Should I dump more points into Fire?

[obsidian_razor]

Ok so here's the deal.

My party's mage has Fire 20 (for the high damage spells + best gear + shield against Uugardians), Earth 13 (Poison Shield + a bolt that works with Uugardians), and spellcraft 10 (5 for light + 5 from tome of wisdom to get some more energy and casting speed).

Now I've just read there is a tome that gives you +3 in Fire magic, and I was already wondering if there is any know benefit (besides listed skill bonuses) to raising fire over 24.

I ask because even with a Willpower of 26, my mage regularly runs out of energy from casting fireballs, so I could really use more points into spellcraft...

Suggestions?

[Callipygous]

I stopped at 24 and then poured all other points into spellcraft. Never felt the need for fire resistance, but like you, I did find that I regularly needed more energy.

Cheers

[Hissssa]

More points in the element give you more damage per spell so you might not need multiple casts!

I am glad I got enough points for the passive fire bonus as that REALLY helped at the end of the game (had the same for my ice mage). I don't think you need more than 18 points in spellcraft.

[Poomermon]

For a fire mage the circle of protection (32 points perk) is really useful. Because your fire spells are useless against those fire dudes you can compensate that with a huge fire resistance for the whole party. 18 points to spellcraft should be enough.

[obsidian_razor]

Do more points into the magic skill give you more damage past the improved bolt?

I though opinions were divided in this matter!

[Hissssa]

More points definitely improves the damage.

I have a save where my mages have 25 points to get the damage buff and my save right before the end of the game. Removing the buff item it is obvious that against the same enemies more points is more damage.

But the real kicker is when you have the level 25 element perk AND a staff to boost that element's damage. The investment of more magic is further magnified by dropping points into the element.

No offense but you kinda ruined your mage by going with Earth and Fire.

[Callipygous]

More points in the element give you more damage per spell so you might not need multiple casts!

Hmmm, I didn't realize this was the case. I was under the impression that the power of the school was relative to gaining the specific skills in that element. After re-reading the in game descriptions it looks like I was wrong.

Damn, my mages were gimped on both play throughs in this case. Now I'm wondering if they(mages) match up better with a rogue with a bow when they go deeper into an element. Might have to do a 3rd play through.

[Disasterrific]

Make sure you get willpower as early as you can so you can get the bonus from it every level up. More points in fire does give you more damage and it'll get quite high by the end of the game.

[obsidian_razor]

No offense but you kinda ruined your mage by going with Earth and Fire.

None taken, it was a concious decision, he's not my main damage dealer anyway.

So can we confirm that more points into a magic skill improves damage from it? Would spreading points 50/50 on Fire and Spellcraft make sense? I still think my energy pool depletes too fast...

[Empyrean]

Spellcraft beyond 18 points is a waste. Ten is a pretty good stopping point, to be honest. If Will bonuses to energy were applied retroactively instead of just whenever you gain a level, builds that invest in it a little more heavily would be a lot more viable.