Should we change class when a pure caster reaches level 18??

[Tough Guy]

At 18 pure casters can cast level 7 so should we change them then to a hybrid that can meleee??

[Vaprakgruumsh]

I'd personally wait till I have every single spell that pure caster can have. And I think it takes higher than level 18.

If you need a spell list per caster, check my FAQ below...

[vesselle]

weeeell, that's a very personal choice. the biggest, worst drawback i can see is that levelling up from Character Level 18 to Character Level 19 is horribly long. you might be crippling your character in all areas doing it this way.

also, a level 18 mage is extremely powerful, so why even bother with the headache for a few melee abilities? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] doesn't make sense to me.

the thing to do, if you just can't stand the way a mage is designed, is to start a pure melee class for a few levels, then switch over to a mage. but remember, this is ME giving this advice, so i could be all wet.


V***V


PS: Vap has a very good point! ::bows very deeply in Vap's direction:: i think it takes a mage to Level 24 before she can get all the spells from the Lvl 18 spell book.

[ 01-12-2002: Message edited by: vesselle ]

[KraGorn]

quote:

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Originally posted by vesselle:
start a pure melee class for a few levels, then switch over to a mage. but remember, this is ME giving this advice, so i could be all wet.

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Erm, V***V, that's a BAD move, for the very reason you stated at the start of your reply [img]smile.gif[/img]

Say you took a fighter up to level 4, that's mean that the mage would have to get to level 22 in order to get his/her first level 7 spell ... ouch, that's a loooooong way past 18 in XP terms.

I wouldn't say you're all wet, perhaps a little damp [img]graemlins/happywave.gif[/img]

[ 01-12-2002: Message edited by: KraGorn ]

[Merkin]

I would say no. To switch a pure caster to a hybrid/elite class, you would have had to have been spending valuable attribute points on STR and VIT that are better used on PIE, SEN and SPD. Stick with your caster; even though they quit aquirng new spells after lev. 24-25, they keep getting better all the way down. Wizardry and realms skills can go over 100 quite easily, don't know what the max is, or if there is one, but my mage has about 150 in Wizardry and fire right now, with earth and air also over 100. She can cast top level spells all day long without busting a sweat, and keeps getting better.

[vesselle]

ME? all wet??!!?? nevah, i say, nevah!

however, i shoulda been more clear. i wasn't suggesting going 4 levels, merely 2 tops. just to get HPS. and, i assumed it would be realized that one would use the vital attributes for a mage and not skimp over them when doing the initial fighter configuration.

i have a party, the Hybrids, where i have done that and, honestly, at average level 23/24 now, i don't see any difference in the leveling. it's going as fast as at the beginning, mostly, i guess because there's tons of baddies, all with LOTS of points upon killing.

the biggest benefit i had from it so far, is that my 2 mages are strong buggers. they can take a few direct blows and not turn into dust. granted, with all the great protection they have now (spells and armor) it's not that much of an issue. but for the first 8 levels or so, it was!

btw, the Hybrids is a group with no fighters of any sort. they just needed that 'ooomph'. i couldnt' get them out of the monastery before i tried that.

oh, and the Magickal Mistresses are running into those "getting out of the monastery" blues, too. those venom and hardshell crabs right outside the door are keeping them from going anywhere except back inside the big empty lonely monastery. pooh! however, we keep trying. at least, we have a gadgie and bard to help out.

V***V

PS: pppbbbhhh!! so there. oh, and i never said we were smart! remember that.

[Tennessee Ernie Ford]

Bad idea-- you know all those L7 spells you took so long to learn? well, you can cast 'em, but they ain't gonna work none too well.

Monster resistance is based a good deal on their level compared to yours. Although your level will have grown (and the monsters along with you), your spellcasting ability has stopped growing (for 2 or 3 levels or however long you like). Your L18 mage skills aren't going to be effective enough against L21+ monsters.

The difference in HPs for the two levels overall isn't going to do your character as much good as the extra spellcasting abilities for your already-formidable mage. If you need the extra HPs, quaff a guardian potion or get someone to cast it upon thee.

[Warhammer]

quote:

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Originally posted by vesselle:

also, a level 18 mage is extremely powerful, so why even bother with the headache for a few melee abilities? [img]graemlins/1ponder.gif[/img] doesn't make sense to me.

[ 01-12-2002: Message edited by: vesselle ]

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Ok, I finished the game yesterday with a

Elf Mage -> Samurai level 18-10
Rawulf Priest -> Lord level 20-8
Felpurr Alchemist -> Ninja level 18-10

So I know what I am talking about

The drawbacks:
- You will lose the +25% bonus to your Wizardry, Divinity or Alchemy. Meaning it will drop from around 120 to just below 100.
- For 5 levels, you can still use all your spells, but they will not improve by practice.
- You will have to start improving your "physical" attributes in order to have the minimum requirement by the time you reach le level 19. (Do the math, in order to do it as late as possible)

The advantages:
+ Better armor for your spellcasters. Mainly the Infinity Helm, I wont spoil you by giving its stats.
+ When class changing from Priest to Lord, the Mace you've practiced with since level 1, will go nicely to the off-hand
+ When you reach level 18 in your spellcasting class. All your spell casting skills are above 75 anyway, so you will start spending points in combat related skills anyway.

Sidenotes:
+ Keep your spellpicks in order to learn all the spells off level 6 and 7 by the time you reach level 18
+ Your Priest should be practicing with a Mace, your Alchemist should only use a sling in combat and your mage should fight only with a staff (to improve close combat)
+ By the time they reach level 5 in their new class, they will be able to learn *ALL* the spells not just those level 1 spells normally available to level 5 hybrids.