Defense strategy for a Mage?

[Esgo]

Hi there,

I started with Book III just now, and while I was a fighter in Book I and II I decided to start with a mage (Female Druidic Magick User) for the first time. I reached Level 9 now and mainly focussed on Perception (37) Intelligence (20) and Wisdom (17). The others aren't very high up to now.

I have no problem with offensive spells if my enemy is far away (and I use Dense Nimbus if necessary). But I run into some trouble when enemies come very close, especially if there are many at the same time. My spells fail very often, and the enemies have a very high ToHit and as my Hit Points are low (47 HP up to now) I die very fast. My strategy: Run away and try to get them one by one.

But what is a good defense strategy for Mages? I wear some light amor and I think spells like Leatherskin will help later (unfortunately I haven't found such a spell yet).

Will a higher "Concentration" help so less of my spells fail when casting? Does anyone know the formula behind the failing when casting a spell on a very close enemy, which other attributes or skills matter? Is it worth to train the skill Meditation?

Any suggestions are welcome Actually it is not going too bad with my mage, I just want to optimize it a little bit and I wasn't a mage for such a long time...

[swcarter]

My strategy: Run away and try to get them one by one.

That's the basic strategy for mages. Kill them before they kill you, and run away if there are too many.

Will a higher "Concentration" help so less of my spells fail when casting?

Yes. You should get your concentration over 20. Somewhere around 25 you won't fail anymore.

Is it worth to train the skill Meditation?

Sure. Meditation and perception will help you regenerate mana, which will allow you to cast higher level spells and kill things more quickly.

The engine didn't really change between Books II and III, so all of the helpful articles in the Book II forum (like this one) still apply in Book III.

SWC

[xolotl]

But what is a good defense strategy for Mages? I wear some light amor and I think spells like Leatherskin will help later (unfortunately I haven't found such a spell yet).

It sounds like you're using Elemental magic, so I can wholeheartedly recomend the "Dazzling Flare" spell. It's a really great way to control crowds in Book 3, and at the highest casting level will affect nearly every enemy in the game. With clever use of Dazzling Flare, you should find it pretty easy to keep enemies away from melee range, btw, which could let you spend some attribute points on something other than Concentration (pumping up your INT for an Elemental mage in Book 3 is extremely useful, for instance).

In re: Meditation, I'll also agree that it's probably worth putting points into. The maximum MP regeneration rate is 5MP/turn, so don't bother putting points in once you get to that point.

(Edit: Ooh, I'm a Lieutenant now! Exciting.)

[Lord_P]

It sounds like you're using Elemental magic, so I can wholeheartedly recomend the "Dazzling Flare" spell. It's a really great way to control crowds in Book 3, and at the highest casting level will affect nearly every enemy in the game. With clever use of Dazzling Flare, you should find it pretty easy to keep enemies away from melee range, btw, which could let you spend some attribute points on something other than Concentration (pumping up your INT for an Elemental mage in Book 3 is extremely useful, for instance).

Dazzling Flare is almost too good in some situations. But other times...

[+] SPOILER

Those massive scorpions in the Valley of the Wanderer are only effected by lvl 6 Flare for one single turn.

(Edit: Ooh, I'm a Lieutenant now! Exciting.)

How very exciting, sir!

[Esgo]

Sure. Meditation and perception will help you regenerate mana, which will allow you to cast higher level spells and kill things more quickly.

The engine didn't really change between Books II and III, so all of the helpful articles in the Book II forum (like this one) still apply in Book III.

Thanks a lot, I found this thread there, and it says you don't need Meditation if you have a high Perception as it both is only for a faster MP regenration. But in the skill decription it also says it helps with magickal attacks:

Meditation is the ability to focus your mind to better resist the effects of magickal attacks and extreme elements such as heat and cold. It also allows you to restore your spent Mana Points at a faster rate.

So I will raise it a little bit and check how it affects my Elements and Magick restistance, which is also a part of my defense problem

It sounds like you're using Elemental magic, so I can wholeheartedly recomend the "Dazzling Flare" spell ... With clever use of Dazzling Flare, you should find it pretty easy to keep enemies away from melee range, btw, which could let you spend some attribute points on something other than Concentration (pumping up your INT for an Elemental mage in Book 3 is extremely useful, for instance).

In re: Meditation, I'll also agree that it's probably worth putting points into. The maximum MP regeneration rate is 5MP/turn, so don't bother putting points in once you get to that point.

Thanks as well, I will try to get that spell as soon as possible, sounds great And yes, I want to have some basic Divination skills (Wisdom 20 with ring, and Divination 10), everything else goes into Elemental magic!

Thanks again to all, I am very excited now to get the next level up (soon, very very soon) ...

[SpottedShroom]

I've rarely had defense trouble as a mage. As others have pointed out, try to avoid close combat. I don't even use dazzling flame, leatherskin, or much armor. What are the fights you're getting into where you're being forced into close combat? You shouldn't be doing that so much that your spells have a chance to fail.

And of course, once you can get Haste and/or Invisibility it's a cakewalk :)

Oh, and in Book III training Meditation from Madam Gilda is a great idea. It's probably not worth actual skill points, though, unless you don't have anything else to spend them on.

[Esgo]

What are the fights you're getting into where you're being forced into close combat? You shouldn't be doing that so much that your spells have a chance to fail.

I think I had big problems when I did rush into a horde of skelletons down in Emayu Witch, but with dazzling flame / haste and dense nimbus all problems are gone. I really don't care about armor anymore, as I never get touched by anyone (I only bought some new light armor boots with +10 All Resistance). Actually it is very easy meanwhile, I think a fighter would have a harder job.