Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - Changing from straight mage/psi/priest/alc to bishop

Erydian · 01-09-2002, 07:13 PM

Bishops can learn level 7 spells in any of the realms if their skill is high enough (and the key to that is practice, practice, practice [img]smile.gif[/img] ).

I started my second bishop as a mage, leveled her once, and changed her over at level two. I wanted the bonus skill points that mages begin with (in the elemental realms). You also start with a bonus to Wizardry, and I figured being the sole non-clerical caster in my party, and being a slow leveler at that - my bishop would need all the bonus skill points she could get.

It has worked out well so far - my bishop is now level 20 and can cast level 7 spells from every realm except Divinity (I have a priest for that), though because she began as a mage, I did not get the option to choose level 7 spells from Alchemy or Psionics until level 19 (I could choose my level 7 Wizardry spells at level 18).

The only real downside (that I've seen) to class-changing like this is the fact that you are always going to be one less level than you truly are (or however many levels you spent as the other class) - and that has a definite impact on when you get your spells. However, you will get spells on time that fall under the realm of the class you began as (Mage - Wizardry, etc.). Additionally, bishops do level significantly slower than their specialist counterparts.

The tradeoff is a few bonus starting points, which in my opinion, can make a big difference in a Bishop's development, but you can just as easily get them by practicing. I guess you would want to weigh in all factors - is your Bishop going to be your only caster? Are you going to focus your Bishop on one or two different realms? Is it going to matter to you if you get some of your spells a level late?

If you are considering class-changing a character that has already been developed - meaning you've played through half the game as a mage and want to become a bishop - remember that as far as the game is concerned, your level 12 mage is now a level one bishop. You would still be able to cast the same spells that your mage could cast, but any spells that you learned as a Bishop would be subject to your bishop's level.
[ 01-09-2002: Message edited by: Erydian ]

[ 01-09-2002: Message edited by: Erydian ]

01-09-2002, 07:13 PM	#3
Erydian Manshoon Join Date: December 14, 2001 Location: the great beyond Posts: 172	Bishops can learn level 7 spells in any of the realms if their skill is high enough (and the key to that is practice, practice, practice [img]smile.gif[/img] ). I started my second bishop as a mage, leveled her once, and changed her over at level two. I wanted the bonus skill points that mages begin with (in the elemental realms). You also start with a bonus to Wizardry, and I figured being the sole non-clerical caster in my party, and being a slow leveler at that - my bishop would need all the bonus skill points she could get. It has worked out well so far - my bishop is now level 20 and can cast level 7 spells from every realm except Divinity (I have a priest for that), though because she began as a mage, I did not get the option to choose level 7 spells from Alchemy or Psionics until level 19 (I could choose my level 7 Wizardry spells at level 18). The only real downside (that I've seen) to class-changing like this is the fact that you are always going to be one less level than you truly are (or however many levels you spent as the other class) - and that has a definite impact on when you get your spells. However, you will get spells on time that fall under the realm of the class you began as (Mage - Wizardry, etc.). Additionally, bishops do level significantly slower than their specialist counterparts. The tradeoff is a few bonus starting points, which in my opinion, can make a big difference in a Bishop's development, but you can just as easily get them by practicing. I guess you would want to weigh in all factors - is your Bishop going to be your only caster? Are you going to focus your Bishop on one or two different realms? Is it going to matter to you if you get some of your spells a level late? If you are considering class-changing a character that has already been developed - meaning you've played through half the game as a mage and want to become a bishop - remember that as far as the game is concerned, your level 12 mage is now a level one bishop. You would still be able to cast the same spells that your mage could cast, but any spells that you learned as a Bishop would be subject to your bishop's level. [ 01-09-2002: Message edited by: Erydian ] [ 01-09-2002: Message edited by: Erydian ] __________________ Erydian<br />