Specialty mages

[philos3]

I am curious about the pluses and minuses of the different mage specialists. I realize a lot depends on what you envision for your character. I normally choose a non-specialist mage character (Universalist in this game) in the RPGs I play. Seems like I often find a spell or two I hate to give up in an opposition school. Or some specialists seem to give up a lot of handy spells (Enchanters in BG1 have a very reduced spell selection IMHO).

So my question is to those who prefer specialists, which is your favorite (or two) and why?

I am novice when it comes to Pathfinder, despite a lot of D&D experience. I'm trying to get a better grasp of the Pathfinder spells {and nuiances). Thanks

[grognardgary]

I've never been a fan of specialty wizards. It has always seemed to me that you give up way too much for a minus two to the opps saving throw.

[Frostfeather]

Divination and Evocation, definitely, and sometimes Conjuration or Transmutation in specific cases.

Divination's Initiative boost is great, especially in turn based mode. And Foretell is just fantastic - it's versatile and gives Luck bonuses/penalties, which isn't a very common type so it'll likely stack with whatever else you use. On the downside, the Divination spell list is rather limited so filling bonus spell slot will be more limited.

Evocation is one of the better ways to make an area damage type caster. And for a while, Elemental Wall is surprisingly useful due to the fact it doesn't miss, potentially hits multiple times, and bypasses Spell Resistance. It can be used to help kill higher level enemies for disproportionately good xp/loot right at level 8.

Conjuration can make a quirky "teleport tank" in real time, where you teleport away from enemies with Dimensional Steps. And Transmutation for some builds that want the Physical Enhancement bonus.

[Chrisme]

Transmutation because I like playing hybrids and this class specialisation raises your physical stats. Plus there are plenty transmutation spells that turn you into a melee killing machine and those fit well into the specialisation slot. I like going for Thassilonian specialist for that reason as well. More high level transmutations although I miss out on a few buffs from the other two schools that are excluded.

[Immortal Reaver]

Abjuration is worst. Everything it does is easily replaced by Items and Spells. Abjuration also has a lot of spell in wizard spellbook that are in other spellbooks so it is always on chopping block, since it is easy to replace. 8)

Conjuration is ok. But not great. BUT best early-mid spells are from Conjuration, which is nice when early you have limited spellslots. 2)

Divination is very nice, it's abilities are best but favored spell is the big malnus. It lacks spells in some spell levels, so some favored spells will be empty unless you have metamagic. 3)

Enchantment has ok abilities but overall it is not good. Problem with this school is that, it is most enemies that have immunities to spells have immunity to Enchantment types (mind affecting). 6)

Evocation is good. Nice abilities and nice mid-late game spells you get more of, though you probably will not lack spellslots late game. 1)

Illusionist is meh. I do not think it is worth it losing access to spells for that. It also lacks 1 ability compared to tabletop. 5)

Necromancy is ok. But not great. Limited uses, spells target fortitude that i generaly the highest save. Turn Undead is great ability, but you will not use it a lot. 4)

Transmutation is second worst. Everything it does is easily replaced by Items and Spells. But can be at least good early on, when you do not yet have belt for everybody. And has nice spells. 7)

Overall if Abjuration was only thing I could choose as opposition. I would pick specialization. But since I cannot I prefer Universalist.

[Frostfeather]

Originally posted by Immortal Reaver:

Abjuration is worst. Everything it does is easily replaced by Items and Spells. Abjuration also has a lot of spell in wizard spellbook that are in other spellbooks so it is always on chopping block, since it is easy to replace. 8)

Conjuration is ok. But not great. BUT best early-mid spells are from Conjuration, which is nice when early you have limited spellslots. 2)

Divination is very nice, it's abilities are best but favored spell is the big malnus. It lacks spells in some spell levels, so some favored spells will be empty unless you have metamagic. 3)

Enchantment has ok abilities but overall it is not good. Problem with this school is that, it is most enemies that have immunities to spells have immunity to Enchantment types (mind affecting). 6)

Evocation is good. Nice abilities and nice mid-late game spells you get more of, though you probably will not lack spellslots late game. 1)

Illusionist is meh. I do not think it is worth it losing access to spells for that. It also lacks 1 ability compared to tabletop. 5)

Necromancy is ok. But not great. Limited uses, spells target fortitude that i generaly the highest save. Turn Undead is great ability, but you will not use it a lot. 4)

Transmutation is second worst. Everything it does is easily replaced by Items and Spells. But can be at least good early on, when you do not yet have belt for everybody. And has nice spells. 7)

Overall if Abjuration was only thing I could choose as opposition. I would pick specialization. But since I cannot I prefer Universalist.

That's a pretty good assessment, I think, and I'd also rank Evocation #1 and Abjuration last.

The terrible irony of Abjuration spec is that (in my experience) it's actually less tanky/survivable vs other options. Because a Divination Wizard could have gone earlier and prevented taking damage, an Evocation Wizard could have killed enemies faster, etc. If you want a tanky mage, you're much better off being a Sorcerer for spontaneous casting of defensive spells, along with Bloodlines that make you tankier (Undead, particularly).

[philos3]

Thanks everyone.

Great answers. Picked up a lot. The special abilities associated with the various specialties were totally new to me. There is just so much info. Appreciate the help.