Build recommendation

[DecayWolf]

I've finished 2 and some of it's expansions...
Have tried a paladin (warrior + white magic) dark knight (warrior + dark magic) battle mage (warrior + elemental magic) and pure warrior (warrior + shaikan warrior)

Still got one last expansion left to play... Can anybody recommend a build which I haven't used, but which is viable and good?

I suppose I could make a full mage with elemental or white magic + shaikan mage. Dunno if that would work.
There's anything good for an archer build?...

[Arii]

I recommend pure elementalist. SpellForce 2's Elemental school is quite OP. Archer + White Magic would be another fine build. I'd even experiment with archery + necromancy.

[DecayWolf]

Mhmmm. I think all magic schools are kinda OP.
Mental, never played because doesn't suit my style, but people claim to be OP.

White magic, has the highest mana efficiency. Makes tankers immortals, other units also become harder to die, which will translate into more DPS per second as result. Also have CC from raising the dead, and IIRC buffs.

Elemental. best mana cost for damage spells. Lots of CCs.

Dark magic. Highest damage in a short time, but highest magic consumption. Kinda really sucks for warrior hybrids due mana consumption while not so great fighters/tankers, but I think it really could be a thing on a pure caster character, furthermore can CC by raising the dead and IIRC has curses.

Except from a hybrid dark magic, I don't think any magic school can really be a wrong choice, or not be considered as a non OP choice if you think about it. Anyways.
Say a pure elementalist.
Was thinking to master only 2 groups instead of 3. I'm also playing demon of the past, so I start with 1 extra skill point.

Combat rank 2.
Shaikan conjuration rank 3
White magic rank 1 (I think it can be really handy)
Fire/Ice/Earth 2 of 3 masteries.

As for the elemental masteries, let's see...

Earth has
- Eruption, which is a very specific rush spell. Probably extremely strong in a MP head on, but I'd say pretty useless on SP campaign.
- Corrosive. I suppose it's good, but has a horrendous synergy with magic damage users... It would be better with a fighter composed team instead.
- Rock Projectiles. Worst damage dealing than fire, doesn't have CC from frost.

Fire has.
Best damage, but highest mana cost. Should be fine for a pure caster. (I think it's a must pick)

Ice has.
Best CC, while also pretty decent damage dealing, with some AEO damage as well. (I think it's also a must pick)


So was thinking about Fire + Ice.
Some shaikan summons for the sake of it. Some off healing if the need arises.
Combat 2 is mandatory dump points.
Earth doesn't really look that appealing to SP without a very specific party composition.