Fighter/Mage

davfrahen · Post by **davfrahen** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:06 am

I`m multi-classing the above. At the beginning I was told I was limited to staves and slings. I`ve just got the flail of ages and I`m allowed to use it. (after getting another proficiency point)
Not only this, but other weapons are usable as well, which I thought weren`t allowed.
I haven`t used SK to alter anything.
If I`d known at the beginning that I was allowed to use other weapons, I wouldn`t have gone for staves.
Have I read something incorrectly?

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:25 am

Not at all. You might download Shadowkeeper, though, and change the proficiencies to the weapon types of your choice. I don't see that as cheating, since it doesn't give you any advantage.

Remember, if you wear armor, your spellcasting will be badly affected, and you can't remove the armor once you've entered battle.

Onkel Bob · Post by **Onkel Bob** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:07 am

You could also try having him use staves. I do it often when I use a F/M/T. There are some quite deadly ones available. Staff of the Magi for one. Any one equipped with that and capable of surviving close combat is a pretty ultimate mage-killer. Then when protections are gone you can eventually switch to the Staff of the Ram and do serious damage.

davfrahen · Post by **davfrahen** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:59 am

I do like staves. There`s a 4+ one available at the start. I wouldn`t have given so many points to staves if I hadn`t been confused. For a mage, it says you`re limited to staves and slings. As I was multi-classing, I thought this limitation would apply.
I am doing quite well with the staves. I`ve done the two demi liches already.
I`m so used to the FOA that I haven`t tried anything else for a while.
That`s the great thing with this game. There`s always something to learn.

Amran_X_Kaiser · Post by **Amran_X_Kaiser** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:13 am

Reply

You might want to try casting the level 1 spell armor that lasts for nine hours then put on some armor - i found this useful when going through extensive dungeons that had no mages in it or was at an early level like BG1 nashkel mines or in irenicus's dungeon.

Defender of Easthaven is a must - i found that especially useful when combined with flail of ages and a barbarian - made him tough as nails.

davfrahen · Post by **davfrahen** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 1:05 pm

I`ve been looking around for Barkskin, but I`ve been doing ok with AC Bracers 3.
I would really have liked to try a Kensai multi-class, but I don`t believe you can (under the rules, anyway).
I`m trying to work up to going solo. This time I have just my character and Jaheira.

mr_sir · Post by **mr_sir** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 2:40 pm

Barkskin is a druid spell so you will have to get Jaheira to cast it on your PC if you cannot cast divine magic.

VonDondu · Post by **VonDondu** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 4:37 pm

davfrahen wrote:I`m multi-classing [a Fighter/Mage]. At the beginning I was told I was limited to staves and slings. I`ve just got the flail of ages and I`m allowed to use it. (after getting another proficiency point)
Not only this, but other weapons are usable as well, which I thought weren`t allowed...

Have I read something incorrectly?

I don't know what you've read or where you saw it, but Fighter/Mages can use any weapon that can be used by a Fighter or a Mage. This includes swords, morningstars, longbows, axes, and special items such as the Staff of the Magi. You can put two proficiency points in any weapon type, two points in Two Handed Weapon Style (which is useful if you want to use a staff such as the Staff of the Magi, which is an incredible weapon), and three points in Two Weapon Style if you want to dual wield katanas or other weapons.

The Defender of Easthaven is a nice offhand weapon if you're dual-wielding, and there are all sorts of weapons that are effective with your main hand, including Celestial Fury, Dak'kon's Zerth Blade, and Crom Faeyr.

Since you're limited to two proficiency points per weapon type, you'll end up with points in lots of different weapon types. So when you find a nice warhammer and a nice flail and a nice two handed sword, etc., etc., you'll have to decide which one you want to use each round.

As for protection spells (Barkskin is not available to Mages), Mirror Image and Stoneskin are the basic ones. Spell Immunity (Abjuration and Divination) will keep them from being dispelled by enemies. The Staff of the Magi grants invisibility that is practically permanent, and other weapons have special protections such as immunity to level drain and resistance to damage. Just read the descriptions for everything and don't be afraid to experiment.

davfrahen · Post by **davfrahen** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 3:27 am

I think I must have read the info for a single class mage. Whatever, it`s nice to know that I`m not as limited as I thought I was.
My last few runs have been with a Cleric/Ranger multi-class and I was so used to the FOA and Crom Faeyr duo that I was missing them. I picked up the FOA anyway and now I can use it.
Having said that, I picked up the Staff of Rynn early on and it`s a great weapon for a fighter. It seems more effective than the FOA. With the other great staves to come, I might play it different this time. I certainly made short work of Kangax with a stave.
The only thing is, Jaheira is my only companion and she gets her own special stave later on. Don`t really want two stave equiped people.
Isn`t it great that there are so many choices in this game?

davfrahen · Post by **davfrahen** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 8:15 am

This is really hard going. Why couldn`t I have stuck with my cleric/ranger? I`ve searched everywhere for a stoneskin spell. At least it`s taught me how much better the cleric spells are compared to those of a mage. Me and Jaheira are having a rough time. No more fighter/mage for me after this!

mr_sir · Post by **mr_sir** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 8:22 am

Have you tried the scroll seller in Ribalt's store in Athkatla? Also, you might be able to get it from Trademeet once you can access those shops. I can't remember ever having trouble finding it. In the mean time, Jaheira can cast Barkskin on other characters as well as herself so you could use that until you find it

The trick with mages is to remember that they have different kinds of spells and skills to a cleric so you have to adjust your tactics and strategies accordingly. If played right, mages can be very powerful - I often play with a party consisting of nothing but a mage PC, Anomen, Jaheira, Nalia, Aerie and Imoen

Onkel Bob · Post by **Onkel Bob** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 8:44 am

davfrahen wrote:This is really hard going. Why couldn`t I have stuck with my cleric/ranger? I`ve searched everywhere for a stoneskin spell. At least it`s taught me how much better the cleric spells are compared to those of a mage. Me and Jaheira are having a rough time. No more fighter/mage for me after this!

Wow... Your experience is the complete opposite of mine. I almost feel that bards are better spellcasters than clerics.

Edit: BTW I'm reasonably sure I usually get it from one of the early random encounters.

davfrahen · Post by **davfrahen** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:20 am

I`m ashamed to admit that I used Shadowkeeper to get it. I tried everywhere I know to get it - including Waukeen.
It`s a question of personal taste, but I much prefer the cleric`s spells.

Pvon · Post by **Pvon** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:53 am

I think you get stoneskin off the illusionist tent quest where u get aerie

galraen · Post by **galraen** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:34 am

Pvon wrote:I think you get stoneskin off the illusionist tent quest where u get aerie

Correct, Kallah (sp?) drops it when he dies.

VonDondu · Post by **VonDondu** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 12:21 pm

Stoneskin is also available at the Adventurer's Mart from Lady Yuth.

davfrahen · Post by **davfrahen** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 4:09 am

Isn`t that ironic? This is the first time I haven`t done the circus quest.