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Mage/Thief vs Illusionist/Thief

PugPugPugPug Member Posts: 560
in Archive (General Discussion)
I'm weighing these options.

The elven mage/thief gets an extra Dex and can cast spells from the Necromancy school:

Chill Touch
Larloch's Minor Drain
Ghoul Touch
Horror
Hold Undead
Skull Trap
Vampiric Touch
Contagion
Spirit Armor
Animate Dead
Death Spell (try this in BG2's sahuagin city sometime)
Control Undead
Finger of Death
Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting
Energy Drain
Wail of the Banshee

The gnomish Illusionist/Mage gets an extra Int -- not relevant, as I'll be playing on Normal difficulty -- plus shorty bonuses to saves and spell specialization:

One additional spell per day per spell level
+1 to saving throws against spells from specialized school
Enemies get -1 to saving throws against specialized school

Though the only offensive Illusion spells are Spook (nice spell actually; scales to -6 to save at level 12), Blindness and Deafness.

Comments

  • FinneousPJFinneousPJ Member Posts: 6,455
    I really like Gnome Illusionist/whatevers so I'd recommend that. If it's to be your primary caster however it's better to get the Elf, without spell school limitations. But it shouldn't be your primary caster... :P The only disadvantage isn't a disadvantage when your other mage can cast the spells.

    What you forget in your list is shorty bonus to saves. +5 saves for 18 CON is amazing.
  • PugPugPugPug Member Posts: 560
    I didn't forget to mention that. :)
  • FinneousPJFinneousPJ Member Posts: 6,455
    Right, so you see, the Elf isn't a great choice.
  • IkMarcIkMarc Member Posts: 552
    I would say in BG1 certainly the elf cause of bonuses on bows/dex. In BG2 the Gnome illusionist due to shorty saves (don't underestimate how good this is) and extra spells due to specialization. If you pick the Gnome, take another mage for necromancy spells though..
  • AaronDemonciaAaronDemoncia Member Posts: 31
    Gnomes also Benefit from a Saving throw bonus due to high constitution at character creation. its important to note that the shorty bonus' only apply at character creation and thus the tome doesnt really enhance that.
  • FinneousPJFinneousPJ Member Posts: 6,455
    You get the max save bonus at 18 CON so it's not a problem. Are you sure the tomes don't apply the bonus, though?
  • elminsterelminster Member, Developer Posts: 16,317
    edited May 2013
    PugPug said:



    +1 to saving throws against spells from specialized school
    Enemies get -1 to saving throws against specialized school

    While this is in D&D rules I don't think it was ever implemented.
    Post edited by elminster on
  • DreadKhanDreadKhan Member Posts: 3,857
    FinneousPJ said:

    You get the max save bonus at 18 CON so it's not a problem. Are you sure the tomes don't apply the bonus, though?

    Pretty sure the saves get better with the tome, up to 18 as normal.

    If multi classing with Mage, I much prefer the bonus spell for gnomes, as you will be a weaker spell caster than pure as it is. Bonus with bows and swords is not as good as another spell of every level.
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  • SCARY_WIZARDSCARY_WIZARD Member Posts: 1,438
    Samus said:

    elminster said:

    PugPug said:



    One additional spell per day per spell level
    +1 to saving throws against spells from specialized school
    Enemies get -1 to saving throws against specialized school

    While this is in D&D rules I don't think it was ever implemented.
    I agree with @eliminster !
    I agree with @Samus for agreeing with @elminster!
  • harvman11harvman11 Member Posts: 33
    FinneousPJ said:

    You get the max save bonus at 18 CON so it's not a problem. Are you sure the tomes don't apply the bonus, though?

    I *believe* they don't get better immediately, but are re-calculated on level-up. Could be wrong though.

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 3,675
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  • ZalsonZalson Member Posts: 103
    You can romance Aerie if you're a gnome.
  • PugPugPugPug Member Posts: 560
    Zalson said:

    You can romance Aerie if you're a gnome.

    Kinky...
  • NifftNifft Member Posts: 1,065
    PugPug said:

    Zalson said:

    You can romance Aerie if you're a gnome.

    Kinky...
    So kinky, it involves the most extreme form of bondage ever invented ...
    marriage, with children
  • IkMarcIkMarc Member Posts: 552
    Saving throws are re-calculated with level up when constitution is permanently increased by tomes
  • MilesBeyondMilesBeyond Member Posts: 324
    It's a tough choice. The shorty bonuses and extra spell per level are really nice, but losing Necromantic spells HURTS. Skull Trap, Animate Dead, Abi-Dalzim's... We're talking some non-trivial sacrifices here.

    That being said, there are other spells to replace them. Still, though, it's not easy.
  • SouthpawSouthpaw Member Posts: 2,026
    Nifft said:

    So kinky, it involves the most extreme form of bondage ever invented ... marriage, with children

    And you get -4 to the saving throw against marriage. In some cases, even "Neg."
    Oh the horror, the horror!
  • PugPugPugPug Member Posts: 560
    Southpaw said:

    Nifft said:

    So kinky, it involves the most extreme form of bondage ever invented ... marriage, with children

    And you get -4 to the saving throw against marriage. In some cases, even "Neg."
    Oh the horror, the horror!
    You mean "nag?"

    *rimshot*
  • SouthpawSouthpaw Member Posts: 2,026
    @KidCarnival...just looking at @PugPug's avatar... is that your son? He looks like your son!
  • KidCarnivalKidCarnival Member Posts: 3,747
    @Southpaw: My son...? No, but I was fearing to go bald! That's one of my upper eyestalks! Thank Helm, I don't need a wig yet!
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