So I think there's other topics with general advice, but I couldn't find any that matched my circumstance. I'm only a level 15, playing as an orc with most of my perks in 2 handed combat (hammer) and Heavy armor. Here's the deal: When I go up to a group of people with swords, arrows, maces, etc. I wipe them out easily (without even putting berserk mode) but as soon as there are any kind of magicians, I have a hard time killing 2 or three without dying.

So when I level up, what should I focus on, instead of 2 handed, armor, or healing? Those are pretty much what I've been upgrading, because I just want to play as a tank character. Should I learn some kind of enchantment that protects me from magic attacks?

Magic becomes a joke in the game if you get the Artonoach Stone buff. Probably spelt that wrong but use google. Basically it makes you highly resistant to magic, and magic attacks recharge your mana. So worst case scenario you switch to a heal spell pump up, then go back to hammering away. Also look into alchemy and poisons, or enchanting and get some magic resist.

I would recommend a good ward, they protect against magic and you could simply quick switch back to your hammer. You can get the one I linked to by doing the first College of Winterhold mission.

Whirlwind sprint!

You could always go down the Enchantment path and make some magic resisting equipment. Yeah I know you're a tank character but you should have enough points to spend on a little enchanting. Plus it's a great money maker too. Alternatively, having a companion around helps spread the aggro around.

My advice is: HIT THEM HARDER!

Seriously though, kind of got to brute force your way through them, drink health potions and knock them over with your Unrelenting Force shout. You should be able to stun most mage-types with a power attack, that should help a lot.

That's odd, I'm a level 14 Nord and I also use heavy armor and a hammer and I have no problem with them. Just rush them, dodging their projectile attacks and slaughter them

@Yanngc33:

they get worse later on.... I've been randomly 1 shotted by an icicle getting a headshot on me. it's pretty dumb.

@AxleFGK said:

@Yanngc33:

they get worse later on.... I've been randomly 1 shotted by an icicle getting a headshot on me. it's pretty dumb.

Yeah, I was in a tunnel and got two shot by a lighting spell in a hallway with nowhere to hide or dodge. Magic can feel a bit cheap at times, but if you know you're about to fight a mage it's usually easy if you Unrelenting Force them and then power attack them into oblivion. (HA OBLIVION!)

Awesome, thanks for the advice guys! This is why I love the Giantbomb community *tears well* haha

@Yanngc33: Ya at higher level some magic decimates (like the storm magic some of the boss type mages have).

My advice is either use the sprint or look into alchemy or enchanting. The knock back shout (Unrelenting force) works really well too. Only ones you really have to worry about are the boss type mages (the ones that are harder to kill)- their cronies are always push overs.

Only thing that annoys me is I get challenges to duels and I have specced with no interest in magic so I have no idea why they think I want to wizard duel them. They wont even let you say no and then you fight 'em with melee and they whine at you 'cus you aren't using magic. haha

Bunch of whiny NPC mages =P

@Yanngc33 said:

That's odd, I'm a level 14 Nord and I also use heavy armor and a hammer and I have no problem with them. Just rush them, dodging their projectile attacks and slaughter them

You're probably just a lot better at the game haha. I'm really not very good! I think it's partly because I never really upgrade my stamina, so there were these 4 Justicar's and they kept running away out of reach haha. I did kill them, it was just a lot harder than normal haha.

Playing a Battlemage. And honestly, there are few things that give me more trouble than a high level wizard enemy (I'm at level 40ish). My best advice is to use the environment to win. I know this sounds like breaking the game, but it isn't. If there's a large pillar in the room, hide behind the pillar until he comes close enough, then stomp his face with your sword.

Bethesda did good with the mages in this game. They feel weak and fragile, but will totally destroy you with their spells. Finding a way to close that gap and stagger them is bar-none the most important thing for you to figure out in any combat situation.

The Atronach stone, as suggested. It's the quick-fix , and doesn't rely on perks or overly specific equipment. It's south of Windhelm, I think. If you're not above using magic, wards can mitigate some damage, but spells and 2H weapons are generally incompatible. The Alteration tree has perks that makes dealing with mages a lot easier, +30 resist magic and 30% spell absorption(getting both requires 100 Alteration and 8 perks, so it's probably a no go). The best way for a non-magic character to deal with magic damage is probably potions and enchantments. Resist magic enchantments up to 100 makes you immune, so magic won't affect you at all.

