Skyrim Tips and Tricks » Discussions


Flaming Familiar Chain Reaction

Tags: #Relycs 
  • Member
    May 16, 2016

    Welcome to yet another trick that none will ever use. Music for those who want it xD: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XcClvRt9g2Q

    Title says it all, but let me explain in detail:

    • What it does: Allows you to dish out incredible amounts of dmg in a very short time at very low cost:

    ~ Without cost reduction perks/enchantments, it's about ~ 60 dmg over 3 seconds, in 15 ft range, at the cost of ~ 65 magicka, usable every second or as fast as you can charge up and release a spell (0.5 seconds charge time). With cost reduction perks (very low lvl perks btw) it's the same dmg for half the cost ~

    •   What you need: Sparks (or a similar spell), Flaming Familiar
    •   How to pull it off: Channel the spell Sparks while constantly casting Flaming Familiar into the stream of lightning.


    Explanation: It takes about 1-2 seconds for the Familiars to expire, once you cast another one. Since they only have 12 hp, Sparks will almost instantly kill the just conjured Familiar, which also detonates the expiring one, resulting in a 'chain reaction'. All you have to do now is keep spamming the Flaming Familiar spell. Bonus points for hitting the enemy with Sparks while doing this trick.


                                                                        Good boy....

    Some things to know:
      - Dont (I said dont) use this in less than 15 ft from your location, or the explosions will dmg you / your follower. It's quite a lot of dmg, so nothing to joke with (spell absorbtion or magic resistance can take care of it).

      - Looks like the dmg isn't affected by destruction augmentation perks or potions.

      - The lvl 100 conjuration perk Twin Souls makes the spell more likely to place the Familiars near each other.

      - The range of the Flaming Familiar spell is significant, about 100 ft. With the Summoner perk, you can extend it to 200 / 300 ft, respectively. Sparks wont work at this range, but spells like Fireball or any of the ranged aoe spells work (everything triggers them, even status changes).

      - The Necromage perk adds a 25% magnitude and 50% duration to the dmg (against the undead). Read James' discussion about taper damage for more information.

       - The cost for Sparks is halfed by the Novice Destruction perk. Flaming Familiar's cost is reduced by the Apprentice Conjuration perk.


    - The trick works well in conjunction with sneak, but only against enemys that die to 3-4 familiar explosions (stronger enemys that survive long enough will charge your postion).

    - The Familiars do not activate runes. However, casting runes every other Familiar-cast ensures you hit all of the expiring 'corpses'.

    The Frost-Fire-Nuke: A special move that allows you to maximize the damage of this trick.
    Use the Slow Time shout (3 words), move backwards while releasing an Ice Storm (expert destruction spell). Now spam Flaming Familiars in front of you/near the enemy. It doesn't really matter where they appear or how long they are there, just cast them as fast as you can.
    Once the Ice Storm reaches the first familiar (Slow Time makes it very slow, buying you time to cast the familiars), all of them will detonate at once. The expiring time is increased by Slow Time, so there will be about 4-5 familiar 'corpses', ready to deal enough damage to nuke a room full of mid-lvl enemys.
    If you dual-cast Ice Storm with the Impact perk, it will stagger all enemys in it's line, making it easier to hit with the Familiar explosions. Enjoy.
    (Turn around if you have problems with bright lighting, as the explosions will 'light up' the screen up to a point where you cant even see your hands, especially during the Slow Time effect. Sunglasses are recommended)

    Cross the streams with the Familiar! :P

  • Member
    May 16, 2016

    Damn useful, awesome stuff Relycs  I'm about to play a mage on Skyrim, so this might come in handy.

  • Member
    May 16, 2016
    Will polish this up later.
  • Member
    May 16, 2016
    Let's be honest here, stuff like this wont ever really come to use. But I'm glad you're the exception that proves the rule ;).
  • Member
    May 16, 2016

    I'll see what I can do 

  • Member
    May 16, 2016

    In fact, I have a damn good idea... I'll check back if it works 

  • Member
    May 16, 2016
    Gonna quote you the next time I have to defend my useless tricks: "Damn useful, awesome stuff!". :D
  • May 16, 2016

    I could imagine that being useful along side conjuration spell cost reduction enchantments 

  • Member
    May 16, 2016
    Yeah, the base magicka cost for the Flamming Familiar spell is only 57 at lvl 15 in conjuration. At lvl 25, the apprentice conjuration perk makes it 26 magicka for 50 aoe dmg (the skill increase also reduces cost).
  • Member
    May 17, 2016
    There will be an update later this day, including visual & explanation improvements aswell as notes from tests with sneak, rune spells and spell absorbtion.