I feel that A Necromancer is storywise the most fitting kind of mage for the Bhaalspawn...
If you read the History of the Dead Three, Myrkul considers his ascension one of triumph over Bhaal's because he command undeath, whereas Bhaal is the master of death and dying. I would argue that the Necromancer - as somebody who largely specialises in manipulation and control after death - isn't as suitable for Bhaal as it might first appear, as Bhaal revels in death, not the bastardization of it. I don't have hugely strong opinions regarding this poll, admittedly, but I thought it might be worth considering.
For my part, I agree with the BG1 approach that all pure class mages should have a specialisation. I feel like the Bhaalspawn should be the only mage in your party who can cast every arcane spell. This is obviously parried somewhat in BG2 when there are no pure class mages except Edwin, and so the 'feel' of this grand mastery over magic is somewhat diminished. But hey, that's just for my play of the game. I've also done a specialisation Mage and a level 6 fighter dualled to Mage. It's fun
Someone please remind me, what school necromancers loose?
Illusion
This is a big reason I so enjoy taking Xzar whenever I play a Bard, (which I often do), as I tend to RP them as Illusionists of a sort, primarily focusing on those spells. The synergy is just wonderful. Just one more in a laundry list of reasons I've always been upset about Xzar's role in BG2. *Wistful sigh* For me, Necromancer is my favorite kit for an NPC mage.
I feel that A Necromancer is storywise the most fitting kind of mage for the Bhaalspawn...
If you read the History of the Dead Three, Myrkul considers his ascension one of triumph over Bhaal's because he command undeath, whereas Bhaal is the master of death and dying. I would argue that the Necromancer - as somebody who largely specialises in manipulation and control after death - isn't as suitable for Bhaal as it might first appear, as Bhaal revels in death, not the bastardization of it. I don't have hugely strong opinions regarding this poll, admittedly, but I thought it might be worth considering.
For my part, I agree with the BG1 approach that all pure class mages should have a specialisation. I feel like the Bhaalspawn should be the only mage in your party who can cast every arcane spell. This is obviously parried somewhat in BG2 when there are no pure class mages except Edwin, and so the 'feel' of this grand mastery over magic is somewhat diminished. But hey, that's just for my play of the game. I've also done a specialisation Mage and a level 6 fighter dualled to Mage. It's fun
Well, Necromancers in D&D from what I've seen don't really all much have to do with the undead... They do have spells that summon undead creatures to fight on their side, but majority of the Necromancy spells just have stuff to do with life and death, from healing to just straight out killing something.
While this is kind of thread necromancy, I feel the need to give my support for actual necromancy.
In D&D, Necromancy is the art of manipulation of life/death energy. That's why healing is classed as Necromancy. So I feel it best suits what Bhaal said, and thus the Bhaalspawn: 'Since I can destroy your kingdom, Bane, by murdering your subjects, and I can starve your kingdom, Myrkul, by staying my hand.'
A Neutral Good Necromancer just fits a Good Bhaalspawn. It seems like the ultimate way to spit in dad's face, using the very philosophy he espoused as a reason for his supremacy over the other two of the Dead Three, as a means of doing good in the Realms.
That said, I also like Generalist Mages. Versatility is always cool and Dual Class Fighter/Mages are always badass in general.
Bardic blade. Love the offencive/defensive spin with mage protections. They also can get secret word, breach, and spellstrike which are all aweaome to have on a secondary caster in BG2 with SCS.
I like wild mages for the bit of randomness they bring to my usual thoroughly planned actions. It's fun when there's always the chance to have a cow falling on your enemy.
Back in the day I was a little bit scared to use a wild mage but now I very often choose her as my main mage for the party.
How often have I played a F/M multi or sorcerer ? I really don't know. Nowadays I like to play my illusionist/thief. Getting rid of the turnip "scent" is the hardest challenge.
+10 likes for mentioning the film, Warlock. I'd be willing to bet his character was the inspiration for the Warlock class in 3.5 D&D.
In 2e AD&D, I'd say he fits the "Archetype" Necromancer kit perfectly. I remember one of his lines from Warlock 2: "There is no hope in chaos, only in order." Classic Lawful Evil.
With a Cleric/Mage, you can cast Death Ward, Chaotic Commands, and Remove Fear. Immunity to disablers is mighty nice for solo critters. Being able to use helmets and shields is also quite fun.
I am quite partial to the thief/mage, actually. They have great versatility, so are useful in a variety of situations from taking care of traps to casting spells. They can wear robes or elven chain without losing either of these abilities, and with decent equipment can even tank in a pinch.
I voted cleric-mage, because with a helmet, a shield, and red and black robe colors, my avatar looks like Magneto flying around on a magnetically levitated metal disc.
I voted cleric-mage because I just feel like there's something godlike to having mastery of both arcane and divine magic. Planatars have that, Mellissan has that, it just fits well.
Just mage. No specialisation. A very versirable class. It's not as powerful as the Wild Mage, but a mage without a control over his/her own power it's not really my thing. And I dislike Sorcerors for being lazy asses who relly on innate talent rather than studies and practice.
That's actually what I like the best about sorcerers
Comments
For my part, I agree with the BG1 approach that all pure class mages should have a specialisation. I feel like the Bhaalspawn should be the only mage in your party who can cast every arcane spell. This is obviously parried somewhat in BG2 when there are no pure class mages except Edwin, and so the 'feel' of this grand mastery over magic is somewhat diminished. But hey, that's just for my play of the game. I've also done a specialisation Mage and a level 6 fighter dualled to Mage. It's fun
Similarly, despite being (arguably) the most powerful specialist mage, I can't pick a Conjurer because of the loss of Divination spells.
Just one more in a laundry list of reasons I've always been upset about Xzar's role in BG2.
*Wistful sigh*
For me, Necromancer is my favorite kit for an NPC mage.
In D&D, Necromancy is the art of manipulation of life/death energy. That's why healing is classed as Necromancy. So I feel it best suits what Bhaal said, and thus the Bhaalspawn: 'Since I can destroy your kingdom, Bane, by murdering your subjects, and I can starve your kingdom, Myrkul, by staying my hand.'
A Neutral Good Necromancer just fits a Good Bhaalspawn. It seems like the ultimate way to spit in dad's face, using the very philosophy he espoused as a reason for his supremacy over the other two of the Dead Three, as a means of doing good in the Realms.
That said, I also like Generalist Mages. Versatility is always cool and Dual Class Fighter/Mages are always badass in general.
Love the offencive/defensive spin with mage protections. They also can get secret word, breach, and spellstrike which are all aweaome to have on a secondary caster in BG2 with SCS.
Back in the day I was a little bit scared to use a wild mage but now I very often choose her as my main mage for the party.
Nowadays I like to play my illusionist/thief. Getting rid of the turnip "scent" is the hardest challenge.
Ever seen Julian Sands as the Warlock? Thats me
Playing SoA through with an Invoker. Started ToB with Haer'Dalis because I love his banter. And the whistling! He's a pretty great fighter too.
In BP2, I'm playing one party with a Dragon Disciple and a M/T-multiclass, and another party with a normal sorcerer and C/M-multi.
In 2e AD&D, I'd say he fits the "Archetype" Necromancer kit perfectly. I remember one of his lines from Warlock 2: "There is no hope in chaos, only in order." Classic Lawful Evil.
With a Cleric/Mage, you can cast Death Ward, Chaotic Commands, and Remove Fear. Immunity to disablers is mighty nice for solo critters. Being able to use helmets and shields is also quite fun.