Skyrim:Spells

The UESPWiki – Your source for The Elder Scrolls since 1995
Jump to: navigation, search

Dozens of spells are available for magically-inclined characters in Skyrim. Most spells (other than starting spells) are learned by reading Spell Tomes.

Alteration Spells[edit]

SR-icon-book-SpellTomeAlteration.png Spell Name
(IDs)
Skill Level Tome
Value
Magicka Base Cost Skill XP Description and Effect Details Where to Get
SR-icon-spell-Light.png Candlelight
Spell ID00043324
Tome ID0009e2a7
0
Novice
44 21 2.5 Creates a hovering light that lasts for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Oakflesh
Spell ID0005ad5c
Tome ID0009e2a8
0
Novice
44 103 103 Improves the caster's armor rating by 40 points for 60 seconds:
  • Armor - Oak, 40 pts for 60 secs
  • The Mage Armor perk increases the magnitude to 80 pts (rank 1), 100 pts (rank 2), or 120 pts (rank 3)
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Teleport Pet: ArachniaCC
Spell IDFExxx921
0
Novice
0 2.5 Teleports Arachnia the spider
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Teleport Pet: Bone WolfCC
Spell IDFExxx806
0
Novice
0 2.5 Teleports Bone Wolf to your side
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Teleport Pet: Demented Elytra NymphCC
Spell IDxx08BC17
0
Novice
0 2.5 Teleports pet Demented Elytra Nymph
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Teleport Pet: Dwarven MudcrabCC
Spell IDFExxx810
Tome IDFExxx811
0
Novice
50 0 2.5 Teleports pet Dwarven Mudcrab
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Teleport Pet: HildaCC
Spell IDFExxx91F
0
Novice
0 2.5 Teleports Hilda
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Teleport Pet: Manic Elytra NymphCC
Spell IDxx08BC16
0
Novice
0 2.5 Teleports pet Manic Elytra Nymph
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Teleport Pet: Nix-HoundCC
Spell IDFExxx811
Tome IDFExxx813
0
Novice
0 2.5 Teleports Nix-Hound
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Teleport Pet: SkritchCC
Spell IDFExxx91D
0
Novice
0 2.5 Teleports Skritch
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Teleport Pet: Sweet RollCC
Spell IDFExxx920
0
Novice
0 2.5 Teleports Sweet Roll
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Teleport Pet: ThistleCC
Spell IDFExxx91E
0
Novice
0 2.5 Teleports Thistle
SR-icon-spell-Light.png Magelight
Spell ID00043323
Tome ID000a26e2
25
Apprentice
87 84 12 Ball of light that lasts 60 seconds and sticks where it strikes:
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Stoneflesh
Spell ID0005ad5d
Tome ID000a26e3
25
Apprentice
95 194 194 Improves the caster's armor rating by 60 points for 60 seconds:
  • Armor - Stone, 60 pts for 60 secs
  • The Mage Armor perk increases the magnitude to 120 pts (rank 1), 150 pts (rank 2), or 180 pts (rank 3)
SR-icon-spell-Ash.png Ash ShellDB
Spell IDxx017731
Tome IDxx0177ac
50
Adept
425 251 251 Targets that fail to resist are immobilized in hardened ash for 30 seconds:
  • Ash Shell, for 30 secs
SR-icon-spell-Detect Life.png Detect Life
Spell ID000211ee
Tome ID000a26e7
50
Adept
332 100/s 6.5/s per target Nearby living creatures, but not undead, machines or daedra, can be seen through walls:
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Ironflesh
Spell ID00051b16
Tome ID000a26e4
50
Adept
341 266 266 Improves the caster's armor rating by 80 points for 60 seconds:
  • Armor - Iron, 80 pts for 60 secs
  • The Mage Armor perk increases the magnitude to 160 pts (rank 1), 200 pts (rank 2), or 240 pts (rank 3)
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Master TransmuteCC
Spell IDFExxxCDF
Tome IDFExxxCE1
50
Adept
200 100 15 (scripted) Transmutes one piece of unrefined Iron or Silver ore to Gold if the caster is carrying any:
SR-icon-spell-Paralyze.png Paralysis RuneCC
Spell IDFExxxD64
Tome IDFExxx818
50
Adept
120 172 172 Cast on a nearby surface, it explodes when enemies are nearby, immobilizing them for 8 seconds.
SR-icon-spell-Telekinesis.png Telekinesis
Spell ID0001a4cc
Tome ID000a26e5
50
Adept
326 170/s 170/s Can pull an object to you from a distance. Add it to your inventory or throw it:
SR-icon-spell-Telekinesis.png Telekinesis ArrowsCC
Spell IDFExxx829
Tome IDFExxx82B
50
Adept
341 50/s 0/s Releases suspended Telekinesis Arrows:
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Transmute
Spell ID00109111
Tome ID00109112
50
Adept
200 100 15 (scripted) Transmutes one piece of unrefined Iron ore to Silver, or Silver ore to Gold if the caster is carrying any:
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Waterbreathing
Spell ID0005d175
Tome ID000a26e6
50
Adept
340 222 222 Can breathe water for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Ash.png Ash RuneDB
Spell IDxx0177af
Tome IDxx0177b5
75
Expert
635 418 418 Cast on a nearby surface, it explodes when enemies are nearby, immobilizing them in hardened ash for 30 seconds:
  • Cast on ground
  • Ash Rune, 50 pts for 1 sec
SR-icon-spell-Detect Life.png Detect Dead
Spell ID000211ef
Tome ID000a26ea
75
Expert
600 148/s 9.25/s per target Nearby dead can be seen through walls:
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Ebonyflesh
Spell ID0005ad5e
Tome ID000a26e9
75
Expert
650 341 341 Improves the caster's armor rating by 100 points for 60 seconds:
  • Armor - Ebony, 100 pts for 60 secs
  • The Mage Armor perk increases the magnitude to 200 pts (rank 1), 250 pts (rank 2), or 300 pts (rank 3)
SR-icon-spell-Paralyze.png Paralyze
Spell ID0005ad5f
Tome ID000a26e8
75
Expert
685 450 450 Targets that fail to resist are paralyzed for 10 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Dragonhide
Spell ID000cdb70
Tome ID000d2b4e
100
Master
1389 837 837 Caster ignores 80% of all physical damage for 30 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Paralyze.png Mass Paralysis
Spell ID000b62e6
Tome ID000dd646
100
Master
1280 937 937 All targets in the area that fail to resist are paralyzed for 15 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Dark.png Equilibrium
Spell ID000da746
Tome ID000f4997
N/A 250 -25/s + 25 health/s 0.01/s Convert 25 points of health into magicka per second. Caster can be killed by this effect:
  • Not available for purchase
  • Can be found in Labyrinthian Chasm
  • Affected by difficulty, which means you will drain more than 25 health if you play on expert or master and less if you play on apprentice or novice, but always will get 25 magicka per second.

