What is a specialist wizard?

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Alright first off you can explain both for bg games and icewind dale 1(2e rules) and icewind dale 2 (3e rules) if there are any changes.

I have never used a specialist AFAIK you cant cast spells from other schools or something, could someone please tell me what they do?

Thanks

 

Specialist mages focus on certain types of magic (e.g. Evokers focus on evocation magics) but since they tend to focus on one particular school they are not capable of casting spells from opposite schools of magic. Evokers for example cannot use conjuration and divination spells (I think these are correct, there is a table in the IWD and IWD2 manuals).

Another benefit to picking a specialist mage is that they can memorize 1 extra spell per level.

However, you have to balance this with the understanding that there will be some spells you cannot use. Necromancers are cool, but it sucks not to be able to cast any Invisibility spells.

As far as differences go, I do not think there are too many differences between specialists in IWD and IWD2. Anyone, please feel free to correct me since I am working from a very poor memory...

Edit, speaking personally I tend to use either a normal Wizard (or even better a F/M/Th) in IWD or in IWD 2 either a wizard or a sorcerer. If you go with a specialist understand and look at the spells in the schools you will not be able to use. For example, if you like to use conjuration spells then do not play an Evoker. However, if you like fireballs and acid arrows, then do not pick Conjurer as your specialist class.

[ November 07, 2002, 22:35: Message edited by: Grey Ghost ]

 

hmm then the only difference between the different wizards are what spells you CAN'T use?
and you only get 1 extra spell per level....

I don't think specialists are worth it, what about you guys?

 

I never bothered using specialists. I could never find one whos restrictions did not apply to some of my favourite spells.
Generally I go with sorcerers, or dual classed mages. Never a specialist.

 

The table I made would really be helpful to clearly see which spells the specialist mages cannot cast.
(..trying to get some customers here.. )

See the Tips and Tricks section on this site.
Or here's a direct download link:
http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/IWD2/IWD2_Spell_Table.zip

[ November 08, 2002, 16:18: Message edited by: Quint ]

 

A game exploit is to pick any Specialist Wizard and then add 1 level of sorcerer. This will give full access to all spells.

 

What about 1 level of wizard? Does it work too?