Can't win as a mage

[Keith]

I've completed the game as a Warrior twice without too much difficulty. I would really like to complete it as a mage but I've tried a few different play styles and I just can't win as a mage. I got to level 30 on my latest attempt but the last few levels were a struggle and I've given up on it too. What am I doing wrong.

[Ffabbia]

Nothing as such. It's just more difficult on a Mage, because enemies will swarm you and you can't control party members to get them to tank for you. Not being able to control party members kind of sucks, which is one of the reasons why I only gave this game a 7.5/10 in my review - still a well above average score though.

The only real way forward is to learn all the big damage combos and just get really, really proficient at doing as much short-term damage as you can in a short time, and (unfortunately) use what's considered the META Mage build, of which there are many examples online.

I'm assuming you're using Davrin as a companion?

[Keith]

Yes using Davrin. What's odd is that the combos seem to do way less damage then they did as a warrior

[Rabidnid]

Use the daqger and orb and focus on stagger. It is good for the ranges you end up fighting at.

[Ffabbia]

Going full spellblade and spamming Void Blade is another option.

[DaisyRay]

I find mages are the easiest, but it likely depends on the player and what they're used to. I play a mage in just about every playthrough of their games.

So it was easy to pick up and I had some amazing builds too. In my first play, I did spellblade. In my second, i did a beam killer. Both were deadly and sooo much fun.

[Ashuran]

It is just an adjustment. You have gotten used to warrior play style which can be tanky later on as we get gears and levels. As mages and rogue you will be more squishy but should be able to deal more damage so dodge and then nuke then dodge and nuke again.

This game actually seems easier as a rogue and mage since they can just clear the area so fast while early game warrior I was frustrated because I keep getting pummelled as I move in closer to do my attacks. While I see early game mages and rogues just kill so fast one mob after the other. My warrior now though is superb now that I got my targeted skills and gears.

[DaisyRay]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Ashuran:

It is just an adjustment. You have gotten used to warrior play style which can be tanky later on as we get gears and levels. As mages and rogue you will be more squishy but should be able to deal more damage so dodge and then nuke then dodge and nuke again.

This game actually seems easier as a rogue and mage since they can just clear the area so fast while early game warrior I was frustrated because I keep getting pummelled as I move in closer to do my attacks. While I see early game mages and rogues just kill so fast one mob after the other. My warrior now though is superb now that I got my targeted skills and gears.

This is so true. I was watching some warrior streamers play this game and it was crazy watching all the bad guys just pile on them lol. I feel like it's harder to play as a warrior early on.

I really enjoyed the mage so much that I played a mage in my second playthrough too despite saying I wanted to try warrior. It's just a lot easier and less scary for me. I keep my distance and blast on them.

[Keith]

Thanks. I'm clearly doing something wrong because I find my DPS is pitiful. I'll try some of your suggestions. I watch Cohh Carnage playing as a mage on the highest difficulty. I can't do what what he does though the person that suggested the bean killer must play like him. I've had do luck with that build--obviously doing something wrong.

[Ashuran]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Keith:

Thanks. I'm clearly doing something wrong because I find my DPS is pitiful. I'll try some of your suggestions. I watch Cohh Carnage playing as a mage on the highest difficulty. I can't do what what he does though the person that suggested the bean killer must play like him. I've had do luck with that build--obviously doing something wrong.

Take it slowly. One of the fun things on this game is building your character into a powerhouse. Once you get things set up it is so fun to feel powerful.

I will probably go rogue or mage on next playthrough. I want to try each class. This game really fun for me. Glad I picked it up instead of FF16

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย DaisyRay:

This is so true. I was watching some warrior streamers play this game and it was crazy watching all the bad guys just pile on them lol. I feel like it's harder to play as a warrior early on.

I really enjoyed the mage so much that I played a mage in my second playthrough too despite saying I wanted to try warrior. It's just a lot easier and less scary for me. I keep my distance and blast on them.

Yes. At start it is ok then it started geting rough because enemies just piles on our warrior and we still have low defense during early game, so not only does the mobs hit us hard but they interrupt our attacks often. But now I got the heavy armor passive and more hp upgrades etc so now I am the one doing the interrupting with my huge stagger build lol. And since the heavy armor passive basically makes us invulnerable to being interrupted by most attack my huge swings will continue to come down on their heads even if they hit me lol. Really fun seeing them get flattened by my 2hand heavy attacks lol.

[CrazyOdd]

In terms of raw DPS, its hard to beat the Spellblade Blast spam mage.

Meteor + Channeled Thoughts (node before Death Caller), lets you deal with most enemies quite easy, as the meteor spell auto stagger the enemy enough to channel enough mana for the next one.

Spellblade Blast just need enough skill points, 13 at minimum, to get the basics online (Meteor + Channeled Thoughts).

Even on Nightmare, its not an issue, outside a few enemies, like the Qunari charger, and bosses, as meteor dont really stagger them with its animation.

[Boltergeist]

You can make a mage that is constantly in casting i-frames hammering away with spells

So mage is scarily easy if you play it right

[Keith]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Boltergeist:

You can make a mage that is constantly in casting i-frames hammering away with spells

So mage is scarily easy if you play it right

I don't know what that means but it sounds good. I run out of mana too fast. Cohh Carnage seems to have an unlimited amount of mana.

[mjk_21rc]

One thing to consider is how mage live or die by the elemental output of their weapons. I played through on underdog for my first play through and if you are using a weapon that has elemental damage the enemy type resists it is a SLOG. Consider having different elements on your staff and orb so you can switch out until you know what a mission will trough at you. A lot like ME2 you start to learn what enemy types are weak to what and curate you companions and load out accordingly. Also, pick up as many active abilities as possible when leveling, this allows you to tailor you loadout heading into a fight.

[Ligmata]

use davrin and lucanis or throw another mage into the party and use time slow and spec inot the option where your first ability doesnt cost any mana. time slow and taunts really help when youre playing mage. also if you find yourself being too slow try orb and blade its better than the staff imo

[DaisyRay]

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Keith:

โพสต์ดั้งเดิมโดย Boltergeist:

You can make a mage that is constantly in casting i-frames hammering away with spells

So mage is scarily easy if you play it right

I don't know what that means but it sounds good. I run out of mana too fast. Cohh Carnage seems to have an unlimited amount of mana.

On my beam build, I paired a lot of armor and other bits that give extra mag. I had so much mag, you should look for those pieces. I forget what they were, but I could use my beam to delete people and rarely ever run out of mag.

Also look for any enchants that give extra mag/recovery.