Skyrim's Worst Alteration Spells (& Creative Ways To Use Them)

Every dungeon in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim ends with some leveled loot, and there are few moments more disappointing than finding that reward to be a Spell Tome for Candlelight or Telekinesis. Alteration is a defensive school of magic in Skyrim, with most of its spells centered around physical damage reduction, but it also houses the game’s miscellaneous spells. While these may seem worthless at first glance, there are some clever ways to make Skyrim's worst Alteration spells helpful.

Spells like Telekinesis, Candlelight, and Equilibrium are key examples of why many fans are hoping The Elder Scrolls 6 fixes Skyrim’s lackluster magic. The reality is, however, that these spells need to be considered within the grander scope of the game in order to understand their utility. Detect Life, another Alteration spell, allows the player to sense enemies through walls. For stealth builds, it can make all the difference. Ash Rune, which freezes targets but makes them invulnerable to damage, may seem like a worse version of Paralysis, but it still has value.

Related: Skyrim's Best Strategic Uses For Fire, Frost, & Shock Destruction Magic

Paralysis is one of the most powerful spells in the Alteration tree - and perhaps one of the best spells in Skyrim; there’s a reason Mass Paralysis is rewarded for completing the Alteration Ritual Spell master quest. Like Ash Rune, Paralysis spells have a high Magicka cost, especially when dual-casting. The major advantage to Ash Rune, then, is that it can be cast before combat even starts. It’s a helpful way to prepare a getaway plan: Placing an Ash Rune on the Dragonborn’s escape route guarantees pursuing enemies will be rooted to the spot. The other lackluster Alteration spells have similarly niche but practical uses.

Candlelight

Candlelight is one of the least useful spells in Skyrim, but there are some situations where it can even prevent death. It functions as a standard torch (but takes no inventory space), lighting dark corridors and illuminating surroundings. This does help with underwater exploration and spotting trap tiles and pitfalls, but it’s in some of Skyrim’s Black Book quests that it really shines. Both "Filament and Filigree" and "The Sallow Regent" take place in dark caves where shadows eat away at the Dragonborn’s health. Light sources nullify this draining effect, and Candlelight is the best option. It follows the player, floating over their head, so it's hands-free, unlike a torch. The player can hold a weapon or shield in their left hand or use two-handed weapons without penalty.

Telekinesis

Although throwing items with Telekinesis does deal slight amounts of damage, it's so weak that YouTuber Mitten Squad made an entire Skyrim playthrough challenge of beating the game with only Telekinesis. Using the spell in combat is definitely not recommended, but Telekinesis does have some use, such as in the rare instance when coin pouches or potions are on precarious ledges far out of reach or in an enemy’s line of sight. It can also be used to identify objects from far away, as the spell highlights and names any object the player can see.

Equilibrium

Casting spells in the Elder Scrolls series normally means dishing out damage or equipping a buff. Equilibrium, when cast frivolously, can actually kill the Dragonborn by accident, as it slowly converts health into Magicka, replenishing mana at the cost of HP. This Spell Tome is a secret many Skyrim players miss, as it can only be unlocked by investigating Labyrinthian as part of the College of Winterhold questline. At first glance, it seems like a detrimental spell, particularly since it works so slowly. Combined with other effects, however, Equilibrium can be quite powerful. The trick is negating the health drain effect with a power like Argonians' Histskin or a Health Regen potion. At that point, Equilibrium can regenerate both health and Magicka at the same time.

In these ways, Alteration magic works much like its own Transmute Mineral Ore spell: Some of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's Alteration spells may seem as pointless and bland as iron ore. But with a little creativity, they can be morphed into silver or even gold.

Next: Elder Scrolls: How Alchemy Can Enhance Skyrim's Strongest Builds

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