Breton mage needs minor skill

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon May 17, 2004 8:36 am

I've got a Breton mage with an Apprentice birthsign. Here's his current skills lineup:

Majors:

Alchemy
Long Blade
Heavy Armor
Destruction
Illusion

Minors:

Restoration
Enchant
Mysticism
Alteration

...The question is, what about the fifth minor? I was thinking of Block, but I'm open to suggestions. I won't consider Mercantile, though: still broken, after all these years.

lifeishell91 · Post by **lifeishell91** » Mon May 17, 2004 8:46 am

How about Conjuration?

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon May 17, 2004 8:49 am

That certainly sounds like a possibility. Less for the summonings, which (if I recall) are pretty weak in the later game, as for Bound spells that can really help out when you're starting up.

Dark Master · Post by **Dark Master** » Mon May 17, 2004 9:55 am

Conjuration. Definitly. When it gets quite high (and as a Breton, if you take Antronch, you'll be wanting to build up intelligence a lot) you can start to cast summon Golden Saint. A very good idea, with Azuras star, you can cast the spell, kill the saint and trap its soul quickly, I find that my Breton Mage can summon a whole range of animals to fight for him, and he sounds quite a lot like your character. If you want to have a look at the character and use PC contact me on MSN (gandalfthegrey2002@hotmail.com) I'll send you a copy of the latest save and you can try it out. Awesome weapons collection as well, cast recall to get to them, he's got an awesome long blade, and a full set of heavy armour comprised of Ebony and Deadric, with the Helm of Orin whatever-Claw. Anyway, add me on MSN if you like, you can have a play around with a well developed character to see if you want to have a go. Conjuration Master Trainer Downstairs in Ald'Ruhn Guild of Mages.

Fuwex · Post by **Fuwex** » Mon May 17, 2004 9:55 am

As a mage, I would suggest Blunt Weapons (Staves) instead of Long Blade, because they got a lot more enchantment points. Like Ebony Staff got 90, while Dadric Longsword got 18 or something. Just an idea.

Dark Master · Post by **Dark Master** » Mon May 17, 2004 9:59 am

Thats a reasonable point, and the Deadric Staff isn't that hard to obtain at level 10ish. Iber Dad, right at the top of the Foyda 1 cell to the west of the cell to the west of the Urksula camp. Let me do a diagram.

IRU

I stands for Iber Dad, R stands for the Ruin, and U stands for Urksula camp.

Don't quote my spelling of Urksula...

Monolith · Post by **Monolith** » Mon May 17, 2004 10:10 am

I'd also change long sword to blunt weapon. As far as I know the skill levels faster, which should make it more interesting for a mage - who usually rather casts spells than slays his enemies with a sword. That way raising 'strength' would be easier, too.

Dark Master · Post by **Dark Master** » Mon May 17, 2004 11:11 am

It really depends on what kind of mage you are. A wizard uses a staff and is unarmoured, a necromancer or dark wizard could have an enchanted sould trap health absorb deadric claymore (I have one and it looks/is incredible), and would use heavy armour. I guess it depends on what kind of wizard you want to be, but the Deadric Staff looks VERY cool, I have to say. The Staff of Magnus looks nice as well. See my thread on Destruction being wasted before making your final decision.

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Mon May 17, 2004 12:22 pm

I would probably add Unarmored, since a full set of Heavy Armor is generally too heavy early on until you can get your Str up.

There is also Marksman to consider.

I haven't checked to see how your skills complement your stats. Are you missing any (besides Luck, of course)?

Edit:
Okay, now I've checked. You currently have:

Intelligence = Alchemy, Destruction, Enchantment. (3)
Willpower = Restoration, Mysticism, Alteration. (3)
Strength = Long Blade (1)
Endurance = Heavy Armor (1)
Personality = Illusion (1)

You are missing Speed and Agility, which you could get with Unarmored or Block, respectively. Personally, I haven't found much need to take Restoration as a skill, so I would drop that and take both Unarmored and Block.

You asked.....

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon May 17, 2004 2:09 pm

Quite a range of opinion! Thus far, it's been suggested that I add Conjuration, drop Restoration, drop Long Blade, adds Blunt Trauma, drop Heavy Armor and add Unarmored.

I appreciate the advice from all.

