Pacify

School	Illusion
Level	Expert
Magicka Cost	290
Casting	Fire and Forget
Delivery	Aimed
Effect	Creatures and people up to level 20 won't fight for 60 seconds.
Duration	60 seconds
Perk	Expert Illusion (1)
Spell Tome	Spell Tome: Pacify
Game/DLC	Skyrim

Pacify is the Expert version of Calm. It works on an area, so every creature and person up to level 20 within 15 feet stops fighting for one minute. One cast can end a fight with a whole group.

Pacify belongs to the late game, once Illusion reaches the Expert rank. Drevis Neloren at the College of Winterhold is the only merchant who sells the tome.

Spell Tome

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

How It Plays

Pacify is an aimed fire and forget spell with an area of effect, much like a Fireball that calms instead of burns. Every valid target caught in the burst lowers its weapons for a full minute. They return to their own business unless the caster attacks them.

The spell is useful for avoiding fights rather than winning them. A caster can walk through a bandit cave to collect a quest item without killing everyone inside. Angry wild animals that a peaceful character would rather spare can also be calmed.

Pacify also sets up attacks. A calmed enemy pays no attention to the caster, so a sneak attack or a second spell can follow. Any attack on a calmed enemy ends the spell for that target.

Compared with Calm and Harmony

Calm, the Apprentice spell, calms a single target up to level 9 for 30 seconds. Harmony, the Master spell, calms everyone up to level 25 within a huge radius around the caster. Pacify sits between them.

Harmony needs both hands, so it cannot be dual cast for a stronger effect. Pacify can be dual cast, which raises its level limit well beyond 20. With the right perks, a dual cast Pacify is the strongest calming spell in the game.

Perks and Builds

The Expert Illusion perk halves the cost of Pacify. Animage and Kindred Mage raise the level limit against animals and people, and Hypnotic Gaze raises it against everyone. These perks stack with each other and with dual casting.

Master of the Mind lets the spell work on undead, Daedra and Dwarven automatons. Dragons resist Pacify whatever the perks.

Cost and Value

Pacify costs 290 magicka at a skill of zero. That is a hefty price for a spell that a stronger enemy can shrug off, and Skyrim never shows an enemy's level. Perks and dual casting make the result much more reliable.

The spell is a strong backup for a sneaking character. If a thief is caught in a bandit hideout, one cast turns a hostile group peaceful again. Even when the plan is to kill the enemies, a pacified group gives the caster a few seconds of head start.

Drevis Neloren puts the tome on sale once Illusion reaches 65, and it also appears in random loot from around level 35.

Gameplay Tips

The Hypnotic Gaze perk lets the spell work on targets 8 levels higher, and the Kindred Mage perk adds 10 more levels against people.
Dual casting raises the highest level the spell can affect.

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.