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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition

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Destruction

By
Scott Peers

This page details an overview of the Destruction skill in Skyrim, including recommended perks, leveling tips, and where to find Destruction trainers.

Destruction, Skyrim.

Destruction Overview

Increasing your Destruction Skill Level reduces the amount of Magicka Destruction spells cost. Destruction spells come in a variety of forms - runes (magical traps), cloaks (close range damage per second) and direct damaging spells. These spells are split into three elements: fire, shock and frost.

Recommended Perks

The Destruction school sounds cool, but in reality it is far inferior in direct damage output to Archery, making it difficult to recommend investing any perks into this tree. If you must invest, however, Novice Destruction is a mandatory waste of a perk, leading to the better Destruction Dual Casting, which will make spells stronger, while Impact staggers an enemy when you hit with spells that are cast from both hands. These will dramatically improve your combat ability if you really want to use Destruction. If you have to specialize in any one element we’d recommend shock, as few foes are resistant to it and choking off the Magicka reserves of an enemy mage will effectively neutralize them.

Leveling Tips

Like Archery, Destruction can take time, as you just need to get out there and kill things with spells to improve the skill. Ranged skills are pains like that, and although it’s technically possible to max this skill at Helgen, you’d have to have an insane amount of dedication and time on your hands to do so. On the plus side, using more potent spells quickens the process, so it’s suggested that you switch up to higher spells whenever possible to keep the leveling process from stagnating too much.

Destruction Trainer Locations

Trainer Skill Level Location
Wuunferth the Unliving Adept (Lv. 15 - 50) Windhelm, Palace of the Kings (Upstairs)
Sybille Stentor Expert (Lv. 51 - 75) Solitude, Blue Palace
Faralda Master (Lv. 76 - 90) College of Winterhold
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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    Bethesda Softworks
  • Platforms,
    PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, XB 360, XB One
  • Genre
    Action RPG
  • Guide Release
    11 November 2021
  • Last Updated
    7 November 2021
    Version History
  • Guide Author
    Greg Wright

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Skyrim is the homeland of the Nords, a fierce and proud warrior people who are well suited for the bitter cold and mountainous terrain which defines the land. Now scarred by civil war, Skyrim faces its darkest days with the return of the legendary dragons and their leader, the World-Eater Alduin. The future of Skyrim and even the lands beyond hangs in the balance, as the people await the prophesized Dragonborn, a hero born with the power of The Voice and the only one who can contend with the dragons. You are that Dragonborn; your task is to investigate why the dragons are returning, and discover a way to defeat them. At the same time, you’re free to explore Skyrim at your own pace, uncovering its many wonders along the way.

Version 1.2

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