[SixOfSpades]

Basically, the only 3 Specialist Mages to be are Necromancer, Illusionist, and Conjurer. Each one loses the ability to cast about *THREE* good spells, and that's it. I had Imoen become a Conjurer last time, but not being able to Identify really got to me, so I think on my next time around I'll make her an Illusionist.
Mages need as much DEX as they can possibly get. A) Mages have the weakest armor capabilities in the game, so they'd better be able to dodge things pretty damn well. B) Mages have the weakest armor capabilities in the game, so it's idiotic to try to take them into a melee. For a Mage to put his first weapon point into anything but Missile is foolish.