Restoration (Skill): Healing and Protection
The Restoration skill in Skyrim focuses on spells that heal, protect, and ward off the undead. It is an essential skill for any character who wishes to survive prolonged combat, support allies, or combat the forces of necromancy. Investing in Restoration allows you to become a formidable force of light against the darkness that plagues Skyrim.
To level up your Restoration skill, you must cast Restoration spells. The amount of experience gained depends on the spell's magnitude and the difficulty of the situation. Healing yourself or allies in combat, or using spells to turn undead, will grant the most experience. Early in the game, you can find basic healing spells like 'Healing' and 'Fast Healing' from court wizards or general goods merchants.
The Restoration skill tree offers several perks that enhance your healing and protective capabilities:
- Novice Restoration: Allows casting of Novice Restoration spells at 50% less Magicka.
- Recovery: Magicka regenerates 50% faster. This is a crucial perk for any mage.
- Respite: Healing spells also restore Stamina.
- Avoid Death: Once a day, if you are low on health, you will be restored to full health and given a temporary boost to armor.
- Necromage: All spells used on yourself are 25% more powerful. Undead are more vulnerable to your spells.
- Adept/Expert/Master Restoration: Reduces the Magicka cost of higher-tier Restoration spells.
Restoration spells are categorized into several types:
- Healing: Spells that restore health, such as 'Healing', 'Fast Healing', and 'Close Wounds'.
- Ward: Spells that create a magical barrier to absorb incoming spells, such as 'Lesser Ward' and 'Greater Ward'.
- Turn Undead: Spells that cause undead creatures to flee, such as 'Turn Lesser Undead' and 'Turn Greater Undead'.
- Recharge: Spells that restore Magicka, such as 'Equilibrium' (which drains health to restore Magicka).
Trainers can sificantly speed up your Restoration skill progression. Characters like Colette Marence at the College of Winterhold or Danica Pure-Spring in Whiterun offer training. Additionally, finding Skill Books that boost Restoration, such as 'The Black Arts and a Lady's Love' or 'Racial and Religious Tolerance', can provide a substantial experience boost.
For characters who rely heavily on magic, investing in Restoration is highly recommended. It not only ensures your survival but also provides powerful tools for dealing with specific enemy types, particularly the undead that are prevalent throughout Skyrim. Combining Restoration with other magic skills like Destruction or Conjuration can create a well-rounded and formidable mage.