How to Maximize Conjuration in Skyrim: A Comprehensive Guide
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The answer to “How to get Conjuration to 100?” is straightforward: cast Conjuration spells, repeatedly and efficiently. However, the devil is in the details. This guide explores the most effective methods for leveling Conjuration in Skyrim, transforming you from a novice summoner to a master of Oblivion’s creatures. We’ll cover the spells to use, locations to exploit, and strategies to maximize your XP gain.
The Core Principle: Casting, Casting, Casting
Conjuration, like all magic skills in Skyrim, increases based on the magicka cost and level of the spell cast. Higher magicka costs and advanced spells award more experience. Therefore, the key to rapid leveling is finding efficient ways to cast spells frequently without running out of magicka or facing significant danger.
Choosing Your Spells: From Bound Weapons to Atronachs
- Early Levels (1-25):
- Bound Sword: Available early and relatively cheap to cast. Find the tome in Fort Amol Prison, near the skeleton. Spam this spell whenever you’re safe and have the magicka.
- Conjure Familiar: Another readily available spell, though less efficient than Bound Sword. Use if magicka is a major constraint.
- Mid-Levels (25-75):
- Conjure Flame Atronach/Frost Atronach: These spells offer a decent experience boost for their magicka cost.
- Raise Zombie: This spell is surprisingly effective, especially when reanimating strong corpses.
- Bound Battleaxe: Obtained from a random loot drop or purchased from vendors, this provides a significant leap in experience compared to Bound Sword.
- High Levels (75-100):
- Conjure Dremora Lord: The king of Conjuration experience. This spell grants the highest experience per cast due to its high magicka cost and level requirement.
- Dead Thrall: Reanimating powerful NPCs (like bandits chiefs or stronger enemies) with Dead Thrall provides excellent experience, especially when combined with methods for continuous casting.
Efficient Leveling Techniques: The Art of Spamming
The goal is to cast spells repeatedly with minimal downtime. Here are some proven strategies:
- The Held Prisoner: Travel to Fort Neugrad and find the held Stormcloak Soldier in a cage. This is an excellent spot to repeatedly cast Bound Sword or Conjure Familiar without facing aggression. You can cast on them without consequence, allowing uninterrupted spellcasting practice.
- Shadowmere/Horses: Your trusty steed can become a training dummy. Summon a creature and then let it attack your horse. Keep re-summoning. Horses generally don’t take damage from summoned creatures.
- The Muffle + Conjuration Combo: Cast Muffle (Illusion spell) between Conjuration spells. Illusion is also easy to level, making this a dual-skill training strategy.
- Atronach Forge: If you’re feeling resourceful, use the Atronach Forge in the Midden beneath the College of Winterhold to create conjured items. This offers a different, albeit slower, approach.
- Quiet Places: Any isolated location, like your house or a remote ruin with no enemies, can work. Just ensure you have enough magicka potions or regeneration buffs.
- Equilibrium Spell: This alteration spell converts health to magicka, allowing for more spells to be cast in quick succession. Be careful not to kill yourself!
- The Ritual Stone: This stone, which is found west of Whiterun, allows you to reanimate many bodies, which will give you considerable experience.
- Fast Travel Exploit: While fast traveling, continuously cast Conjuration spells. This takes advantage of the loading screen and can quickly increase your skill, however some players might find it boring.
Essential Perks & Gear
Optimizing your character with the right perks and gear significantly accelerates your leveling process:
- Novice to Master Conjuration Perks: Reduces the magicka cost of Conjuration spells. Get these as soon as possible.
- Summoner (Novice Conjuration Perk): Increases the distance at which you can summon creatures.
- Atromancy (Expert Conjuration Perk): Doubles the duration of your summoned Atronachs.
- Twin Souls (Conjuration Level 100 Perk): Allows you to summon two atronachs or reanimated creatures.
- Fortify Conjuration Gear: Items enchanted with Fortify Conjuration reduce the magicka cost of Conjuration spells. Look for these on robes, circlets, and necklaces.
- The Mage Stone: Grants a 20% bonus to skill experience gain for magic skills.
- Well Rested Bonus: Sleeping in a bed grants a 10% bonus to skill experience gain for a short period.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Conjuration
1. What’s the fastest way to level Conjuration from 1 to 100?
The fastest method is to repeatedly cast Conjure Dremora Lord in a safe location, preferably while utilizing Fortify Conjuration gear and magicka regeneration buffs. Before that, use Bound Sword or Conjure Familiar, until you have enough magicka and skill to use Dremora Lord.
2. Is Conjuration a useful skill in Skyrim?
Absolutely! Conjuration provides powerful allies to aid you in combat, distractions for enemies, and the ability to raise the dead. It’s especially useful for mage characters who need extra protection.
3. Where can I find the Conjure Dremora Lord spell tome?
The Conjure Dremora Lord tome is usually found in random loot chests or can be purchased from Phinis Gestor at the College of Winterhold after reaching Conjuration level 65.
4. Does difficulty setting affect Conjuration leveling speed?
No. Difficulty only affects enemy health and damage output. It does not change the amount of experience gained from casting spells.
5. Can I level Conjuration while sneaking?
Yes, you can level Conjuration while sneaking. This can be useful for a stealth-oriented mage build. However, it’s not necessary for maximizing experience gain.
6. Are there any trainers for Conjuration?
Yes. The primary Conjuration trainer is Phinis Gestor at the College of Winterhold. Other trainers include Falion in Morthal and Neloth on Solstheim.
7. Does the Atronach Stone affect Conjuration leveling?
The Atronach Stone increases your magicka and spell absorption, but it doesn’t directly affect skill leveling speed. The increased magicka can help you cast more spells before needing to regenerate.
8. Is it worth investing in Bound Weapon perks?
If you plan to use Bound Weapons extensively, yes. The Mystic Binding perk significantly improves the damage output of Bound Weapons, making them viable throughout the game.
9. How can I regenerate magicka faster?
Use gear with Fortify Magicka Regeneration, consume magicka potions, and invest in perks that increase magicka regeneration. Also, the Apprentice Stone provides a significant magicka regeneration boost but makes you vulnerable to magic.
10. What’s the difference between reanimating corpses with Raise Zombie and Dead Thrall?
Raise Zombie is a temporary reanimation spell, while Dead Thrall creates a permanent reanimated servant that follows you until destroyed. Dead Thrall also reanimates stronger corpses than Raise Zombie.
11. Can I use Conjuration to create a distraction for stealth gameplay?
Yes, summoning a creature can draw enemies’ attention, allowing you to sneak past them or set up ambushes.
12. Do summoned creatures level up with me?
No, summoned creatures do not level up. Their stats are fixed based on the spell used to summon them. However, certain perks, like the Twin Souls perk will affect the amount or length the spell takes to complete.
13. Is it possible to glitch Conjuration leveling?
While some glitches may have existed in the past, most have been patched. The methods described here are the most reliable and legitimate ways to level Conjuration.
14. How do Fortify Conjuration potions affect leveling?
Fortify Conjuration potions temporarily reduce the magicka cost of Conjuration spells, allowing you to cast more spells before running out of magicka. This indirectly speeds up leveling by increasing spellcasting frequency.
15. Does enchanting skill affect the strength of Conjuration enchantments?
Yes, a higher enchanting skill results in stronger Fortify Conjuration enchantments on your gear, allowing for greater magicka cost reduction.
By following these strategies and understanding the intricacies of Conjuration, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of summoning and dominating Skyrim with your otherworldly allies. Good luck, and may your Dremora Lords serve you well!