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Kitira Gildragon
Learned Scribe

USA
191 Posts

Posted - 10 Mar 2003 :  17:35:04  Show Profile  Visit Kitira Gildragon's Homepage Send Kitira Gildragon a Private Message  Reply with Quote  Delete Topic
What's your favorite mage type and WHY??

1) Non-specialist
2) Specialist (if so, what specialty?)
3) Sorceror
4) Wild Mage

-Space for rent-

Artalis
Senior Scribe

USA
444 Posts

Posted - 10 Mar 2003 :  19:24:12  Show Profile Send Artalis a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I'm new to 3rd edition but I have to say that Sorcerers have it made... Versatility galore. No pesky preperation. Better weapons selections. They are a little more dynamic and vital than the standard mage. Yes they have fewer spells to choose from but no class is supposed to be superior than others, just different. And I like the fact that Charisma finally becomes something besides the place to put your lowest stat.

Artalis

Email


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Echon
Senior Scribe

Denmark
422 Posts

Posted - 10 Mar 2003 :  19:38:34  Show Profile  Visit Echon's Homepage Send Echon a Private Message  Reply with Quote
If I was to play a single-class wizard, my choice would be the Abjurer although I would probably want to play all the different specialists if time would permit.

I have never been fond of the sorceror for some reason.

-Echon

"If others had not been foolish, we should be so."

-William Blake
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zemd
Master of Realmslore

France
1103 Posts

Posted - 10 Mar 2003 :  21:15:22  Show Profile Send zemd a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I like every one of them.

But if i really must make an order:
Illusionist: IMO the hardest to play, needs a lot of imagination
Sorceror or non-specialist depending on the mood
Wild magic: fun to play but in short campaigns
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Creataceous
Acolyte

New Zealand
14 Posts

Posted - 13 Mar 2003 :  22:09:38  Show Profile  Visit Creataceous's Homepage Send Creataceous a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Not a big fan of sorcerers, they lack the versatility of a mage who can totally rearrange the orientation of his spell list for current requirements. Thus for a campaign, which would face many different sorts of scenarios, a sorcerer would rapidly find him/herself out of their area of specialisation.

Speciality mages are my favorite, especially necromancers. I played a necromancer from 1st to 14th level in a recent 2nd edition campaign (I am currently converting him and his kit to 3rd Ed.), and it was great. The DM and other payers really played on the prejudices that my character would have faced. Really enjoyed it.

On my first point, I actually haven't played a sorcerer past third level yet so my views may change.

Creature
--------
Age does not always progenate experience, which does not always birth wisdom.
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zemd
Master of Realmslore

France
1103 Posts

Posted - 14 Mar 2003 :  13:33:56  Show Profile Send zemd a Private Message  Reply with Quote
What do you think about the prestige class 'true necromancer' in T&B? I think it's a little bit disapointing (Is that word good english?)
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader

USA
4740 Posts

Posted - 15 Mar 2003 :  06:20:11  Show Profile  Visit Bookwyrm's Homepage Send Bookwyrm a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Zemd, grammatically speaking, there's no problem whatsoever with it. Spelling-wise, it's got two Ps ("disappointing"). That's a very small difference, and one that most people wouldn't notice -- I wouldn't have, if you hadn't called my attention to it. I'm not a very good speller myself. So lighten up -- you're doing fine.

Since I'm here . . . I don't know much about the classes. I only found out about them recently, really. But I think I'd prefer a wizard with the most flexibility. I might change my mind, though. Like I said, I don't know much.

(Yes, Zemd, I'm going to look for a player's handbook soon. )

Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.

Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more.
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zemd
Master of Realmslore

France
1103 Posts

Posted - 15 Mar 2003 :  08:47:17  Show Profile Send zemd a Private Message  Reply with Quote
The first character i played was a wizard (i described her in an other post). Even they have more choice, a specialist can can cast one more spell per level... on a long campaign it can make a huge difference.
And does someone has heard about the Nimbral's Wizards?
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Targon Moonrise
Learned Scribe

163 Posts

Posted - 15 Mar 2003 :  10:47:00  Show Profile  Visit Targon Moonrise's Homepage Send Targon Moonrise a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I would have to say I like Illusionists and Diviners. They are complete opposites but they both seem like thay would help and party. Illusionist to help suprise attack/hide and Diviner so that enemies can't suprise attack up.

