

Expert (skill level 75)[]

Spell Name Description Magicka Base Cost
Invisibility Caster is invisible for 30 seconds. Activating an object or attacking will break the spell. 334
Pacify Creatures and people up to level 20 won't fight for 60 seconds. 290
Rout Creatures and people up to level 20 flee from combat for 30 seconds. 316

Master (skill level 100)[]

Master spells cannot be purchased initially. To unlock Master Illusion spells, the "Illusion Ritual Spell" quest must be completed upon reaching level 100 Illusion.

Spell Name Description Magicka Base Cost
Call to Arms Targets have improved combat skills, health, and stamina for 10 minutes. 655
Harmony Creatures and people up to level 25 nearby won't fight for 60 seconds. 1052
Hysteria Creatures and people up to level 25 flee from combat for 60 seconds. 866
Mayhem Creatures and people up to level 25 will attack anyone nearby for 60 seconds. 990

Starting spells[]

Altmer start the game with Fury.

Perks[]

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

Perk Requirements Description ID
Novice Illusion None Cast Novice level Illusion spells for half magicka. 000F2CA9
Illusion Dual Casting Illusion 20, Novice Illusion Dual casting an Illusion spell overcharges the effects into an even more powerful version. 000153D0
Animage Illusion 20, Novice Illusion Illusion spells now work on higher level animals (+8 levels). 000581E1
Apprentice Illusion Illusion 25, Novice Illusion Cast Apprentice level Illusion spells for half magicka. 000C44C3
Hypnotic Gaze Illusion 30, Novice Illusion Calm spells now work on higher level opponents (+8 levels). 00059B77
Kindred Mage Illusion 40, Animage All Illusion spells work on higher level people (+10 levels). 000581E2
Adept Illusion Illusion 50, Apprentice Illusion Cast Adept level Illusion spells for half magicka. 000C44C4
Aspect of Terror Illusion 50, Hypnotic Gaze Fear spells work on higher level opponents (+10 levels). 00059B78
Quiet Casting Illusion 50, Kindred Mage All spells cast from any school of magic are silent to others. 000581FD
Rage Illusion 70, Aspect of Terror Frenzy spells work on higher level opponents (+12 levels). 000C44B5
Expert Illusion Illusion 75, Adept Illusion Cast Expert level Illusion spells for half magicka. 000C44C5
Master of the Mind Illusion 90, Rage, Quiet Casting Illusion spells work on undead, daedra and automatons. 00059B76
Master Illusion Illusion 100, Expert Illusion Cast Master level Illusion spells for half magicka. 000C44C6

Trainers[]

Trivia[]

  • The Quiet Casting perk affects Dragon Shouts.
  • When casting spells such as Courage or Calm, those that are affected may be heard saying, "Hey, I didn't ask you to magic me."
  • Dual Casting can make most Illusion spells more powerful than Master Illusion spells.
  • Despite not doing any actual damage, most Illusion spells can kill Hawks, Bone Hawks, Felsaad Terns, birds and Salmon in a single hit.
  • Using Illusion spells (such as Courage) on Roggvir before he is executed in Solitude may cause him to attack the guards who will in turn attack the Dragonborn despite the action not generating hold bounty.
  • In a loading screen quote about Illusion, it mentions that Illusion is used to cast "Charm," however this spell does not make an appearance in Skyrim.

Appearances[]


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