Conjuration Spells[edit]

SR-icon-book-SpellTomeConjuration.png Spell Name
(IDs)
Skill Level Tome
Value
Magicka Base Cost Skill XP Description and Effect Details Where to Get
SR-icon-spell-Bound.png Bound DaggerDB
Spell IDxx01ce06
Tome IDxx01ce07
0
Novice
38 53 269 Creates a magic dagger for 120 seconds. Sheathe it to dispel:
SR-icon-spell-Bound.png Bound Sword
Spell ID000211eb
Tome ID0009e2a9
0
Novice
49 93 469 Creates a magic sword for 120 seconds. Sheathe it to dispel:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Familiar
Spell ID000640b6
Tome ID0009e2ab
0
Novice
49 107 64 Summons a Familiar for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Skeleton MinionCC
Spell IDFExxx85B
Tome IDFExxx88C
0
Novice
50 106 76 Summons a weak Skeleton warrior for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Undying GhostCC
Spell IDFExxx85E
Tome IDFExxx88A
0
Novice
50 0 0 Consumes all magicka and summons an Undying Ghost for 60 seconds. The ghost's attributes are equal to twice the amount of magicka consumed (up to 600):
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure ZombieCC
Spell IDfexxx804
Tome IDfexxx86E
0
Novice
49 107 64 Summons a Zombie for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Reanimate.png Raise Zombie
Spell ID0007e8e1
Tome ID0009e2aa
0
Novice
49 103 515 Reanimate a weak dead body to fight for you for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Bound.png Bound Battleaxe
Spell ID000211ec
Tome ID000a26ed
25
Apprentice
99 169 84 Creates a magic battle axe for 120 seconds. Sheathe it to dispel:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure BonemanDG
Spell IDxx0045ba
Tome IDxx0045b0
25
Apprentice
75 129 64 Summons a Boneman Archer from the Soul Cairn for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Flame Atronach
Spell ID000204c3
Tome ID000a26ec
25
Apprentice
99 150 37 Summons a Flame Atronach for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Foul ZombieCC
Spell IDfexxx806
Tome IDfexxx86F
25
Apprentice
99 75 37 Summons a Foul Zombie for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Haunting SpiritCC
Spell IDFExxx868
Tome IDFExxx88F
25
Apprentice
100 128 128 Summons a Haunting Spirit for 60 seconds. When killed, the spirit steals 10 points from the skills of its killer and transfers them to the caster for a short time:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Skeleton MarksmanCC
Spell IDFExxx856
Tome IDFExxx894
25
Apprentice
100 132 132 Summons a Skeleton Marksman whose arrows weaken foes for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Flaming Familiar
Spell ID0009ce26
Tome ID000b45f7
25
Apprentice
250 57 57 Summons a flaming familiar which will charge into battle and explode:
SR-icon-spell-Reanimate.png Reanimate Corpse
Spell ID00065bd7
Tome ID000a26eb
25
Apprentice
99 144 434 Reanimate a more powerful dead body to fight for you for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Banish.png Soul SplitCC
Spell IDFExxx874
Tome IDFExxx896
25
Apprentice
100 96 96 Sacrifice a friendly conjured or reanimated minion to summon 2 Sundered Shades for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Banish.png Soul Trap
Spell ID0004dba4
Tome ID0009cd54
25
Apprentice
100 107 215 If target dies within 60 seconds, fills a soul gem:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Summon ArvakDG
Spell IDxx00c600
25
Apprentice
N/A 136 0 Summons Arvak in the Soul Cairn or Tamriel wilderness to act as your steed:
  • Reward for quest Soul Cairn Horse Quest
  • If you are still mounted after 60 secs he will remain with you until you dismount
  • Only available with the Dawnguard add-on
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Summon Daedric HorseCC
Spell IDxx000B62
Tome IDxx000B64
25
Apprentice
100 136 0 Summons a Daedric Horse to act as your steed:
  • Can be found in: The Deadlands (inside The Punished)
  • Only available with The Cause Creation
SR-icon-spell-Banish.png Banish Daedra
Spell ID0006d22c
Tome ID000a26ee
50
Adept
346 196 196 Weaker summoned daedra are sent back to Oblivion:
SR-icon-spell-Banish.png Banish UndeadCC
Spell IDFExxx86A
Tome IDFExxx889
50
Adept
325 176 176 Summoned or raised undead up to level 15 are sent back to the grave:
SR-icon-spell-Bound.png Bound Bow
Spell ID000211ed
Tome ID000a26f1
50
Adept
335 207 103 Creates a magic bow and 100 magic arrows for 120 seconds. Sheathe it to dispel:
  • Bound Bow, for 120 secs
  • With the Mystic Binding perk, changes to Mystic Bow, for 120 secs
  • If you use all 100 arrows it will automatically equip the weakest arrows you are carrying
SR-icon-spell-Bound.png Bound QuiverCC
Spell IDFExxx80C
Tome IDFExxx816
50
Adept
335 206 0 Creates a magic quiver for 120 seconds:
  • Bound Quiver, for 120 secs
  • With the Mystic Binding perk, changes to Mystic Quiver, for 120 secs
  • Bound Quiver is listed under "Powers", not of any particular spell school or skill, instead of under Conjuration with all the other Bound Weapon skills
SR-icon-spell-Ash.png Conjure Ash SpawnDB
Spell IDxx01cdf6
Tome IDxx01e2b1
50
Adept
338 186 139 Summons an Ash Spawn for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Dark Seducer ArcherCC
Spell IDxx000870
Tome IDxx000B0C
50
Adept
680 75 37 Summons a Dark Seducer Archer for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Dark Seducer WarriorCC
Spell IDxx000A0B
Tome IDxx000B63
50
Adept
680 75 37 Summons a Dark Seducer Warrior for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Frost Atronach
Spell ID000204c4
Tome ID000a26ef
50
Adept
347 215 80 Summons a Frost Atronach for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Golden Saint ArcherCC
Spell IDxx00086F
Tome IDxx000AF0
50
Adept
680 75 37 Summons a Golden Saint Archer for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Golden Saint WarriorCC
Spell IDxx0008CB
Tome IDxx000AFD
50
Adept
680 75 37 Summons a Golden Saint Warrior for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure MistmanDG
