If you're a sneaky git, GET silent casting. I was playing a necromancer Mage, sneaky sneaky, just be and the boss man. Predicted where he was going to move, throw down a electricity rune. Hey, what's that. Walked right into it. Several times.
Don't go into the golden claw or dragon stone adventure until you have some powerful electricity spells and magicka. When you do battle at the tower near Whiterun, get on the tower, summon something, and when the dragon flies around, shoot him with electricity. The fire atronauch will point you where with her flames. EPIC battle. Cool as F.