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NobleNick · 10-13-2004, 01:31 PM

Erm, *slight hesitation* I know Thief-to-Cleric is possible - I've got one in the priest-party.

Fun, isn't this?

Aerich,

Yes, quite fun. Some times I think this is more fun than actually playing the game (but then I play and realize how foolish that statement is).

O.K., given that you made a DC Thief/Cleric work, I assume an MC is O.K. That solves my crunch. I was not happy with the frailty of my MC Mage/Thief in the late game, especially since she was always pulling point-man duty; but a Thief/Cleric should be significantly sturdier with the extra HP and wearing better armor. I also wasn't pleased that my Bard soon outstripped my MC Thief/Illusionist in Mage power. Hate to see my Thief/Cleric hobble along on the Cleric side. Oh, well, we do have another full DC Cleric in the party; so have the two-Cleric party that I found so valuable in HoW/TotLM. And with the Gnome, we regained infravision. O.K., Here's my entry into the "Dual Battle-Mage Power Party" sweepstakes:

1.) Fighter[13]/Illusionist [*****LongSword, ***Bow, shield]
2.) Fighter[12]/Necromancer [*****Axe (use double-handed), ***Bow]
3.) Fighter[12]/Druid [*****Scimitar, ***Sling]
4.) Fighter[10]/Good_Cleric [*****Mace, **Sling]
5.) Gnome Thief/Neutral_Cleric [*Hammer, *Sling]
7.) H-elf Bard

Down to 4 heavies instead of 5, and backstabbing is out of the question; but we have our Thief, kept the Druid -AND- Bard, and are 2 deep in Clerics and 3 deep in Mages (including TWO full Battle-Mages and the Bard). This will work.

Neither one of the Battle-Mages can be strictly classified as front line or ranged: either one is just as deadly as a full Fighter at either position, and both will sport over 150 HP at the DC (Assuming CON=18). The Illusionist has the advantage of the extra 1/2 ApR from making F[13]; and the Illusion spells (Mirror Image, Blur, Improved Invisibility) make her excellent tank material (the Necro does not have access to these spells). The Necromancer, on the other hand, has a plethora of spells in the Necro school (that the Illusionist cannot access) that call for physical contact with the enemy, i.e., also good in the front line; but for different reasons.

I think the Illusionist spells are more important for front line. The Necro can always come up front to lay hands on a baddie and fry them back to the netherworld, then retreat if necessary. Both Mages have access to the important Conjuring and Invocation schools; and, between the two, all schools are covered. Add in the general Mage capabilities of the Bard and we are way beyond well covered in arcane skills.

BTW, I think the MC restrictions are for Specialist Mage: IIRC, only a Gnome can MC a specialist Mage, and only an Illusionist at that.

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

[ 10-13-2004, 08:53 PM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]

10-13-2004, 01:31 PM	#5
NobleNick Quintesson Join Date: February 5, 2002 Location: Huntsville, AL, USA Age: 65 Posts: 1,045	Erm, slight hesitation I know Thief-to-Cleric is possible - I've got one in the priest-party. Fun, isn't this? Aerich, Yes, quite fun. Some times I think this is more fun than actually playing the game (but then I play and realize how foolish that statement is). O.K., given that you made a DC Thief/Cleric work, I assume an MC is O.K. That solves my crunch. I was not happy with the frailty of my MC Mage/Thief in the late game, especially since she was always pulling point-man duty; but a Thief/Cleric should be significantly sturdier with the extra HP and wearing better armor. I also wasn't pleased that my Bard soon outstripped my MC Thief/Illusionist in Mage power. Hate to see my Thief/Cleric hobble along on the Cleric side. Oh, well, we do have another full DC Cleric in the party; so have the two-Cleric party that I found so valuable in HoW/TotLM. And with the Gnome, we regained infravision. O.K., Here's my entry into the "Dual Battle-Mage Power Party" sweepstakes: 1.) Fighter[13]/Illusionist [***LongSword, Bow, shield] 2.) Fighter[12]/Necromancer [**Axe (use double-handed), Bow] 3.) Fighter[12]/Druid [**Scimitar, Sling] 4.) Fighter[10]/Good_Cleric [**Mace, Sling] 5.) Gnome Thief/Neutral_Cleric [Hammer, Sling] 7.) H-elf Bard Down to 4 heavies instead of 5, and backstabbing is out of the question; but we have our Thief, kept the Druid -AND- Bard, and are 2 deep in Clerics and 3 deep in Mages (including TWO full Battle-Mages and the Bard). This will work. Neither one of the Battle-Mages can be strictly classified as front line or ranged: either one is just as deadly as a full Fighter at either position, and both will sport over 150 HP at the DC (Assuming CON=18). The Illusionist has the advantage of the extra 1/2 ApR from making F[13]; and the Illusion spells (Mirror Image, Blur, Improved Invisibility) make her excellent tank material (the Necro does not have access to these spells). The Necromancer, on the other hand, has a plethora of spells in the Necro school (that the Illusionist cannot access) that call for physical contact with the enemy, i.e., also good in the front line; but for different reasons. I think the Illusionist spells are more important for front line. The Necro can always come up front to lay hands on a baddie and fry them back to the netherworld, then retreat if necessary. Both Mages have access to the important Conjuring and Invocation schools; and, between the two, all schools are covered. Add in the general Mage capabilities of the Bard and we are way beyond well covered in arcane skills. BTW, I think the MC restrictions are for Specialist Mage: IIRC, only a Gnome can MC a specialist Mage, and only an Illusionist at that. -------------------- What's a party, without a song? Bards ROCK! Party On!! [ 10-13-2004, 08:53 PM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]