By Gringo Ivanovich
So ya wanna be a wizard? Well, the following is just about all ya need to know to get started, based on information collected by his Gringo with help from various elfies, etc. Please note that the following assumes a basic, working knowledge of Gem Stone III.
Congratulations! You've decided to become a wizard, easily the best profession in the lands!
And so it begins…
Ok, let's talk stats. Your stats become the basis of what you are, and what you can become. Because of this, with regard to stat values, the general rule is "Quantity not quality" i.e., Your skill points, for example are based on the entirety of your stats, added up… it is for this reason that two "65's" will serve you better than a "90" and a "30" in the long run. Keep in mind that stats do raise over time, but not past a 100.. so any starting stat that is 95+ is kinda loony.
Well! That is all very interesting, but what does it mean to me?
Well… say you are a Sylvan wizard. The stat that will rise the fastest for you will be REF and then AURA and INT, of course. REF, because of your wooden elfie heritage, and AURA and INT because of your profession, a wizard. So.. if you put a score of about 85 in REF and 75 in INT and AURA (Which get +10 each, from choosing the wizard profession) you can be confident that these scores will apex at 100 in good time.
Well, I understand that I should keep all my stats sort of high, but where do he highest and lowest scores go?
Well, whether you choose to play some sort of sword-mage (as myself) or one more dedicated to the scholarly pursuits, you will never be able to wear much in the way of armor. So you must concentrate on not being hit in the first place. To this end, a high REF is a must… this adds directly to your DS bonus. Also, as I said before, an AURA and INT that ends up in the mid 80's is very nice, as well. After these 3 essentials… you must then figure in what kind of wizard you are for the rest, as a dwarven sword-mage, I took a reasonably high STR, a nice DEX, and a high DISC, seeing as Dwarfs get a DISC bonus to start out with.
But wait… speaking of races, what is the best one?
Well there is no best wizardry race, per se… rather different ones suited for different goals. Elf's (all variety) seem to be the best all around choices, but feel free to experiment! Just remember, focus on your racial strengths… plain ole Elfies, fer instance… get a -20 to their DISC, being naturally undisciplined creatures. Now, it would not be very smart to take a very high DISC, as it would be entirely canceled out… on the other hand, however, taking a low DISC will hurt you more then it would the other races.. your best solution here is something reasonably high, maybe upper 60's.
Ok… got my stats, now what about skills?
Whoa! Hold on there. First see how many skill points you got… most people won't settle for less than 35/35… I myself wouldn't settle for less than 80 total.
Ack… well I rerolled again and I'm back, what now?
Well for the first 10 years of your life, maybe more, you will need to wholly subsist on your weapon. So every year take weapon training, no matter what. As for the type of training, I would suggest you take One Handed Edged (OHE), this is reasonably cheap to take and OHE weaps are the most common. Just remember, speaking from experience, 2 HANDERS IS NOT WORTH IT! PUT THAT THOUGHT OUT OF YOUR HEAD NOW! ::pant:: Ok.. you will also want some Armor Training most likely… 4 years worth (20) is enough to wear full leather… but if you wish to go on to the scale armors (AsG 9-12) you will want to train religiously… AsG 10, for instance, needs a skill of 80 to wear without penalty. Based on how reliant you wish to be on your spells, you will want to train at least every year in Spell Aim, maybe even twice. I, being more reliant on my blade, train twice in spell aim ever other year. Shield Skill is useful too, but you must train religiously in this as well if you go that route. Physical Training is likewise important, and Mana Sharing becomes very useful later in life. Now-
Wait! What about spells?
Hush. I was just getting to that. ;-) You should train in Spell Research, twice, every year. And please, PLEASE, plan out what spells you will take ahead of time. The following, in my humble opinion, is a list of the spells to "shoot for" up until a little past 10th level.
Wizard Spells
903 (Water bolt)
906 (Fire Stream
910 (Lightin!)
Major Elemental
503
506 (Haste, -3 RT)
509 (Strength, +15 AS
511 (Disk, useful container)
Minor Elemental
401 (Guard 1, +5 DS)
406 (Guard 2, +10 DS)
410 (Ewave, Super offense spell)
411 (Eblade, Better than vultite)
And, thinking towards the future, remember there are GREAT spells at the apex off every list, so study up!
Ok, what do I do with the rest of my points?
Spread them out, be creative! I know you can do it! Hiding can be invaluable, and a good source of entertainment to boot! ;-)
Yea! I'm in, I'm going! Now where do I get exp.?
Ok… go to Moot Hall (DIR MOOT), then go into the clerk's office. Ask the clerk for a job. Repeat until wealthy and older. ;-)
Wow! That was quick. I'm 4 years old now, what do I fight?
Anything you can handle, really… My general rule is that I don't fight things that can hit me on a roll of 70 or less, rules such as this change as you get older, of course.
Well I seem to be going along fine… any words of parting advice?
Well yes, keep in mind that us Wizards, unlike healers or clerics, don't constantly make friends, just by existing ;-) It's for this reason that you should always try to offer help, or at least be reasonably nice. As soon as you have the money for such, (Gnomes are a good money builder) buy some armor enchanted up to +15… this should cost no more than 60,000 silver and many elder mages sell/make it… most notably Aanalar, perhaps. The rest ya sorta got to pick up on yer own, but if you followed the above, you're off to a good start! I'll leave advice, such as stock up on deeds, for other manuals, and simply say, have fun, you're a wizard, stand proud!
Well thanks, Gringo, you were surprisingly helpful, for a Dwurf!
Grumble.
