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So, I did the arena series recently with my Breton Mage. I love my mage. Anyway, after the first fight I learned that my opponent will only attack me and never attack my pet. I wanted to avoid the whole invisibility thing and try my hand at burdening to slow them down so I could stay away from them.

I cast my most powerful burden spell on many opponents and they never slowed down. So, yes, I eventually went with the whole pet and invisibility thing and won easily.

My question though... has anyone found a use for the burden spells that are provided the various spell vendors? I thought maybe I could use them as rudimentary roots but I guess I'd need to combine them with drain strength spells?

CE

Hmm I've done some reading and it sounds like drain strength is more magicka efficient. Has anyone tried to make a root spell? Basically, a spell that ceases all movement. I'm thinking, drain strength, burden and drain speed combined strategically into a homemade spell might do the trick.

I think I'll call it Will of the Earth. Please, let me know if you've tried doing this.

CE

i've tried to do a spell like that, but you needed to be expert in alteration.

Screw spells, stack some (burden) potions!

I think I read before that burden doesn't really work since NPC's and baddies aren't really encumbered. Hence you can only reverse pickpocket them with weightless items.

I think the Wiki states that most NPCs have very little gear so encumbering them, while theoretically possible, is very difficult. For testing purposes, I'd suggest focusing on drain strength because as the Wiki states and you found out, it's much more magicka efficient. The trick will be to design a spell with enough power to work on the lightly encumbered NPCs. I'm aiming to raise my alteration high enough to be able to enchant it on to a bow so I can "paralyze" opponents with my first shot.