Spell IDxx0045b8
Tome IDxx0045b1
50
Adept
75 193 96 Summons a Mistman from the Soul Cairn for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Putrid ZombieCC
Spell IDfexxx805
Tome IDfexxx870
50
Adept
340 107 80 Summons a Zombie for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure SeekerDB
Spell IDxx033c66
Tome IDxx033c67
50
Adept
307 157 118 Summons a Seeker for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Skeleton ChampionCC
Spell IDFExxx877
Tome IDFExxx893
50
Adept
345 192 192 Summons a Skeleton Champion that gains +10% attack damage for each nearby enemy (up to 5) for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Tomb GuardianCC
Spell IDFExxx854
Tome IDFExxx890
50
Adept
345 192 192 Summons a Tomb Guardian for 60 seconds that conjures a Shade when it kills an enemy:
SR-icon-spell-Banish.png Necromancer's RitualCC
Spell IDFExxx869
Tome IDFExxx88D
50
Adept
325 123 0 Regain 30 health and magicka every time a friendly conjured or reanimated minion dies for 120 seconds:
  • Necromancer's Ritual for 120 seconds
SR-icon-spell-Reanimate.png Revenant
Spell ID00096d94
Tome ID000a26f2
50
Adept
340 183 183 Reanimate a powerful dead body to fight for you for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Ash.png Conjure Ash GuardianDB
Spell IDxx017782
Tome IDxx01aaba
75
Expert
720 340 221 Creates an Ash Guardian that guards that location until destroyed. Consumes a Heart stone from your inventory, without which it will be hostile:
SR-icon-spell-Banish.png Command Daedra
Spell ID0006f953
Tome ID000a26f6
75
Expert
660 243 242 Powerful summoned and raised creatures are put under your control:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Ayleid LichCC
Spell IDxx147D95
Tome IDxx147D93
75
Expert
720 358 716 Summons an Ayleid Lich for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Cursed SpectreCC
Spell IDFExxx870
Tome IDFExxx88E
75
Expert
650 258 258 Summons a Cursed Spectre for 60 seconds that drains health and magicka from enemies:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Dragon Priest
Spell ID0010fc16
75
Expert
N/A 358 716 Summons a Dragon Priest for 60 seconds:
  • Only available as an effect of Konahrik
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Dremora Lord
Spell ID0010ddec
Tome ID0010fd60
75
Expert
730 358 716 Summons a Dremora Lord for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Malignant ZombieCC
Spell IDfexxx807
Tome IDfexxx871
75
Expert
690 161 161 Summons a Malignant Zombie for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Skeleton WarlockCC
Spell IDFExxx84E
Tome IDFExxx892
75
Expert
650 258 258 Summons a Skeleton Warlock that wields powerful shock magic for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Storm Atronach
Spell ID000204c5
Tome ID000a26f0
75
Expert
690 322 161 Summons a Storm Atronach for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure WrathmanDG
Spell IDxx0045b3
Tome IDxx0045b2
75
Expert
75 301 150 Summons a Wrathman from the Soul Cairn for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Reanimate.png Dread Zombie
Spell ID00096d95
Tome ID000a26f7
75
Expert
630 302 302 Reanimate a very powerful dead body to fight for you for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Banish.png Expel Daedra
Spell ID0006f952
Tome ID000a26f8
75
Expert
620 215 215 Powerful summoned daedra creatures are are [sic] sent back to Oblivion:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Pride of HirstaangCC
Spell IDfexxx852
Tome IDfexxx861
75
Expert
690 287 Summons a Bear for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing. Resist 50% of frost damage for 60 seconds. Health regenerates 50% faster for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Ancient DeathpriestCC
Spell IDFExxx852
Tome IDFExxx88B
100
Master
1150 1004 1004 Summons an Ancient Deathpriest that wields powerful magic and commands the undead for 60 seconds. When killed, the Deathpriest splits into 3 Tortured Shades:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure Bone ColossusCC
Spell IDFExxx861
Tome IDFExxx891
100
Master
1150 1004 1004 Summons a Bone Colossus for 60 seconds. While active, conjured skeletons regenerate health and you can summon 2 additional skeletons. Only 1 colossus can be summoned at a time:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Conjure StaadaCC
Spell IDxx19D3FA
Tome IDxx19D3F9
100
Master
1350 75 37 Summons Staada for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Flame Thrall
Spell ID0007e5d5
Tome ID000a26fa
100
Master
1260 900 0 Summons a Flame Atronach permanently:
SR-icon-spell-Reanimate.png Dead Thrall
Spell ID0007e8df
Tome ID000a26f9
100
Master
1270 1000 1000 Reanimate a dead body permanently to fight for you. Only works on people:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Frost Thrall
Spell ID0007e5d6
Tome ID000a26fb
100
Master
1300 1100 3850 Summons a Frost Atronach permanently:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Storm Thrall
Spell ID0007e5d7
Tome ID000a26fc
100
Master
1350 1200 4800 Summons a Storm Atronach permanently:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Spectral Arrow
Spell ID000ab23d
Tome ID000b3165
25
Apprentice
250 50 50 Fires a Spectral Arrow at the target doing 30 points of damage and staggering the target:
  • Not available in game
  • Was apparently intended to be the reward for completing the quest Infiltration, but was replaced by Detect Life
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Summon Arniel's Shade
Spell ID0006a153
N/A N/A 0 0 Summons the Shade of Arniel Gane for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing:
SR-icon-spell-Summon.png Summon Unbound Dremora
Spell ID00099f39
N/A N/A 100 0 (scripted) Summons an unbound Dremora for 999 seconds
  • Summon Unbound Dremora Unbound Dremora, for 999 secs
  • Only works at a specific location, as part of the related quest


