Top 15 Best Destruction Spells in Skyrim

As a mage, destruction is probably the most fun you can have. As the name suggests, destruction spells are a key part of offensive magic combat.

Destruction is divided into three branches based on the elements of fire, frost and shock.

Destruction Magic in Skyrim

Fire

Fire spells generally consume the least amount of magicka compared to other branches of destruction and travel at an average velocity.

Most fire spells will also have an after effect of on-going burn damage.

Frost

Frost spells consume an average amount of magicka and are the slowest spells in terms of velocity.

Frost based spells will damage both health and stamina and will also slow down an enemy.

Shock

Shock spells consume the most amount of magicka but also have an instant velocity so will hit your target quicker than any frost or fire spells. Shock spells will cause damage to both health and magicka.

Top 15 Best Destruction Spells

Below are the top 15 Skyrim destruction spells from least to most powerful and useful.

Flame Cloak

Skill Level: 50 Adept

Tome Cost: 325

Magicka Base Cost: 289

With this spell you will be surrounded in a wall of fire for 60 seconds. Enemies in range will take 8 points of fire damage per second and take on extra fire damage.

This spell does not injure followers or neutral NPCs like town guards.

To get the Flame Cloak spell you can buy the spell tome from Faralda at the College of Winterhold or from a Court Wizard after you have reached at least level 40 in Destruction.

Frost Cloak

Skill Level: 50 Adept

Tome Cost: 340

Magicka Base Cost: 316

With this spell you will be surrounded in a wall of frost for 60 seconds.

Enemies in range will take 8 points of frost damage per second to health and stamina. This spell does not injure followers or neutral NPCs like town guards.

To get the Frost Cloak spell you can buy the spell tome from Faralda at the College of Winterhold or from a Court Wizard after you have reached at least level 50 in Destruction.

Whirlwind Cloak

Skill Level: 50 Adept

Tome Cost: 395

Magicka Base Cost: 338

This spell can only be obtained if you have the Dragonborn DLC. For 60 seconds, an enemy in melee range will be flung away from you. Cool huh?

You can get the Whirldwind Cloak spell by buying it from Talvas Fathryon in Tel Mithryn after completion of “Wind and Sand”.

Ice Storm

Skill Level: 50 Adept

Tome Cost: 360

Magicka Base Cost: 144

Casting this spell will create a spinning ice storm that harms anyone within the radius.

The enemy will deal 40 points of frost damage to health and stamina. The downside of this spell is that it can be harder to hit a moving target.

You can purchase this spell from Faralda at Winterhold, and Court Wizards.

Chain Lightening

Skill Level: 50 Adept

Tome Cost: 390

Magicka Base Cost: 156

This is a fun and useful spell if, especially if you encounter large groups of low level enemies.

Chain Lightening causes 40 points of health damage and half as much to magicka. It will then leap to another target, hence why it is so useful for groups.

Chain Lightening can be purchased from Faralda, Court Wizards and can be found in chest and enemy mages.

Fireball

Skill Level: 50 Adept

Tome Cost: 345

Magicka Base Cost: 133

One of my favourite spells, the Fireball causes 40 points of fire damage in 15 foot radius. Targets who are hit will also take on additional fire damage.

You will have to be careful as followers can be hit by this spell.

You can purchase this spell once you’ve reached level 40 in destruction skill. This spell tome can also randomly be found in Black Falls Barrow.

Wall of Storms

Skill Level: 75 Expert

Tome Cost: 725

Magicka Base Cost: 145/sec

This spell is cast on the ground and creates a wall of storms that inflicts 50 points of shock damage per second.

You can obtain this spell from Faralda at the College of Winterhold when you reach destruction level 70.

Wall of Frost

Skill Level: 75 Expert

Tome Cost: 700

Magicka Base Cost: 137/sec

This spell is cast on the ground and creates a wall of frost that inflicts 50 points of frost damage per second.

You can obtain this spell from Faralda at the College of Winterhold when you reach destruction level 70.

Wall of Flames

Skill Level: 75 Expert

Tome Cost: 680

Magicka Base Cost: 118/sec

This spell is cast on the ground and creates a wall of flames that inflicts 50 points of per damage per second.

You can obtain this spell from Faralda or Drevis Neloren at the College of Winterhold when you reach destruction level 70.