May Melkor smile upon every spell you cast.
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zemd
Master of Realmslore

France
1103 Posts

Posted - 15 Mar 2003 :  12:44:35  Show Profile Send zemd a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I don't like much diviners. As NPC they offer a lot of fun, but as PC, i think their school is too limited
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Salius Kai
Learned Scribe

USA
217 Posts

Posted - 16 Mar 2003 :  06:00:53  Show Profile  Visit Salius Kai's Homepage Send Salius Kai a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I beleive there was a string sililar to this one somewhere....

(same as last time) Illusionist. There just so godly awsome.

"Welcome to these walls of infinite knowledge."

Salius Kai
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Trafaldi
Learned Scribe

264 Posts

Posted - 17 Mar 2003 :  19:09:08  Show Profile  Visit Trafaldi's Homepage Send Trafaldi a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I believe I created that topic but it is still hard for me to say what kind of mage. If I had to decide right now it would probably an enchanter, enchant stuff to do what you need it to that would be fun.

Some believe there is something more after death, if you really want to find out... go kill yourself and stop pestering me.
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Aust Grimshadow
Acolyte

USA
45 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2003 :  14:17:43  Show Profile  Visit Aust Grimshadow's Homepage Send Aust Grimshadow a Private Message  Reply with Quote
My favorite speicalist mage would have to be either Necromancer or Conjurer. Necromancers are so sweet and i love their magic, but conjurer are so fun to play. Nothing more fun that summon monster IV or Gate!! <3.

"Lies engulf the drow in fear and mistrust, refute friendship at the tip of a Lolth blessed sword. The hatred and ambition fostered by these amoral tenets are the doom of my people, a weakness they perceive as strength. The result is a paralyzing existence that the drow call the edge of readiness." -Drizzt Do'Urden
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zemd
Master of Realmslore

France
1103 Posts

Posted - 18 Mar 2003 :  18:59:38  Show Profile Send zemd a Private Message  Reply with Quote
And do you think of the True Necromancer prestige class?
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Brad_stubbert
Acolyte

Canada
14 Posts

Posted - 24 Mar 2003 :  23:37:17  Show Profile  Visit Brad_stubbert's Homepage Send Brad_stubbert a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I would have to agree with Aust Grimshadow conjurers are fun to play but i will go one step further and say they are one of the most battle seasoned speicalist mage because when they are at high levels they can conjour powerful monsters taht would hold any fighter at bay. i always use them and think everyone should try playing one.

Brad Stubbert- The Spider Mage
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Sadonayerah Odrydin
Learned Scribe

USA
210 Posts

Posted - 25 Mar 2003 :  06:32:22  Show Profile  Visit Sadonayerah Odrydin's Homepage Send Sadonayerah Odrydin a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Well...kind of a mixture of a specialist mage and a sorcerer. A sorcerer because that's mainly what my mages are. I mostly favor that type as opposed to the others. If I had to choose a specialist mage I would probably lean towards a Conjurer, Diviner, Invoker, or a Transmuter. Those all just seem really cool to me. And I actually have a character who is mainly a diviner. (she's for something other than DnD so I won't mention her anymore). Another one of my characters is pretty much like an illusionist. She loves to cast spells like that that mislead. (a neutral alignment in case anyone was wondering) though this character is also for an original story so I won't go into detail anymore about her. But yeah...those are my opinions.

