What's the best build?

[Der Liebe Frankie]

Right now I'm playing a mage - this is the first time I'm playing a full (not demo) version of this game. It's around lvl 10 or 11 maybe. Lots of items to buff magic and he can summon 6 griffons (these lizard-like creatures) at about lvl 33 or something. As long as the enemies don't dispell the summons it's fine.

But for long term will this strategy work?

[Cipher97]

If you are focusing on charm magic, then put all your skill buffs on charm magic. For a weapon, if your magic stat is high enough, go with the Knotted Staff (boosts charm magic by about 25 points).

[Der Liebe Frankie]

I re-rolled. Now I've been spending most on attack magic and 2nd on charm. It still seems if an enemy dispells my summons it's all over. However for this roll I've made it much deeper (lvl 20 dungeon) and so far no dispells. I'm guessing the higher the level of my summons the more difficult it is for them to be dispelled.

[Cipher97]

Well, if switched to attack magic, then just use the darkwood staff instead (massive attack magic skill boost of 24 or 25 points)

[Der Liebe Frankie]

A loooong time ago I played Asheron's Call. There were people who had spreadsheeted the whole game and figured out how many points would get you whatever build etc. I think it really doesn't matter too much, since you can fish your way out of anything. But it does take time. The character I re-rolled had too high of dexterity (I had poured some in for a nice bow I had pulled out of the water). Well that meant wasted points and taking more time to make up for it.

Generally I've heard that swordsmen / tanks are the easiest characters in RPGs. That might be true.