I was thinking that it would be a nice combo--you can use Short Bows, you get the full 25 Thieving points per level, you don't need the Backstab damage because you're not going to melee that often, and extra AC never hurts, especially on a Mage. But since you only gain 1 point of AC bonus for every 5 levels, will it even make that much difference, since you've got to Dual reasonably soon if you want to be a good Mage? Sure, so you can Dual at Level 25 and get +5s to your AC, THAC0 and Damage, but isn't a Fighter->Mage with a Bow a whole lot better, even without the Thieving skills that a Swashbuckler->MAge would have?

People use dualclassed Swashbuckler->Mages because they want a Mage that can Lockpick and Detect/Disarm Traps. Any melee ability or AC bonus is an added bonus.

The usual level to dual to is level 15.

Would be nice to duel after u get use any items, the problem is to get ur mage over that lvl, but think of it... A mage with alll the eq he wonts. there u got something dangerous

Yeah, Thieving skills and Use Any Item are indeed great bonuses to a character, but.....a Fighter->Mage with 5 stars in Bow and a great THAC0 just dishes out so much more ass-whoopin'. In my Multiplayer party, I've already got an Assassin->Fighter (for the Backstab From Hell) and an Elven Mage/Thief (great backup character), so I don't really need another Thief.....but, as I said, a Swashbuckler->Mage has better AC than a Fighter->Mage, but the Fighter->Mage is a carnage machine, and can also slap his Plate back on for a quick melee.

Personally, I think the Swashbuckler->Mage is a better character in general, but the Fighter->Mage would be better for my party.

lol, I loved my swashbuckler mage... Although not getting the extra attacks per round with ** really stinks. Oh well. Very powerful solo character, and easy to use.

swashbuckler mages are great. they can hit better, and have a better ac. no backstab? big deal.

Swash/Mages get to use one very fun Blade trick, too, which is the infamous Melf's Minute Meteors Off-Hand Weapon Trick. Basically you put several *s in Two-Weapon Style (Swash gets up to 3!), equip a powerful weapon in your off-hand (Zerth Blade would be my choice), cast MMM and start tossing them. Every 3rd attack will be a free ranged applicaiton of the weapon in your off-hand -- conserve on meteors, use that powerful weapon with Strength bonus.

Finally, your damage bonus will apply to the MMMs you toss, so the Swash has a greater average damage with these very powerful missiles.

Swash/Mages are just plain good. Too bad no-one thought to make Nalia one.

-- Nifft

I know this isn't very helpful, but Saemon Havarian is a swashbuckler/mage (12/14)... Extra points for the coolness factor, yes?