What's better (Magic)

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

I'd really like to know what's better as far as getting the magic up
faster. Is it,

A: Casting often at a low level of spell power, or
B: Casting fewer spells at higher power

[Gab]

If you're spell casters have magic necter, then I'd suggest that you try to cast a spell at a high level. Cast spells at low level only if do not have necter or are in a dangerous area. In my opinion, It's best to cast spells at a
high level. My mage was able to cast spells at higher level after casting at the highest several times. I wouldn't recamend that you cast a spell at a power level that has a red ring around it(big risk of fizziling or backfire).

[ 06-09-2003, 08:00 PM: Message edited by: Gab ]

[EEWorzelle]

Ah, frustrated with fizzles?

Actually, if the number of time you cast is fixed, than higher Power Levels will net you more increases.

However, I believe the answer to your question is that casting more times at lower power level will give you more increases per mana point. The classic example of this is Heal Wounds. If you can cast it in the green at Power Level 3, and somebody needs that much health, you chance of an increase is enhanced by casting three times at Level 1. I guess, as stated, there is a fine line between that and training.

Toward the beginning of the game, for example, your will get more magic point increases by casting on the green at Power Level 1, then casting on the yellow or green and then being out of mana, whether the spell succeeds or not.

Sometimes there is no choice and you can only cast the spell in the yellow, orange or even red. If you need to eliminate an enemy who is killing you, you might find it to be a virtue to do so all at once by casting at higher Power Level.

For spells with no backfire like Protections, I generally cast them deep into
orange or even red. Listening to my own words, perhaps that is not wise. It's only that if you cast it at lower level and succeed, you may not get further increases from that spell for a while.

An example is my Mage in the current party with Energy Blast, Frost and 8 spell points in each realm. I could cast it at Power Level 2 in the yellow, but get tons of damage and increase in each by casting at Power Level 1 eight times.

So in summary, casting three times at Power Level 1 will net you more, on the average than one cast at Power Level 3. But three casts at PL3 will net you more than three at PL1.

Regarding magic nectar, I usually purchase or find all that is available and save it up for later in the game (like on the Peak).

[ 06-09-2003, 05:34 PM: Message edited by: EEWorzelle ]

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

Ok, I'll give it a try. I was also thinking of the non-combat
protection spells like Armorplate, Missile Shield etc. Should I cast
them at low level and rest or high level and rest longer?

[EEWorzelle]

Farseer, as I mentioned I cast them at high Power Level. If they succeed they will last a long time and will be stronger, if they fail and I have any SP left, I can try again immediately.

Who wants to sleep? I think you are talking about intentionally training by sleep and cast, sleep and cast, etc., I don't believe in doing that.

If you cast a protection spell at low level, however, and don't sleep, it will not help you to cast it again at that same PL immediately.

A middle road approach might be best. Say, for example, you can cast the spell at PL2 for certain and have enough spell points to cast it on PL5 (which is deep in the red). You might try casting on PL 3 or 4, and if that succeeds, great. If it fails cast on PL 2 or 1 so you still have some protection.

[Ziggurat]

Like the Worz, I cast all non-combat protections at the highest level after resting. I save after a success and reload on a failure. It takes longer (can be a few minutes) but your magic goes up relatively fast and you are protected longer and often better.

I did seem to notice, though, that sometimes a magic skill may go up every time with a failure but not necessarily when I succeed. There may be a weighting factor in the formula that slightly rewards a failed attempt over a success, as far as raising skill points go. This may be to discourage the very thing I do, which guarantees maximum protection and minimizes loss of mana. Anyone else notice this?

[ 06-09-2003, 07:13 PM: Message edited by: Ziggurat ]

[ChaosTheorist]

It isn't really clear if you're talking about casting simply for training, i.e. to raise the book/realm skill levels, or casting because you need what the spell does. If it's the latter, like in combat, I find that casting at the low yellow power levels gives the best return on the SP investment; it fizzles occasionally, but rarely backfires, so I usually get the effect of the spell. Casting high-damage combat spells far into the red is asking for trouble. Obviously, if you need the spell to succeed (i.e. in-combat Heal Wounds for a character with 2HP left), cast only in the green.

If you're simply looking for training (cast out-of-combat buff/prot/heal/misc spells, rest, cast, rest,....), cast at the highest level available; so what if it fizzles? Exception: if you're using Charm/Mindread training on NPCs, be aware that some of them will get upset and refuse to talk/trade with you if you cast orange/red and it backfires.

[Gab]

That's an interesting point that you made, Worz. I hardly ever casted offensive spells because they did almost no damage to monsters.I always tried to cast protection spells at the highest level and the mana points would quickly increase. Do know any good offensive spells that are really damaging to a groupe of monsters?

[ 06-09-2003, 08:17 PM: Message edited by: Gab ]

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

I cast spells as they're needed. The obvious are done after resting
and I usually go middle of the road. I find the spells last until have to
rest again and it doesn't burn all the magic in that realm. From an experience
point though, would it be better to cast at low level several times before I
have to rest again or just go with the once cast? Sometimes at low level you
need to rest after 1 or 2 combats so all the extra duration is lost plus the
magic points that you could have used in combat is gone.

[gator]

Originally posted by Variol (Farseer) Elmwood: I find the spells last until have to rest again and it doesn't burn all the magic in that realm. From an experience point though, would it be better to cast at low level several times before I have to rest again or just go with the once cast? Sometimes at low level you need to rest after 1 or 2 combats so all the extra duration is lost plus the magic points that you could have used in combat is gone.

I started out doing the same thing that you are doing, only casting at a high enough power level to get me to the next rest. One thing I did not realize at the time though was that a higher power level, besides lasting longer, also provides greater protection. Cast Magic Screen at power level 1 and look at one of your character's magic resistances. Then cast Magic Screen at power level 2 (or up to 7 if you want), then you will see that your magic resistances are higher with the power level 2 than they were with the power level 1.

As Ziggurat suggested, save before you cast your protections after a rest and reload if you drain your SP too much. If you do not want to reload, then at least cast in the yellow as these will hardly ever fizzle and will have a greater chance at an increase. Eventually you will get all of the protections in the green up to power level 7 through skill and level increases.