Deciding to finally play this game all the way through.... rolled a Mage (Transmuter)...

thelaughingskulls

I have owned this game for 20 years and never completed it (got through Chapter 3 a few years ago) so I decided to give it another go. Went through the character creation and decided on a LE Human Mage (Transmuter). I am only to the Friendly Arm Inn and I'm getting the feeling that this is going to be challenging (though fun) play through. I'm playing on the standard rules difficulty. Got any tips?

I am recording this on Youtube, so if you want to check out my progress on this character:

Tresset

Tips? For a mage? How about looking at the base of spruce trees outside the walls of the Friendly Arm Inn?

Balrog99

Play a Conjurer instead of Transmuter? It won't matter if you don't plan on playing all the way through BG2 and ToB but Transmuters miss out on some really good spells. Conjurers miss out on next to nothing (Identify is the only annoying loss).

jsaving

Most important tip would be to memorize and liberally use the sleep spell which is an absolute game-changer in the first half of BG1. Second most important tip would be to hit the rest button whenever your spell slots are gone. Best wishes and good luck!

Balrog99

Burning Hands, Color Spray, Slow and Polymorph Other will be cast with better effectiveness by a Transmuter (-2 to enemy saves). Use that to your advantage.

Shangeroo

For a mage my recommendation for starting spells would be sleep and blindness. Choose darts for starting weapon proficiency. Sleep for most groups of enemies and those who are over lvl 4 and immune to sleep you can use blindness and then dart them to death.

thelaughingskulls

Thanks everyone for your tips!