#pure mage

I never understand why players shit on Alchemy. It's one of my top five favorite skill trees, my money maker, and it plays a heavy hand in my two favorite playstyles—the forest druid and pure mage.

Alchemy is underrated, but it should be as much appreciated as grinding combat and the other stealth skills.

For what it's worth, my favorite potions are Damage Magicka Regeneration for its high selling prices even at low levels; fortify alchemy; fortify smithing; and the invisibility potion. 🫕🍃🥦🥀🧙‍♀️

I saw a post in Reddit where OP couldn't grasp it because of the trial and error of potion-making; but literally all I ever did and do is select three highlighted ingredients and see what pairs up.

I’m playing a Nord scout (archery, one-handed, shield, crossbow, alchemy, light armor, and sneak); and it’s the first time that I’ve ever played as a Nord. It feels almost surreal because I’ve usually only played as a Bosmer, Altmer, or Breton; it’s weird how the kinsman don’t scowl or leer at me when I walk by. 

While I like it, and it’s actually quite fun, I’m more at home as a Bosmer Stealth Archer; but I’ve done it too many times that I get bored and start using some out-of-character magic for my Hero.

Though, no matter what race or playthrough I use, I always dabble toward magic playstyles: a druid for Bosmer, a battlemage for a Breton...

I’ve tried countless times to do a Pure Mage but around level 20, I get easily frustrated because they’re so squishy and I have no real way of targeting opponents especially when I’m in a delicate situation (such a vampire trying to assault me while other non-essential NPCs are trying to kill me). And my Pure Mage, whether I start out as an honorable witch or whatever, always leans toward the Daedra. 

PREVIOUSLY...ON SKYRIM...

Altmer High Elf Hybrid (using mods, Vampire and Werewolf), Pure Mage, and trying to get into the Dark Brotherhood—

I finished building Lakeview Manor fit for a witch, adopted two children off the street, and unsure of whether to marry Marcurio or Jenassa—

I've always married Aela, but I'm usually playing as a stealth archer. So...

Do you consider bound weapons for the pure mage or would it be more of a spell sword, nightblade build?

I recommend traveling with either a meat shield (Lydia) or Marcurio (The Mage who lives in the Bee and Barb at Riften)

By experience, for starters go meet Sam Guevenne to get the Sanguine Rose Staff, which conjures a Dremora Lord to fight for you for 60 seconds. That shit is underrated.

Go to the Winterhold College.

By going through the college, you'll end up going to Labyrinthian, where you'll meet Morokei, a Dragon Priest. His mask allows you to regenerate Magicka 100% faster right off the bat.

Then do Arniel's endeavor. At the end of the quest, you'll get Arniel's Shade, which is a bomb ass spell to have as a pure Mage. It's basically conjuring a powerful mage to fight for you, and you can summon him at far distances from you (which keeps you out of the fray of battle). Like it's a really underrated spell. Arniel's Shade has gotten me through Dragon attacks, Giants, Mammoths — And it's so awesome traveling with Marcurio and Arniel it's like have two followers. (I play on Xbox 360, so no mods for me 😭)

The archmage robes + Morokei + any other jewelry which fortifies Magicka Regen can defy the negative stunting regeneration during the daylight as a vampire. Or even Expert robes (Magicka regenerates 125% faster)

I also recommend using Detect Life and Invisibility.

Bam!! Vampire Pure Mage.

Use Fire Runes to level your Destruction (fire because it costs less), but I think using Sparks alone levels it faster too.

Mage Stone...Use the mage stone.