To be honest in my build i completely omitted magicka all together mostly because I enjoy far more building completely for end game in my skills in any game, not just skyrim (I find more joy in doing vast quantities of research and figuring out an end game build before playing a game than just getting stuck in).

I did read somewhere that for pure damage per second you can optimise with Archery. I will do some proper analysis into this because i think it would be quite interesting to see which is better, Archery or Dual wielding. One thing however i find to be a lot of fun when doing the smithing/alchemy/enchanting optimisation is using archery pots. Your damage output goes through the roof.

One thing however which is useful with destruction is how easy it is to kill dragons with it (not that they are difficult with my build either but alas). I recently built a mage character and out of interest leveled him using the console and adorning him with every spell. The master spell for destruction is absolutely fantastic for killing dragons. Because it’s a constant stream of lightning it drains all their magicka and they can’t attack you, all you have to look out for is them biting your head off.

I completely agree with you on your choice of stones, the only reason i included them was to show how Breton and Argonian as a race choice become obsolete because you can replace them with a combination of standing stones, werewolf disease and if it pivots on the water breathing from Argonians, one helmet enchantment.

Anyway I’m going to have a look at the scaling on the daggers vs the bows, i’ll hopefully be able to write back with some actual figures.

You are right, I forgot the Notched Pickaxe. Thanks for adding.

I found that Destruction scales best at the low levels, but as you approach higher levels, you will eventually need Archery to do good ranged damage. However, Archery by itself (trained to 100, which is easy) is powerful enough at later levels. With 100 in all crafting skills, you can make bows that literally do over 200 points of damage per hit). You could invest in it at later level to get another doubling and the critical hit bonus, but I am not sure it is worth it.

I did notice that Destruction flattens out at later levels and does very little damage against ancient dragons when you are in the 70-80ies. But fortunately, the skills you acquire in Destruction at earlier levels add to the damage of enchantments and makes you drain charges of weapons very slowly for one-handed weapons. So they are skill points well invested.

It may be viable to switch to Archery enchanted gear at later level, instead of the Destruction gear. This is something I will experiment with.

I agree that health/stamina is the place to put most your attribute points. But I need a little magicka to cast the high level Conjuration spells (like Storm Thrall).

I am currently tanking giants and their mammoths on Master level difficulty and three-hitting them with dual wield daggers (shields are for wimps .

If you can stay at range I agree there is no need for Muffle enchant – though bows only do 3x Stealth Damage. But I have found myself sneaking around inside houses a lot where the 15x dagger backstab bonus is REALLY handy.

With regards to standing stones, Atronach is my sign at the highest levels. But I do like the experience bonus stones until I get there.

http://blog.tatham.oddie.com.au/2008/10/13/why-light-text-on-dark-background-is-a-bad-idea/