Mastering the Mind: A Comprehensive Guide to Telekinesis in Skyrim

So, you want to bend reality to your will, eh? To fling objects across the room with nothing but the power of your mind? In Skyrim, that power is attainable through the Telekinesis spell. Here’s the straightforward path to acquiring and mastering it:

1. Reach Level 40 in the Alteration Skill: This is the primary hurdle. The game won’t even consider letting you learn telekinesis until you’ve proven some aptitude in the Alteration school of magic.

2. Find a Vendor Who Sells the Telekinesis Spell Tome: Once your Alteration skill is high enough, two primary vendors offer this coveted spell:

   • Wylandriah in Mistveil Keep (Riften): She’s the court mage for the Jarl of Riften and can be found within the keep.
   • Tolfdir at the College of Winterhold: Located in the Hall of Attainment, Tolfdir is an experienced Alteration mage and instructor. He’s usually experimenting or lecturing, making him easy to find.

3. Purchase the Spell Tome: Depending on your Speech skill and available perks, the price will vary. Be prepared to spend a few hundred gold.

4. Learn the Spell: Open your inventory, find the Telekinesis spell tome, and “read” it. This permanently adds the spell to your list.

5. Cast Telekinesis: Equip the spell (it’s under the Alteration school) and cast it like any other spell. This will allow you to grab and manipulate objects at a distance.

Beyond the basics, mastering Telekinesis involves understanding its nuances, its benefits, and its limitations. Let’s delve deeper with some frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Telekinesis in Skyrim

How do I level up my Alteration skill quickly?

Leveling Alteration can be tedious, but there are a few efficient methods:

• Detect Life/Dead: Casting these spells in populated areas (or dungeons with undead) provides consistent experience.
• Transmute Mineral Ore: Located in Halted Stream Camp, this spell changes Iron Ore to Silver Ore, then Silver Ore to Gold Ore. Transmuting ore and then selling the gold ingots rapidly increases your Alteration skill and your wealth.
• Armor Spells (Stoneflesh, Ironflesh, etc.): These spells provide a decent chunk of experience each time you cast them, especially against enemies.
• Telekinesis Long Distance: Cast telekinesis on an object and hold it for a long period of time. Fast travel while telekenis is active, to increase the length and level your skill extremely fast.

Is Telekinesis in the base game Skyrim, or do I need DLC?

Telekinesis is available in the base game of Skyrim. You do not need any DLC to acquire the spell. However, the Dawnguard and Dragonborn DLCs add a pre-placed spell tome in specific locations, making it slightly easier to find if you know where to look (Redwater Den for Dawnguard and Benkongerike for Dragonborn).

What level Alteration skill is required to purchase Telekinesis?

You need to reach level 40 in the Alteration skill before the vendors will offer the Telekinesis spell tome for sale. While the text in some cases says that Alteration skill of 60-65 will unlock it, the vendors will sell it at level 40.

Where exactly can I find the Telekinesis spell tome in Benkongerike (Dragonborn DLC)?

If you have the Dragonborn DLC, the Telekinesis spell tome is located in the second part of Benkongerike, specifically in the great hall. Look under a pile of “Lusty Argonian Maid” books. Talk about hiding in plain sight!

Is there a way to get Telekinesis early in Skyrim?

Technically, no, you can’t get the spell early, but you can prepare for it. Focus on leveling your Alteration skill as soon as possible using the methods mentioned earlier. The faster you reach level 40, the sooner you can purchase the tome. In the Dawnguard or Dragonborn DLCs, you can get a jump on the Telekinesis spell.

How much damage does Telekinesis do in Skyrim?

The direct damage from Telekinesis is minimal – a fixed value of 3 damage. Its real utility lies in other applications. However, difficulty levels affect the damage, so Telekinesis does more damage in expert mode.

What are the practical uses of Telekinesis in Skyrim?

Telekinesis has several unique applications:

• Stealing from afar: Grab items from shelves or tables without being detected. This is useful in areas where being caught stealing would lead to a bounty.
• Activating traps from a safe distance: Trigger pressure plates and tripwires without putting yourself in harm’s way.
• Retrieving hard-to-reach items: Grab items that have fallen into inaccessible locations.
• Holding doors open: Temporarily hold a door open, especially useful in dungeons with timed puzzles or traps.

Can I use Telekinesis to fight enemies effectively?

While Telekinesis can deal a small amount of damage, it is not an effective combat spell in itself. It’s better used in combination with other skills, such as using it to grab a flaming oil barrel and dropping it on a group of enemies.

Are there any perks that enhance Telekinesis?

No, there are no specific perks in the Alteration skill tree that directly enhance the Telekinesis spell itself. The utility from the spell is enough to be good for any purpose.

Where can I buy other powerful spells in Skyrim?

Most spells can be found at the College of Winterhold. To gain access to Master-level spells, you must reach level 90 in each respective magic skill and complete a special quest given by the corresponding expert at the college.

Why can’t I pick up Telekinesis arrows in Skyrim?

Skyrim’s engine limits the number of arrows that can be suspended simultaneously. When you reach the limit of around ten, the arrows will disappear back into your inventory.

Is there a levitation spell in Skyrim?

Officially, there is no levitation spell in the base game or any of the DLCs. However, you can find mods on sites like the Skyrim Nexus that add levitation spells to the game.

What is the strongest lightning spell in Skyrim?

Lightning Storm is considered the strongest lightning spell in Skyrim, dealing 75 shock damage per second.

What is the scariest quest in Skyrim?

That’s subjective, but many players find “Blood on the Ice” and “The Taste of Death” to be particularly unsettling due to their themes of serial murder and cannibalism, respectively.

Can Telekinesis be used to solve puzzles?

Yes! Telekinesis can be incredibly useful for solving puzzles, especially those involving switches or levers that are out of reach. This ability makes the spell useful in many situations.

Skyrim offers a vast world of magical possibilities, and Telekinesis is one of the most unique and versatile spells you can acquire. Mastering it will not only make you a more formidable mage but also open up new and creative ways to interact with the world around you. Now go forth, Dragonborn, and bend reality to your will! And remember, if you’re interested in learning more about the educational aspects of games, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.