Specialist mage or Fighter/Mage?

[IamGeorge]

I am gonna have a full party with a sorcerer and some sort of mage being the only ones who can cast mage spells. The rest are gonna all be decent fighters (monk, paladin, Ranger/cleric, and fighter/thief).

The question is: Do i need a fighter/mage, or should i just specialize and get the extra spell for each level?

P.S. I was making my Ranger/Cleric and after 20 minutes of rolling, the power goes out, and the computer restarts. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[Xod]

It depends on what you are looking for. The main reason to have a Fighter/Mage (especially dual classed) is for the extra HPs. The extra spell slots from a specialist mage are always helpful, but you will lose one school of magic. If you are going to make the mage the protaganist, you can give him/her a familiar. This will ofset the low HPs a little. If you can live without the extra spell slot per level, Dual a human fighter to a Mage. I'd go with a Berserker, that's just me (I love the immunities Berserk gives you).

A multi-classed Fighter/Mage never gets as many HPs as a dual-classed one, and can only specialize in weapons (two slots). A dual-classed Fighter/Mage can achieve Grand Mastery in a particular weapon.

[Grand-Ranger]

Go with spec. If you already have pleny of fighters, plus as Xod said, having a farmillar will make up from the low HPs some

[IamGeorge]

Thanks. I think i am gonna make him a Pure conjurer. I wont be the protagonist though. I will just have to keep him in the back. I could give him the staff of magi for some protection.

[sunder]

Do youself a favor and make up a dual class fighter/mage. You will be supremely surprised at how well your mage survives fights. The extra spell per level isn't that great, you will find a TON of scrolls in the game which you will carry around and never use, the extra spell per level just isn't worth it compared to the HP and combat bonuses you'll get with a fighter/mage.

DO this, and you will be very happy. Get your fighter up to level 9 for max HP. I Grandmastered my mage with the sling so he could be in the back during normal fighting, and he can use a shield also (lowers his AC more). Switch to your mage profession then.
You will have a great fighter/mage that can get up to Fighter level 9/Mage level 17. With 18 con you will get a Max of 134 HP with your fighter/mage, compared to a max of 62 with just your mage. You will still be a full mage with great spells, plus you will have lower AC with your shield on, and be whacking foes with Grandmaster skilled sling from the safety of the back row.
You can put extra proficiencies into maybe dagger, or sword/shield proficiency. A Pure mage is cool, but a Fighter/mage is both Cool and Very efficient and dangerous. Plus you can use ANY spell in the game.

[Kerlyssa]

Kensai/mage. Need I say more?

[Artemis]

Originally posted by Kerlyssa: Kensai/mage. Need I say more?

What's the best level to dual from kensai to mage? Some people say 9, others say 12? Pros & cons? What would you also recommend as the weapon proficiencies for said kensai-mage? Thanks!

[Xod]

Originally posted by Artemis: What's the best level to dual from kensai to mage? Some people say 9, others say 12? Pros & cons? What would you also recommend as the weapon proficiencies for said kensai-mage? Thanks!

It depends on whether you want a stronger fighter, or a stronger mage. Also, keep in mind if you dual at level 12 (1,000,000 exp.), you will need another 1,125,000 exp. before you regain your Kensai abilites. If you dual at level 9 (250,000 exp.), you only need to get another 250,000 exp to reach level 10 as a mage and regain your Kensai abilities.

As for weapon proficiencies, many people go for Katanas and two-weapon style. I actually prefer grand mastery in quarterstaff and two-handed weapon style (for staff of the magi and staff of rynn).

[Kerlyssa]

Artemis: That depends on whether you are dualling for min/max, or taking a route more like multiclssing. With the BG2 cap, I believe a lvl 12 Kensai could only go to 13 mage before leveling out, while a level 9 kensai could go to max level mage, level 17. of course, the truly fanatic min/maxers out there will have to start from scratch when ToB comes out...bwuahahaha.

[sunder]

Why does anyone insist on a Kensai mage? Just what am i missing with it, that they can't wear armor? that they can't use helms, bracers, shields? What superiority does a Kensai mage have over a figher mage?

My fighter mage can wear some castable armor such as specificic chain mail or a few others, they can use bracers to have decent armor class, can wear helms of defense, balduran, others, can hold a shield +2 or +3 for alot better armor class and still cast spells.
Bracers, armor, helms, shields, etc. Someone explain what a Kensai mage gives in advantages that a fighter mage can't provide with better ability. A couple extra points of Melee damage?
I haven't played a Kensai mage, so just want some info on it. I need to see some advantages of it over a fighter/mage.