Mage vs Sorceror

Frenetix · Post by **Frenetix** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 7:19 pm

Who is superior? Thoughts?

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 8:14 pm

Sorcerer for sure if you choose the right spells. That way you don't have to worry about memorizing the right spells and reloading.

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Mon Feb 10, 2003 8:38 pm

Mage. Sorcerers don't get XP for scribing scrolls and mages are more useful because of their wide range of spells. For instance, in the Mind Flayer areas, it is incredibily useful to be able to cast Invisible Stalker, but otherwise there are better summoning spells out there. On the other hand as a PC, sorcerer may be refreshing because there are lots of NPC magic-users (Edwin, Aerie, Nalia, Imoen, Jan) available in the baseline game and no sorcerers.

thaGforce · Post by **thaGforce** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 12:31 am

Depends, for your first few times through Mages, then Sorcerors because you know your spells and it's fun to whistle off tons of cool high level spells.

UserUnfriendly · Post by **UserUnfriendly** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 12:48 am

from the cheese view, sorcs always, since its far far far easier to pull off super cheese exploits using sorcerors...

zeyk · Post by **zeyk** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 1:00 pm

I personally prefer Wizards, mainly because of their versatility in the total number of spells known.

Wizards are superior if you have an idea of what kinds of enemies you will be facing. This allows you to prepare the right kinds of spells for devastating effects, but it requires foresight and planning (and a good night's sleep). Wizards also get higher level spells sooner.

Sorcerers are better if you just want an offensive nuker. They know a few spells, usually offensive ones, but they can cast more per day and can be quite deadly. In the BG2 games, sorcerers do very well. In regular PnP, where the campaigns are less combat oriented, wizards blow them out of the water.

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 1:03 pm

Sorcs. They're far more flexible in meeting any challenge that comes along.

Baldursgate Fan · Post by **Baldursgate Fan** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 1:33 pm

I was not, and still am not, much of a magic user. Until I came across Bun Bun the Sorc, that is. so much fun

Didn't feel the need to role play a mage, as mages are in good supply, so my totally biased choice would be a sorc.

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 6:31 pm

Baldursgate Fan's mention of "fun" reminded me that there's one condition where playing a mage equals the amount of fun I get out of playing a sorc: a wild mage. Wild mages are just a delight, especially if you commit in advance to never going back and rerolling any of the results of his casts, positive or negative.

serjeLeBlade · Post by **serjeLeBlade** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 6:17 am

Interesting topic, since I have to face the problem myself at present.

Tashia has just been kidnapped by her former lover, leaving me to face some Imp. fights with a party of five... Not good.
Options are:

- Cheat and go to rescue Tashia immediately (I don't like the idea... It looks like cheating to me because I feel like "charname" should have no clue about where she is at present ... )
- Go to pick up Kelsey just to have a Sorcerer in the party
- Allow Nalia to come with us instead (she keeps asking...)

I'd feel more "powerful" with a Sorcerer in the party, but I decided to try Nalia instead. I'm planning to try and see if I can use her in the same way I'd use Tashia... could this work?
We'll see.

Screaming Johny · Post by **Screaming Johny** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 9:01 am

Neither is superior. Rather, they both have their strengths.

At lower levels I find very little difference between a mage and a sorcerer, because I always use the same few spells from the first 5 levels. So either I memorized multiple copies of the same spell, or can cast that same spell repeatedly. It is kind of nice to have the option of another spell ocassionally, but I don't find it that critical.

Where I find the sorcerer superior is at higher levels. There are a lot of great high level spells. The most challenging for a mage is level 9, as this is where the level 10 spells end up. As a mage, you have to choose the night before. As a sorcerer, you can choose at the moment. While this is true at lower levels as well, it is much more important at higher levels.

