So I was playing my newest DG character (female Vampire necromancer; member of TG, College, and VL) the other day. After pulling off a heist for the TG I made my way to the College which was my temporary base. After dropping off some gear I walked out with the intention to train with the Conjuration trainer only to be accosted by three "Thugs". This is, of course, a radiant quest where someone you've stolen from sends guys to beat you up. No prob. As I'm fighting them I notice Savos Aren, who had been standing by, jumps into the fray. "Well!" I thought to myself. "These three losers are about to face the Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold. Gosh I wonder what spells he'll hit them with?!" I watched in anticipation as Savos Aren, Arch Mage etc, waded in and fought three thugs with...

...his fists.

And promptly got his butt handed to him. He is an essential character and so didn't die and the next minute or two I allowed him to run interferance as a meat-punching-bag. I finally managed to kill one of the thugs (who was weilding a two-hand sword) and turned to fight the other two when I saw Savos run up, grab the 2-handed sword, and promptly kill both thugs with one hit each.

Hmm.

Clearly, someone joined the wrong guild...

True story.

Wow.

Since I happened to be in the CK, I had a look at his spell list - he's got ConjureDremoraLord, ConjureFrostAtronach, Fireball, Incinerate, FlameCloak... maybe he thought the thugs weren't worthy of his art?

I've had mage followers suddenly start slugging enemies, too. I guess when their mana runs out?

Well if you get him as a dead thrall he will cast all of those spells listed that he can cast, mainly conjure dremora lord.