Conjuration in Skyrim is the school of magic that separates careful planners from desperate survivors. While most mages hurl fireballs and hope for the best, a skilled conjurer summons an army of Atronachs and reanimated corpses to do their bidding. It’s the ultimate force multiplier in any build, whether you’re a pure mage, archer, or warrior hybrid. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about mastering conjuration, from essential spells to combat tactics that’ll turn fights in your favor.
Key Takeaways
- Conjuration in Skyrim solves the ‘squishy mage’ problem by summoning disposable tanks and reanimated corpses that split enemy aggro, letting you deal damage safely from range.
- Master essential spells in progression: start with Conjure Familiar and Bound Sword, advance to Frost Atronach and Dremora Lord at mid-level (40–60 skill), then unlock Dead Thrall and Thrall spells at 90 Conjuration.
- The Twin Souls perk is a game-changer, allowing you to summon two creatures simultaneously and maintain both a summon and reanimated corpse for overwhelming battlefield control.
- Conjuration levels passively through combat casting—use Soul Trap on corpses early, equip bound weapons during dungeons, and visit trainers like Phinis Gestor after level 50 for faster progression.
- Tactical summoning beats spam: open fights by deploying summons among enemies to split aggro, maintain a tanky anchor summon while you deal damage, and layer multiple summons against tough foes to exhaust enemy resources.
What Is Conjuration And Why It Matters
Conjuration is all about summoning creatures from Oblivion and raising the dead to fight alongside you. Your summons become disposable tanks that split enemy aggro, letting you stay safe while dealing damage. You get access to Atronachs (Flame, Frost, Storm), Dremora Lords, undead minions, and bound weapons that scale with your Conjuration skill. Unlike offensive magic schools, conjuration doesn’t rely on raw damage numbers, it multiplies your effectiveness through sheer numbers and durability.
Why it matters? Conjuration solves the “squishy mage” problem. A Frost Atronach can absorb hits while you cast spells from range. A reanimated corpse creates chaos in enemy ranks. A bound bow gives any build an infinite, enchantment-scaling weapon. For leveling players, these summons trivialize tough encounters. For endgame builds, conjuration pairs seamlessly with any playstyle. It’s defensive, offensive, and flexible all at once.
Essential Conjuration Spells To Master
Start with Conjure Familiar and Conjure Flame Atronach, cheap, reliable, and available early. Once you hit level 20–30 Conjuration, grab Bound Sword or Bound Bow to supplement weapon-based builds. Soul Trap isn’t flashy, but it’s essential for leveling and filling soul gems.
At mid-level (40–60 skill), prioritize Conjure Frost Atronach, Conjure Dremora Lord, and Reanimate Corpse. The Dremora Lord is your tank, it has high health and melee DPS. For controlling enemy casters, Command Daedra is invaluable. If you own Dragonborn, add Conjure Ash Guardian and Conjure Boneman for Bloodmoon-tier summoning.
Master-tier spells unlock at 90 Conjuration. Dead Thrall is the crown jewel, it reanimates any humanoid corpse permanently (for that play session), letting you keep powerful NPCs fighting forever. Flame Thrall, Frost Thrall, and Storm Thrall create thralls instead of temporary summons, giving you more control and duration. These master spells define late-game conjuration builds.
Conjuration Perks That Transform Your Build
Perks separate good conjurers from great ones. The Novice–Master Conjuration perks are non-negotiable, they halve spell costs at each tier, turning summons from expensive luxuries into repeatable tactics.
Summoner (2 ranks) extends your summons’ range so they don’t instantly die if enemies rush. Atromancy doubles Atronach summon duration, making them actual assets instead of brief distractions. Elemental Potency boosts Atronach damage, turning your Frost Atronach into a legitimate threat rather than just a distraction.
For undead builds, Necromancy and Dark Souls extend reanimation duration and increase undead health, critical for keeping corpses alive long enough to matter. Twin Souls (costs 2 perk ranks) is the game-changer: you can now summon two creatures at once or maintain a summon + reanimated corpse. This is where conjuration becomes overwhelming.
Mystic Binding and Soul Stealer enhance bound weapons, adding flat damage bonuses and auto-applying Soul Trap. If you use bound gear regularly, these are essential. These perks aren’t flashy, but they compound into massive effectiveness gains.
Leveling Conjuration: From Novice To Master
Conjuration levels whenever you cast summoning, reanimation, or bound weapon spells in or near combat. The key is consistency, spam spells during fights, not in idle moments.
Early leveling feels slow because low-tier spells grant tiny experience. Cast Soul Trap repeatedly on corpses to grind levels without wasting magicka. Use bound weapons during regular combat instead of your equipped sword or bow, the passive casting keeps your skill climbing. Pairing conjuration training with actual dungeon crawling means your skill grows naturally without feeling like a chore.
At level 50+, visit trainers like Phinis Gestor at the College of Winterhold to buy training sessions. Trainers reduce the grind significantly. By level 90, Phinis offers the Conjuration Ritual Spell, unlocking additional master-tier spells beyond the base game. For faster progression, pair skill leveling with Conjuration skill books scattered throughout Skyrim. This hybrid approach keeps pacing manageable while hitting 100 Conjuration before endgame.
Best Conjuration Tactics For Combat
Smart summoning is tactical, not spammy. Open fights by summoning behind or among enemies, this splits aggro and forces enemies to turn away from you. Your Atronach becomes the primary threat while you cast, shoot, or swing from safety.
Maintain a tanky summon (Frost Atronach, Storm Atronach, or Dremora Lord) as your anchor while you deal damage from range or mid-range. Against tough enemies, use Twin Souls to deploy two summons, one tank, one damage dealer. Pair a Conjure Dremora Lord with a Reanimate Corpse to overwhelm single powerful foes.
For ranged builds, cast Bound Bow and summon a melee companion to create a front line. Against enemy conjurers, use Banish Daedra or Expel Daedra to shut down their summons before they become problems. Layered summons (Dremora + thrall + raised corpse) turn chaos into coordinated pressure that exhausts enemy resources. The goal isn’t raw damage, it’s controlling the battlefield so enemies can’t focus fire on you. These tactics turn conjuration into a strategic school, not just lazy button-mashing.
Conclusion
Mastering conjuration in Skyrim transforms how you approach combat. It’s a school built on control, durability, and smart resource management. With core perks like Twin Souls and Atromancy, combined with powerful mid-tier summons, you’ll handle endgame content with ease. Whether you’re building a pure mage or hybrid warrior, conjuration provides the safety net and damage multiplier that separates careless players from tactical survivors. Start early, invest in perks, and watch your summoned army carry you through Skyrim’s toughest challenges.