The mages #1 stength is that he can multi or dual. A Kensai/Mage is a force to be reckkoned with and is a good front line fighter. A Swashbuckler/mage allows you some theif and fighting skills, just in case he gets into trouble. And one of the best solo classes is the elven fighter/theif/mage. Nothing like some of the invisibility cheese while backstabbing backed up with some good warrior skills to be able to do some serious damage.

So my answer is not that either is superior, but rather both have their superior qualities.

Personally I think every party should have a Sorcerer and a Blade. Since the sorcerer is a superior high level mage, I leave the mage duties to the Bard, who also gets some of the best high level abilities (UAI, Improved Bard Song, and Spike Traps).

serjeLeBlade · Post by **serjeLeBlade** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 9:14 am

Originally posted by Screaming Johny
Personally I think every party should have a Sorcerer and a Blade.

Ditto!!!

ARcheR_S_ · Post by **ARcheR_S_** » Thu Feb 13, 2003 1:40 pm

Do I hear Haer 'Dhalis??

serjeLeBlade · Post by **serjeLeBlade** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 7:03 am

Originally posted by ARcheR_S_
Do I hear Haer 'Dhalis??

Perish the thought!
SPOILER....

HD is not a Blade

Go check his kit with Shadow Keeper if you don't believe me

(ok not so much of a spoiler ... I know...)

Screaming Johny · Post by **Screaming Johny** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 8:53 am

I don't like Haer either. My favorite blade is Jaheira. She has a Neutral aligment, is half-elven, and has the stats. A little magic in SK, and she's a Blade.

I'm starting another game tonight with my PC as a Sorcerer, Jaheira the Blade, and Minsc the fighter(lvl 7) dualed to assasin (The trauma Jon put him through has brought out a new side in poor Minsc.) I'll pick up Imoen (the Monk) a little later for some extra muscle. I love SK. It allows me so many different combinations to play!

ARcheR_S_ · Post by **ARcheR_S_** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 12:53 pm

Originally posted by serjeLeBlade
Perish the thought!
SPOILER....

HD is not a Blade
Go check his kit with Shadow Keeper if you don't believe me

(ok not so much of a spoiler ... I know...)

I know Haer 'Dhalis isnt a blade, at least, thats what SK shows. But he HAS Blade abbilities (spins, magic, bardsong, etc)
So although SK doesnt say he is a blade, the game itself does.

And why do u guys hate Haer 'Dhalis?? Hes a great NPC's IMO.....hes is very witted, becomes very strong in ToB, and is one of the smartest (good-neutral) NPC's.
I agree that his doomsday thinking isnt the most enjoyable too hear, but I take that for granted.

JackOfClubs · Post by **JackOfClubs** » Fri Feb 14, 2003 2:20 pm

Originally posted by Screaming Johny
I don't like Haer either. My favorite blade is Jaheira. She has a Neutral aligment, is half-elven, and has the stats. A little magic in SK, and she's a Blade.

I'm starting another game tonight with my PC as a Sorcerer, Jaheira the Blade, and Minsc the fighter(lvl 7) dualed to assasin (The trauma Jon put him through has brought out a new side in poor Minsc.) I'll pick up Imoen (the Monk) a little later for some extra muscle. I love SK. It allows me so many different combinations to play!

The thought of Jaheira singing is just so... wrong.

But I like the idea of Imoen as a monk. Never thought of that. But aren't her stats kind of wrong for that hand to hand combat? Her CON is good but her STR is abysmal. I usually make her an assassin or bounty hunter. Maybe Minsc would make a better monk.

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 3:40 am

Sorcs are too powerful and boring at the same time, IMHO..
When you get high level spells and quest spells, all becomes trivial.
After playing that way with Tashia, I choosed crappy spells for Kelsey,
and I admit this way things were funnier!

Anyway mages are always the first option for me, more versatility

Mr.Waesel · Post by **Mr.Waesel** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 6:59 am

I'm prolly biased due to PnP, but i think a mage is wayyy better than a sorc any time. (Except maybe in 3e epic, but that's another story...)