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Fantasm · 02-12-2002, 04:06 PM

Just a note about practicing...

You should make a distinction between needless practicing and useful practicing.

I, too, hate needless practicing very much...it seems totally out-of-game to me, and you will never see me inspecting a chest over and over again to raise lockpicking skill (OK, I did it once or twice before deciding I didn't like it

.

However, it is STILL possible to build a very powerful Bishop through what I call useful practicing. By this I mean, have your bishop cast a spell EVERY SINGLE TURN in battle. NO EXCEPTIONS. Even if there's one monster left and your fighter is chomping at the bit to turn him into a pile of goo, still have your Bishop get that last Frost spell or whatever off.

Likewise, ANY time that your samurai isn't within melee range, have him cast a spell to increase his magic. Even if all you have spell points for is a sleep spell against a Savant Guard. =) (that's why Bloodlust is the perfect weapon for samurais early on...no need of a bow because they have good offensive magic). These activities could still be considered practicing, but it's in a context that is useful and makes sense within the game world.

Without going out of my way any further than this, my level 17 Bishop has at least 80 in all 4 magic classes, and at least 85 skill level and at least 300 spell points in EACH of the 6 magic realms. I don't have any other pure casters (I find a bard and gadgeteer are too fun not to play), and she has handled all spellcasting duties wonderfully. Also, my Samurai is a pretty dang good wizard in his own right, and can cast level 7 fireballs with the best of 'em...

Bishops are hard to play early on, but once you hit level 10-12 or so, they simply rock...

Good luck!

02-12-2002, 04:06 PM	#3
Fantasm Elite Waterdeep Guard Join Date: January 9, 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 17	Just a note about practicing... You should make a distinction between needless practicing and useful practicing. I, too, hate needless practicing very much...it seems totally out-of-game to me, and you will never see me inspecting a chest over and over again to raise lockpicking skill (OK, I did it once or twice before deciding I didn't like it . However, it is STILL possible to build a very powerful Bishop through what I call useful practicing. By this I mean, have your bishop cast a spell EVERY SINGLE TURN in battle. NO EXCEPTIONS. Even if there's one monster left and your fighter is chomping at the bit to turn him into a pile of goo, still have your Bishop get that last Frost spell or whatever off. Likewise, ANY time that your samurai isn't within melee range, have him cast a spell to increase his magic. Even if all you have spell points for is a sleep spell against a Savant Guard. =) (that's why Bloodlust is the perfect weapon for samurais early on...no need of a bow because they have good offensive magic). These activities could still be considered practicing, but it's in a context that is useful and makes sense within the game world. Without going out of my way any further than this, my level 17 Bishop has at least 80 in all 4 magic classes, and at least 85 skill level and at least 300 spell points in EACH of the 6 magic realms. I don't have any other pure casters (I find a bard and gadgeteer are too fun not to play), and she has handled all spellcasting duties wonderfully. Also, my Samurai is a pretty dang good wizard in his own right, and can cast level 7 fireballs with the best of 'em... Bishops are hard to play early on, but once you hit level 10-12 or so, they simply rock... Good luck!