I thýnk mages must do special tactics in using magic.For example my mage's book has four group spells:
1)defensive: fire shield,spell turning,stone skin,armor of faith.I cast these spells before combat.
2)charm spalls: chaos,domination,charm animal.I use these spell before my figter go into enemy if enemy has a powerful wizard or powerful figter.For example when you cast chaos in a party all the members confused whitout powerfull wizard and now you can attack him with all your power.
3)Defense piercing spells: magic piercing,breech,true seeing,spell trust.ý use these spells for one and powerfull enemys because they know how to use magic on me if ý want the use my figters ý cast these spell on this creature
4) attack spells: fireball,lightning bolt, chain ligtning,ice strom,magic arrow,finger of death. you know these spells.These spells casts for killing.

Well, I tend to travel with one or two mages, multi classed usually unless i get edwin around.

From my travels I have always had the mage as a backup for more demanding battles. I like to have him cast haste often, and have knock and identify around as well for utilitarian things.

A mage who has a nice sling can be good cover fire for warriors going in, and when needed I will let him fire spells.

For instance: I tend to keep some breach or spell thrust type spells on hand for getting rid of spell protections, and an area spell like fireball for groups of small critters. A flame or acid arrow or two comes in handy for troll kin. Often I like to have a protection or two, and sequencers are nice. I like instant kill spells like death spell and disintegrate to be on hand as well.

This seems like a lot to pile on one mage, but I am continually updating the spellbook and what is memorized, according to battles and approaching challanges.

Personally I find mages to be a great reserve for tough fights, but I hesitate to waste spells on little fights, having my fighters do that stuff, and my mage do the sling thing...

I know a lot of people play mages more heavily than myself, and a lot differently than myself, and I would love to hear about it, perhaps my strategy will change!

Good Luck!

Caliban :D

-Edited for a minor spelling mistake, picky picky-

[This message has been edited by Caliban (edited September 06, 2001).]

I would group the spells a little differently.

1.)Defence - all spell and combat protections are in this group, mainly abjuration magic

2.) Hindrance - those spells that hinders or confuses the enemy force in any way(charm, confusion, paralization, power word stun) mainly enchantment, charm spells.

3.) Attack - Every kind of magic that destroys protection magics or causes damage or death to the opponent - and makes neutral units go hostile(like lower resistance)
Any school can be present, but mainly evocation and necromancy.

4.) Summoning - Perhaps it is not wise to separate these spells from the attack spells, but I think I should mention them separated, because the mage doesn't do any damage or anything on the target directly by summoning. Conjuration rules here, but there are some evocation and necomancy spells that enable some summoning.

There are some spells that don't fit into any of the mentioned groups. I would group them as:

5.) Sequencers - spell sequencers and contingency spells. They can be used for defence as well as attack. Perhaps the most useful spellgroup in the game!

Greetings Balta!

My BG character was a dual classed 7th lvl fighter/8th lvl mage. When BG2 (& eventually ToB) came along, I switched my fighter to the kensai kit. He is now a 20th level mage. I usually cast defensive spells (stoneskin, spell trap, globe of invulnerability, and improved invisibility to name a few)on him and use him for close combat, along with Minsc and Keldorn.

Meanwhile, I use my other mage (Imoen or Edwin, sometimes Nalia. Aerie just levels up to slow for me.) for spells like haste, greater malison, lower resistance, Melf's minute meteors, fireball, the various cloud area spells, and the various spells which attack mage protections. Magic missile (at this point in my game) is used mainly to disrupt the spellcasting of opposing mages. Like Caliban, I tend to conserve spells though unless needed, so Imoen is usually sniping with her shortbow.

I leave the summoning spells to the priests, to avoid that battle of wills delay. I guess the magical conjuration spells I really depend on(in a sense)are the summon nishruu and summon hakeashar spells. I rarely gate fiends, as I think you don't earn XP's for their kills(not sure about this, anyone just jump in and correct me).

My hero (the kensai/mage) though, is well protected from drains, holds, charms by the various stuff you find in the game. I just hate it when my party members get dominated in some fashion. I make sure he has a time stop ready, for those tight situations. Then maybe, just maybe, I cast that gate (from a scroll).

Oh, I also cast that limited wish asking for that "horde", mainly for cannon fodder. :)Just hate the lag in talking to the genie.

Powerwords are great too. They're quick and offer no saving throws to your opponents.

Well, that was my take on your topic. Hope to hear from others too so I can improve my technique, especially since I haven't tried a pure mage yet. I was thinking of using a wild mage with the Holy Grail voices I downloaded from the hacks section. (My first "cheat", heh. :))Just need a goofy looking portait to go along with it. Maybe Xzar's old BG portrait? :)

I use 4 spells, Improved Mantle and Abi Dalzim's Horrid Wilting plus Khelbens Warding Whip and Lower Resistance. (Plus the Staff of the Magi)

i have a sorceror - its like K-Mart

No. A Wizard is like 56K modem. You've got stuff, but you're a little slow.

A sorcerer is like a T3 line with a Firewall. You've got a more limited selection, but you get there a *HECK* of a lot faster.

well put, avalance =)

Just hate the lag in talking to the genie.

This can be countered, my BG friend: When the incantation is finished, pause and search with your mouse pointer at the place the djinni has begun to appear. Click when the "Talk to" cursor appears. This way you may skimp out on wisdom and have your (high wis-)cleric aks for a wish, too!