Destruction Spells[edit]

SR-icon-book-SpellTomeDestruction.png Spell Name
(IDs)
Skill Level Tome
Value
Magicka Base Cost Skill XP Description and Effect Details Where to Get
SR-icon-spell-Absorb Blue.png Choking GraspCC
Spell IDFExxx85A
Tome IDFExxx869
0
Novice
65 39 39 Absorb 8 points of health per second from target, for 3 seconds.
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Elemental FlareCC
Spell IDFExxx850
Tome IDFExxx862
0
Novice
65 45 22.5 An elemental explosion for 15 points of fire damage, 15 points of shock damage, and half as much damage to stamina.
  • Aimed
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Flames
Spell ID00012fcd
Tome ID0009cd51
0
Novice
50 14/s 20/s
14/sDB
A gout of fire that does 8 points per second. Targets on fire take extra damage:
  • Concentration spell
  • Range: 36 feet
  • Speed: 47 fps
  • Flames, 8 pts for 1 sec
    • Sets targets on fire, dealing 1% of the immediate spell damage over 0.1s
  • Intense Flames Fear, 99 pts for 15 secs; if the Intense Flames perk has been unlocked
SR-icon-spell-Ice.png Frostbite
Spell ID0002b96b
Tome ID0009cd52
0
Novice
47 16/s 23/s A blast of cold that does 8 points of damage per second to Health and Stamina:
SR-icon-spell-Shock.png Sparks
Spell ID0002dd2a
Tome ID0009cd53
0
Novice
46 19/s 26/s Lightning that does 8 points of shock damage to Health and Magicka per second:
  • Concentration spell
  • Range: 48 feet
  • Speed: instant
  • Sparks, 8 pts for 1 sec
  • Disintegrate, 200 pts for 1 sec; if the Disintegrate perk has been unlocked
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Elemental BoltCC
Spell IDFExxx85F
Tome IDFExxx863
25
Apprentice
95 62 31 An elemental explosion for 20 points of fire damage, 20 points of shock damage, and half as much damage to stamina.
  • Aimed
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Fire Rune
Spell ID0005db90
Tome ID000a2700
25
Apprentice
90 234 234 Cast on a nearby surface, it explodes for 50 points of fire damage when enemies come near:
  • Cast on ground
  • Fire Rune, 50 pts for 1 sec
    • Sets targets on fire, dealing 10% of the immediate spell damage over 1s
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Firebolt
Spell ID00012fd0
Tome ID000a26fd
25
Apprentice
96 41 41 A blast of fire that does 25 points of damage. Targets on fire take extra damage:
SR-icon-spell-Ice.png FreezeDB
Spell IDxx02732d
25
Apprentice
N/A 30 0 A spike of ice that does 20 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina and slows the target for 15 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Ice.png Frost Rune
Spell ID0006796f
Tome ID000a2701
25
Apprentice
92 293 293 Cast on a nearby surface, it explodes for 50 points of frost damage when enemies come near:
SR-icon-spell-Ice.png Ice Spike
Spell ID0002b96c
Tome ID000a26fe
25
Apprentice
96 48 48 A spike of ice that does 25 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina:
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png IgniteDB
Spell IDxx02732b
25
Apprentice
N/A 30 7 A blast of flame that sets targets on fire, doing 4 damage per second for 15 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Shock.png Lightning Bolt
Spell ID0002dd29
Tome ID000a26ff
25
Apprentice
95 51 51 A bolt of lightning that does 25 points of shock damage to Health and half that to Magicka:
SR-icon-spell-Shock.png Lightning Rune
Spell ID00067970
Tome ID000a2702
25
Apprentice
93 323 323 Cast on a nearby surface, it explodes for 50 points of shock damage when enemies come near:
SR-icon-spell-Absorb Blue.png StrangulationCC
Spell IDFExxx859
Tome IDFExxx86A
25
Apprentice
95 84 84 Absorb 16 points of health per second from target, for 3 seconds.
SR-icon-spell-Shock.png Chain Lightning
Spell ID00045f9d
Tome ID000a2708
50
Adept
390 156 78 Lightning bolt that does 40 points of shock damage to Health and half to Magicka, then leaps to a new target:
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Elemental BurstCC
Spell IDFExxx85B
Tome IDFExxx864
50
Adept
350 96 48 An elemental explosion for 30 points of fire damage, 30 points of shock damage, and half as much damage to stamina.
  • Aimed
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Fireball
Spell ID0001c789
Tome ID000a2706
50
Adept
345 133 66 A fiery explosion for 40 points of damage in a 15 foot radius. Targets on fire take extra damage:
  • Missile, explosive
  • Range: 469 feet
  • Speed: 117 fps
  • Explosion radius: 15 feet
  • Fireball, 40 pts in 15 ft
    • Sets targets on fire, dealing 20% of the immediate spell damage over 2s
  • Perk Impact Stagger, 0.25 pts; if the Impact perk has been unlocked
  • Intense Flames Rout, 99 pts for 15 secs in 15 ft; if the Intense Flames perk has been unlocked
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Flame Cloak
Spell ID0003ae9f
Tome ID000a2703
50
Adept
325 289 0 For 60 seconds, opponents in melee range take 8 points fire damage per second. Targets on fire take extra damage:
  • Cast on self
  • Flame Cloak, 8 pts in 10 ft for 60 secs
    • Sets targets on fire, dealing 20% of the immediate spell damage over 2s
SR-icon-spell-Ice.png Frost Cloak
Spell ID0003aea2
Tome ID000a2704
50
Adept
340 316 0 For 60 seconds, opponents in melee range take 8 points frost damage and Stamina damage per second:
SR-icon-spell-Absorb Blue.png Hangman's NooseCC
Spell IDFExxx858
Tome IDFExxx86B
50
Adept
350 143 143 Absorb 26 points of health per second from target, for 3 seconds.
SR-icon-spell-Ice.png Ice Storm
Spell ID00045f9c
Tome ID000a2707
50
Adept
360 144 72 A freezing whirlwind that does 40 points of frost damage per second to Health and Stamina:
SR-icon-spell-Shock.png Lightning Cloak
Spell ID0003aea3
Tome ID000a2705
50
Adept
355 370 0 For 60 seconds nearby opponents take 8 points of shock damage and half magicka damage:
SR-icon-spell-Whirlwind.png Whirlwind CloakDB
Spell IDxx01772d
Tome IDxx0177ad
50
Adept
395 338 0 For 60 seconds, opponents in melee range have a chance of being flung away:
  • Cast on self
  • Whirlwind Cloak, 10 pts for 60 secs
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Elemental BlastCC
Spell IDFExxx856
Tome IDFExxx865
75
Expert
650 144 72 An elemental explosion for 40 points of fire damage, 40 points of shock damage, and half as much damage to stamina.
  • Aimed
SR-icon-spell-Ice.png Icy Spear
Spell ID0010f7ec
Tome ID0010f7f3
75
Expert
725 320 320 A spear of ice that does 60 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina:
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Incinerate
Spell ID0010f7ed
Tome ID0010f7f4
75
Expert
710 298 298 A blast of fire that does 60 points of damage. Targets on fire take extra damage:
