Skyrim is unique in that the game has no class system. Instead of choosing a playstyle in a menu, players level up skills they are interested in by simply using them. It has resulted in one of the most fluid leveling systems in any RPG, but this can make leveling certain archetypes difficult.
Mages deal with this the most. Early-game, mages have little Magicka to cast spells and have limited ways of regenerating their Magicka. This can be fixed with certain items, but there are many ways to maximize a character's Magicka pool and regeneration. Here are 10 tips for improving a character's Magicka pool and reserves in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
10 Invest In Magicka Every Level
Before players begin to focus on obtaining good gear and perks, they should first focus on increasing their Magicka through the level up screen. Players can choose to increase their Stamina, Health, or Magicka by ten points every time they level up. Increasing Magicka is the preferred choice here, not only granting extra Magicka to use but also increasing the amount of Magicka regenerated per second.
9 Play As An Altmer
Altmers, otherwise known as High Elves, are Skyrim's defacto mage race. This race starts with some proficiency in various schools of magic, but that's not what players should focus on. Altmers all have a passive increase to their Magicka by 50. This is comparable with most high-end items that players could equip. Using this race will make early-game casting feel much better since players will have a massive increase to their Magicka pool.
8 Use Fortify Magicka Gear
Fortify Magicka is an enchantment that most robes and mage-related items have. While equipped, it increases a player's maximum Magicka by a flat amount. This value varies based on the item's level or how skilled the enchanter was, but players can expect around a 20 to 40 point bonus early-game and around 50 to 70 point boost late-game.
There are also more specialized Fortify enchantments that include schools of magic, reducing the cost of using spells tied to said school. Stacking these is also a viable option, as reaching 100% spell cost reduction with a certain school of magic will make those spells free. For those using multiple schools of magic, though, obtaining generic Fortify Magicka buffs is best.
7 Use Ring Of The Erudite
During the Dawnguard questline, players can obtain the Ring of the Erudite as a reward from the "Rings of Blood Magic" quest. This ring grants 100 extra Magicka as well as increased Magicka regeneration while worn. Players will need to be a vampire to obtain this quest, however, as the quest can only be started by talking to Feran Sadri in Castle Volkihar.
The second modifier is what players should focus on. The extra Magicka regeneration is different than other enchantments in that it influences the base recharge rate of Magicka, increasing it from 3% per second to 5%. This is a massive increase that stacks multiplicatively with other Fortify Magicka Regeneration enchantments.
6 Drink Potions
Don't forget that potions exist. Potions can offer a wide range of buffs that, of course, can influence Magicka. Fortify Magicka and regeneration buffs are common potions that players can find, purchase, or craft themselves. Having a surplus of Magicka potions at the ready is invaluable for maximizing a player's Magicka pool and spell uptime.
5 Pray To Akatosh Or Julianos
Most players forget that they can obtain passive bonuses from shrines. Praying to a certain diety will grant an eight-hour in-game bonus. For those focused on Magicka, the Shrine of Akatosh and Shrine of Julianos work best. Akatosh will grant +25 Magicka while Julianos will grant 10% increased Magicka regeneration. Only one shrine blessing may be active at a time, so it's up to the player to decide which one is better. To maximize the buff's uptime, create a shrine in the basement of a Hearthfire house and pray to it whenever possible.
4 Eat Elsweyr Fondue
Yet another forgotten mechanic for most, food is a solid way to increase Magicka reserves and regeneration. The best food for this is Elsweyr Fondue. Requiring Ale, an Eldar Cheese Wheel, and Moon Sugar, this item will boost a player's maximum Magicka by 100 while granting 25% Magicka regeneration for 12 minutes in real-time. This is an incredibly potent buff that stacks with enchantments and potions. The ingredients are rather easy to find, too.
3 Obtain Necromage As A Vampire
Necromage is a Restoration perk that increases the effect of spells against undead foes. What the perk doesn't state is how it also works on the player if they are undead. Becoming a vampire will result in Necromage increasing the potency of all enchantments, potions, food, Standing Stones, and passive buffs by 25%. Spell duration is also increased by 50%. Players can use this perk to increase the strength of their Magicka enchantments, the passive Magicka bonus on Altmer, as well as increase the potency of certain Standing Stones.
2 Obtain The Atronach Stone
Out of every Standing Stone the player can choose, the best one is easily the Atronach Stone. While active, this constellation will grant players +50 to their maximum Magicka alongside 50% spell absorption chance. This is at the downside of -50% Magicka regeneration, but this is well worth it. Spell absorption will absorb a spell's Magicka cost and grant it towards the player while mitigating any damage or effects it would have caused. Getting this to 100% is possible with the Necromage perk and the Atronarch perk in the Alteration tree.
1 Fortify Enchanting
Enchanting is easily the best method of maximizing Magicka. Infusing apparel with Fortify Magicka modifiers will outperform nearly every unique armor piece in the game. Achieving 100 Enchanting will improve these buffs further.
If players want to break Skyrim on the same level as Morrowind, they can use the Restoration potion glitch to make items that grant billions of maximum Magicka. To do this, create a Fortify Restoration potion. Drink it, then create enchanted armor that grants increased potion effect. Wear that armor and create yet another Fortify Restoration potion. It should be stronger than the last one. Repeat this process until items have trillions of bonus stats. Note that this exploit has been patched in the Unofficial Skyrim Patch mod.