Made with Anniversary Edition, but only the Myrwatch and Arcane Accessory CCs were used. Mods can be used, but aren't required and weren't used in the making of this build.
Intro
I have served in High King Torygg's court as his court wizard since his coronation. I will never forgive Ulfric for what he did. He may call it a challenge, but he attacked with the Thu'um until the poor boy was on his knees. That's when he did it. He drove his blade through Torygg's heart. You can dress the act up with pretty words all you want, but deep down, murder is murder. I will tear that usurper's rebellion down, with angry atronachs at my side and arcane energy in my hands. Unfortunately, my age seems to be getting to me, and I have forgotten all but the most basic spells in my arsenal. My old friend Hadvar will likely help me, though he will probably insist on calling me "Prisoner". He is odd, but he's my best hope of getting out of Helgen alive.
Schools of Magic
Focus on Conjuration first, so that you can level up your other magics with a couple of Dremora Lords as your personal bodyguards. Next, level Illusion, because it is easier and basically lets you decide whether or not you want to fight that one giant. Alteration is your main source of defense, so level that up to about 60 before leveling Destruction and Restoration to 80. After that, skills can be leveled however you like.
Quests
College of Winterhold - Refresh your knowledge of the arcane arts while helping resolve the College's problems.
Civil War - Bring Ulfric down and avenge your king.
Myrwatch - There seems to be a magical tower around Morthal. Perhaps you could make use of it?
Main Questline - The Greybeards seem to want to instruct you in the use of the Thu'um
Dragonborn - Discover new spells in Solstheim.
Dawnguard - The Dawnguard could use your fire magic to ward off vampires. Alternatively, you could become one to further your power.
Book of Love - You have heard that Mara has granted magic resistance to her chosen few. Perhaps consider gaining her favor.
Any others that further your arcane knowledge
Equipment
Use robes until you finish the College of Winterhold questline, at which point you get the Arch-Mage's robes, fit for a Master Wizard. You may also wish to keep the Staff of Magnus.
Race, Standing Stone, and Shouts
Slow Time works very well with your Cloak and Storm spells. Become Ethereal can help safely charge Master-level spells and is also useful with Cloak spells. As for the Standing Stone, grab the Mage Stone. Over the course of the playthrough, take the Atronach Stone. Any race can make a good wizard, but High Elf stands out as the best pure mage.
Roleplay
For the most part, you are a power-hungry mage. You venture throughout Skyrim looking for arcane power and vengeance. Eventually, you will enter Apocrypha and swear fealty to Hermaeus Mora for his forbidden knowledge. If there is no power to be gained and no Ulfric to be slain, there is no reason to be there.
Alteration Perks
Restoration Perks
Necromage is only necessary if you wish to become a Vampire Lord during the Dawnguard DLC.
Conjuration Perks
Illusion Perks
Destruction Perks
Enchanting (Optional)
Additional
When you run out of perk points to spend, repeatedly level Illusion by making it Legendary and spam-casting Muffle.
Leveling
Destruction: Unbound Storms (can be found in Hob's Fall Cave right before the iron gate)
Restoration: Equilibrium + Fast Healing
Alteration: Cast either Magelight or Candlelight until you reach 50 Alteration. After that, use Detect Life in the middle of a city to gain XP for each NPC detected. You could also use Telekinesis and Fast Travel to the opposite side of the map, but you will need a 0 Magicka cost for Telekinesis.
Conjuration: Kill something and spam-cast Soul Trap on it.
Illusion: Spam-cast Muffle
Enchanting: Disenchant any items you can find (dead Thalmor in between Helgen and Riverwood has one), re-enchant weapons, and sell them for more soul gems and enchantable items.
Combat
Know that if you want to run through a dungeon with nothing but your favorite equipment, the Master Wizard is not for you. Part of being a mage is using whatever kind of magic your opponent is weak against. Use fire against frost wraiths, lightning against mages, and frost against warriors. If you know you can't survive a fight against someone, use Illusion to bypass them until you can come back to fight them. Also, consider buffing your summoned daedra while they fight for you.
Replies
Alright to start. I'd recommend more pictures to help break up texts, and also adding on gameplay. How does this character combat X or Y
Hey there! Nice character you have here. Always love me some full-fledged mage builds. However, this one still feels like a draft rahther than a full build. If you're willing to expand it, I'm sure you can present a much more intresting character to play. I agree with Chris, the combat section is still lacking, and the list of perks is absent. This guide here provides substantial pointers to present a pleasing build:
https://theskyforge.ning.com/groups/tes-character-building/forum/gu...