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Mara's WrathCC
Spell IDFExxx855
Tome IDFExxx868
75
Expert
650 329 0 For 30 seconds, opponents in melee range take 16 points fire damage per second. Undead up to level 26 flee for 30 seconds. Swim unharmed in freezing cold water.
  • Cast on self
  • Mara's Wrath, determines that damage is dealt in 15 feet per second for 30 seconds; extends the duration of the cloak visual effect for an additional 2 seconds.
    • Flames (FExxx854; ccBGSSSE014_MarasWrath_FlameCloakDmg)
      • Flames, deals 16 points of fire damage for 1 second; hostile targets receive a burning effect that lingers, dealing an additional 0.16 fire damage for 0.1 seconds.
      • Turn Undead Fear, demoralizes undead targets up to level 15 for 30 seconds.
      • Intense Flames Fear, demoralizes targets up to level 15 for 15 seconds; if the Intense Flames perk has been unlocked.
  • Resist Freezing Water, grants resistance to freezing cold water for 32 seconds.
SR-icon-spell-Shock.png Thunderbolt
Spell ID0010f7ee
Tome ID0010f7f5
75
Expert
750 343 343 A Thunderbolt that does 60 points of shock damage to Health and half that to Magicka:
SR-icon-spell-Absorb Blue.png Touch of DeathCC
Spell IDFExxx857
Tome IDFExxx86C
75
Expert
650 316 316 Absorb 40 points of health per second from target, for 4 seconds.
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Unbounded FlamesCC
Spell IDFExxx80E
Tome IDFExxx815
75
Expert
950 78/s 78/s Casts a stream of long-distance fireballs in an arc. Impact creates a wall of fire that does 50 points of fire damage per second.
  • Concentration
  • Unbounded Flames, deals 8 points of fire damage for 1 second in 6 feet; targets receive a burning effect that lingers, dealing an additional 2.67 points of fire damage for 2 seconds.
    • Fire (0008F3EE; FireBarrierHazard) or Fire (000590FB; FireBarrierHazardDrop), determines that damage is dealt in 3 feet for 30 seconds.
      • Fire (0008F3F1; HazardWallofFireSpell). (Note that this is a separate spell linked with the above hazards, which allows for the grouping of the following effect.)
        • Fire hazard, deals 20 points of fire damage for 1 second; targets receive a burning effect that lingers, dealing an additional 0.67 points of fire damage for 1 second.
  • Intense Flames Fear, demoralizes targets up to level 99, with health below 20%, for 15 seconds; if the Intense Flames perk has been unlocked.
SR-icon-spell-Ice.png Unbounded FreezingCC
Spell IDFExxx80D
Tome IDFExxx816
75
Expert
950 69/s 69/s A freezing wind envelops the caster, knocking down nearby enemies and freezing them for 50 points of damage per second to Health and Stamina.
  • Constant cast on self
  • Unbounded Freeze, determines that damage is dealt and targets are knocked down in 15 feet.
    • Frost Cloak Freeze (FExxx825; ccBGSSSE014_FrostCloakDmg).
    • Silent Empty Area Push explosion (FExxx81A; ccBGSSSE014_SilentEmptyAreaPush), knocks down targets.
  • Unbounded Freeze, paralyzes targets in 12 feet.
SR-icon-spell-Shock.png Unbounded StormsCC
Spell IDFExxx808
Tome IDFExxx817
75
Expert
950 69/s 69/s Targets in melee range take 40 shock damage per second to Health, and half that to Magicka. Random lightning strikes deal an additional 30 damage.
  • Constant cast on self
  • Unbounded Storms, determines that damage is dealt to nearby targets
    • Lightning Cloak Drain (FExxx824; ccBGSSSE014_LightningCloakDmg)
      • Sparks, deals 40 points of Shock Damage to Health and Magicka per second.
      • Disintegrate, 200 pts for 1 sec; if the Disintegrate perk has been unlocked
  • Storm Lightning, randomly casts lightning bolts at nearby targets
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Wall of Flames
Spell ID00035d7f
Tome ID000a2709
75
Expert
680 118/s 118/s Sprayed on the ground, it creates a wall of fire that does 50 points of fire damage per second:
  • Constant cast on ground (each impact lasts for several seconds)
  • Fire Barrier, 8 pts for 1 sec on targets hit directly
    • Sets targets on fire, dealing 33% of the immediate spell damage over 2s
  • Intense Flames Fear, 99 pts for 15 secs; if the Intense Flames perk has been unlocked
  • Fire (HazardWallofFireSpell), 20 damage every 1 second and tapers for another. The hazard effect lasts for 30 seconds on the ground
SR-icon-spell-Ice.png Wall of Frost
Spell ID00035d80
Tome ID000a270a
75
Expert
700 137/s 137/s Sprayed on the ground, it creates a wall of frost that does 50 points of frost damage per second:
  • Constant cast on ground (each impact lasts for several seconds)
  • Frost Barrier, 8 points for 1 second on targets hit directly.
  • Slow, 50 points for 5 seconds.
  • Deep Freeze Paralyze, for 3 secs, if the Deep Freeze perk has been unlocked.
  • Frost (HazardWallofFrostSpell), 20 damage every 1 second, Slows enemy for 5 seconds. The hazard effect lasts for 30 seconds on the ground.
SR-icon-spell-Shock.png Wall of Storms
Spell ID00035d81
Tome ID000a270b
75
Expert
725 145/s 145/s Sprayed on the ground, it creates a wall of lightning that does 50 points of shock damage per second:
  • Constant cast on ground (each impact lasts for several seconds)
  • Wall of Storms, 8 pts for 1 sec on targets hit directly
  • Disintegrate, 200 pts for 1 sec; if the Disintegrate perk has been unlocked
  • Shock (HazardWallofShockSpell), 20 shock damage every 1 second. The hazard effect lasts for 30 seconds on the ground
SR-icon-spell-Ice.png Blizzard
Spell ID0007e8e4
Tome ID000a270d
100
Master
1350 1106 1106 Targets take 20 points of frost damage for 10 seconds, plus Stamina damage:
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Fire Storm
Spell ID0007a82b
Tome ID000a270c
100
Master
1290 1426 1426 A 100 point fiery explosion centered on the caster. Does more damage to closer targets:
SR-icon-spell-Shock.png Lightning Storm
Spell ID0007e8e5
Tome ID000a270e
100
Master
1400 138/s 0 Target takes 75 points of shock damage per second to Health, and half that to Magicka:
SR-icon-spell-Fire.png Arniel's Convection
Spell ID0006a104
N/A N/A 1/s 1/s Burns the target 1 points per second. Targets on fire take extra damage.
  • Flames, 1 pt for 1 sec
  • Specifically intended to be used for heating Dwarven Convectors in the related quest
SR-icon-spell-Absorb.png Vampiric Drain
Spell IDs0008d5bf, 0008d5c0, 0008d5c1, 0008d5c2
N/A N/A 6/s
10/s
13/s
17/s
6/s
10/s
13/s
17/s
Absorb <mag> points of health per second from the target
  • Drain Health, <mag> pts for 1 sec
  • <mag> is 2, 3, 4, or 5, depending upon your level of vampirism
  • Not available for purchase
  • Spell is automatically added when you become a vampire


