There are combinations to discover whether you specialize in one branch of magic, or browse from several. You might think about it like choosing a class and subclass in Destiny 2, although here in Arcanum, you’re able to combine spells from whichever schools and focuses interest you the most. And each of those schools has branches within it to further refine the way you play. Perhaps most interestingly, Arcanum is built so that players have new considerations to make when choosing a school of magic in which to specialise. Of course, you'd better be handy with the steel, quick with a spell, and ready to flee from danger if you want to last long. Modder Kosorsomesaykosm says Arcanum has been built with existing popular magic mods in mind, and that this project has come out of years of experimentation with those, as well as countless hours spent as a magic-using character.

The elevator pitch for Arcanum is that it adds a tonne of brand new spells, all designed to serve a specific function within each of Skyrim’s schools of magic, and that by combining or focusing in these schools you can discover new combos that fit your particular playstyle. However, many mods have been released over the years that fix this problem by implementing a new spell crafting system that allows you to mix effects for truly unique spells. Instead of simply adding some flashy new spells with screen-melting visuals, Arcanum completely reimagines what being a mage in Skyrim is all about. The ability to craft spells in Skyrim is a feature that has been absent since launch, with the exception of enchanting and a few other ways to craft magical abilities. There are a lot of magic mods for Skyrim, but I’ve never seen one quite as ambitious as Arcanum.

Spell crafting for skyrim