[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by andrewas: Greater Malison. Lower Resistance. Just two ways a high-level mage will lower your defences. And then, when the rest of his magic becomes useful - you have no chance.

Very true, andrewas, except for one little detail....by the time he finishes those two spells, I will have advanced to melee' and be happily beating him about the head and body with Crom Fryaer in one had and Bala's Axe (10% cumulative chance for Miscast Magic) in the other.

He won't be able to cast any spells because my Arrows of Dispelling will have taken down his Protective Spells (or Imoan will have used Pierce Magic - same effect).

But in all fairness, mages are the more powerful characters at high level. The warrior just has to be strong enough to withstand his magic and smart enough to overcome it. And the outcome really depends more on the player rather than the character. A smart player can find a way around an opponents defenses.

One REALLY easy tactic against mages is to let them cast all thier defensive spells....then just leave the room and wait a sufficient amount of time. Go back in after the spells durations have worn off and then start hacking away immediately since the mage no longer has magical protections to aid his defense.

By the same token, one of the all-time BEST tactics I ever heard of in any game occurred in a PNP game a friend of mine was in. He was playing a mage and the party encountered the BIG BOSS of the dungeon. My friend starts casting spells, only to find out that the Boss is protected by an impenetrable Anti-Magic Shell. He searches frantically for anything that will help, then notices the ceiling is made of stone. Thinking quickly, he casts Rock To Mud on the ceiling directly over the Big Boss. The ceiling turns to Mud and "oozes down" onto the Boss. Then it hits the Anti-Magic Shell and instantly turns back to stone.....crushing the Big Boss.