Destruction ( Skyrim ) Destruction is a skill in , and is one of the skills that falls under The Mage play - style . The Destruction skill is increased by damaging enemies with Destruction spells . Destruction spells serve as the main offensive for mages , as the majority of the spells in this school cause direct damage . Destruction spells can be acquired by reading spell tomes bought from vendors or looted from chests and corpses . The tomes of these spells depict an open palm , circled in fire . In the College of Winterhold , Faralda is the Destruction Teacher and has a wide selection of Destruction spell tomes for sale . Branches . Destruction is divided in three types of elements : Fire , Frost and Shock . Each has its own characteristics , costs and effects , as listed below . Fire . Fire spells consume the least amount of magicka of the three types of Destruction spells . Fire spells travel at an average velocity and inflict damage on contact as well as over time . Most fire spells inflict a " burn " effect on enemies , which boosts damage from other weapons . Dark Elves are 50 % resistant to this kind of spell , which can be helpful in fighting fire - breathing dragons . Fire spells also boil small amounts of water when cast at them . Fire spells can also ignite oil that is sometimes found spilled on the floor of dungeons , crypts , etc . Creatures ( including the Dragonborn and their companions ) standing in or passing through burning oil will take fire damage . Frost . Frost spells consume an average amount of Magicka , but they travel at a slower velocity than shock spells . Frost spells slow the target ' s movement , while dealing damage to health and stamina . Nords are 50 % resistant to this kind of spell , which can be an advantage when fighting frost - breathing dragons . Also , vampires resist between 25 % and 100 % ( 20 % and 50 % in ) of frost damage , depending on the stage of vampirism . Shock . Shock spells consume the most Magicka of the three types of Destruction spells , but its spell velocity is instant . Shock spell damage drains health and magicka , making it a choice against mages . Only Bretons , with a 25 % resistance to all magic , have an innate resistance to shock spell damage . Shock damage is not conducted by water . Skill Books . The following is a list of books that raise the Destruction skill . Quests . The following miscellaneous quests increases the Destruction Skill : Spells . The following is a complete list of Destruction spells : Master ( skill level 100 ) . Master spells cannot be purchased initially . To unlock Master Destruction spells , the quest " Destruction Ritual Spell " must be completed upon reaching level 100 Destruction . Starting spells . The following are Destruction spells that the Dragonborn can start with if the correct race is selected : Perks . The following are the perks that become available to select as the skill is leveled up . 17 Perk points are required to max out the tree . Enhancing destruction damage . Leveling up destruction does not increase damage and mages may find that destruction is less useful against high level enemies . There are four ways to increase destruction damage .