GameBanshee Forums

What's the best (non multi-classed/dual classed) mage class?

Specialised mages are limited in spell schools but get an extra spell per level. Generalist mages have access to all spells in the game, but no bonus. Wild Mages (added by ToB- playable in SoA) are basically generalist mages plus some extra humuorous effects.

I generally play the general mage- as I don't like being limited in spells, or the Wild Mage.

Because professional mages get extra spellslots,and the Evoker class only missed trival spells like indendefy and Oracle,then i would vote for Evoker!

I've seen elsewhere that alot of people recommend conjuror, but elves can't become conjurors, and they're my favourite class for mages...

Truth be told, the only useful illusionary spell I use is Mirror Image and that's simply all destroyed by a single Truesight spell. Beyond that I tend to think Illusionary spells the easiest to go without.

Conjurors aren't bad either though, though it's annoying when your mage can't Truesight himself or Identify.

I always loved the unpredicatabilty of the Wild Mage. If I don't go for my usual roguish build (either thief or bard) then I always play a wild mage.

I remember crying with laughter when my magic missile went a little wrong and turned the Shade Lord's mighty Shadow Dragon into a squirrle.

Of course my casting of mirror image turning into a party-centred death spell proved less popular, it literally killed my romance with Aerie, although it did take out both Minsc and Jaheira

Don't be put off by the Wld Mage they are a lot of fun to play. (Although I would recommend not having him/her as your only arcane spell caster)

I agree that a standard mage is the best. I love their versatility as they have the goods to deal with any situation in the game (provided you copy your spell scrolls like a good lil' mage) and are considered by some to be the overall most powerful characters as well. I've professed my love for sorcerers before, but in BG2 under the (i believe) 2nd edition DanD rules they werent very fleshed out.

Specialists mages :

Green = Good!
White = Not so Good and/or Not so Bad
Red = Bad!

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Abjurer - Cannot scribe/cast Alteration spells
Conjurer - Cannot scribe/cast Divination spells
Diviner - Cannot scribe/cast Conjuration spells
Enchanter - Cannot scribe/cast Invocation spells
Illusionist - Cannot scribe/cast Necromancy spells
Invoker - Cannot scribe/cast Enchantment/Conjuration spells
Necromancer - Cannot scribe/cast Illusion spells
Transmuter - Cannot scribe/cast Abjuration spells

I'm totally agreeing with Raven Song. Wild Mages add something unique to the game. They're not necessarily better or more powerful than any other mage but it's always exciting to cast a spell in the middle of a fight and see what will happen this time.

if you like powergaming and don't mind the reloading, the wild mage's ability to cast any lvl spell through the reckless dweomer(1st lvl spell) casting a incendiary cloud with a bonus(casted twice) you can clear almost any place.. of course getting something like a spell to work properly takes about 6reloads unless your lucky

Wild Mages are great fun! But what's the point of playing one if you're going to reload every time you get something bad?

Necromancers?? They can't cast Project Image or Simulcra, two of the best spells in the game. Necromancers are one of the worst classes. Go Conjurer.

I like to roleplay necromancers. They cant cast ilusion spells, but hey, that makes them less cheesy, and they keep the powerfull magics, such as dragons breath and protective stuff.

Wild Mages are great fun! But what's the point of playing one if you're going to reload every time you get something bad?

I generally don't reload, it adds to the realism and fun.

If the worst comes to the worst and you die you have to reload, if another NPC dies you can either replace them, resurrect them, or thank the gods if it is one of the ones you really hate (step forward Imoen, Jaheira and Minsc )

Ultimately I don't think there is an answer to this question, it all depends on an individuals play style about which schools of magic they are willing to lose. I don't like losing any, on the other hand I want that extra spell per level so I go Wild Mage. That's not to say it is the bast mage class, its just best for me.

Themoot doesn't like necromancers because they lose certain spells, fine. It doesn't necessarily make them better or worst than say a Conjurer because it has its own disadvantage no True Sight. Luis obviously feels necromnacers work so good look to him.

Raven Song raises a good point there.

It really depends on your style.

Choosing a specialist mage:
If you have played before, figure out your major spells. For some people they could be similacurlm and wish, for others death cloud and magic missle. Whatever it is, figure out the schools that you need, then choose a class that knocks out a 'useless' (according to you) school of magic.