A strange melee character
Moonheart
Member Posts: 520
I had a strange idea coming through my mind... and I would like to see if anyone can put a decent build for it.
The idea is the following: A protagonist using the Staff of Magi as a weapon, but who doesn't cast spells.
Is there in fact a way to make a decent melee character (PS: without the use of mods, EEkeeper or console command) that will use this weapon just to... crush the skulls of his foes?
The idea is the following: A protagonist using the Staff of Magi as a weapon, but who doesn't cast spells.
Is there in fact a way to make a decent melee character (PS: without the use of mods, EEkeeper or console command) that will use this weapon just to... crush the skulls of his foes?
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Edit: I forget, do you need to be a Mage to get (not use) the staff?
Neutral evil to control the pesky undead who do not bow to the dark might of your large woo...*cough*... wooden staff...
AFAIK, the staff can only be used by Mages/Sorcerers, with the rogue classes gaining access with UAI.
Just checked. Half orc ftr cleric multi gives option to 2 prof staff.
Edit: and my half elf cleric Mage multi can wield it....and I went through text starter cutscent. Half orc cleric fighter neutral evil multi. 2 slot prof staff. He can put it on.
He means the Staff of Magi itself. It has special restrictions by itself even as a quarterstaff.
Don't see why not.haven't picked it up yet tho so not sure on restrictions.
Edit: Google image searching shows usable by mage so... I'd say then go fighter mage.... or f m c.... or variations thereof... while I await an answer for my q on the cult thread I'll go about aquiring the staff and see. I've haer in my group and need to go bridge anyways. Perhaps someone else can shed light on it. I know I loved it back in the computer days. ... tho there are too few halberd users these days... *grin *
I'll repost when I aquire it if someone else hasn't by then. I still have minsc in my party and can go get Jahira or Korgan to see if fighters can use.
I'd guess it's mage only.... so that limits your options a bit.... I'd suggest human if you want to dual class or half elf since you don't take the con hit by multi classing as a pure elf.... I'll let ya know on it tho if it's not replied to when I aquire it.
As for usability, obviously it would have to be either Mage or Rogue to be able to use the Staff. Most damage likely comes from a Fighter combination, F/M, F->, F/T, or F->T.
However, it could also be fun to use it on a Bard, maybe a staff-whirling Blade that goes to town with Tenser's etc.? Would fit with the whole "imma use this to clobber and you shut up about it now" idea, too, RP-wise.
Wild mage dual class fighter?
Unfortunately you can't dual from a Wild Mage, and Moonheart has sworn themself from the succubus known as EEKeeper.
The staff's restrictions are:
Not usable by:
Bard
Cleric
Druid
Fighter
Monk
Paladin
Ranger
Thief
Barbarian
Level 12 would be a powergaming option (to get improved haste and maxed Mirror image), but you could dual earlier than that (level 9)
That gives access to grandmastery etc...
@craymond727 this is strange if it can't dual. It's a mage kit, and you can dual mage. Why Wild Mage would not be able to dual, when Kensai can?
A simple matter of balance.
A wild mage can use Nahal Reckless dweomer to cast a level 9 spell even at level 1, as long as you have it in your book. This'd make early wild mage dual OP. Let's suppose you dual at level 5, for example. With Chaos Shield, Wild mage robe and thayan circlet, when casting NRD you have 50% chance that it works normally, 6% that it works better, 40% that something not too terrible or beneficial happens, and only 4% that it will actually backlash which is quite big since it can give you even wish, time stop or such things.
So... a WM dual classing will be like a 20% chance to cast a level 9 spell... once you have found its scroll.
By that time, any dual or multi from a standard mage will do better than that, IMHO, so don't see any balance problem in that.
But anyway, it's not relevant, since it's not possible anyway to dual class a WM
If playing solo, a wild mage dualled to fighter would be uncomparably stronger than any other Mage=>Fighter dual.
It is a fact. It does not mean it would be as good as a kensai mage for example. But it is a lot stronger than any other Mage=>Fighter.
Of course, any Thief build with UAI can use the staff, but that would require a bit of waiting and the Thief would have a low APR. I think that the simplest solution, that only slightly violates the non-casting parameter, would be a Human Mage 2 dualed to Fighter (I don't think you can dual class at level 1, but I've never tried or gave it consideration before). The character would be able to get grandmastery in quarterstaffs and two pips in two-handed weapon style, as well as wear any armor since casting is not a consideration. As for mandatory starting spells, I would choose Find Familiar (cast it once to get the bonus HP, and then never again), and something like Identify (it's just lore, not magic) or Know Alignment (he's got a good gut instinct).
I still think that your best bet "just to crush the skulls of your foes" is the Mage2/Fighter dual. You'll only lose one maximum Fighter level, you can regain some of your lost HP with the Find Familiar spell (it's just a pet), and you don't have to learn additional spells. There really isn't much of a loss as you would essentially be a pure class Fighter, and you would be guaranteed to use the Staff of Magi as soon as you find it (as well as other items that are Mage only).
What kind of character I have in mind?
Nothing special, I'm just curious to theorize how much this staff can be abused if turned into a true weapon and just as a set of bonus for a spellcaster... after all, it counts as a +5 weapon, allows the fighter to turn invisible at will, to cast fireballs and to absorb spells... it's a good weapon for melee I think!
Another possible, albeit longer path, would be Assassin 21 (or whatever level you gain UAI) dualed to Fighter. You'd get bonus backstab damage and poison to increase your damage output.
Even the Wizard Slayer/Thief would be decent, since he would be able to shut down enemy casters.