Summary
- The Conjuration skill in Skyrim offers a range of powerful spells, including the ability to summon allies and raise the dead.
- Some must-have Conjuration spells include Soul Trap for filling soul gems, Banish Undead for instantly killing undead enemies, and Summon Arvak & Summon Daedric Horse for convenient transportation.
- Other spells such as Conjure Dark Seducers or Golden Saints, Conjure Dremora Lord, and Bound Sword/Bow offer additional combat options and utility for players.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim features a broad range of ways for people to get through the game, allowing them to utilize a number of skills to construct their own unique build. Many players adopt a strategy of overwhelming their enemies through the use of multiple allies, which, aside from followers, can be summoned or raised using the Conjuration skill.
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Whether by summoning powerful Daedra or resurrecting dead NPCs, the Conjuration school offers a lot of utility. Some Conjuration spells are better than others, however, and although each has its own use, there are some that are undoubtedly more powerful than others and are worth adding to the arsenal of any mage.
Updated on January 27, 2025, by Gerardo Molina: While a lot of players who use magic builds prefer to use the Destruction category to decimate their enemies and look as powerful as possible, Conjuration spells are also quite useful and should not be looked down on by any sorcerer who takes magic seriously. Although many of the spells in the Conjuration category are not focused on dealing direct damage, but rather summoning allies that can come in handy in battle, the endgame is typically the same—the Dragonborn survives and anyone who stands in their path perishes. Some of the spells on this list will require a lot of grinding, as they’re somewhat advanced.
16 Soul Trap
Fill Soul Gems With The Souls Of Enemies
- Magicka Cost: 107
- Description: If a target dies within 60 seconds, fills a soul gem.
A basic spell but useful in the arsenal of most players, Soul Trap fills a soul gem if the target dies within 60 seconds of being affected by it, depending on the type of soul they have. These filled soul gems can then be used to create powerful enchantments or to recharge enchanted weapons and staves.
Soul Trap can be purchased from most vendors that sell spells, so it's fairly easy to acquire at the beginning of the game.
15 Banish Undead
Kill Some Undead In An Instant
- Magicka Cost: 176
- Description: Summoned or raised undead up to level 15 are sent back to the grave.
This is one of the spells added by the Anniversary Edition from the Necromantic Grimoire Creation. It can be a useful spell in combat against summoned or raised undead (not vampires or draugr) for those who prefer using the Conjuration skill over Restoration, as it instantly kills any up to level 15.
It appears in random loot after level 23, and Phinis Gestor at the College of Winterhold sells it after the player's Conjuration skill reaches level 40.
14 Summon Arvak & Summon Daedric Horse
Summon A Horse Anywhere
- Magicka Cost: 136
- Description: Summon Arvak and a Daedric Horse to the Dragonborn's location.
These two spells are definite must-haves for players wanting to do Survival Mode. Compared to Shadowmere, who is arguably the best mount in the game, their health and stamina are low. However, players can summon these two mounts just about anywhere in Skyrim and even the Soul Cairn in Arvak’s case. The one problem with getting these summonable mounts is that acquiring them is quite the task.
Arvak is acquired after finding his skull in the Soul Cairn, so players will be forced to do the Dawnguard questline. The Daedric Horse can be found in the Deadlands during The Cause questline, which isn’t available until the player reaches level 46. But it’s worth it if players want to play Survival Mode, as these mounts make roaming through Skyrim much easier.
13 Banish Daedra
A Great Way To Deal With Lower-Level Daedra
- Magicka Cost: 196
- Description: Send lesser Daedra back to Oblivion
While this spell is not as advanced as others in a similar category, Banish Daedra can be great against Lesser Daedra when the Dragonborn is outnumbered. This spell is somewhat valuable, standing at 346 Gold and can be obtained from Phinis Gestor at the College of Winterhold upon reaching level 40 of Conjuration.
Players can also purchase this spell from Calcelmo in the Understone Keep. Its Magicka cost isn’t huge, but it’s also not negligible, so players must be careful and use it wisely so they have enough Magicka left.
12 Conjure Dark Seducers or Golden Saints
Summon The Guards Of The Shivering Isles To Fight
- Magicka Cost: 75
- Description: Summon a Dark Seducer Archer/Dark Seducer Warrior/Golden Saint Archer/Golden Saint Warrior for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing.
