Which Destruction spells benefit from the “Impact” (Dual Cast Stagger) perk?

Question

The Destruction skill tree's "Impact" perk (req: 40 skill) has the following description:

Most Destruction spells will stagger an opponent when dual cast.

Which spells qualify?

Answer

The strategy guide confirms your findings: the only spells not affected by it are Flames, Sparks, and Frostbite. Every other dual-cast spell will cause stagger.

However, after some testing, it's not accurate. Here's what I've found is benefited by Impact:

• Apprentice-level direct damage: firebolt, firebolt storm, ice spike,and lightning bolt
• Adept-level direct damage: fireball, ice storm, chain lightning
• Expert-level direct damage¹: incinerate, icy spear, and thunderbolt
• Master-level direct damage¹: fire storm, blizzard, and lightning storm

Things that are not affected by Impact:

• Novice-level direct damage: flames, frostbite, and sparks
• Runes²: fire rune, ice rune, and lightning rune
• Cloaks: flame cloak, frost cloak, and lightning cloak

So, 13 spells affected, 9 that aren't. Technically most destruction spells, but it's pretty weasely wording.

^{Notes:
1: Conjecture based on Apprentice-level and Adept-level being affected.
2: Runes have an inherent knock-back effect: they could be affected by Impact, but it doesn't seem to make a difference either way.}

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