I'm specced similarly and have issues with higher level fire and lightning mages (as a Nord, I'm resistant to ice).

I'll usually use the Ice Form shout (the one that freezes enemies) in the general direction of whoever's dealing the most hurt. It's got a decent spread so I can generally drop the entire mob of casters if I stack them up in a hallway.

From there, it's just a matter of focusing on them one at a time so the whole crowd doesn't get back up at the same time.

Armor enchanted with Magic Resist and Fortify Health should do the trick. You can never have too much health.

Invest in your armor perks. And find enchanted stuff when you can.

I'm specced similarly and have issues with higher level fire and lightning mages (as a Nord, I'm resistant to ice).

I'll usually use the Ice Form shout (the one that freezes enemies) in the general direction of whoever's dealing the most hurt. It's got a decent spread so I can generally drop the entire mob of casters if I stack them up in a hallway.

From there, it's just a matter of focusing on them one at a time so the whole crowd doesn't get back up at the same time.

@Lonely_Ogre: "Slow Time" shout

Unrelenting Force is an amazing shout against multiple opponments. Just shout the caster and anything else you can hit through the room. Then proceed to repeatedly apply your hammer directly to the caster's forehead.

@Wuddel said:

@Lonely_Ogre: "Slow Time" shout

This also works :D

Fush Ro Da! And then smash them with your hammer while they're picking themselves up.

I roll two-handed hammer as well, and I also find Slow Time is good, but knocking them down with lv3 force shout (or even staggering them with lv1) is better.

I'm a nord so 50% ice resist, and I lucked into some 40% fire boots, so mages are not as much a threat as they were, so think about getting some elemental resist gear.

@Lonely_Ogre said:

So I think there's other topics with general advice, but I couldn't find any that matched my circumstance. I'm only a level 15, playing as an orc with most of my perks in 2 handed combat (hammer) and Heavy armor. Here's the deal: When I go up to a group of people with swords, arrows, maces, etc. I wipe them out easily (without even putting berserk mode) but as soon as there are any kind of magicians, I have a hard time killing 2 or three without dying.

So when I level up, what should I focus on, instead of 2 handed, armor, or healing? Those are pretty much what I've been upgrading, because I just want to play as a tank character. Should I learn some kind of enchantment that protects me from magic attacks?

what i did was 2 handed. heavy armor. and thats it. just walk up to them and kill em' with 1 or 2 power attacks done deal

you can stop them from casting momentarily if you run up close and his them with a block bash attack thingy (memory has slipped). then you can lay into them and when they start casting just do it again.

Plus...alchemy! I have about 20 resist magic pots in my inventor at the moment. They come in so handy so take up alchemy (its better than resto magic for healing too IMO)

It can get pretty difficult if you're facing some powerful spellcasters. Slow time is helpful, as is unrelenting force, marked for death and elemental fury. As mentioned the Atronach sign absorbs some mana from incoming spells. Finally, you can buy, find or enchant items with a resist magic enchantment. The mask of Otar the Mad, aptly named - Otar also works well. 

Um stab them through the stomach with a great-sword? Seems to work for me quite well.

im a level 39 dark elf and im using 2handed + heavy armor.. mostly using the ebony hammer. some of the mages can be tricky but they arent very strong.. dodge the first attack and then rush them, 1 or 2 heavy hits should kill them. if you arent strong enough make use of health potions and healing or resort to taking them down with archery.

if you have it, the ice from shout works well.. specially if you have multiple to fight at once. make cubes out of 2 of them and focus on the 3rd

@Lonely_Ogre: I have the exact same build, orc, heavy armor and two handed sword. As others have said, use your unrelenting force push (third level is most effective), and spawn and or bring a companion so that the attacks are spread out on you both. When you get in close, they are as good as dead. I've also invested heavily in alchemy which has really helped me at times. Combine that with alchemy+ gear and make some super potions. You're still at a low enough level to invest in alchemy and/or enchanting, so look into it. And dammit, spend more points on stamina. Heavy attacks are expensive stamina wise, so you really want to buff yourself up in that apartment. Good luck orc brotha!

Put magicka damage on your weapon. Wizards without magical are just pathetic melee goons.

Just would like my voice to the rest:
The Atronach Stone is the fastest, easiest most effective way to make magic using enemies much less of a threat.
 
Alternatively there are perks, items, enchants to reduce magic dammage.
But really the Atronach Stone requires the least investment.