Is there a lore reason why spellcaster's always seem to use axes and maces?

[Googley Eye'd Bastard]

Something I realized going through a necromancer dungeon today is that 99% of all the spellcasters you fight in this game seem to always carry either maces or axes.

This just confuses me because I'd assume they would prefer daggers or short swords since they are dainty spellcasters and a heavy mace would be a pain to carry everywhere, any lore/logical explanation for this?

[Urm the Mad]

Casting spells is no reason to skip your workout

[SadPlatty©]

More theoretical than anything - but I could see a mage carrying a mace due to their magic having less effect on certain armors.

Like - it's never really talked about, but Dwemer armor for example might be super resilient to heat/fire magic; thus if you where a fire mage, they would hard counter you. The mace at least in that situation then works, as they are intended to mostly crush in the armor killing the person.

You may also be weak, but sometimes one well placed swing is all you need to cave in a skull if your out of mana and the enemy is approaching.

Axes would be similar, but more like you use ice magic and the guy is running up on you with 3 bear pelts on - at least you can sorta chop through the pelts for damage.

[Cosgar]

Maces and axes are considered peasant weapons. Easy to make or modified from farm tools.

[SpidersInABirthdayCake]

They are typically shorter than blades I suppose, just a guess.

[Overeagerdragon]

Yes there is...

According to the classification of weapons the mace (hammer) and axe are simplistic tools anyone and everyone will know how to use considdering the setting. It takes 0 skill to use these weapons in contrast to swords, spears etc that need some martial training in order to use effectively.

Likewise... Spellcasting often involves 1 or more of 3 components, Verbal, Material or Somatic. Especially the last one means that spellcasters need the freedom of movements to make complex gestures/moves and armor impedes that. Considdering the popularity of the MCU... Would wanda be able the move the way she does whilst spellcasting if she was wearing an ironman suit? Ever tried picking up a needle in wintergloves?
The heavier the armor; the more restrictive your movement becomes the harder it becomes to effectively cast magic due to their Somatic components.

EDIT: Yes this means that ritualists could be using daggers... but a mace does more damage and allows the mage some distance.

Believe it or not but the reason is practical xD

[Redwood]

If we used more axes and maces we would be as happy as they are.

[gadfly6363]

Historically, in lore of many game worlds, undead are weak to blunt but resistant to pierce. Necromancers and summoners usually use blunt weapons in case their subjects get out of control. Blunt weapons break bones and crush skulls, daggers just pierce or slash flesh that already has no circulation.

[FhqwhTODD]

Depends on the caster. Necromancers prefer blunt weapons, conjurers have daggers on them a lot.

[Redwood]

Undead are historic?

[Lyntyz]

axes are great weapons for necromancers, its the perfect tool for hacking limbs for whatever abomination they are making

[Blinky Dorf]

There is no lore reason, only code and game design reasons. Sorry man. Despite the new coat of paint, this is a 20 year old game and has its limitations.

[Lyntyz]

loot is loot.

[PocketYoda]

Necromancers deal with undead, unruly skeletons take more damage from blunt weapons.

[Thomas D.]

Battlemages / Spellswords are quite common in Elder Scrolls. They are mentioned in literally every war and often accomplish outstanding stuff.

The Wizard that reads all day books is still existing, you might find some in the mages guild.

But even in that case many mages guild members are also fighters guild members and might even serve as soldiers, at least thats what I have heared an NPC saying (but not sure if it was Oblivion or another Elder Scrolls).

Also High Elves for example are basically all Spell Casters even those that choose to be warriors, its part of their nature. Bretons even the worst can do at least some spell casting, especially healing, destruction and summoning. Dark Elves are very versatile and often hybrids, so not uncommon for some to be a Warrior and a Mage at the same time.

For the human races its more seldom but even there you will find some. Redguards were for example known as "Bladesingers" which even could summon Blades through Magic to fight with them. Nords have all the dragonblood stuff and for example one of the most known Mages (Shalidor) was a Nord.

And you (as many others) can choose what they want to train and use, especially considering that Magic is so openly available and literally everyone can learn to use it (even an Orc...). And there might be plenty of people who think that Magic is uesful so they learn to use it but especially those that might get into fights (like adventurer, soldiers) might still value the usefulness of a weapon in close combat situation (where magic might be to slow / weak), especially if they arent absolute masters of Magic (which most arent).

[psychotron666]

Mace is like the most basic weapon an untrained person can use, unlike a sword which requires a lot of training