Conjuration Magic & Summoning
Conjuration magic in Skyrim allows you to summon creatures and weapons from other planes of existence to fight alongside you or aid you in combat. This school of magic is incredibly versatile, offering both offensive and defensive capabilities, and is a cornerstone for many powerful character builds. Mastering Conjuration can turn the tide of battle by providing extra allies or powerful tools.
The core of Conjuration lies in summoning Daedra, Atronachs, and even the dead. These summoned entities can act as distractions, deal damage, or provide support, allowing you to focus on other tasks or exploit enemy weaknesses. The effectiveness of your summons is tied to your Conjuration skill and the perks you invest in, such as Summoner, which reduces the magicka cost of spells, and Twin Souls, which allows you to have two summoned creatures active simultaneously.
Conjuration spells can be broadly categorized:
- Conjure Daedra: Summons powerful Daedric creatures like Dremora Lords, Xivilai, or Scamps. These are often aggressive and potent combatants.
- Conjure Atronach: Summons elemental beings such as Flame Atronachs, Frost Atronachs, and Storm Atronachs. Each has unique elemental resistances and attacks.
- Conjure Undead: Raises the dead to fight for you, including familiar spirits or powerful Draugr.
- Conjure Weapons: Summons magical weapons directly into your hands, such as the Bound Sword, Bound Bow, or Bound Battleaxe. These weapons are often as powerful as their Daedric counterparts and have the added benefit of soul trapping.
Key Spells and Strategies:
- Dremora Lord: A staple for many Conjurers, the Dremora Lord is a powerful melee combatant that can hold its own against most enemies.
- Flame Atronach: Excellent for dealing fire damage and providing ranged support.
- Frost Atronach: A tanky summon that can slow enemies with its frost attacks, making it ideal for controlling groups.
- Bound Bow: A fantastic early-to-mid game weapon for archers, as it deals sificant damage and automatically soul traps enemies.
- Twin Souls Perk: This perk is essential for maximizing your summoning potential, allowing you to have two Daedra or Atronachs fighting by your side.
Acquiring Spells and Training:
The College of Winterhold is the primary location for learning Conjuration spells and finding trainers. Phinis Gestor is the main Conjuration trainer. Spell tomes can be found in chests, purchased from court wizards, or discovered in ancient Nordic ruins. Some Daedric quests also reward powerful Conjuration spells.
Tactical Applications:
- Distraction: Summon a creature to draw enemy attention while you flank them or cast other spells.
- Tanking: Use a powerful summon like a Frost Atronach to absorb damage while you deal your own.
- Crowd Control: Summons can help manage groups of enemies, allowing you to focus on priority targets.
- Stealth Synergy: While not inherently stealthy, summons can be used to create diversions or deal with threats without direct engagement.
Conjuration offers a unique and powerful playstyle that can be adapted to almost any character build. Whether you're a pure mage, a spellsword, or even a stealthy assassin who uses summoned allies, mastering Conjuration will sificantly enhance your capabilities in Skyrim.