Mage or Fighter/Mage?

Ragnarr

Hi everyone,

Here's my personal conflict. Since I plan on playing through the whole serie, I want to make sure I am a 100% happy with my protagonist selection. I have read a lot about F/M endgame power and so forth. I am not a powergamer so my protagonist selection will not be based on that criteria. On the other hand, I feel like playing a magic user type character is not only story Wise, but it will also fill a niche not so strongly filled by NPC (good alignment in mind).

So, I am tempted by the F/M flexibility and fun-to-play aspects, but I wonder if they will become only magically-tanked character with no real from-the-rear mage support and offensive output. I would love to have another fighter (mainly if it is my protagonist) ravaging into the mob with magicla defense, but maybe the magical price is too high? I feel that in a good party, a straight mage might be the way to go to have the complete magical output necessary for endgame content...

I would like to have your opinion on the subject. knowing that both character type will please me, it's more a long term party viability matter.

Regards,

TisAmazinJayviee

Go with multiclass option. You'll work together effectively with every (even canon) party. For me this is most reasonable choice RP and powergaming wise.

BTW Seems thats my first post here so "hello everyone"

alastair93

Either would be viable. Fighter/Mages are beasts. Though pure mages can essentially summon fighters later in the game.

Personally I'd go for a pure mage, as Fighter/Mages are a little Mary Sue.

JLee

It sounds to me like a F/M would suit you well. They are very flexible and can be built in all sorts of ways.

If you want to be more of caster, then you might consider dual-class.

If you want all around utility without the downtime headache of the dual, then multiclass may work better. However, you will not have level 8 and 9 spells until very late in the game with the multi. But of course the NPCs can supply those for the party.

Ragnarr

Thanks to all!

My main concern was that I feel that with the canon party, I will not get much magic power besides Imoen who will spend most of BG2 elsewere! I havent play BG2 much and never played ToB but I feel that magic is deep and very important to get through this game (big battles) later on. I know the F/M is powerful but is it enough with only Imoen as the other non cleric magic user?

JLee

Have you already decided on the NPCs? If so, which ones?

I've played with Aerie as the sole arcane caster until getting Imoen and don't remember any particular difficulties, so you should be just fine with the F/M.

Ragnarr

Well, I thought about Keldorn, Jaheira, Minsc, Anomen, Imoen and my protagonist........like I said, this is base on different reading I made.

JLee

That sounds like a very strong party that covers all the bases. I agree that a mage or a /mage would be ideal for the protagonist with that lineup. A bard might fit in well also, if you wanted do something different.

DreadKhan

Very divine heavy party, and very fighter heavy, I would go pure mage or MAYBE a bard. A skald would make your fighters much more effective until you get the Improved Bard Song, then you might as well be a blade.

elminster

Edit: nevermind I misread something

JuliusBorisov

Ragnarr said:

I have read a lot about F/M endgame power and so forth. I am not a powergamer so my protagonist selection will not be based on that criteria. On the other hand, I feel like playing a magic user type character is not only story Wise, but it will also fill a niche not so strongly filled by NPC (good alignment in mind).

If your choice really has nothing to do with the power aspect, then don't take a F/M. This character is one of the most unkillable ones no matter whether he's in a party of six or soloing a game.

In your party Jaheira and Anomen are excellent tanks plus with the right gear you'll get as you play the game they'll deal pretty damage as well. You have Keldorn for anti-magic defuffs. You have Minsc as another fighter (the 4th one). You have only one mage - Imoen. You cover cleric and druid departments with Jaheira and Anomen.

With that party you won't have many troubles in overcoming enemies. I see only one weak place - don't you want to use such thieving skills as set traps and hide in shadows. Don't you want backstabs? Don't you want thief high level abilities? Imoen can be a wonderful thief but only for two skills: disarm traps and open locks.

So I would suggest a multiclass mage/thief (a gnome illusionist/thief is a good choice for extra spells and CON bonuses). This character will help you with magic and will cover all thief roles Imoen can't cover.

DreadKhan

Yeah, Gnome I/T is good fit.

Go with female, call her Jen Jensen, and write stories about her fondness for rutabagas.

Anduin

Any Gnome character will do you well!

I do like a an Illusionist / Theif... But don't be afraid to go Assassin... A sassy gnome, as I always say, is great to play with!

Nimran

I see what you did there.

Ragnarr

I have décided to go pure mage and enjoy the ride. Will sélect npc accordingly. Thank to all!