These spells are new additions, thanks to the Saints & Seducers Creation that came with the Anniversary Edition. Players will be able to summon either Golden Saints or Dark Seducers to aid them in battle. They aren’t as strong as the Dremora Lord, but they are more versatile, as players can choose to summon a warrior or archer. The warriors come equipped with a one-handed weapon and shield, while the archers have bows and will switch to one-handed weapons should an enemy get too close.
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All four spells can be found on Thoron, the final boss in the Restoring Order quest. The spell tomes can also be created at the Atronach Forge in the College of Winterhold if players have the right ingredients. The Report on Atronach Forge Experiments paper found at Staada’s camp reveals what ingredients are needed.
11 Conjure Dremora Lord
Have A Powerful Daedra As A Combat Companion
- Magicka Cost: 358
- Description: Summons a Dremora Lord for 60 seconds.
Dremora Lords are powerful Daedra that deal huge amounts of damage and have large pools of health. They can be summoned for 60 seconds with this spell and make for formidable allies, especially against melee foes who have no chance of dealing damage against them until they are within the Dremora's range.
It is an Expert-level spell, meaning it becomes available to the player as loot from level 35 and can be purchased from Phinis Gestor at Conjuration level 65.
10 Bound Sword
Summon A Sword Instead Of Carrying One
- Magicka Cost: 93
- Description: Creates a magic sword for 120 seconds. Sheathe it to dispel.
A handy spell for anyone who doesn’t want to carry a sword on their person, the Bound Sword weighs nothing and has 9 base damage, but it will increase to 14 with the Mystic Binding perk in the Conjuration skill line. It might not seem like much, but this weapon is also affected by any perks in the One-Handed skill line and will be just as powerful as a Daedric Sword.
If players want to get their hands on this spell, it can be purchased from any court wizard in Skyrim for about 49 gold. It can also be found in a room at Treva’s Watch.
9 Bound Bow
Summon A Powerful Bow Without Carrying One
- Magicka Cost: 207
- Description: Creates a magic bow and 100 magic arrows for 120 seconds. Sheathe it to dispel.
Interestingly, conjured weapons are not actually weapons at all - they are Daedra that have been summoned in the shape of a weapon! The Bound Bow is one of the most powerful bows in the game, dealing only one point less damage than Daedric bows but attacking much faster and weighing nothing.
However, with the Mystic Binding perk, the Bound Bow deals 5 more points of damage than Daedric bows. All perks and effects that cover archery also cover the Bound Bow, with the only downside being that it cannot be tempered. It can be purchased from Calcelmo, Falion, and Phinis Gestor when Adept-level spells become available, but a tome for it can also be found in a bucket in Fort Amol Prison.
8 Dread Zombie
Raise Powerful Corpses To Fight
- Magicka Cost: 302
- Description: Reanimate a very powerful dead body to fight for you for 60 seconds.
Dread Zombie is the most powerful single-handed zombie spell, becoming available to the player as loot at level 35 or sold by Phinis Gestor at Conjuration level 65. It raises a corpse up to level 30 (or 37 with the Necromage perk) to fight for the player for 60 seconds.
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The corpse does turn to dust upon death, meaning it cannot be raised again; however, if used strategically, when it dies, the player can simply raise one of the enemies it has killed for a continual supply of zombies.
7 Conjure Wrathman
Summoning A Powerful Ally Is Always A Great Idea
- Magicka Cost: 301
- Description: Summons a Watchman from the Soul Cairn for 60 seconds wherever the caster is pointing
As players explore the various Nordic tombs spread throughout the land of Skyrim, they will encounter a large variety of Draugr. Although some are very easy to deal with due to their weakness and lack of spell casting and other abilities, a few will pose a significant challenge, with Wrathmen being one of them.
These powerful undead can help turn the tides of battle and give the Dragonborn the upper hand in a difficult situation. The Magicka requirement is considerable, and players must reach Level 75 before being able to cast it. To get Conjure Wrathman, players will have to go to where the southernmost Keeper is in the Soul of Cairn. There, in a tower, they’ll find the corresponding tome containing this spell.