"What's that," asked Mogget.
"Sardines," said Sam. "I knew they were standard rations, so I got a few tins for you."
"What are sardines?" Moggest asked suspiciously. "And why is there a key? Is this some sort of Abhorsen joke?"
Abhorsen by Garth Nix

"What you made a vampire...Pomeranian?!" --Hannibal King from Blade Trinity

~Sadie

Edited by - Sadonayerah Odrydin on 25 Mar 2003 06:32:53
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Drummer Boy
Senior Scribe

USA
395 Posts

Posted - 25 Mar 2003 :  14:32:12  Show Profile  Visit Drummer Boy's Homepage Send Drummer Boy a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I would have to agree with Artalis that I like Sorcerers the best, because of the following reasons:

a. They do not need to memorize or prepare spells.
b. They do not need to learn to spellcast from another person.
c. Like Artalis said, it's a class in which Charisma actually matters.
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Baron Sengir
Acolyte

Turkey
28 Posts

Posted - 26 Mar 2003 :  14:15:42  Show Profile  Visit Baron Sengir's Homepage Send Baron Sengir a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I really like a kit we created with my DM in a 2nd ed game.He was a battle mage and I really liked playing it.If anyone ưnterested,I could give you some clues about the special proficiencies and so on about him.I think in 3rd ed sorcerer-battle mages could be quite powerful.The spell penetration and spell focus-evocation feats can make a battle mage unstopable...


If you were a dream,I would sleep forever...
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Trafaldi
Learned Scribe

264 Posts

Posted - 26 Mar 2003 :  15:22:52  Show Profile  Visit Trafaldi's Homepage Send Trafaldi a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I haven't heard about a Wild-Mage.
What is it?


If I seem like a fool so be it.

Some believe there is something more after death, if you really want to find out... go kill yourself and stop pestering me.
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zemd
Master of Realmslore

France
1103 Posts

Posted - 26 Mar 2003 :  21:25:32  Show Profile Send zemd a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Wild mages are not traditional specialist wizards. They have access to every sphere plus the special wild magic spells list.
Whenever he casts a spell, the wild mage also roll a D20. Depending on the level, the effects are different. For example at level 1:
from 1 to 5 the spell will be cast as if the wizard was 1 level less. from 6 to 15, no changes
from 16 to 20 +1 level for the casting.
But on 20, there's a wild surge:
you roll a d100 and you watch what happen: from butterfly who escapes from the caster's mout or the spell that is 200% more efficient...
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Kitira Gildragon
Learned Scribe

USA
191 Posts

Posted - 28 Mar 2003 :  12:55:56  Show Profile  Visit Kitira Gildragon's Homepage Send Kitira Gildragon a Private Message  Reply with Quote
BG 2 made good use of that. You could even force a wild roll. (I hit a key and found out about it by accident. You can actually choose the wild effect if you have a list ) After I found that, my game was a lot more... intersting, to say the least. It really got dangerous when my character got into a battle that was difficult to start with, but the wild surges just kept on happening. *FUN!*

-Space for rent-
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zemd
Master of Realmslore

France
1103 Posts

Posted - 28 Mar 2003 :  16:36:11  Show Profile Send zemd a Private Message  Reply with Quote
In ad&d you can also make a wild surge, but it's a spell. Then you can try to cast the spell you want but often it miserably fail.
It's really funny, but i rpg you can't save the game and load it if something went wrong. The other players might find this to dangerous.

In my campaign, they'll go threw the ToT. So i'll warn the players that i won't make gifts in any way, for the NPCs as well as for the PCs. After all magic is impredictible, and i want to make them feel it, like Midnight in the Avatar Trilogy
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Yasraena
Senior Scribe

USA
388 Posts

Posted - 29 Mar 2003 :  05:25:37  Show Profile  Visit Yasraena's Homepage Send Yasraena a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Don't even get me started on 3rd Ed. mage classes. (must... bite ...tounge)
Favorite mage class hmmm? I'd have to say the good 'ol basic mage. Mainly because he has the most versatility in his spell selection. Specialists can be cool in certain situations,(want a really kick-but villian? Necromancer baby!) but they lack the selection of spells that a general mage can pick from, and can't even cast from certain schools.
Now, wild mages sound like they'd be really fun to play, although, unfortunatley I haven't had the chance to try one.

