Solo mages

Baervard · Post by **Baervard** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:55 pm

My gf is playing a mage. And I want to run her solo without henchmen. She's styling her mage afer Gandalf and I'm wondering how I give her the weapon prowess that Gandalf displayed for when she's out of spells?

I don't want to dual class her as she's human, but maybe it's the best option too multiclass her with fighter?

Thanks

StealthSuitStanley · Post by **StealthSuitStanley** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:05 pm

Keep in mind that the multi/dual classing guidelines are just that...guidelines. You can do anything you want in your campaign.

Having said that, I recommend a different style of multiclassing. Make her a level x mage and level x fighter and allow her to allocate her experience as she sees fit. Allow her character advance in levels independently and combine all the attributes of each level.

i.e. lets say she starts out as a wizard 2 fighter 1. she gains enough experience to advance her character a level in fighter. Make all of the adjustments to her character just as if she was a single classed fighter. more HP, +1 BtH, etc. When she chooses to advance as a wizard, do the same...more HP, +1 BtH when applicable, additional spells, etc.

Please keep in mind that this is something that I am trying out myself and haven't actually used IMC.
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:06 pm

If you just want her to be kickass, change the BtH of the class. Its a solo game, so its not like you can't just change what you want to have the game do what you want... give her the BtH of a cleric or ranger. That's tons better than wizard.

JediOre · Post by **JediOre** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:06 pm

Just give her magic-user the "feat" of using a blade.

For backstory, just say as an apprentice she spent her off-hours training with a sword since her master had an old ranger that took care of the property and took a shine to the young mage.

gideon_thorne · Post by **gideon_thorne** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:18 pm

Baervard wrote:
My gf is playing a mage. And I want to run her solo without henchmen. She's styling her mage afer Gandalf and I'm wondering how I give her the weapon prowess that Gandalf displayed for when she's out of spells?

I don't want to dual class her as she's human, but maybe it's the best option too multiclass her with fighter?

Thanks

Gandalf was unusual in the fact that the character is a quasi deity. So the normal restrictions really don't apply to the character.

That being said, there's no reason why this character can't train in the use of a mage's weapon list.

Say 1000 xp in cost for each +1 BTH the character wants in a given weapon. A staff would be appropriate. One can do a lot of damage in a given area effect with a staff.
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Baervard · Post by **Baervard** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:27 pm

serleran wrote:
If you just want her to be kickass, change the BtH of the class. Its a solo game, so its not like you can't just change what you want to have the game do what you want... give her the BtH of a cleric or ranger. That's tons better than wizard.

I thought of that after I posted. I think that's what I will do.

Philotomy Jurament · Post by **Philotomy Jurament** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:40 pm

Might give her a 1d6 hit die, too.
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:37 pm

You could essentially just combine the classes giveing her mage character the best of both classes. Better BtH, and all of the powers of both the wizard and fighter. You might want to get rid of the armor thing though.

As said, it's your game. Make it fun for the both of you.

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Turanil · Post by **Turanil** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:51 pm

Gandalf is not from a D&D world, he certainly uses a sword, but also doesn't cast fireballs or teleportation around. In fact, looking at what he does (for exemple: Turn Balrog), in D&D terms he would be best represented as a cleric.

For your player I would instead suggest to multiclass her character as a bard-wizard (since wizards may not wear armor, bard wouldn't have to, but would get useful communication abilities not just fighting).
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Omote · Post by **Omote** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 3:57 pm

Remember, Baervard said she was only basing her character on Gandalf... her Gandalf could even be MORE badass.
-O
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Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:47 pm

Omote wrote:
You could essentially just combine the classes giveing her mage character the best of both classes. Better BtH, and all of the powers of both the wizard and fighter. You might want to get rid of the armor thing though.

As said, it's you're game. Make it fun for the both of you.

.................................Omote

FPQ

A write up for this is in Crusader 5.
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Baervard · Post by **Baervard** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:48 pm

Omote wrote:
Remember, Baervard said she was only basing her character on Gandalf... her Gandalf could even be MORE badass.
-O

True, as I had planned on leting her dual weild staff and sword as Gandalf did. This is her first time gaming anything and I want her to enjoy it. She really liked the idea of gandalf and wanted to play a spell caster. So I'm trying to recreate what she saw on the screen while keping it managable for me.

I had planned on keeping it that she can't wear normal armour. But I'm running her through Dark Chateau with the intention of her taking it over as her home when we are done. So in the attic she will find one of Zagyg's old robes which will confer +4 or so armour similar to chain.

Yamo · Post by **Yamo** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:15 am

Perhaps combine fighter and wizard into a single class (adding the XP for each new level together)? Maybe with a 1d8 hit die?

She'd advance slow, but it would accomplish the same thing without "multiclassing."

Moorcrys · Post by **Moorcrys** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:24 am

Since it's a solo, I'd say do whatever you'd like -- give her wizard's spell progression and allow her a sword with a decent attack bonus. You'll pretty much decide when she's leveling and such and I'd imagine you'll be giving her some items to help her out since she'll be wandering around alone. There's no balance to worry about with other party members and you'll be able to adjust encounters on the fly if they're too weak or too strong.
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Yamo · Post by **Yamo** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:43 am

Moorcrys wrote:
Since it's a solo, I'd say do whatever you'd like -- give her wizard's spell progression and allow her a sword with a decent attack bonus. You'll pretty much decide when she's leveling and such and I'd imagine you'll be giving her some items to help her out since she'll be wandering around alone. There's no balance to worry about with other party members and you'll be able to adjust encounters on the fly if they're too weak or too strong.

Oh, man. How did I miss that!

Yeah, if there's no other PCs, just do whatever.

StealthSuitStanley · Post by **StealthSuitStanley** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 11:38 am

Another options...Let her play two or more characters!
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