Mage playthrough Necessary?

[🐉Kesseleth🐉]

I went through the game once. Joined the Old Camp, went as a swordfighter since that seemed like it'd be the best for a new player. Beat the game (was ♥♥♥♥♥♥' fantastic), and while I'm waiting for Gothic II Requiem to come out, I decided to do a second run. Planned to join the New Camp and become a mage.

Unfortunately, as it turns out, I won't get to learn spells in the New Camp for a while. If I wanna go full mage, I should join the Old Camp. I've already put some points into mana, so it's too late there, and I don't want to join the Old Camp a second time. I'm going to join the Sect Camp and go with the Templar, as I'll be able to join a new camp and make use of my Mana without completely ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ myself over, but on the potential third playthrough with the New Camp I'd have to be either a swordfighter again or a ranger (which I hear is the weakest class, but whatever).

So, my question is, is it worth playing through a fourth time to go full mage? Join the Old Camp again, become a fire mage, wield powerful magic? Or should just the one run for each camp be enough?

[GallstafSOL]

Honestly, the main plot is the same regardless of what class/faction you pick. I had a save file with minimal skill expenditures and all the quests up until the faction choice completed. I tried every faction, and found sword-fighting to be my prefered (and possibly most powerful) mode of play. I liked new camp from a roleplay standpoint, so most of my replays have been going that route.

[Morbionicle]

well - as a guy that loved gothic since i was 13 something... and that always had that special savegame up his sleeve like gallstaf had... i dont think it is worth it. first playthrough is unique. every new attempt doesnt rly add anything to the storyline and doesnt give any new insight. only difference between old camp mage and playing templar is the 6th circle rune(s). i remember that particular sword, that you found in the orc-temple almost at the end of the game to be convertable to a 6th tier rune... apart from that there aint too much to playing fullmage. always found mage gameplay rly poorly implemented in gothic 1 and 2 tbh - doesnt render my love for the game...

my post might be a lil bit confusing... sry... i'm a little drunk... :D

[🐉Kesseleth🐉]

Originally posted by Morbionicle:

well - as a guy that loved gothic since i was 13 something... and that always had that special savegame up his sleeve like gallstaf had... i dont think it is worth it. first playthrough is unique. every new attempt doesnt rly add anything to the storyline and doesnt give any new insight. only difference between old camp mage and playing templar is the 6th circle rune(s). i remember that particular sword, that you found in the orc-temple almost at the end of the game to be convertable to a 6th tier rune... apart from that there aint too much to playing fullmage. always found mage gameplay rly poorly implemented in gothic 1 and 2 tbh - doesnt render my love for the game...

my post might be a lil bit confusing... sry... i'm a little drunk... :D

No, I understand. In the end, I decided to go with the Old Camp again after all, but going as a mage, and I find it fairly different. I think I still prefer using a sword though.

[Morbionicle]

well... there is a slightly different touch. mostly due to the fact, that you are only losely alligned to gomez and his henchmen... and the different greeting.
gothic 2 mage gameplay is way more fun, plus the factions have quite an impact.
though this whole colony flair is great and unique in its own way, i always thought the second game to be the best in the series. just seems a little more polished and balanced