I'll probably stick with heavy armor, though, and get my strength up--turning him into a sort of battlemage, I suppose--and I'll keep the advice about blunts instead of long blades in mind. From my previous experience with Morrowind, though, long blades which much easier to come by, and much more varied in their effects. Not to say you couldn't enchant one, but I plan to do that much later. I'm not a powerplayer--so I'll grab that alchemy set from the tower in Caldera when I finally get there for a good reason, and not on a sudden run.

That's what I liked from the start about Morrowind: the way it let you rise naturally, without doing quests, just by utilizing the skills system as a character in the environment. And it was a beautiful, deadly place to wander around in.

But I'll give strong consideration to the advice on blunts, and I think Conjuration sounds good. Maybe I'll drop Restoration and add Block--what do you think?

Dark Master · Post by **Dark Master** » Mon May 17, 2004 2:15 pm

I personally wouldn't add block if you're giong to use longsword and definitly not blunt weapon, the staff is a two handed weapon, so are warhammers, and a lot of really good longswords are two handed (deadric crecent, DDK, DClaymore, Umbra sword etc). Illusion is a waste too I find, I hardly ever use it. There aren't many spell effects, night eye is useful, but I'd swap it for one of your minor skills instead, you don't need it that much. Still its up to you.

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon May 17, 2004 2:24 pm

Possibly Blunt for Illusion? I'd end up without Paralyze, though, Blind, and Invisibility. Paralyze can be a real charmer, especially when it's a constant effect on a weapon.

Decisions, decisions.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Mon May 17, 2004 2:28 pm

I have to admit, I'm not sure about Enchant... your intelligence and enchant stats have to be so damn high for it to be successful...

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon May 17, 2004 2:31 pm

Originally posted by dragon wench
I have to admit, I'm not sure about Enchant... your intelligence and enchant stats have to be so damn high for it to be successful...

It's something to shoot for. Very few games add distinct, high-level skills these days, because it's much easier to design for immediate gratification. But enchant is a great one when you get to the point that it becomes usable. And on the lower end, at least, you can make reasonable potions, both for consumption and sale.

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Mon May 17, 2004 2:32 pm

Originally posted by dragon wench
I have to admit, I'm not sure about Enchant... your intelligence and enchant stats have to be so damn high for it to be successful...

But with a high Enchant, wouldn't his enchanted items regain their charge faster? That would be a big advantage sometimes...

Fable: Even if you didn't have illusion, you could still learn the spells and have an enchanter add it to your weapon however you like. (make it On-Strike, though, rather than CE...

)

Bloodthroe · Post by **Bloodthroe** » Mon May 17, 2004 2:38 pm

I always make acrobats and athletics minors.

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon May 17, 2004 2:38 pm

Originally posted by Gwalchmai
But with a high Enchant, wouldn't his enchanted items regain their charge faster? That would be a big advantage sometimes...

That's true. I remember running my last character so long ago, who didn't have enchant in majors or minors. It wasn't until I equipped an enchanted item that I realized how slowly the charge returned.

Even if you didn't have illusion, you could still learn the spells and have an enchanter add it to your weapon however you like. (make it On-Strike, though, rather than CE... )

Good point! But leaving a magic school out of the reckoning means an enchanted item would show fewer charges, before it needed recharging--and something like Invisibility wouldn't be On-Strike or CE (though you're right, O-S would be a lot cheaper, whether you do it yourself or get it done for you). I'd hate to have an Invisibility ring that ran out just when you were being approached by a welcoming committee of the nastiest things around. Of course, alchemy can supplement this, but it isn't a replacement.

Gwalchmai · Post by **Gwalchmai** » Mon May 17, 2004 2:52 pm

I find Alchemy to be very powerful. Some of those potions you make at higher levels last so long that they are practically CE!

A nighteye potion can last for thousands of seconds!

Bloodthroe · Post by **Bloodthroe** » Mon May 17, 2004 2:54 pm

Originally posted by Gwalchmai
I find Alchemy to be very powerful. Some of those potions you make at higher levels last so long that they are practically CE! A nighteye potion can last for thousands of seconds!

Oh yeah I forgot, alchemy should always be a major or minor, man those potions are something.

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon May 17, 2004 3:17 pm

Originally posted by Gwalchmai
I find Alchemy to be very powerful. Some of those potions you make at higher levels last so long that they are practically CE! A nighteye potion can last for thousands of seconds!

Well, yes, and that's why it's a major of mine. If it weren't, I suspect have enchant as a major, to compensate for its loss.

Currently, I'm using Sri's Alchemy, which takes out Fortify Intelligence. You have to admit, that particular bit of home brewing is purest cheese.