Can mages learn to use big weapons and cast while using them?

[Madscientist]

Its been ages since I played the game and I finished it with a dwarf fighter.
I got it now on a sale and want to play again.
I remember that all magic users could not cast spells in metal armor but I am not sure about weapons.

I want to make a battle mage and teach him to use a big 2h weapon. With the best leather armor plus armor spell I should be able to survive and with a big 2h weapon I should do some damage. Armor spell and skelleton summon last a long time so I can cast before combat and wait until my MP are full before fighting.

Is this a good idea?
I do not remember if mages could learn to use warrior weapons and if they can cast spells when using them.

[Shinno]

Yes, you can use any weapon without problems, but it's not worth it. Too many points to spend on said weapons and on strength, which will be capped anyway. An elven warrior might suit your needs - a spear wielding half-mage.

[Madscientist]

Elf warrior sounds fine.
I remember every caster should know the healing spell and the armor spell. Damage spells cost too much MP, especially since you need to keep MP ready to heal wounds. Thats why I want a caster with a good weapon. The armor spell is better than any full plate and you have less penalties.

Can half mages learn summon spells? The skelleton warrior was good because high DR and immunety to wounds and poison. Great for the rat boss, rats were dumb enough to attack skellie insted of me.

[Shinno]

Originally posted by Madscientist:

Elf warrior sounds fine.
I remember every caster should know the healing spell and the armor spell. Damage spells cost too much MP, especially since you need to keep MP ready to heal wounds. Thats why I want a caster with a good weapon. The armor spell is better than any full plate and you have less penalties.

Can half mages learn summon spells? The skelleton warrior was good because high DR and immunety to wounds and poison. Great for the rat boss, rats were dumb enough to attack skellie insted of me.

No, no summons, but as you said high DR + dodge + parry from a high level of spear investment might be better. Oh, and Attributio spells are essential!

[Madscientist]

I never used the stat raising spells back then. Which one did you use? Strengh for damage or something that raises both attack and defense base value?
Side note: I play in german and I have played so many DnD games or similar stuff (playing wrath of the rightous at the moment) that I sometimes the stats confused me. In is NOT intelligence!

For each char I selected one weapon type and split the points evenly between attack and parade. Each char of my usual party focussed on one skill type, like nature or rogue skills. Crafting went to the ones who stay in base.

My party would probably be:
Me: warrior with magic
The thief/mage girl
The human full mage
The dwarf fighter with hammer and shield

After learning the super complicated pathfinder rules, DSA should be a piece of cake.
I also finished the old DSA trilogy ages ago. Part 1+2 are almost impossible to finish without a guide. It was a great adventuring simulator but I will not play it again. Half of the classes, skills and spells were totally useless.

[Shinno]

Yeah, I think strength is better, though agility\intuition could work as well. That's how, I believe, the dodge parameter is calculated (agl+int).
I see no problems with your party, all things are covered.
My advise in the spell department -
https://drakensang.fandom.com/en/wiki/Attributio_Strength
https://drakensang.fandom.com/en/wiki/Fastness_of_Body
https://drakensang.fandom.com/en/wiki/Move_as_the_Lightning
- should be your main focus.
And with this feat - https://drakensang.fandom.com/en/wiki/Mortal_Blow - you can challenge pretty much anything. Costs lots of endurance though, so keep that high. That's about it, now onwards to oddventures!

[Madscientist]

When I played it ages ago the dwarf did the tripple damage blow against the final boss. Would have finished him but he is immune to wounds so it just entered the next phase.

Idiot me did the same in the second game with the final fight againnst the golem. Result: 3 points damage. Then I did stuff that bypasses DR and won.