[Olorin]

My first time through SoA I had a Monk, and used the Cloak of Mirroring. I haven't used the cloak since because it got boring at the end of the game. Playing games like bounce the flame arrows with enemy mages (they always lose because their spell deflection wears off after a few rounds while the cloak is permanent) just wasn't much fun after awhile.

So far I haven't finished the game with a mage as my main character, so I haven't gotten much into the infinite spells and PI problems much. When I did use Edwin at high levels, I didn't use PIs to recharge, and self-enforced a total summoning limit of 5. Usually I didn't even get that high because with a PI, I had enough of an arsenal to magic most things to death without summons.

Lately, I am trying to uncheese my play even more by avoiding the abuse of blue circles. Now I make myself be honest about my intentions during dialogues (Yes, Mr. Dragon, I really am going to kill you now...). I do allow some combat preps if the CHARACTERS know what's coming, but not battlefield positioning and preemptive strikes using traps or quasi-combat spells (magic resistance, charms, etc). I mean, who wouldn't count it as hostile for someone to start lobbing charm spells at their group? Or to draw melee weapons and surround a mage? I do allow my thieves to sneak in and go for the backstab, but that's more reasonable. Sometimes I force myself to use Invisibility instead of hide in shadows, if there is no realistic way for the thief to sneak into position (inside a private room, no cover available, etc.)