How to make a custom follower cast spells?

[DeepBlueFrog]

I am working on a follower and I would like her to prefer spells over melee weapons.

 

I equipped her with spells and a simple dagger.

I customized a combat style for her, based on Combat Mage, with a strong priority to spells over melee weapons.

She levels with the PC and has plenty of Magica to cast her spells.

 

And yet, in combat, she prefers rushing in with her dagger 100% of the time.

 

Any idea what I am missing?

 

Is there a good spell casting vanilla follower I can look at as a reference point?

[Heromaster]

Serana

[DeepBlueFrog]

Serana

 

Any other suggestion from vanilla skyrim?

 

I would like to be able to open two Actors side by side and compare. I can't do that with Serana since she requires a DLC.

[TheDriedFinger]

Marcurio, perhaps, though it's been a long time since I've used him.

[Heromaster]

Some other i remember on top of Serana are the followers from the Winterhold College. You also could look at the Encounter Warlocks, they are no follower sure but their mechanics are in the same in combat.

[Veladarius]

Illia is a follower that uses combat spells, Jzargo and Onmund from the college use Destruction spells as well.

[Fotogen]

Maybe check Flame Atronach or Dragon Priest?

 

 

[DeepBlueFrog]

I got it to work with Marcurio... thanks!