Illusion Spells[edit]

SR-icon-book-SpellTomeIllusion.png Spell Name
(IDs)
Skill Level Tome
Value
Magicka Base Cost Skill XP Description and Effect Details Where to Get
SR-icon-spell-Magic Hat.png Clairvoyance
Spell ID00021143
Tome ID000ff7d1
0
Novice
50 25/s 0.25/s Shows the path to the current goal:
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Light.png Courage
Spell ID0004dee8
Tome ID0009e2ad
0
Novice
46 39 39 Target won't flee for 60 seconds and gets some extra health and stamina:
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Dark.png Fury
Spell ID0004deeb
Tome ID0009e2ac
0
Novice
43 67 20 Creatures and people up to level 6 will attack anything nearby for 30 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Light.png Calm
Spell ID0004dee9
Tome ID000a2711
25
Apprentice
91 146 36 Creatures and people up to level 9 won't fight for 30 seconds:
  • Calm, 9 pts for 30 secs
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Dark.png Fear
Spell ID0004deea
Tome ID000a2712
25
Apprentice
80 153 38 Creatures and people up to level 9 flee from combat for 30 seconds:
  • Fear, 9 pts for 30 secs
SR-icon-spell-Magic Hat.png Muffle
Spell ID0008f3eb
Tome ID000a270f
25
Apprentice
88 144 144 You move more quietly for 180 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Dark.png Frenzy
Spell ID0004deee
Tome ID000a2714
50
Adept
330 209 104/target Creatures and people up to level 14 will attack anyone nearby for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Dark.png Frenzy RuneDB
Spell IDxx0177b7
Tome IDxx0177bd
50
Adept
310 278 278 Targets up to level 20 that fail to resist are frenzied for 30 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Invisibility.png Orum's Aquatic EscapeCC
Spell IDFExxx851
Tome IDFExxx866
50
Adept
350 165 Caster is invisible for <dur> seconds. Activating an object or attacking will break the spell. Can breathe water for 15 seconds. Improved night vision for 15 seconds.
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Light.png Rally
Spell ID0004deec
Tome ID000a2713
50
Adept
300 113 34/target Targets won't flee for 60 seconds and get extra health and stamina:
SR-icon-spell-Alteration.png Fenrik's WelcomeCC
Spell IDFExxx84F
Tome IDFExxx867
75
Expert
350 116 0 Caster becomes invisible and can open locks with level Expert and below for 5 seconds. Activating an object or attacking will break the spell.
SR-icon-spell-Invisibility.png Invisibility
Spell ID00027eb6
Tome ID000a2715
75
Expert
625 334 83 Caster is invisible for 30 seconds. Activating an object or attacking will break the spell:
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Light.png Pacify
Spell ID0004deed
Tome ID000a2717
75
Expert
610 290 72/target Creatures and people up to level 20 won't fight for 60 seconds:
  • Pacify, 20 pts for 60 secs in 15 ft
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Dark.png Rout
Spell ID0004deef
Tome ID000a2718
75
Expert
653 316 79/target Creatures and people up to level 20 flee from combat for 30 seconds:
  • Rout, 20 pts for 30 secs in 15 ft
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Light.png Call to Arms
Spell ID0007e8dd
Tome ID000a271b
100
Master
1150 655 65/target Targets have improved combat skills, health and stamina for 10 minutes:
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Light.png Harmony
Spell ID0007e8db
Tome ID000a271a
100
Master
1220 1052 841/target Creatures and people up to level 25 nearby won't fight for 60 seconds:
  • Harmony, 25 pts for 60 secs in 250 ft
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Dark.png Hysteria
Spell ID0007e8de
Tome ID000a271c
100
Master
1240 866 216/target Creatures and people up to level 25 flee from combat for 60 seconds:
  • Hysteria, 25 pts for 60 secs in 250 ft
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Dark.png Mayhem
Spell ID0007e8da
Tome ID000a2719
100
Master
1250 990 396/target Creatures and people up to level 25 will attack anyone nearby for 60 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Illusion Light.png Vision of the Tenth Eye
Spell ID000b323e
N/A N/A 0 0 See what others cannot.
  • Vision of the Tenth Eye, for 30 secs

Restoration Spells[edit]

SR-icon-book-SpellTomeRestoration.png Spell Name
(IDs)
Skill Level Tome
Value
Magicka Base Cost Skill XP Description and Effect Details Where to Get
SR-icon-spell-Heal.png Healing
Spell ID00012fcc
Tome ID0009e2af
0
Novice
