Tamriel is full of animals, evil individuals, and Daedra that attack players when they are near. Because of this, it’s a good idea to carry around a weapon or two. At the start of the game, you may not have much choice which weapon to use since your selection is limited, but you should still decide early which weapon to focus on. Each type of weapon has an associated skill line, and Experience is gained toward those skills based on equipped weapons and abilities.
Once you reach Level 15, two weapon/ability setups are available, which can be toggled with the press of a button. Mixing a long- and short-range weapon setup can be worthwhile, so you’re ready for any situation, but is not necessary. The same weapon(s) can be equipped on both setups with a different selection of abilities. Experiment and figure out which works best for you.
One Hand
One-handed weapons consist of axes, maces, swords, and daggers. They can be equipped into the main hand and/or off-hand. If you’re using a shield, though, the weapon goes in the main hand. Mix or match two weapons to Dual Wield. These weapons are crafted at a Blacksmithing Station.
Bow
Bows are long-range weapons that cause high damage while keeping you out of harm’s way. Combine with a melee option to handle any situation. Bows are crafted at a Woodworking Station.
Restoration Staff
A Restoration Staff does less damage than the Destruction Staff, but it has the ability to heal as it does so. Restoration Staves are crafted at a Woodworking Station.
Two-Handed
Battle axes, mauls, and greatswords require two hands to wield. They are more powerful than equivalent one-handed weapons, but slower and more cumbersome. These weapons are crafted at a Blacksmithing Station.
Destruction Staff
Cast fire, ice, or lightning magic from a long distance with Destruction Staves. Ice Staves are good for tanking, fire works well for single-target DPS, and lightning excels at area DPS. Destruction Staves are crafted at a Woodworking Station.