POLL: Who is the best mage?

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Damn, i really messed this poll up . do the same thing i said about aerie and apply that for Jan. (sigh its not been my week).

 

She's only essential in SoA and that's just to the point of rescuing her. She has some amusing interactions with everyone as the story goes but once she's rescued, I dump her.

For a mage, wisdom is only important when it comes to wish spells and the potion of insight has that covered. There are also items and potions that augment thieving abilities as well so that takes care of what many consider Nalia's shortfalls as a thief.

I'd be interested in knowing what belt Imoen has that gives her more spells. To my knowledge the only belt that she has (and temporarily at that) is the one she is wearing when you try to escape Irenicus' Dungeon and the only purpose behind that is to prevent her from being killed before you escape the dungeon.

 

Imoen, for storyline and the fact that she is just really cool.

And if I am correct, this post just gave me a new gem

 

Imoen is cool indeed. From a powergamer's perspective she can't beat Edwin in spellcasting. The tale of Edwina is great anyway.
Nalia's ring is her advantage, while she isn't any better or worse than Imoen in spellcasting, but she's boooooooring. So Imoen is more interesting AND more versatile as she has thieving skills that are developed to a point when they are useful.

For versatility Jan Jansen, of course, rocks, and he's very funny too.

 

Edwin may be a more powerful mage but I choose Nalia. I pick her up early in game. By the end of Tob she is Super Master Mage and a good fighter with a range weapon. Imoen is storyline. As far as thief skills I always have a good thief along. IMO Nalia's thief skills were thrown in for story, to explain how she was able to sneak out of her home. I stopped using Aeril because I couldn't keep her alive. If I could just change Nalia's script so she didn't whine about "how are we helping the poor" etc. at the most ridiculous times. At least block out the sound.

 

This is one of those questions that is really based on playing style, and a lot depends on the kind of PC you are playing. Edwin is magnificent as a magic user -- though by the end of TOB, I don't think he has any more levels than either of the two girls (he and the girls max out at level 31 or 32, right?) Of course, he has WAY more spells than anyone else, but at lower levels he can still run out, and once he does, he is worse than useless. He also has low HP, which at lower levels can be a real pain in the posterior.
As I have said before, the best all around magic user, IMHO, is Jan. The fact he is a specialty mage gives him an extra spell, which comes in handy, and once he runs out of spells he can be fairly effective with that crossbow (or any other appropriate ranged weapon.) Add in his ability to thieve fairly effectively, and you've got yourself a real winner. I like to give him huge shields, helmets, protective gear and some sort of Elven chain in ToB (once he has the "use any item" HLA-- low AC, still casts spells! In fact, factor in his sense of humor and he's probably my favorite NPC overall, not just favorite mage or thief.

 

Both of the ladies have irritating attitudes. One nausiatingly self-righteous, the other syrupy-sweet. I like Edwin's attitude (but Xan is better ). Also, without the dual-class handicaps, Edwin has a nice head start, and the ring and specialisation help him from maintaining that lead.

 

I just voted Edwin 'cause the other two are dualed and not single classed.

 

In poll, Edwin, out poll, Jan.

 

Raistlin is the best mage I've had the joy of controlling. Xan definitely wins in the field of persona. Since they aren't true NPC's, and Edwin is the only one truly devoted to his profession, I have to go for the "lady in red". Aerie's spell triggers and chain contingencies bring her in at a very close second, considering she's the only other character with a second class revolving around magic.

 

not only did he forget jan, he forgot aerie aswell

 

One way of telling who is the best mage is to actually play the following and very challenging party in TOB.

PC as a mage or sorcerer.
Nalia
Jan
Imoen
Edwin
Aerie.

Compare the results in TOB. And it is achievable, if you can solo a sorcerer through TOB and even Ascension, then anything goes I guess.

 

Edwin, too powerful sometimes, if you were playing in pnp adventures, where mages must study for 10 minutes for each level of a spell, he must study for DAYS to complete his whole capabilities of spellcasting!!.

I don't like Aerie too much; alright, she is a bag of spells, but she can't access the most powerful spells, just because she splits her experience both in her cleric and mage profession.

 

Aerie can access all the high level spells, she just can't cast as many as a pure mage or cleric. However, the sheer versatility of her spells makes her one of my all time favorites. And as has been mentioned before, her contingency abilities just rock.

 

Edwin is best by far, if your looking just stats and number of spells. But i dont like him. He is stupid, selfish and arogant (I Know hes evil, but that would mean he wants power, he dosnt have to act like stupid idiot )
Nalia is boring, i found her thieving skills useless...
Jan is pretty cool, but i dont use him, cause i usualy have only 1 mage in my party, and since hes ilusionist, he cant worl that great for me...
I use Imoen as a Mage, and sometimes PC...but i vote for 1. Imoen 2.Edwin

 

Edwin by far. And I also think Imoen is better than Nalia. I agree with the reasons already mentioned.

 

Best mage: Edwin. Although either Aerie, Imoen Nalia are decent substitutes for him if you're playing a good party.

 

Edwin is the best mage obviously.

 

Edwin, definitely the omnipotent Red Wizard of Thay. His attitude says it all, an arrogance unmatched by any of the characters, a fearless expression, lousy fashion sense, and always, that ever-cocky grin of triumph.

If you want the best the realms has to offer, get him, and his full assortment of demonic servants, at higher levels, of course.

 

One thing that bears mentioning is that after equipping items, Edwin casts his spells the slowest out of any of the NPCs. Edwin cannot wear the Amulet of Power, which decreases casting speed (among other useful abilities). Edwin will also be level-drained while the other characters can't because of the Amulet.

My vote for best magic user goes to Aerie, with Imoen as the second pick. I'd rather have the extra casting speed and versatility in a hard fight than a measly extra spell or two. BTW, Aerie gets more spells than Edwin.