Ahhh I hate mages!!
no affence to you "mages lovvers" but I hate mages I mean when you are a mage yourself you suck big time but when you fight a mage they ´kick ass!!...
Arghh...

I know I out this topic in other forums but I just disslike them!

You have it backwards. Every computer mage in the game seems to be lobotomised. Ive seen Irenicus II waste *both* his timestops on ...

...wait for it...

gnolls.

Whereas a well played mage (Which might be your probably going wrong) is the single most powerful force in the game.

True, andrewas.
I've seen mage cast timestop and then do nothing until it elapsed. It occurs when the party exits his field of view. He is just not clever enough to make a few steps to see them ;) .

Low level mages may have some difficulties, initially. However, as their levels increase, mages become extremely powerful. I wouldn't underestimate them if I were you. Just be patient and your mage will come around soon enough, and then you'll be glad you kept him.

<font color="gold">I think spellcasters rules, especially Mages and Sorcerers.
In low-level, they are pretty weak, and that's why I usually have a party consisting mostly of myself and tanks.
But when they come in higher levels, nothing can beat them. They have so many different spells, so they can get through all protections, and strike at you where it hurts the most. They can also summon creatures more powerful then any warrior. [img]smile.gif[/img] </font>

I agree I like to play a charcter that can hack his way out of anything.
Like the good old Barbarian. He fears nothing.

Calsiumus HAS a point. The mages in the game, although there are a few that are weak, on the whole DO seem stronger then your mages, I think its coz they're immune to spells that hurt you're party, eg, I find when I cast "finger of death" or "power word kill" the mages its aimed at usually save it... :| lol, having said that, with goblin shamans... [img]tongue.gif[/img] I guess its who you're fighting really, and if you took down Irenicus in one, it'd kinda suck...

Besides Irenicus - who dosent *use* his abilities to any great effect - name one?

The only 'Mage' that can cast Time Stop faster than my Sorcerer is a certain Demon Prince found in ToB( and I still trashed him without losing a single Hp). Once the Time Stop activates, it is game over man, game over for the opposing Mage.

Even Jon Irenicus was weaker... ...

The reason why the computer Mages have certain advantages is because otherwise, any player can just mow over them. Think about it... they do not know how to use cheese like us human players, so they have to resort to cheating, but we can still beat them easily. This is the limitation of game coding and nothing more.

There is a subtle difference betwwen your mage and a mage-monster: The mage-monster must win only one combat in the game. Your mage must win many combats in the game. Therefore:
1. The mage-monster can use all his powers on a single combat. Your mage can not because he must keep in mind not only this monster but also the monster behind the corner.
2. Almost all mage-monsters in SoA use Spell Triggers or Contingencies. They (as well as you) can have only one Spell Trigger or Contingency. But this single Spell Trigger or Contingency is enough for a mage monster...
If you want to play the game the same way as a mage-monster does, then you must do the following: one combat - rest - one combat - rest - ... Well, something in the game would have to warrant you uninterrupted restings. That's why mage-monsters seem to "kick ass" and your mage seems to "suck".
Thus, do not compare your mage with mage-monsters. Mage-monsters are dangerous opponents, that's all.

Enemy mages aren't that good really. The only time they win is when they get their spells off before you do. Also, it is probably clerics you are talking about, with their confusion spells... damn they are annoying! They confuse your entire party, then all their friends come and beet you up while you stand there swinging at anything that moves!

The spell I fear most from enemies is Insect plauge! I hate it! It seems to go right trough my spell trapp and then I wont be able to cast spells for a long time and my mage will be lucky if he lives after that. Allways kill the druids casting insect plauge.

True enough, but with a little experience and knowledge of the spell system a pc mage will wipe the floor with any one, mage or otherwise. There is simply no stoping a mage with time stop abilities.

lol, there is simply no stopping a PC mage at all! (once he/she knows the spell system)

of all mages liches are damn hard. they are immune to normal weapons being undead, they cast mantle, making themselves immune to most weapons, and when you try and strip away magic protections those ole innate magic resistances come intp play.. seriously one well played pc mage can kick some real ass.

Heh, whatever you summon, is never as tough as a true player warrior :D

I play mostly melee class, because I like it. I mean, real men wear platemail and don't run around in dresses :D

Things are harder to start with mages indeed, as they are at lower levels pretty weak, can't hit worth a thing and every little slap on their cheeck is as if a truck with bricks just ran them over. Lateron, though, they will become the drivers of that truck themselves.

LOL! Nice analogy. http://www.plauder-smilies.de/biglaugh.gif

Mages are indeed quite powerful spellcasters, but I prefer the long endurance that Clerics have:
1. They can wear any armor and still cast spells
2. They can use a slightly better variety of weapons than mages (use the Flail of Ages!)
3. Spells like Rightous Magic allow the mediocre Cleric to become an immensly strong fighter of the same level + extra HP
4. Evil and undead creatures are GONE in the face of a strong Cleric. Sunray, Finger of Death, Sol's Searing Orb, Bolt of Glory, False Dawn, and even Holy Smite will blow them away easily.
Maybe mages have stronger spells, but Clerics can match them in almost any fight.

Welcome to the forum, Arquendil Lorigollo.
Just to say that I agree with everything you have said.

yeah... and not to forget.. blade barrier... my favourite melee spell... coz my solo berserker/cleric always use that spell...

Cleric/mages are even more fun ...
After Holy Power, Righteous Magic and Holy Might, stoneskin, Mirror Image and Improved haste ... no fighter stands a chance.

Mages have no need for armor really, a mage should never be engaged in a melee fight to begin with and as such armor isnt a must. Only the Robe of Vecna is of any great use because of its improved spell casting speed ability and MR bonus.
Of coarse but there are very good staves around, though the Staff of the Magi is all they need anyway.
Undead or not, it really doesnt matter to a mage, their as good as dead any way

Personally i like mages more, but its your own personal choice as to which class is best for you.

This gives me memories of the thread where the merits of Clerics versus Mages were discussed. ;) Five pages later, nobody convinced anybody. [img]tongue.gif[/img] As for my own personal preference... Mages! :D

Or Sorcerers rather, to be more precise. http://www.plauder-smilies.de/cool.gif

Go Arquendil Lorigollo!!!!!