Mages can't use maces in WoW Forever, one-handed or two-handed.
They can use daggers, one-handed swords, staves and wands, and nothing else. No axes, fist weapons, polearms, two-handed swords or bows.
This comes from Forever's own game files: the client's weapon skill table (SkillRaceClassInfo, build 1.60.1) lists which classes can learn each skill. Blizzard hasn't published a weapon table of its own, so we checked the files rather than trusting Classic memories.
| Weapon | Mage |
|---|---|
| Daggers | Yes |
| Fist weapons | No |
| One-handed axes | No |
| Two-handed axes | No |
| One-handed maces | No |
| Two-handed maces | No |
| One-handed swords | Yes |
| Two-handed swords | No |
| Polearms | No |
| Staves | Yes |
| Bows, crossbows, guns | No |
| Thrown | No |
| Wands | Yes |
You still have to train it
Weapon skills are learned from weapon masters in the capital cities. If something on the Yes list won't equip, train the skill first. Every class is compared in our class weapons guide.
Stats matter, not the weapon type
Mages don't hit things with their weapon, so a staff, dagger or sword is only a bag of stats. Take whichever has the most Intellect and spell power for your level. A one-hander lets you also carry an off-hand item.
Get a wand early
A wand is the Mage's ranged attack between casts and a cheap way to finish enemies without spending Mana. They drop often while leveling.
See the Mage guide, the leveling plan and Mage professions.