"Nindyn vel'uss malar verin z'klaen tlu kyone ulu naut doera nindel vel'bolen nind malar."
Yasraena T'Sarran
Harper of Silverymoon
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Mournblade
Master of Realmslore

USA
1287 Posts

Posted - 30 Mar 2003 :  08:24:00  Show Profile Send Mournblade a Private Message  Reply with Quote
My two favourite classes have always been Ranger and Mage. When I play mage I taylor it to a battle mage. The best mage is a battle mage. There is nothing like calling a charge while on the back of a big Trochainer, not with a bugle, but with a well placed fireball in enemy lines.

The 3E Character class system is just ripe for Battle mages. I was so ressistant to 3E, now I find it the best out of the 3.

A wizard is Never late Frodo Baggins. Nor is he Early. A wizard arrives precisely when he means to...
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader

USA
4740 Posts

Posted - 08 Apr 2003 :  12:12:11  Show Profile  Visit Bookwyrm's Homepage Send Bookwyrm a Private Message  Reply with Quote
What exactly are you talking about with the "battle mage" class? There's no battle school . . . unless you mean the school of Evocation?

Also, what's the advantage of school specialization anyway? So you gain a single spell per spell level. Big deal; you loose other spells that are useful!

Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.

Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more.

Edited by - Bookwyrm on 08 Apr 2003 12:12:46
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Avaly
Acolyte

USA
48 Posts

Posted - 08 Apr 2003 :  12:42:56  Show Profile  Visit Avaly's Homepage Send Avaly a Private Message  Reply with Quote
: calms the ole dragon down :

Now, Now...play nice . We want to be nice to the newcomer and not be a grouchy dragon and eat him.
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zemd
Master of Realmslore

France
1103 Posts

Posted - 08 Apr 2003 :  19:55:03  Show Profile Send zemd a Private Message  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm

What exactly are you talking about with the "battle mage" class? There's no battle school . . . unless you mean the school of Evocation?

Also, what's the advantage of school specialization anyway? So you gain a single spell per spell level. Big deal; you loose other spells that are useful!



They surely mean Battle mage prestige class (example: War wizard of Cormyr)

And Bookwyrm, you gain one spell PER level (level's spell i mean) and your DC is increased.
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Mournblade
Master of Realmslore

USA
1287 Posts

Posted - 08 Apr 2003 :  22:44:32  Show Profile Send Mournblade a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Come now! MUST a mage be labelled as a common specialist. NO. A battle mage is any mage that relishes the heat of combat, and the conflict. Probably similar to a War Wizard, but a battle mage is just any mage that enjoys the smell of ozone and fire in battle. Or charming an entire unit to kill each other. Or any other useful skill his warrior companions would respect him for.

THere is no mage better than a battle mage.

A wizard is Never late Frodo Baggins. Nor is he Early. A wizard arrives precisely when he means to...
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Darwin_Tenderfoot
Acolyte

USA
10 Posts

Posted - 09 Apr 2003 :  04:15:08  Show Profile  Visit Darwin_Tenderfoot's Homepage Send Darwin_Tenderfoot a Private Message  Reply with Quote
I agree with Yasraena, the best type of mage is the basic. If you find any scrolls or books or sumthin like that you can always read them unlike if you spec.

Darwin
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Minardil
Acolyte

Finland
18 Posts

Posted - 24 May 2003 :  14:34:42  Show Profile  Visit Minardil's Homepage Send Minardil a Private Message  Reply with Quote
Well, my sun elf sorcerer/wild mage (who is not-so-rational [psychotic]) is beginning to be my favourite character. In my first campaign my moon elf wizard got over-powerful, but wild mages can't get to stage "clearing Abyss myself" becouse DM can make THINGS happen... And quite funny things, really.

Wild Mages rokrok.

Can we not be friends? After all, our dust shall be equal in the end.
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High

Australia
31758 Posts

Posted - 27 May 2003 :  15:44:09  Show Profile Send The Sage a Private Message  Reply with Quote
This is a very interesting discussion.

My favorite mage type would have to be the Necromancer.

I have always been a fan of the necromancer since the 'good-old' days of the 2e Complete Book of Necromancers. I remember I added at least fifty-to-sixty extra pages of homebrew material to enchance the necromancer class at the time.

I will have to find that material and convert it. It was actually quite good for 2e.

Good learning...



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