Magic comes at a price.
Unfortunately, usually that price is getting clubbed about the head and shoulders by a bandit's mace after running yourself out of Magicka. Sure you could carry a dagger like a common warlock, but the true mage needs something more... sophisticated.

Battlestaves is the final product of a project I originally started purely for myself, and I decided to share just in case anybody else was a little disappointed with the shortfall of mage-themed weaponry. The new weapons come in two types, staves (two-handed) and cudgels/rods (one-handed). More militant mages will benefit from training the relevant skill and taking perks in mace/warhammer, and while the weapons can't be improved at a grindstone they can be empowered with permanent elemental enchantments at Sorcerer's staff crafting table.
Base battlestaves/cudgels are made at the forge, though they rely on an Enchanter's knowledge rather than a blacksmith's skill. The base staff/cudgel can be wielded and even enchanted as a normal weapon, though they'll never be as effective as a normal weapon of the same type and material. To be empowered, the base weapon must be brought to a staff enchanter along with a filled soul gem, enchanted ink, and the mage must be familiar with the elemental magic of that tier. Once empowered the weapon can't be disenchanted and can't take any other enchantments. (See spoiler for specific crafting instructions.)



Thanks to SimonMagus for the Simonrim suite of mods.