Has anyone tried a mage/priest duo though to the end? I'm thinking elf and dwarf (Legolas and Gimli, together again?) I would have to make them meleers to some degree, esp the priest. You would get most good magic prots early, weapons would suck until at least lev 8 or 9.

I did Alchemist and Priest. Alchemist got Doom and Priest got a DE then a Mauler. Took a Fighter level to work Dual Wield up and used them together.
I haven't had a Mage in anything smaller than a Trio.

I think that would be an interesting duo, might also need a level of Rogue to build up the stealth, that will help you live a bit longer at the start.

Thinking about this again (I've always wanted to try this), there is no locks and traps with mage/priest except by magic. Yes, there is the cap you find early, + 10 locks. Maybe the priest can wear it. But...I then always added another character before starting: rogue, ninja or bard. I did the ninja solo with some bish steps inbetween. Of course, there is the training level option for rogue. I have had little success in standing back and getting elevated in skills by being attacked by slimes, spiders or (frog-guys). Let me re-think this, maybe there is a way to do a mage and priest w/o locks thats is not too hassly in that failure is around the next corner. This game has checks and balances, may not be enough for a limited party.

Edit: in Ascension Peak with monk, bard, ranger and bishop. This is an easy party compared to most. Will end soon so looking for a challenge next round.

[ 08-06-2004, 11:02 PM: Message edited by: Ziggurat ]

Mine got L&T worked up the hard way on the Rogue-for-Stealth level.

Decided to go with Rogue, Mage, Priest but added Faerie Alchemist (who changed to Ninja at lev 4). They are lev 9 on the way to Trynton after clearing out Arnika. All protections (exc Soul and Elemental, of course) are at 7. Went to Northern Wilderness first from Monastery. Cleaned up there (Golem and Hogar cave, got flag and Hayai Bo for Ninja, etc).

Formation is very important when you have a small party with weak members. Since had 3 casters, started out with Rogue in front, rest in middle. Then changed to Nin with Rogue in front, both using stealth. I don't train much (mainly just magic casting before rest) so stealth is only about 30-40. Becoming a very good party but have avoided getting surrounded so far. A group of Jugs would wipe us out. Probably could have dropped the faerie but that Cane is so tempting. Will let you know how it goes.

Everyone profession without locks and traps skill can use the cap. And later, you'll get a shield with +10.

I've played several pure magic parties, but with 5 or 6 characters, so i had several knock-knock spells available. But i think one caster with the spell, plus another character which uses knock picks, plus the items for the last one or two tumblers, should work.

And the traps - just try to open the chests with knock-knock. It might set off sometimes, but not more than with a medium locks and traps skill.