So, about Destruction magic...

I stand on the grassy spot just behind the train yard, just around the corner from where you stand. Then I can detect nearly everybody. You are detecting them even if you aren't looking directly at them so I'm catching the market and the soldiers. I stand
where you stand if I want to raise illusion and cast calm on the guy selling fish. He never moves though he occasionally grumbles about me casting magic on him. That one is an active cast unlike clairvoyance but it is a higher level and so faster past level
50. As for TK, yes, I just drop an apple and pick it up with TK and hold it in the air with one hand while casting Detect Life with the other. Where I stand I am not an item of curiosity since no one can see me.

I think it's funny when I stand on the parapet by the ramp and can see the snooty Tairie from Radient Raiment walking back and forth all day in her fine clothes carrying firewood to her shop. You'd think they could hire someone. Belathor has a hirling to
handle the sweeping and wood collecting. Tairie doesn't chop the wood though, just hauls it.

 

I did that one too but i thought you had to actually see them glowing in blue to get "credit" for that person. I'm going to go to your spot and break out my timer app on my phone. Thanks LadyB, as always you are a great source of info, only reason I voted
you a 5 star rating is because they don't have 6!

 

"You actually have to see them glowing blue to get credit"

No you don't. Experience gained is affected by how many people are in the radius of the spell, not how many you see.

 

Thanks JimBob,

It would stand to reason that the radius of detect life would be contingent, among other criteria, on the casters Alteration level? Because that would explain a few anomalies we've encountered when we make Alteration Legendary. (17 times now, my oldest is
persistent)

 

Level itself only affects how much magicka is used to cast the spell. There may be perks that increase the radius of Detect life, though.

 

Stability adds +50% duration to Alteration spells, but Detect Life, among others, has no duration. And it does not seem to affect the magicka drain either. Maybe dual casting increases it's effective range? But at increased magicka drain. I don't have enough
buff in alteration for zero drain yet...

Further experimenting is needed....

 

How did the DL experimentations go GM?

 

WC- Dual casting Detect Life seemingly has no effect on range or increasing the level at which experience is gained. The only effect I've observed is the obvious - increased drain on magika.

To wit:

My current wardrobe, level ( 106 ) and abilities permit me to "single" cast this spell for 3:10 seconds (looking towards Solitudes "Bits n Pieces" at 3PM, from atop the rock outcropping adjacent the smiths place) before exhausting magika - 480 to
0. My master level Alteration robe will regenerate my magika in just under 12 seconds. When dual casting DL in the same get up I burn through the same magika in 1:25, not twice as fast, but almost 2.25X as fast for those scoring at home.

Controls for this experiment were turning off auto saves, and reloading from the same save point for each attempt. I think I did it five times before I felt silly, turned the Xbox off and got on my Harley and rode off into the sunset.

PS: USEPwiki, a Steam forum and another forum I forget the name of seem to back me up on this. There is no benfit to dual casting that spell, nor Detect Dead either i suspect.

 

Dual Casting is generally not economical since it costs more than just casting with both hands. Destruction can be if you have the impact perk but that is the only school I have ever found to be worth taking a dual cast perk for. Has anyone checked to see
if Aura Whisper has a longer range than detect life?

 

Agreed, many in those forums I've been reading seem to think the magic system favors the Destruction school in this game. It does... I would suggest that's as it should be. The word destruction in and of itself implies offensive might in the context of the
mage. When you are a 98lb squishy female mage about to take on a bandit camp, calming them won't get you the bounty, it will buy you time but you still have to make them dead at some point. I realize that is a bit simplistic, but when operating tactically,
especially in hostile territory, simple is your friend.

I think there is some benefit in dual casting some Illusion spells as well, but not from an economic standpoint. Have not used them in some time but I am fairly certain Fury/Frenzy/Mayhem and similar "mood enhancers" in this school will affect any person/creature
not inherently immune when dual cast, regardless of level. I am not sure about any enhanced effect dual casting Clairvoyance???

In my experience Aura Whisper has much greater range than Detect Life. It won't find dragons but anything else that draws breath, in range, can not hide. But as we know, it fails to differentiate friend from foe. Not so much an issue outside of the cities
and towns if mostly traveling alone as you do Lady Bastet.

 

I always preferred Aura Whisper since I can just shout while I walk. if I detect life I have to stop and hold it so I can look all the way around me. As for favoring Destruction, I agree, it should. The object is to eliminate the bad guys and survive to
tell about it. Anything I can bring to that battle that keeps me in one undamaged piece is a good thing. I don't think being a dedicated destruction mage is easy early though. It takes some perseverance to make it powerful.

 

"When you are a 98lb squishy female mage"

If you mean the Forsworn leader I met last night, she wasn't squishy --- and she kicked my butt! ;-) Which I guess proves your point. lol.

In all seriousness though, is there anything more terrifying in the game than being raged at by a 98lb female bandit who is wearing not much more than a skin bikini while the North wind blows cold and snow? Thats one tough chick! I'm usually wearing the full
deal -- mage robe, fur gloves, fur hat, fur boots and look like a satanic christmas elf.

 

What an image! The foresworn are there for one reason only, to let the player be spanked by eyecandy

 

LOL WC, I wouldn't feel bad, I'd wager those Foresworn ladies tip the scales about a buck twenty-five. I've always been good at guessing a ladies weight, and even better at keeping those guesses to myself, I don't consider a Foresworn female much of a lady....


I meant "squishy" as a compliment tho I'm being told by my oldest it isn't.

I would like to go on record LadyB as saying that I find the Foresworn female mostly *** city... with the exception of the warpaint, and I don't mind the aggressiveness either, I rather like that quality. I do like skimpy costumes, but not theirs.... now
your avatar on the other hand...

 

It does show a bit of skin but it was on sale and the top looks nice in the gamer pic.