Here's how to get started on your mage journey. While it's not as gratifying as playing a high damage stealth archer or a tanky warrior bashing through enemies, it requires a lot of planning and strategizing which can feel surprisingly rewarding in the long run. That being said, there's a way to make things work and to even feel empowered as a mage. With how much close-range combat is included in the game, it can also feel daunting to even attempt playing a mage. Spellcasters tend to fare well early into the game but struggle later on as their damage tanks compared to other builds like the classic stealth archer and even two-handed warrior. That's because the game hasn't done a great job at balancing magic in the long run. Mages are one of the toughest builds to execute properly in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
