grinding weapon skills

[UTSpawn]

You can improve most skills just by using them, like casting spells. But, can you raise weapon skills by hitting or shooting rocks or trees, or do you have to hit an actual foe?

[The Flying Rodent]

You have to hit a foe. As skill increase is not tied to damage (but just a set xp amount per hit), the usual way of increasing weapon skill is to find a crappy version of said weapon (e.g Wooden Staff for Blunt Weapon) and smack the local wildlife with it.

[Lobo de hielo]

Originally posted by The Flying Rodent:

You have to hit a foe. As skill increase is not tied to damage (but just a set xp amount per hit), the usual way of increasing weapon skill is to find a crappy version of said weapon (e.g Wooden Staff for Blunt Weapon) and smack the local wildlife with it.

Nice way of putting it. Hahahaha.
Otherwise I guess what is being said, get a very poor damage dealing weapon and beat the crabs for half an hour.
It is not how much damage you do that raises your skill, just how many times you use it.

[󰀉tempeh󰀉]

You can also try stabbing ghosts and daedra with non-magical weapons.