Thunderbolt

Skill Level: 75 Expert

Tome Cost: 750

Magicka Base Cost: 343

Throwing this spell shoots a thunderbolt at your enemy that causes 60 points of shock damage to health and half that to magicka.

This spell becomes available when you reach destruction level 75 and can be purchased from Faralda at the College of Winterhold.

Incinerate

Skill Level: 75 Expert

Tome Cost: 710

Magicka Base Cost: 298

Incinerate shoots a blast of fire at your target that causes 60 points of fire damage.

This spell becomes available when you reach destruction level 75 and can be purchased from Faralda at the College of Winterhold. Enthir at the college also sells the spell but it is more expensive.

Ice Spear

Skill Level: 75 Expert

Tome Cost: 725

Magicka Base Cost: 320

Visually this is a fun spell to use as the ice sticks into your target. Ice Spear causes 60 points of damage to both health and stamina.

This spell becomes available when you reach destruction level 65 and can be purchased from Faralda at the College of Winterhold. You can also find it in boss chests occasionally.

Blizzard

Skill Level: 100 Master

Tome Cost: 1350

Magicka Base Cost: 1106

Blizzard is the ultimate ice storm and is a master level spell. The spell lasts for 10 seconds and causes 20 points of frost damage.

Blizzard has a larger damage radius than other frost spells but has the main disadvantage that anyone in the radius takes on damage, including enemies, followers, and even yourself.

This spell requires the use of both hands to cast, and it does take a while to charge, which can leave you vulnerable.

Once you’ve reached level 90 in destruction you can pursue the Blizzard spell (although it may not trigger until level 100).

Speak to Faralda about learning more about destruction and you’ll start the “Destruction Ritual Spell” quest. The spell will then be available for sale.

Fire Storm

Skill Level: 100 Master

Tome Cost: 1290

Magicka Base Cost: 1426

If you’re into creating a fiery mess this master destruction is the one for you. This spell will cause a 100 points of fire damage of anyone caught in the explosion.

This spell requires the use of both hands to cast and it does take a while to charge which can leave you vulnerable.

Once you’ve reached level 90 in destruction you can pursue the Fire Storm spell (although it may not trigger until level 100).

Speak to Faralda about learning more about destruction and you’ll start the “Destruction Ritual Spell” quest. The spell will be awarded when you have read the completed book at the end of the quest.

Lightening Storm

Skill Level: 100 Master

Tome Cost: 1400

Magicka Base Cost: 138/sec

This is probably my favourite spell in the whole game because it resembles a Dragonball Z style Kamehameha.

This spell, when cast, creates a constant stream of lightening causing 75 points of shock damage per second to health and half that to magicka.

You can reduce powerful dragons within seconds with this spell.

This spell requires the use of both hands to cast and it does take a while to charge which can leave you vulnerable. Power attacks and shouts will interrupt you casting this spell.

Once you’ve reached level 90 in destruction you can pursue the Lightening Storm spell (although it may not trigger until level 100).

Speak to Faralda about learning more about destruction and you’ll start the “Destruction Ritual Spell” quest. The spell will then be available for sale.

Destruction Ritual Spell – How To Get the Master Destruction Spells

To start the destruction ritual spell you must be at least level 90 but it may not trigger until you’re level 100.

Approach Faralda and ask if there’s anything else you can learn about destruction magic.

1. You’ll be given the book Power of the Elements.
2. Head to Windward Ruins, southwest of Dawnstar. Place the book on the pedestal and cast fire magic on it.
3. Head to North Skybound Watch which is due southeast of Riverwood. Place the book on the pedestal and cast frost magic on it.
4. Travel to Four Skull Lookout which is south of Karthwasten. Place the book on the pedestal and cast shock magic on it.
5. Take the book and read it. You will be awarded with the Fire Storm spell.
6. Blizzard and Lightening Storm will now be available to purchase from Faralda for 3330 and 3454 gold respectively.

Do you agree that Lightening Storm is the best destruction spell?

You may also be interested in our other Skyrim spell guides:

• Best Alteration Spells in Skyrim
• Best Conjuration Spells in Skyrim
• Best Illusion Spells in Skyrim
• Best Restoration Spells in Skyrim

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