Whats the best way to defend against enemy spellcasters?

[LordyLordy]

My character keeps getting mullered by npc spellcasters. I choose the Apprentice Starsign and didn't realise just how dodgy 100% weakness to magic could be until I ran into the undead Aelid king in the Great Welkin stone quest. That dude was taking me out in one or two lightning bolts. Took many many attempts to beat him and a lot of running away.

I see there are a few choices. magic resistance, spell absorption, spell reflection or just tring to boost health before a fight. I wondered what everyone else would recomend?

Lordy

[Ts198]

probably spell reflection because it goes off of you and hits them back, of course if they reflect it also then it hits you

[Book Worm]

My battlemage has somthing like 90% spell absorbtion, i would reccomend that if your a magic oriented player... if your character is more of the hack and slash or ranger character then i'd go for spell reflect. Either way it's nice to see magic attempts either bounce back to the caster or be absorbed and transferred to your magika pool

Also about the reflection - You can reflect your own reflect: If you get my meaning! YOur target reflects a spell and you in turn reflect it back! Usually if i get a reflect spell back on me i just absorb it... I can't stress how useful absorbtion is! Almost an essential if your a magika based character!

[Jeff]

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Reflect_Spell

Spells will only reflect once. If your spell bounces against an enemy back to you, no amount of spell reflection is going to bounce it back.

Custom enchantments are not possible with Reflect Spell: this effect is disabled at the Enchanting Altar.

Here are some worthwhile items to acquire if you're trying to achieve a high spell reflection:
Mundane Ring has 35% Reflect Spell, but it is a random item and therefore can be hard to obtain. (If you are at least level 22, Raven Camoran will always be wearing this ring when you kill him in either of his associated quests.)
Spell Breaker is a shield with 30% Reflect Spell that you get for completing Peryite's Daedric quest.
Ring of Sunfire can provide 25% Reflect Spell, but only if you get it at a high level.
Ayleid Crown of Nenalata can provide 25% Reflect Spell, but only if you get it at a high level.
Amulet of Reflection provides 20% Reflect Spell; it is also a random item, but can be found starting at level 9

Info on Spell Absorptionhttp://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Spell_Absorption

[Belthazor]

Since you've mentioned it: In your case I would forget about magic resistance. As an Apprentice, you would need 100% Resist Magic just to take normal damage from magic. Go with Spell Reflection or Spell Absorption instead, as the others suggested.

[Undead(-)Necro]

is silence an option?

[Book Worm]

Lol that put me in my place... i must of absorbed it then... dam flash's of purple confusing me!

[Progress]

YOU RUN! You run as far as as your legs can take you! Out on to the nearest main road and let the Imperial Guard take care of it. I had the same problem and you just have to take you time and let the other pick em off!

[bradleemilk]

It gets a little slow when you do that throughout the whole game, and pointless.

[Elzar]

Kill them before they kill you. The best tactic is because the game uses real-time combat, move around alot. Arrows are harder to dodge than magic, so as a certain dodgeball coach says,

"If you can dodge an arrow, you can dodge magic!"

[Most Honored Listener]

"If you can dodge an arrow, you can dodge magic!"

except you don't know when a spell caster is about to cast like you get a 5 second warning with arrows

[Jeff]

Watch their arms. They move before they cast, then their hands glow.

Do what the AI spell casters do, shoot and move.

The best defense is a strong offense, or rather, a sneak attack with a poisoned bow.

[LordyLordy]

Thanks for all the advice I'll try and be a bit nimbler on me toes until I can find some of those funky spell reflecting items.

[Elzar]

I'm not sure if a shield can dodge it, but I don't think so. You might be able to enchant one with reflect magic. Hey, I don't know, so don't flame me...

[Jeff]

Correct, a shield only helps against Physical Attacks, not Magical Attacks.

Enchanting it with reflect/absorb Spell will definately help.

[bradleemilk]

The "Spell Breaker" shield from the daedra shrine quest is good against magical enemies.

[JuggernauT]

Get Spell Breaker, the shield.

[JuggernauT]

The "Spell Breaker" shield from the daedra shrine quest is good against magical enemies.

Sorry I didn't read any other posts, good thinking bradleemilk.

[Most Honored Listener]

I would have to say sneak and silence or if your not a sneaking type well just run like a rabid dog and have at them with a "silence" poisoned weapon
works for me

[Belthazor]

Correct, a shield only helps against Physical Attacks, not Magical Attacks.

Enchanting it with reflect/absorb Spell will definately help.

As far as I know, Reflect Spell is not available for enchanting, though.

[mikekearn]

Correct, a shield only helps against Physical Attacks, not Magical Attacks.

Enchanting it with reflect/absorb Spell will definately help.

As far as I know, Reflect Spell is not available for enchanting, though.

Reflect Spell is not available for enchanting, but you can do Resist Magic (through sigil stones). Up to 20% right there. Get several, and you can cut down the weakness you brought upon yourself.

[Logius]

When dealing with spellcasters in early levels I've always found the "double D" approach works best. Distance & Dodge. Can't even count how many times I killed Wraiths, Liche, or mages with my bow rather than risk the up-close-and-personal attack.

If you keep your distance and are careful, it's almost laughable how easy avoiding spells can be.

[Jeff]

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Reflect_Spell

Spells will only reflect once. If your spell bounces against an enemy back to you, no amount of spell reflection is going to bounce it back.

Custom enchantments are not possible with Reflect Spell: this effect is disabled at the Enchanting Altar.

Here are some worthwhile items to acquire if you're trying to achieve a high spell reflection:
Mundane Ring has 35% Reflect Spell, but it is a random item and therefore can be hard to obtain. (If you are at least level 22, Raven Camoran will always be wearing this ring when you kill him in either of his associated quests.)
Spell Breaker is a shield with 30% Reflect Spell that you get for completing Peryite's Daedric quest.
Ring of Sunfire can provide 25% Reflect Spell, but only if you get it at a high level.
Ayleid Crown of Nenalata can provide 25% Reflect Spell, but only if you get it at a high level.
Amulet of Reflection provides 20% Reflect Spell; it is also a random item, but can be found starting at level 9

Info on Spell Absorptionhttp://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Spell_Absorption

Sorry, I knew that, and even posted it earlier.

[bradleemilk]

I've always found the "double D" approach works best.

For some reason that just sounds so great.

[Mazer]

My Nord have 110% of reflect spell (mundane ring, spell breaker, crown of nenalata and amulet of reflection) and im immune to enemies casting magical attacks unless enemies have reflect spell effect to.And I think 110 points of this spell has same effect as 100%