[NobleNick]

Originally posted by Aerich: Other tips? When creating a non-warrior character (Paladin, Ranger, Fighter), try to give him/her a Constitution score of 16 - that means you will get the maximum non-warrior HP bonus of +2/level. An 18 Dexterity (or as close as you can get) also provides a -4 bonus to Armor Class. Dexterity is just as important to mages as Intelligence.

Excellent, advice. [To clarify, I think you meant to say "non-warrior character (e.g., something other than a Paladin, Ranger, Fighter).]" I didn't realize that CON = 16 gave you max benefit for non-warrior. And, DUH! Of course DEX helps one avoid hits; so why did I never make the connection that DEX was important for Mages? Ah! Because I DC all my Mages with Fighter or (once) MC them with Thief; and I always max DEX on Thieves and Fighters, so the question never came up.

Calagari, Please also accept my welcome to the IWD forum.

Hey! What level is your Mage? Seems like he should be at least clvl 2 and have more HP than that. Do you have "max hit points per level" option checked in your game options screen?

If you are going to re-roll, here are some more tricks to pump up your Mage:

1.) First off, go to you options screen and make sure you've checked "max HP/level," as I described above (unless your roleplaying considerations won't allow it.)

2.) Make your Mage as a Dual Class (DC) Fighter/Mage. This means you must must roll him/her as a HUMAN Fighter. Make sure your Fighter has at least these stats:

HUMAN
STR = 15 (so you can DC out of Fighter)
DEX = 18 (To get the max AC bonus, per Aerich's suggestion)
CON = 18 (To get the max HP bonuses)
INT = 18 (Need at least 17 to DC to Mage
. . . . . . . but make it 18 to memorize max spells..)
WIS = 3
CHA = 3

This is a total roll of 75, which should be very easy to get. If you roll more (and I suggest you roll til you do: An 85 is certainly obtainable within 5 minutes of rolling), use the extra points to max out STR, and then make WIS and CHA more reasonable.

3.) When the Fighter's weapon skill/ability screen comes up, stack 2 Proficiency Points (PP) in bow, and stack the rest (I think you will have 2 more PP left) in ONE other weapon you would like to use. (I suggest long sword, axe, hammer, or some other "Fighter-like" weapon that your other warriors are not specializing in.)

4.) Adventure until you Fighter reaches clvl 3. At this time you will have earned another PP. Stack it in bow.

5.) After you have completed the upgrade to Fighter[3], remove your armor and weapons (you can still carry them) and go through the DC to Mage, which is accessed from your Fighter's character information screen. When your Mage weapon skill/ability screen comes up, place your PP in a weapon other than what your fighter had, or else you will lose it shortly.

If you followed directions, you will now have a Mage[1] with forty-two (42) Hit Points! Actually you have something MUCH better: A DC Fighter[3]/Mage[X]. The Fighter skills are inaccessable for a while (but you get to use the HP!). When your Mage levels to Mage[4], your Fighter skills are regained. Yes, that means that your Mage can then wield any bow a Fighter can, and with all the skill of your *BEST* Fighter! (The 2 PP you stacked in the other Fighter weapon is also available; but hopefully your Mage won't be in melee often.)

Armor restrictions still apply: Your Fighter/Mage can wear ANY Fighter armor; but can only cast spells while wearing Mage-compatible armor.

Your Mage will continue to build HP at a Mage's rate, with the +2HP/level bonus for non-warriors with high CON. (I think ALL characters who qualify for a bonus only get the bonus until CLVL 10.)

Do you have HoW and TotLM installed?

For your MC Mage/Thief: The "max HP per level" seemed to have no effect for my MC Gnome Thief/Illusionist. I have no other advice to give, beyond Aerich's advice about high CON; and I don't even know if this will positively affect an MC character. Sorry. I use MC VERY selectively, because it has too many "features" that stink.

Hope this helps.

--------------------
What's a party,
without a song?
Bards ROCK!
Party On!!


[ 10-07-2004, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]