50 12/s 12/s Heals the caster 10 points per second:
SR-icon-spell-Ward.png Lesser Ward
Spell ID00013018
Tome ID0009e2ae
0
Novice
45 34/s 34/s Increases armor rating by 40 points and negates up to 40 points of spell damage or effects:
SR-icon-spell-Heal.png Fast Healing
Spell ID0002f3b8
Tome ID000a271d
25
Apprentice
94 73 73 Heals the caster 50 points:
SR-icon-spell-Heal.png Healing Hands
Spell ID0004d3f2
Tome ID000a271e
25
Apprentice
89 25/s 25/s Heals the target 10 points per second, but not undead, atronachs or machines:
  • Restore Health, 10 pts/sec for 1 sec
    • This spell then tapers; it will continue to deal the original magnitude of the effect to the target for another 0.3 seconds after expiring.
  • Restore Stamina, 10 pts for 1 sec
SR-icon-spell-Heal.png Necromantic HealingDG
Spell IDxx00e8d2
Tome IDxx00e8d5
25
Apprentice
115 37/s 37/s Heals the undead target 10 points per second, but not the living, atronachs or machines:
SR-icon-spell-Ward.png Steadfast Ward
Spell ID000211f1
Tome ID000a2720
25
Apprentice
92 58/s 58/s Increases armor rating by 60 points and negates up to 60 points of spell damage or effects:
SR-icon-spell-Vampire Bane.png Sun FireDG
Spell IDxx003f52
Tome IDxx003f51
25
Apprentice
80 24 12 Ball of sunlight that does 25 points of damage to undead:
SR-icon-spell-Turn Undead.png Turn Lesser Undead
Spell ID0004b146
Tome ID000a271f
25
Apprentice
89 84 84 Undead up to level 6 flee for 30 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Heal.png Close Wounds
Spell ID000b62ef
Tome ID0010f64d
50
Adept
360 126 126 Heals the caster 100 points:
  • Can be purchased from: Colette Marence
  • If your Restoration is level 40 or higher, you are rewarded one by the Pilgrimage quest.
SR-icon-spell-Ward.png Greater Ward
Spell ID000211f0
Tome ID000a2722
50
Adept
341 86/s 86/s Increases armor rating by 80 points and negates up to 80 points of spell damage or effects:
  • Can be purchased from: Colette Marence
  • If your Restoration is Level 40 or higher, you are rewarded one by the Pilgrimage quest.
SR-icon-spell-Heal.png Heal Other
Spell ID00012fd2
Tome ID000a2727
50
Adept
300 80 80 Heals the target 75 points, but not undead, atronachs or machines:
SR-icon-spell-Heal.png Heal UndeadDG
Spell IDxx00e8d4
Tome IDxx00e8d6
50
Adept
370 115 115 Heals the undead target 75 points, but not the living, atronachs or machines:
SR-icon-spell-Paralyze.png Poison RuneDB
Spell IDxx01d74b
Tome IDxx020685
50
Adept
290 246 246 Targets that fail to resist take 3 points of poison damage per second for 30 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Turn Undead.png Repel Lesser Undead
Spell ID0004d3f8
Tome ID000a2725
50
Adept
333 115 115 All affected undead up to level 8 flee for 30 seconds:
  • Can be purchased from: Colette Marence
  • If your Restoration is Level 40 or higher, it is a possible reward from the quest Pilgrimage.
SR-icon-spell-Vampire Bane.png Stendarr's AuraDG
Spell IDxx0038b5
Tome IDxx003f4e
50
Adept
335 248 0 For 60 seconds, undead in melee range take 10 points sun damage per second:
SR-icon-spell-Turn Undead.png Turn Undead
Spell ID0005dd5d
Tome ID000a2721
50
Adept
323 168 168 Undead up to level 13 flee for 30 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Vampire Bane.png Vampire's BaneDG
Spell IDxx0038b6
Tome IDxx003f4d
50
Adept
340 72 36 Sunlight explosion that does 40 points of damage in a 15 foot radius to undead:
SR-icon-spell-Turn Undead.png Circle of Protection
Spell ID0005312d
Tome ID000a2728
75
Expert
650 171 171 Undead up to level 20 entering the circle will flee:
SR-icon-spell-Heal.png Grand Healing
Spell ID000b62ee
Tome ID000dd643
75
Expert
680 254 382+ Heals everyone close to the caster 200 points:
SR-icon-spell-Turn Undead.png Repel Undead
Spell ID0005dd60
Tome ID000a2726
75
Expert
655 353 353 All affected undead up to level 16 flee for 30 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Turn Undead.png Turn Greater Undead
Spell ID0005dd5e
Tome ID000a2729
75
Expert
664 267 266 Undead up to level 21 flee for 30 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Turn Undead.png Bane of the Undead
Spell ID0008c1ab
Tome ID000dd647
100
Master
1200 988 988 Sets undead up to level 30 on fire and makes them flee for 30 seconds:
SR-icon-spell-Heal.png Guardian Circle
Spell ID000e0ccf
Tome ID000fde7b
100
Master
1220 716 716 Undead up to level 35 entering the circle will flee. Caster heals 20 health per second inside it:


