Top 15 Best Restoration Spells in Skyrim

No prizes for guessing what this type of magic is. Restoration is primarily health magic but also has spells that aid defense and help against undead enemies.

Given that you will need to heal yourself throughout the game, restoration is a smart move for every player. Of course, there are potions in Skyrim that can offer the same benefits.

Best Restoration Spells in Skyrim

Lesser Ward

A simple novice level spell which gives you an extra 40 points of armor and negates 40 points of magic damage.

This spell costs 34 magicka a second and can buy you precious time in a fight. This spell is obtained for completing the quest First Lessons when you first join the College of Winterhold.

Fast Healing

This spell requires a small charge before being cast but it will instantly add 50 points to your health. The spell costs 73 magicka to cast.

You can find this spell tome in Fort Amol or purchase from merchants in the College of Winterhold, Blue Palace, and Dragonsreach.

Healing Hands

Healing hands costs 25 magicka per second to cast and gives the target 10 points of health per second. This spell tome can be purchased from court wizards and sometimes found on hostile mages.

Steadfast Ward

Much the same as the Lesser Ward, the Steadfast Ward gives you an extra 60 points of armor and negates 60 points of magic damage.

The spell costs 58 magicka per second to perform and can be purchased from court wizards.

Close Wounds

Close Wounds is twice as good as fast healing as it gives the caster 100 points of health instantly. Similarly, this spell needs to be charged before it is cast and costs 126 magicka.

You can pick this spell up randomly or buy it from Colette Marence at the College of Winterhold for 360 gold.

Greater Ward

An upgrade from the Steadfast Ward, the Greater Ward gives you an extra 80 points of armor and negates 80 points of magic damage.

The spell costs 86 magicka to perform and can be purchased from Colette Marence at the College of Winterhold.

Heal Other

A useful spell if you have a follower (cannot be used on undead or atronachs), Heal Other will give 75 points of health to an ally and costs 60 magicka to cast.

You may come across the spell tome randomly on your adventures or it can be purchased from Colette Marence in the College of Winterhold.

Poison Rune

This spell is only available in the Dragonborn DLC. This spell will give 3 points of poison damage per second for 30 seconds.

However, this spell can be useless if they are poison resistant such as machines or the undead. This spell can be purchased from Talvas Fathryon in Tel Mithryn.

Vampire’s Bane

A great spell against vampires (and all undead) that is only available if you have the Dawnguard DLC.

This spell is thrown and deals 40 points of sunlight explosion damage in a 15-foot radius from wherever it hits.

This spell can only be purchased from Florentius Baenius at Fort Dawnguard if you side with the Dawnguard.

This adept level spell costs 58 magicka to cast and will not harm you (unless you are a vampire yourself).

Circle of Protection

Another great spell to use against undead enemies, Circle of Protection will cause them to flee if they are level 20 and below and enter the circle.

The spell costs 171 magicka to casts and lasts 30 seconds. Just note that the circle stays wherever it was first cast and does not follow you.

You can purchase this spell from Colette Marence once you reach level 65 in Restoration.

Grand Healing

The ultimate healing spell, Grand Healing gives everyone within a 20-foot radius 200 points of health.

As this is a radial spell rather than needing to be cast at a specific target, it’s great for healing you and your followers in Skyrim.

The spell costs 254 magicka to cast and can be purchased from Colette Marence, found in boss chests from level 45 onwards, and found as random loot during the Dawnguard quests.

Repel Undead

A spell that does exactly as it says, this spell will repel undead up to level 16 to flee for 30 seconds.

You can purchase this from Colette Marence at the College of Winterhold. The spell costs 353 magicka to cast.

Turn Greater Undead

One of the best spells to repel undead, Turn Greater Undead does the same as other spells only better.

This spell will repel undead up to level 21 to flee for 30 seconds and costs 267 magicka to cast. Again, you can purchase this from Colette Marence at the College of Winterhold.

Bane of the Undead

Surprisingly, the first of two master restoration spells having nothing to do with healing.

The first of these spells is Bane of the Undead which will not only make undead up to level 30 flee for 30 seconds but will also set them on fire.

The spell needs to be charged and cast with two hands and costs 988 magicka.

This is a reward for completing the Restoration Ritual Spell (see below).

Guardian Circle

Guardian Circle will cause any undead, up to level 35, to flee. On top of that you will also be healed for 20 points of health per second.

As a master-level spell it needs to be charged and cast with both hands and costs 716 magicka.

This spell can be purchased from Colette Marence once the Restoration Ritual Spell has been completed.

Restoration Ritual Spell

So you’re ready to become the master of Restoration? For that you’ll need to complete the Restoration Ritual Spell.

To start this quest you’ll need to be at least level 90 in Restoration and then speak to Colette Marence in the College of Winterhold.

She can usually be found in her room on the second floor of the Hall of Countenance late in the evening or sleeping at night.

You’ll be given the task of going to the Midden and speaking to the Augur of Dunlain.

This can be a tricky quest if you are not prepared for it. You will be stripped of everything except for spells, powers, and Dragon Shouts.

You will then have to survive attacks by 3 ghosts who are immune to your attacks. This will put your restoration magic to the test.

Bane of the Undead will be your quest reward and then Guardian Circle will be available for purchase.

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

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

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