Been tinkering around with my Transmuter here and there, and, I notice, when he Polymorphs somebody, they seem to be failing their saving through a lot more then usual. I nailed Big Red and on the first try, presto, agry flying squirrel.

My question. Did they implement the -4 to saving throws that the enemy takes when a Specialist Mage casts a spell from his school? Might be -2, having a hard time remembering. Seems a little quirky, only reason why I am asking.

Also, where can I find a Ruby Ray of Reversal scroll? I seem to remember finding one once or twice, but, I can't remember where or how?

The specialist saving throw is +1 against spells cast AGAINST him from his school of influence.

Similarily, opponents have a -1 penalty saving against a specialist when he casts spells from his school of influence.

Can't help with the scroll though [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Butterfingers - I seem to recall that I found one in the Drow City, it was, IIRC, somewhere in the building where you can kill that lich after you do a side quest for some schemers... Hope that helps [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img]

On the table in the planar sphere, room with the solamnic knights [img]smile.gif[/img]

My thanks.

Thoughts on playing a Transmuter. Lack of Abjuration hurts a bit, but, others in the party are capable of dealing with it. (Aerie and later Imoen)

I find that Burning Hands is actually a better spell then I thought. Against Undead, it seems to be doing a bit more damage. I was using it to stay in character, and now, most of my level 1 spell slots are filled with it. It does a lot of damage. As for getting close, well, no worries, mage is well protected by beefy fighters and his own spells. A Transmuter is very party friendly. Notice how many of his native spells are good party buffs. While he is a capable deadly killer, he mostly fills the role of the Neutralizer. Slowed squirrels offer little in the way of resistance to my party. He plays the role of the Chaotic Good Archmage quite well. During the Dueling Nobles of Trademeet, he got the Mantle, visited both of the Nobles, turned them into Squirrels to stop that silly bickering, and, then, turned the Mantle into the Mayor.

Polymorph self has provided some real chuckles. When my party was still a bit weak, we were doing the Copper Coronet quest, trying to free Hendak. It just, well, it just went badly, as it some times does. Aerie got wolloped pretty badly, the animals were being obnoxious, Jay's Charm Animal spells seemed to be failing left and right, the dice were not with me that day. Minsc went berserk. He was almost killed by a bear, he nearly killed Aerie in his berserker rage while she was trying to heal him. My Transmuter turned into an Ogre out of desperation. He went through and started smashing face, I mean he really went to town and kicked ass. A Hasted Ogre, at least at this point of the game, is a real serious threat. The Beast Master died in two or three hits, smooshed, and slowly control was brought back online.

Also, playing in character, I have found that Strength can be a good spell for mages. My Transmuter has the Sling of Seeking. He has actually scored some brutal hits while Hasted and having Strength casted. Does he play like a usual mage? No. I have been quite creative in his spell use. He is very combative, easily provoked, and for being a pure classed mage, is one of the most combative mages I have ever tried. He is more then capable of taking up dagger, staff, or sling and opening up a can of whoopass. When he finds Tensor's Transformation, I suspect he will be charging into battle a bit more often. I have no doubts that he will be one of the few Archmages that actually uses the Staff of the Magi's melee abilities on a daily basis.

Be wary of the foul tempered anti social Transmuter. Myrlanthis is loose upon the world.

[ 02-23-2003, 11:38 AM: Message edited by: Butterfingers ]

Hey, that sounds exactly like I use to play PNP.

No wonder I prefer transmuters to all other classes.

My personal interpretation of the Transmuters is that they are aggressive spellcasters. Their motto is death, destruction, and despair to all whom dare stand in their way.

They discarded "wimpy" Abjuration spells and live by the saying of, "The best defense is a good offense". They are the kind of Mages that are likely to grab you by the scruff of your neck and yell at you while roasting your face with Burning Hands.

[ 02-23-2003, 01:25 PM: Message edited by: Dundee Slaytern ]

Well, in PnP, facing an enemy Transmuter was always chancy. They did not always kill you. Some times they would embarass you and send you on your way.

In that aspect, there are quite a few things I have not killed. You will find all sorts of squirrels and some beautiful stone statues in the various places I visited. You will also find a lot of vampire dust, from many disintegrated vampires. Nothing says "I don't like you" like removing you from the cosmos.

Transmuters, Evokers, and Conjurers are all about applying brute force with magic, in different ways. Evokers blow stuff to smithereens. Conjurers use armies and objects to assist. Transmuters seek to use the cosmic forces of the very universe and will shape them to how he sees fit. As for being a Child of Bhaal, by their own sphere of influence, Transmuters are the essense of chaos. (And chaos will be sown in their passing) So this is a perfect fit for character role playing as well. In early PnP, it was impossible to have a Transmuter of Lawful alignment of any sort.

As for tactics, having a party full of slingers and archers, along with Teleport Field, is brutal. Stand in one spot, and, shoot. Very little chance of retaliation.

Woops, I just remembered that it's not a RRoR-scroll [img]graemlins/heee.gif[/img]
I think it's khelben's Warding whip instead .. sorry [img]graemlins/help.gif[/img]

Im planning on playing Transmuter(not sure if solo or with party), though first im gonna play through BG1 and BG2 with my fighter(which will be a Wizard Slayer Dualed to a mage in BG2). He has insane stats!

Str-18
Dex-17
Con-19
Int-17
Wis-13
Cha-14(16 with algernons cloak)

and ive only found two manuals(Con and Cha)! a roll of 95!