Which is better?

No argument. Fighter->Mage. Do you want reasons?

If you'd be so kind, yes. [img]smile.gif[/img]

<U>Mage->Fighter Pros</u>
Limited assortment of Mage spells.
Fighter class can reach high levels.
More HP gained per level after 9.
Better THACO.
<U>Fighter->Mage Pros</u>
Large assortment of Mage spells.
Fighter class can be improved by high level buffs.
Can render opponents immobile much easier.
More HP gained during the Fighter side.

There are many more Pros, but those are the most obvious.

definetely fighter->mage
you get the important part of the fighter hp, good thac0, to take advantage of exception str(really not all that important in the long run) and all the best mage spells.

Mage/FIGHTER? It sounds like a nonsense. Why is the mage part here? To allow the mage/FIGHTER to cast a few low level spells? Also, let us note that the low level of the mage part grants inefficient casting and that the mage/FIGTER can cast only without (most of) armor.
On the other hand, fighter/MAGE makes sense. It is a mage with essentially improved ability to fight. Even if you will dual immediately at level 7 (not a good idea), your mage will be able to use any weapon and he will be able to place more '+' in the selected weapon skill. A fighter/MAGE need not contribute to final success of a fight only by casting. He can fight as well. This affects the selection of his spells - he will memorize only those spells that are useful against difficult enemies. Easy enemies will be serviced by a weapon.
Mage/FIGHTER is nonsense. On the other hand, thief/FIGHTER isn't nonsense. The low level thief part can be improved by Potions of Master Thievery. A thief/FIGHTER can be specialized in detecting and disarming traps. In the other words, a thief/FIGHER is a figher able of detecting and disarming traps and also of stealing if it is advantageous.

F/M-Multi
F/T-Multi

While I agree that fighter==>mage is the superior order in which to dual the two classes, there is something to be said for mage==>fighter as long as the dual takes place at a low level. Since the game allows you to cast spells from scrols and use wands while wearing armor, what you essentially have is a fighter who can also use wizard magic items for a sacrifice of a few hit points and xps. This wouldn't be very good in a party, but would be interesting to try in a solo situation.

What is a good level to dual?

From fighter to a mage- About Level 13-15.
Mage into a fighter- Level 13 (not really sure)

In fact, if the mage was dualled at level two, they wouldn't lose all that many HP, because they can then cast Find Familiar for more.

Precisely! It's a shame that the game won't let you dual this early, although of course it's possible with SK or by starting the character off in BG1. IMO it's best to dual mage==>fighter at the earliest opportunity - you want the mage class simply for the ability to use its magic items.

Can a kensai->mage wear mage robes?

[ 04-01-2003, 07:30 PM: Message edited by: Trau ]

i might be wrong, but i think so. I've heard the robe of vecna being used for kensai->mages before i think

Isn't level 13 pretty late to be dualing?

not for soa w/ tob

ABout how long will it take me to reach 13 levels of my mage class if I dual from a fighter at level 13?

Confirmed. This is the optimum 'armour' for the Kensai/Mage after dualling.

Trau - If you dual from a fighter to a mage at 13, kick all of your party. Then learn all of the spells you have on scrolls (1000 EXP per spell level). Simply erase all of the spells you have duplicates of, then relearn them. Repeat until you run out of spare scrolls.

Doing this will get you up to approximately L12-14 as a mage, depending on how many scrolls you have kept back.

Then just collect your party again and kick some ass :D

EDIT: To answer your question Trau, about 10 minutes :D

[ 04-01-2003, 09:12 PM: Message edited by: Dace De'Briago ]

Sounds good. [img]smile.gif[/img]

When to dual.

1. SoA only. It's a gigantic nonsense to dual at level 13 - 15. Too late! Don't forget that you will play a pure new class until you reach level higher than your level of the original class. If you dual at level 13, you will need to reach level 14 in the new class to become a dual class character. In the meantime, the game will be over. The "learn the spells alone" trick cannot save you.
A future fighter/MAGE should dual at level 9 is SoA.

2. ToB. A future fighter/MAGE should dual at level 13. There is enough XPs in ToB so that you can reach level 14 soon and play the game as a dual class fighter/MAGE.