I was thinking of taking a backup spellcaster. Is a gnome cleric/illusonist a good choice? Being a specilist he gets the extra spell per level but in HOW his oppossing schools are necromancy and abjuration and also with 17 wisdom max can he cast level 7 priest spells?

So what do you think a gnome cleric/illusionist or half-elf cleric/generic mage.

Ironically (and somewhat traditionally) a Gnome Illussionist/Thief can be very effective. If the BG loophole exists (I haven't tested it yet) then they're lethal. Allow me to explain: In good old BG if you cast the blind spell on a monster then they couldn't hear you as long as you used darts (because they where "silent" weapons). It would stand there and get stung to death. I'd also suggest a Gnome because nobody seems to like them anymore so play one.

------------------
Balgin, the Dwarf

In my current game, my backup spellcaster is a Bard. The Charisma requirement is great for shopping.

My backup spell casters have always been fighter/mages or cleric/mages... http://www.tgeweb.com/ironworks/cgi-...les/tongue.gif

------------------
Long live H22A1!!!!!

I've got a Gnomish Cleric mage... he gets all the spell levels at int17, but loses out on some 4th level bonus spells. a potion of Holy Transference can fix that though (at the cost of one dex point).. spells, spells, spells... and the helm of the trusted defender.. spells all day, spells all night. If needed, he can call upon holy might, mirror immage and tenser's transform to become a fighter.. they're cooool.. i made the Evil Gnome.. aren't all gnomes evil?

Bard are good as they can fight if they have to
And they get access to a lot of low level spells

------------------
http://content.communities.msn.co.uk...&ID_Message=66

Bards kick glutius maximus.

bards get a lot of access to low level spells?.. try, all mage spells up to level 7! only, they get a very small amount of them per day; so it's good to get the amulets and lyres and stuff to increase their # of spells.. of course, they do spend a lot of time just standing around (or running away) and singing.