Re: Newbies and Confused People - Look Here!
 

Quoted from Zen's new posting of the FAQ:
Q. How do I make my mages more powerful in magic?
A. There are only 7 ways:

Empowerment - Infusing the commander with gems at a laboratory - permanently increases his level by one in that path. This is usually very expensive.
Forging a Magic Item - Like Earth Boots and giving it to the commander increases his Earth Level by 1, but only if he already has magic in that path. In other words, giving Earth boots to an Earth-1 mage makes him an Earth-2 mage, but giving them to a Fire-1, Earth-0 mage does nothing. This is Permanent as long as the unit is using/wearing the item.
Casting a Combat Spell - At the beginning of combat spells like "Summon Earthpower" will increase the mage's Earth level for the entire battle. This is temporary for only the duration of the battle.
Communion or Sabbath Master - Increases all magical levels of the Master depending on the number of Communion Slaves. This is temporary for only the duration of the battle.
Gem Boosting - Personal Gems allows them to use gems during battle to increase power. Some spells require gems others do not. If an Earth-2 mage wants to cast the Earth-3 spell Blade Wind, he can use an Earth gem from his gembox to boost his level to 3 for that one casting only. You may only use as many gems to "Boost" your level as base paths you have. So if your Earth 2 Mage wants to cast an Earth 4 Spell he can boost up 2 Levels of Earth with 2 Earth Gems, then cast the spell. Sometimes the AI will use Gems to Boost levels of casters in order to cause less fatigue from the casting. This is temporary for only the length of the battle.
Becoming a Prophet - Holy and unholy "magic" can be increased by making an existing Priest a Prophet. They gain +1 to Holy or Unholy. A Pretender God may not become his own prophet.
Wish - You are allowed to "Wish" for magical power. This will grant you +1 in all Magical Paths (except Holy/Unholy).
******************************************

I know Zen was trying to be complete by adding the "Prophet" option to raise "magic levels," but I think that option needs to be deleted here. Basically, the other options all discuss normal, non-priestly magic. If you add this option, things get confusing. You need to add that there are no magic gems which can increase holy/unholy if you start lumping priestly skill in with magic skill. You need to mention you can't empower priestly skill. You need to mention there are no combat spells which can raise priestly skill. Communion doesn't work for priestly skill. So if you ask me, the prophet option creates more confusion, but if it is going to be included as a 7th way, at least four new exceptions need to be added to the FAQ.

Re: Newbies and Confused People - Look Here!
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Yes, communion does work for holy and unholy magic, as does the crystal shield.

Re: Newbies and Confused People - Look Here!
 

Cool! Thanks for pointing out that communion increases priestly skill. But I'm confused about your point about the crystal shield. I never argued that there are items which can increase holy power...

[ March 27, 2004, 14:13: Message edited by: Inigo Montoya ]

Re: Newbies and Confused People - Look Here!
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">More than one gem used only changes the amount of fatigue caused by the spell, not the actual level of the caster, so an earth 2 mage cannot spend 2 earth gems to cast an earth 4 spell.

[ March 27, 2004, 19:58: Message edited by: Graeme Dice ]

Re: Newbies and Confused People - Look Here!
 

Graeme, you rule and thanks for getting me straightened out on so many things!

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ March 27, 2004, 22:17: Message edited by: Inigo Montoya ]

Re: Newbies and Confused People - Look Here!
 

I've modified it in the post to make it more clear. I haven't had time lately to do alot of organizing but should have more time over the weekend to finish up the base FAQ thread.

Re: Newbies and Confused People - Look Here!
 

Your efforts are greatly appreciated, Zen!

Re: Newbies and Confused People - Look Here!
 

As for spell that increases Holy/Unholy in Combat, Power of the Spheres is the one http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Just FYI. (eventually I'll have the BQR done so there is no more confusion than normal)

Re: Newbies and Confused People - Look Here!
 

As a follow-up question on Holy magic, does Blessing have any effect on non-Sacred troops in battle?

Re: Newbies and Confused People - Look Here!
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Blessing only affects sacred units.