Invisibility

School	Illusion
Level	Expert
Magicka Cost	334
Casting	Fire and Forget
Delivery	Self
Effect	Caster is invisible for 30 seconds. Activating an object or attacking will break the spell.
Duration	30 seconds
Perk	Expert Illusion (1)
Spell Tome	Spell Tome: Invisibility
Game/DLC	Skyrim

Invisibility is the Expert Illusion spell that hides the caster from sight for 30 seconds. The spell ends as soon as the caster opens a door or a chest, takes an item, talks to someone, attacks, or uses other magic. Enemies can still hear the caster, so careful sneaking still matters while it lasts.

Invisibility belongs to the late game, once Illusion reaches the Expert rank. Drevis Neloren, the Illusion master at the College of Winterhold, is the only merchant who sells the tome. It is the spell that the in-game description of Illusion names together with Fear and Calm.

Spell Tome

Invisibility is learned by reading Spell Tome: Invisibility. Drevis Neloren sells the tome.

How It Plays

Invisibility removes the caster from sight, but it leaves every sound in place. Footsteps, a weapon swing or bumping into a loose object can still give the caster away. Walking too close to an enemy is also risky. The spell works best together with sneaking, so the caster should crouch as soon as it takes hold.

Many actions end the spell at once. Opening a door, a chest or any other container breaks it. So does picking up an item, pulling a lever, starting a conversation, pickpocketing or striking with a weapon. Casting another spell also ends it. Feeding on a sleeping victim as a vampire is the odd exception, and it leaves the spell in place.

The spell has some clever uses. A caster can charge Invisibility, walk through a door that loads a new area, and release it on the other side. This makes the caster vanish the moment the new room appears.

Sneak Attacks

Invisibility pairs well with the Sneak skill. A sneak attack still works while the caster is invisible. After a kill, the caster can recast the spell and slip back out of sight, even if the enemies are already searching. A stealth character with the Assassin's Blade perk can clear a room this way.

The sound of casting is the main risk. Enemies hear the spell and move to investigate the spot. The Quiet Casting perk silences every spell the caster uses, and it also silences dragon shouts. Muffle and boots with the Muffled Movement enchantment, such as the Shrouded Boots and the Nightingale Boots, hide footsteps as well.

Perks and Builds

The Expert Illusion perk halves the magicka cost of Invisibility. Illusion Dual Casting makes the spell last much longer when it sits in both hands. Quiet Casting is the most useful perk for any character who relies on the spell.

Fortify Illusion enchantments lower the cost of every Illusion spell. A Potion of Illusion gives a short boost in the same way. Drevis Neloren trains Illusion to master level, and Atub in the Orc stronghold of Largashbur trains it to expert level.

Other Ways to Turn Invisible

A Potion of Invisibility gives the same effect without any skill in Illusion. Chaurus Eggs, Ice Wraith Teeth, Luna Moth Wing, Nirnroot and Vampire Dust all carry the Invisibility effect for alchemy.

The Shadow Stone gives a short burst of invisibility once a day. Members of the Thieves Guild who serve Nocturnal gain the Shadowcloak of Nocturnal power, which works in a similar way. Two Creation Club spells, Orum's Aquatic Escape and Fenrik's Welcome, also make the caster invisible for a short time.

Lore and Notes

Invisibility is one of the oldest spells in the series. It appears in Arena, Daggerfall, Morrowind and Oblivion, as well as in Skyrim. Guards who notice a skilled Illusion mage may say, "You're the one that casts those illusions. Impressive."

A small visual flaw affects the spell. With some helmets or hoods, part of the caster's hair can stay visible while the rest of the body vanishes. The flaw is cosmetic and leaves the spell's effect unchanged.

Duration and Limits

A dual cast Invisibility lasts 75 seconds instead of 30. That is long enough to slip into a house, take an item and get out again, or to walk past a whole group of enemies. The spell costs 334 magicka at a skill of zero, so the Expert Illusion perk makes a big difference.

The blind Falmer hunt by sound alone. Invisibility does little against them, while Muffle hides the footsteps they listen for. In Falmer caves, Muffle is the more useful of the two spells.

The tome also turns up as rare loot from around level 35.

Gameplay Tips

Cast Muffle as well. Together the two spells make the caster almost impossible to detect.
The Quiet Casting perk hides the sound of the cast itself.
Dual casting makes the spell last more than twice as long.

Spell Categories

All Illusion Spells

Novice

Novice spells are the first a mage learns and cost the least magicka.

Name	Cost	Casting	Effect
Clairvoyance	25 per second	Concentration	Shows the path to the current goal.
Courage	39	Fire and Forget	Target won't flee for 60 seconds and gets some extra health and stamina.
Fury	67	Fire and Forget	Creatures and people up to level 6 will attack anything nearby for 30 seconds.

Apprentice

Apprentice spells need a little practice in the school.

Name	Cost	Casting	Effect
Calm	146	Fire and Forget	Creatures and people up to level 9 won't fight for 30 seconds.
Fear	153	Fire and Forget	Creatures and people up to level 9 flee from combat for 30 seconds.
Muffle	144	Fire and Forget	You move more quietly for 180 seconds.

Adept

Adept spells are the middle rank and hit noticeably harder.

Name	Cost	Casting	Effect
Frenzy	209	Fire and Forget	Creatures and people up to level 14 will attack anyone nearby for 60 seconds.
Rally	113	Fire and Forget	Targets won't flee for 60 seconds and get extra health and stamina.
Frenzy Rune	278	Fire and Forget	Targets up to level 20 that fail to resist are frenzied for 30 seconds.
Orum's Aquatic Escape	165	Fire and Forget	Caster is invisible for 15 seconds. Activating an object or attacking will break the spell. Can breathe water for 15 seconds. Improved night vision for 15 seconds.

Expert

Expert spells are powerful and expensive to cast.

Name	Cost	Casting	Effect
Invisibility	334	Fire and Forget	Caster is invisible for 30 seconds. Activating an object or attacking will break the spell.
Pacify	290	Fire and Forget	Creatures and people up to level 20 won't fight for 60 seconds.
Rout	316	Fire and Forget	Creatures and people up to level 20 flee from combat for 30 seconds.
Fenrik's Welcome	116	Fire and Forget	Caster becomes invisible and can open locks with level Expert and below for 5 seconds. Activating an object or attacking will break the spell.

Master

Master spells are the strongest in the school and need the most skill.

Name	Cost	Casting	Effect
Call to Arms	655	Fire and Forget	Targets have improved combat skills, health and stamina for 10 minutes.
Harmony	1052	Fire and Forget	Creatures and people up to level 25 nearby won't fight for 60 seconds.
Hysteria	866	Fire and Forget	Creatures and people up to level 25 flee from combat for 60 seconds.
Mayhem	990	Fire and Forget	Creatures and people up to level 25 will attack anyone nearby for 60 seconds.