Master Level Spells[edit]

Master-level spells are different from lower-level spells:

  • They always require both hands.
  • They take 3 seconds to complete.
  • You cannot move while casting.
  • They may be interrupted by stagger attack.

Other than the Alteration spell Dragonhide and the Restoration spell Guardian Circle, master-level spells do not benefit from dual casting perks.

When in combat, master-level spells are tricky to use because of the time required to cast them. Furthermore while casting them, you are completely vulnerable and can be interrupted by any sort of attack. Some ways around this weakness are:

  • staggering your enemy first with a dual-cast spell. Ice Storm can stagger multiple enemies at once.
  • combining them with shouts such as Become Ethereal or Ice Form.
  • combining them with illusion and alteration crowd control effects, such as Pacify.
  • using followers or conjurations as distractions.
  • combining them with high level flesh spells.
  • casting them from sneak.

Spell Notes

  • The base cost for spells is the amount of magicka that would be necessary to cast the spell at 0 skill without any perks. The magicka cost at 100 skill is 41% less than the base cost; the cost can also be reduced via enchanted apparel and by unlocking various perks. See Spell Cost for the full magicka cost equation.
  • Skill level indicates which skill perk needs to be unlocked to decrease the spell's magicka cost. "N/A" is used for special spells whose cost is not affected by any perks.
  • The "Where to Get" column only lists guaranteed locations for obtaining the spell tomes. Most spell tomes are also available in random loot; see Spell Tome Locations and the table below for details.
  • For higher-level spell tomes to become available for purchase, your skill in the school must be high enough (see the table below). Also, master-level spell tomes can only be acquired once that school's ritual spell quest has been completed.
  • All spell tomes have a weight of 1.
  • Skill XP can be modified by scripts and by the game engine itself under various circumstances. The exact XP you receive may vary from the numbers listed here.
  • Magicka cost and skill XP are rounded down, both in game and on this page. Because of this, you may find that you cannot cast a spell even though it appears you have exactly enough magicka to do so.
Tomes by Level
Spell Level Skill Level Character Level, Boss Chest Character Level, Random Chest
Novice 0 1 1
Apprentice 0 11 10
Adept 40 23 -
Expert 65 35 -
Master 0/90 - -
Master level spell tomes require the appropriate ritual spell quest to be completed to be sold; while the quests have a skill level requirement of 90 to initiate, if you have completed the quest and reset the skill by making it legendary, the spell tome should still be available for sale.

Spell Tome Locations[edit]

Most spell tomes can be purchased from merchants. Novice- and apprentice-level spell tomes can be purchased from the court wizards found in each of Skyrim's cities. Higher-level spell tomes are more difficult to find: Each court wizard only stocks the adept-level spells for one school (Farengar, Madena and Wuunferth for Destruction, Falion and Calcelmo for Conjuration, Sybille Stentor for Illusion and Wylandriah for Alteration) and the expert-level spells can only be purchased from the specialist mages in the College of Winterhold. Also, adept- and expert-level spell tomes only appear in the mage's merchandise when your magic skill is high enough (40 for Adept and 65 for Expert spells). After reaching the required skill level, you must wait for the mage's merchandise to be reset (typically two days in-game), or, save, then attack the merchant and reload, before the new tomes will appear. Master-level spell tomes can only be acquired once that school's ritual spell quest has been completed.

Nearly all spell tomes can also be found randomly as loot. The only spell tomes that can not be found randomly are quest-specific spell tomes (those that can not be purchased), tomes added by Dawnguard or Dragonborn, and master-level tomes. The appearance of random tomes is dependent upon your character's overall level (but is not related to your skill in the magic school, unlike tome purchases):

  • Novice: level 1+
  • Apprentice: level 11+
  • Adept: level 23+
  • Expert: level 35+

Those random loot tomes may be found in boss chests and safes. With the Merchant perk unlocked, there is a small chance that tomes are sold by blacksmiths. With the Dawnguard add-on installed, tomes can also be purchased from Morven Stroud.

Additionally several chests may contain low level tomes dependent on character level. Those may be carried by several spellcasters too:

  • Novice: level 1+
  • Apprentice: level 10+