Mage Character Build

GandalfPortraitGuy

Is there anyway to make a Mage character equal or better than Edwin?

TheArtisan

Don't play a Conjurer. The other specialists have an edge over Edwin's class because they add a +2/-2 to saves for spells in their school. So for example a Necromancer's Finger of Death will force a -4 to save, an Enchanter's Chaos will force a -6 to save, and so on. Pick your spells wisely and you won't miss Edwin's bonus spell slots.

Alternatively, play a Sorcerer or Wild Mage. They have a power advantage over Edwin.

Wowo

Also Edwin's neck slot is dominated by his amulet so he can't use the Amulet of Power and will cast spells slower and be vulnerable to level drain compared to a PC that is wearing it (for instance).

DevardKrown

Edwin and Baeloth are only so good because both cheat with a Magic item (neck and ring) enhancing their spells per day quite alot , what is really noticeable in BG1 then spells per day are so few anyhow, and there is a certain ring that doubles lvl 1 spells..

so no at the pure spells per day part you wont compete with any of those , HOWEVER !

what both lack and you can do is to Dual-Class

sprinkling a few Level Thief,Cleric or Fighter will enhance your Mage greatly and more than compensate for a few Spell slots , yes you will have some dual-down-time in BG1 but its general worth it if you do a Triologie run.

Jarrakul

Sure. Play a sorcerer or a wild mage. The sorcerer has spontaneous casting and an Edwin-like number of spells, and with properly spell selection you don't really lose out on much. The wild mage doesn't have quite as many spells, and is a tad unreliable, but Edwin can't use 1st level spell slots to cast 9th level spells, and of course the wild mage has no barred school.

magisensei

Yes, a wild mage can be more powerful than Edwin as can a few other specialist mage schools. The wild mage only real draw back is its wild surge other than that it gets the extra spell slot and has no opposing school and so can learn every spell plus it has its own unique spells that no mage can learn. The first level wild mage spell easily is the most powerful spell in the game especially when you can cast improved chaos shield or if you just feel like taking a chance at lower levels. Being more powerful than Edwin is possible but having more spell slots than him is impossible as a mage (Edwin cheats with his amulet).

If you want to just toss out as much spells per day as possible without resting than a sorcerer is another choice. Baeloth easily matches Edwin in terms of power, and really he is a lot more fun to have around.

If you have not played with Neera - try her - she is powerful but also dangerous (to you) - a somewhat delicate balance at times is needed but its that unknown factor of a wild mage that makes it so much fun that is if you like the unexpected.

jackjack

You can always take time out of your busy schedule to murder Edwin.

JumboWheat01

jackjack said:

You can always take time out of your busy schedule to murder Edwin.

I do find sword through the gut to be the great mage equalizer.

dunbar

Dual an Assassin to Mage.

moody_mage

Take full advantage of your dual-class options. Six levels of thief to max locks and traps would be very useful. Maxing Detect Illusion would also extremely useful in BG2.

DevardKrown

decado said:

Take full advantage of your dual-class options. Six levels of thief to max locks and traps would be very useful. Maxing Detect Illusion would also extremely useful in BG2.

totally agree with 6 LVL of thief , swashbuckler is here the champ , you not only get trapfind and lockpick up but also can master Daggers for sweet +1hit/2dmg , get +1hit/dmg from being a swash and 2AC on top. and those 20K xp are done in a Jiffy.

but don't waste time on Detect Illusion , you can only do one thing at a time and i don't want my mage to glare at enemy's , if he could just use True Sight and go to Town, saving another 2-3 levels you would have to invest for Detect Illusion.

Sanctuary

GandalfPortraitGuy said:

Is there anyway to make a Mage character equal or better than Edwin?

Yes, play an Illusionist/Thief. Dual-Classing is an easier option if all you want is someone for either detecting traps or illusions, but an Illusionist/Thief is probably one of the most versatile and grossly undervalued combinations. Won't reach Edwin's level for casts per day, but you won't need to, and you'll contribute more to the group overall I'd think.

edit: I guess I'm also going under the assumption that you plan on taking the character to BG2 as well? If so, you can boost your casting even more with the Zerth Blade.

moody_mage

@DevardKrown said:

decado said:

Take full advantage of your dual-class options. Six levels of thief to max locks and traps would be very useful. Maxing Detect Illusion would also extremely useful in BG2.

totally agree with 6 LVL of thief , swashbuckler is here the champ , you not only get trapfind and lockpick up but also can master Daggers for sweet +1hit/2dmg , get +1hit/dmg from being a swash and 2AC on top. and those 20K xp are done in a Jiffy.

but don't waste time on Detect Illusion , you can only do one thing at a time and i don't want my mage to glare at enemy's , if he could just use True Sight and go to Town, saving another 2-3 levels you would have to invest for Detect Illusion.

It's a good point. FYI - if you click the Detect Traps after you action (casting/fighting etc) then you can both Detect Illusions and do your normal stuff without a hitch. It is a bit of micromanagement though and it's fair to say True Sight works just as well.

GandalfPortraitGuy

Sanctuary said:

GandalfPortraitGuy said:

Is there anyway to make a Mage character equal or better than Edwin?

Yes, play an Illusionist/Thief. Dual-Classing is an easier option if all you want is someone for either detecting traps or illusions, but an Illusionist/Thief is probably one of the most versatile and grossly undervalued combinations. Won't reach Edwin's level for casts per day, but you won't need to, and you'll contribute more to the group overall I'd think.

edit: I guess I'm also going under the assumption that you plan on taking the character to BG2 as well? If so, you can boost your casting even more with the Zerth Blade.

Once I defeat Sarevok with my 19 strength Swashbuckler that is. Yes, I will receive all necessary upgrades such as a 19 strength, and then I will make my way through Shadows of Amn with a super warrior who makes Dorn Il Kahn look like a wimp

joluv

Artemius_I said:

Don't play a Conjurer. The other specialists have an edge over Edwin's class because they add a +2/-2 to saves for spells in their school. So for example a Necromancer's Finger of Death will force a -4 to save, an Enchanter's Chaos will force a -6 to save, and so on.

Now I want to give a Cleric/Illusionist a Spell Sequencer with Greater Malison, Doom, and Spook.

JumboWheat01

Cleric/Illusionists are a blast to play. Probably the only multi-class I truly enjoy, outside of the Fighter/Thief (because that one is essentially a Swashbuckler.)

jackjack

Just FYI, Spook does nothing to an enemy's saving throws (I used to think it did).

joluv

@jackjack: Do you just mean that it doesn't lower them in an ongoing way? Because it does have a big saving throw penalty itself, right?

jackjack

There is a penalty to the save vs. spell, but the spell itself does not alter enemy saving throws. Still a fun spell!