Mage Armors/Robes

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What's the general consensus on this issue? In SoA I'm fairly convinced that your best bet is probably the Robe Vecna, or in parties with multiple mages, a Robe of the Archmagi.

However, I'm more concerned with mage/thief multi or dual classes here. They are all capable of wearing elven chain and still casting spells. Now, if we're just talking about plain ol' elven chain, I'll take a Robe of Vecna or Robe of the Archmagi any day of the week. But by the time you hit ToB, much better versions of elven chain become available. Which, if any, do you see as superior?

I'm actually trying to come up with a list of all that are available. But off the top of my head, the robes/armors available that provide at least better armor class would be Sylvan Chain, whatever the armor is you get from the black dragon in Suldenesselar, the Robe of Apprenti, and I imagine multi-classes with UAI could use the armor from Haer Dalis' quest and upgrade it when they get to ToB.

Thoughts here?

 

Are you merely asking about a non-modded game?

If you have IA, Robe of Vecna can be combined with Robe of the Apprenti resulting in a superb robe for any mage.

 

Well I do have the Item Upgrade Mod, so I'm willing to accept an arguement favoring using the red dragon scales to upgrade the Slyvan Chain for example. I don't have IA, and I don't think it's compatible with the Item Upgrade Mod, and since I'm content with the Item Upgrade Mod the way it is, I don't see me uninstalling it just to install a slightly different mod with the same basic ideas.

 

I would go with the robe of vecna over any eleven chain anytime. If you get hold of either a good ring or cloak of protection it will make up for wering the chain AC wise and if you want more you can always get the bracers with AC 3.

As for alfysund chain, at the time you get it protection from normal weapons are as useless as a magic missile spell.

[ September 02, 2006, 01:16: Message edited by: Stardust ]

 

I put Vecna's robe on the spellcaster. Any mage type who's going to tank will be wearing Bladesinger chain or Bracers AC 3.

 

For modded item, I go for Underreported Items from IWD2. This way I can put Chainmail of the Hand on mage multiclasses (I'm using one on my MP game right now). Otherwise is Robe of Vecna or Robe of Archmagi.

 

I agree with kuemper here. The Robe of Vecna normally goes to whoever my main spellcaster is. If it isn't the Mage/Thief, then they'd get elven chain.

@ Stardust: Then it is just as well that Magic Missile is never really useless.

 

Hmmm... I see. Yes, given the faster cast time, it only makes sense to give the Robe of Vecna to the primary mage. OK, so Imoen is most likely going to get the Robe of Vecna based on this. I'm also taking along Jan - one of the elven chain mails or Robe of the Neutral Archmagi you think?

 

In Jan's case, if you don't want him using his default armour then I'd use the Robe of the Neutral Archmagi. You are unlikely to get an elven chain substantially better for most of the game, even in AC. The Robe also boosts you saving throws, which is never a bad thing.

When you get the Bladesinger Chain, then you can decide whether 4 points of AC is worth the loss of saving throw bonus and magic resistance. It begins to look even more attractive when upgraded by Cespenar.

As I know you use Item Upgrade, there may be something in it that gets you a better elven chain- I personally have never used Item Upgrade so I don't know. For SoA though, the Robe of the Archmagi is superior to chain. In ToB it comes down to how much you value AC.

 

Item Upgrade mod offers 45 new upgrades. Improved Anvil offers 80!

The upgrade recipes are also designed in a much better way in IA.

Moreover, IA has several other cool features. It's your choice if you want to cling to IU, but I don't agree that the difference between them is "slight".

PS: In addition to Robe of Vecna and Robe of the Apprenti, Jan's armor is also upgradable in IA. Mage robes of elemental resistance can also be combined together. If you play a bard, you can combine Melodic chain and Jester's chain to forge a magnificent armor for your character too.

[ September 01, 2006, 01:28: Message edited by: Sikret ]

 

Battle mage robe, from the hell-Sarevok fight of Improved Battles mod. That robe is very kewl, and nearly as good as Vecna. It also reduces spell casting time, by 2 only, but offers better AC, HP, and damage resistance. Cool robe!