How to play a battlemage?

[Donatello]

Hey there,

I'm a bit clueless when it comes to playing a battlemage. Points go into intelligence, alright. But which weapons does he use and how does he attack? Melee doesn't seem to be an option with a staff, you can't use the spells. Thanks!

[Silverborn]

Battlemage is melee weapons + intelligence.

For proper melee build you need strength or finess, so you will lack the intelligence for best damage. Dual wield often (not always) gives more DPS. This means two one-handed weapons in combination with the Talent: Stench. Or you can trade one weapon and give this character a shield. This makes it a VERY viable off-tank/CC late in Act 2.

I've never really found a proper build for a battlemage as a damage dealer, but they are great crowd control and shine most in a proper balanced party (both physical and magical damage combo).

This means that you have Warfare, Aero and probably Polymorph+Necro offspec (Poly and Necro will become mainspect in Act 2)

Poly stacks with strength and has some amazing CC and support spells. Necro uses intellect for physical damage. Get elemental affinity and play as an elf. This is -1AP for all blood related spells. After that you can shock your blood puddle

This is going to be some weird stat placement, so bear with me.

ONLY spend points in Warfare for the skillbook requirements
ONLY spend points in Aero for the skillbook requirements
ONLY spend enough points in Necro for the skillbook requirements (until you need more healing from necro)

SPEND EVERYTHING in else in Polymorph

When Polymorph is maxed spend the rest of the points in Warfare/Aero/Necro to give one school more depth (I'd go Warfare personally or Necro).

Skill distribution and gear
Keep Strength and intelligence equal to each other. For every point in Polymorph you get an extra point for your attributs meaning you get +1 attribute for every level you gain. Gearwise you can wear both Heavy and Light armor, this is a good thing to balance out your magical and physical amor. Gives a more unique look as well if you care for that.

Keep in mind, your character is a melee fighter, but uses spells to have even more effects. Aero gives Blinding Radiance, Shocking Touch etc. Warfare gives a LOT of knockdown and movement. Necro for somewhat higher selfhealing and awesome spells that balance really well with intelligence.

Talents
Top 3 would probably be:
- Mnemonic (+3 memory)
- Elemental Affinity (-1 AP when standing in element)
- Executioner (the pawn can be a good alternative as well)

Savage Sortilege (spells can crit) probably around act 2.

Tips
- Play this class as an Elf
- Melee range class so get the skills that require you to get in close and personal.
- Aura's are most important. Venom Aura or one from another class gives EXTRA spell damage so this guy can basically attack everyone.
- Heavy memory usage... so stack memory. Sebille (mostly with her rooted talent in Act 3) will be amazing for this build.
- Blood can be electrocuted so Elemental Affinity can boost your Aero spells as well (no need for Hydro)