What is the difference between a Battlemage and a Spellsword?

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I ask this question because in my mind, they should basically be the same thing: a person who specializes both in magic and warfare. So is one more warrior than mage and vis-verse? And if there isn't a difference between them, why are two different names for the same class?
 

Lunaruse

The Milkdrinking Elf
My understanding is that a battlemage is a mage who can also wield weapons while a spellsword is a fighter who can also use spells. Battlemage focuses more on magic and Spellsword focuses more on physical fighting
 

Majir-Dar

Confused Khajiit
I think Battlemages use heavy armour and specializes completely in magic, they also hold a military position. Spell swords use magic in one hand and a spell in the other, heavy or light armour.
 

Lunaruse

The Milkdrinking Elf
I think Battlemages use heavy armour and specializes completely in magic, they also hold a military position. Spell swords use magic in one hand and a spell in the other, heavy or light armour.
I think you are thinking of a sorcerer. Battlemages can wear heavy armor too, but the don't solely focus on magic.

In Oblivion Battle mages specialized in Alchemy, Alteration, Blade, Blunt, Conjuration, Destruction, and Mysticism.

Spellswords specialized in Alteration, Blade, Block, Heavy Armor, Destruction, Illusion, and Restoration.
 

Majir-Dar

Confused Khajiit
I think Battlemages use heavy armour and specializes completely in magic, they also hold a military position. Spell swords use magic in one hand and a spell in the other, heavy or light armour.
I think you are thinking of a sorcerer. Battlemages can wear heavy armor too, but the don't solely focus on magic.

In Oblivion Battle mages specialized in Alchemy, Alteration, Blade, Blunt, Conjuration, Destruction, and Mysticism.

Spellswords specialized in Alteration, Blade, Block, Heavy Armor, Destruction, Illusion, and Restoration.
In Oblivion, I remember the Battle Mages wearing heavy armour, using axes, magicka, and patrolling the Imperial branch of the Mages Guild. I also remember some stories calling the battle mages generals and soldiers.
 

Sahdira

Member
My understanding is that a battlemage is a mage who can also wield weapons while a spellsword is a fighter who can also use spells. Battlemage focuses more on magic and Spellsword focuses more on physical fighting


Sahdira agrees with this definition. She also envisions battlemages using blunt weapons and spellswords using bladed weapons.
 

Vaga8ond

Active Member
My understanding is that a battlemage is a mage who can also wield weapons while a spellsword is a fighter who can also use spells. Battlemage focuses more on magic and Spellsword focuses more on physical fighting


Sahdira agrees with this definition. She also envisions battlemages using blunt weapons and spellswords using bladed weapons.

Still seems to be a lot of subjectivity in this. So would it be safe to assume that battlemages are normally in heavy armor while spell swords are in cloth? Cloth has more caster stats on them while you have to use enchants to get good caster stats on heavy armor.
 

LotusEater

I brake for blue butterflies
When I think Battlemage, this vision pops to mind:

Sauron.jpg
 

Dagmar

Defender of the Bunnies of Skyrim
Still seems to be a lot of subjectivity in this. So would it be safe to assume that battlemages are normally in heavy armor while spell swords are in cloth? Cloth has more caster stats on them while you have to use enchants to get good caster stats on heavy armor.
Thanks to significant inconsistencies in the primary skills for both classes over the course of the prior four games, Bethesda has muddied the waters regarding the distinctions between these two classes more than a pack of Mammoths tap dancing in a small pond. That being said, based on The Official Game Guide to Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim these are the suggested builds for Spellsword and Battlemage:

Spellsword

spellsword.png


Health 40% / Magicka 30% / Stamina 30%
Primary Skills: One-Handed, Destruction
Secondary Skills: Light Armor, Illusion

Battlemage

skyrim-battlemage.png


Magicka 60% / Health 40%
Primary Skills: Destruction, Restoration
Secondary Skills: Illusion, Heavy Armor

There's more detail in the Guide but the gist of it seems to be that Spellswords use Light Armor and rely more on One-Handed weapons but also use Destruction magic while Battlemages use Heavy Armor and Destruction magic. The former are warrior mages while the latter are mage tanks.
 

Vaga8ond

Active Member
Still seems to be a lot of subjectivity in this. So would it be safe to assume that battlemages are normally in heavy armor while spell swords are in cloth? Cloth has more caster stats on them while you have to use enchants to get good caster stats on heavy armor.
Thanks to significant inconsistencies in the primary skills for both classes over the course of the prior four games, Bethesda has muddied the waters regarding the distinctions between these two classes more than a pack of Mammoths tap dancing in a small pond. That being said, based on The Official Game Guide to Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim these are the suggested builds for Spellsword and Battlemage:

Spellsword

spellsword.png


Health 40% / Magicka 30% / Stamina 30%
Primary Skills: One-Handed, Destruction
Secondary Skills: Light Armor, Illusion

Battlemage

skyrim-battlemage.png


Magicka 60% / Health 40%
Primary Skills: Destruction, Restoration
Secondary Skills: Illusion, Heavy Armor

There's more detail in the Guide but the gist of it seems to be that Spellswords use Light Armor and rely more on One-Handed weapons but also use Destruction magic while Battlemages use Heavy Armor and Destruction magic. The former are warrior mages while the latter are mage tanks.

Wow thanks for the descriptions. I'm a visual learner so I got have pictures :)
 

Pete

Well-Known Member
For me:
Pure Mage: Various magic schools, no armor, uses daggers when out of magika for self defense only. Duel cast spells.
Battle Mage: Various magic schools, uses enchanted light armor, daggers for self defense and to attack the weakened opponents. Duel cast spells
Spell Sword: Various magic schools, uses enchanted armor, any weapon for attack / defense. Single cast spells with weapon in the other. No blocking.
Spell Blade: Various magic schools, uses enchanted armor, any weapon to attack / defense. Blocks. Alternates between attacks with spells then attacks with weapons.
 

Vidarr

Member
I think the game guide (as posted above) get's it pretty right imo.

I tend to think of Spellswords as being a bit more on the 'versatile' side, while Battlemages are generally leaning closer to the Mage side.
The term "Mage Tank" is pretty perfect for Battlemages, and I usually picture Spellswords as being a bit more light on their feet, even though heavy armor is easily associated.
 

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