I started out as a human kensai to dual to a mage, but then i realized i wouldn't get the HLA of the fighters, so i restarted as a half elven F/M... now though, i can wear helmets, bracers, armour etc Yippee!

So which gives better results: items to impove AC or items to give bonus spells? Examples would be appreciated [img]smile.gif[/img]

Take note though, that wearing armour prevents spellcasting. You can wear robes or Elven Chainmail though.

This is going to highly debatable by others, but I say Specialise in quarterstaffs.

Dream Equipment for Fighter-Mages in SoA?

Armour: Bladesinger Chain +4
Gloves: Gauntlets of Weapon Expertise
Helmet: Helm of Balduran( or Helmet of Defence)
Amulet: Amulet of Power
Rings: Ring of Gaxx, Ring of Wizardry
Cloak: Cloak of Mirroring
Boots: Boots of Speed
Belt: Girdle of Stone Giant Strength

Weapons: Staff of Rynn +4, Staff of Magi

Well, i always prefer elf over hal elf, but thats your choice [img]smile.gif[/img] .

About equipment, id use AC boosting items over bonus spell items, and give those bonus spells to your main mage (I suppose you arent the main mage in the party, i think that a party ALWAYS should have a pure mage and a support mage, that is, a multi mage). Anyway, if this is not your case and youre the only mage in the party, you should focus on spell items and leave melee fighting to stronger characters. Its all about balance: if you have many fighters and not very much magic, then focus on magic, and viceversa.

Now SLIGHT ITEM SPOILERS
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You mentioned armor, but you wont be able to cast anything while wearing it. Anyway, if you are gonna use Vecna´s robe, it will be more than enough (that robe rocks).
Other item choices could be: helm of balduran (its good and improves the low HP of your mage) or helm of Vhailor (i never heard anybody mention this helm, but i think it ROCKS. Try it and tell me [img]smile.gif[/img] )
For weapons, choose katana dual wielding, you wont be dissapointed ;) .

I hope this helps, if you need further help just ask

As soon as you can afford it, buy the Robe of Vecna. It's easily the best armor(robe) for a mage. Belt of Inertial Barrier, Cloak of Displacement, Ring of Earth Control, Ring of Prot. +2 (until you get the Ring of Gaxx), Helm of Balduran.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ertai_OHF:
Other item choices could be: helm of balduran (its good and improves the low HP of your mage) or helm of Vhailor (i never heard anybody mention this helm, but i think it ROCKS. Try it and tell me [img]smile.gif[/img] )
<hr></blockquote>

Helm of Vhailor definitely rocks! Too bad straight mages can't use it, or I'd have it on my sorceress right now. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

Oh well i didnt mention Staff of the Magi, ring of Gaxx and Cloak of Mirroring because i never use them, i think they are overpowered (specially the cloak) so i like to make the game more challenging. I didnt mention SoA stuff neither because 1.- i still havent played it [img]smile.gif[/img] 2.- this is the bg2 forum so i suppose he wont play SoA, but i dont know.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Dundee Slaytern:
[QB
This is going to highly debatable by others, but I say Grandmaster in quarterstaffs.[/QB]<hr></blockquote>

how many times do i have to say it (i think this is No. 2) you cant grandmaster with a fighter/mage!

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ertai_OHF:
I didnt mention SoA stuff neither because 1.- i still havent played it [img]smile.gif[/img] 2.- this is the bg2 forum so i suppose he wont play SoA, but i dont know.<hr></blockquote>

You mean ToB don't you? ;)

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by SSJ4Sephiroth:
how many times do i have to say it (i think this is No. 2) you cant grandmaster with a fighter/mage!<hr></blockquote>

Oops! [img]redface.gif[/img] I was thinking of Dual-class.