[SurvivalistMerc]

I'm in the rainbow mage Category. I don't really like combat pretenders, though I feel I need to further explore them in order to really do well in MP. (The higher independent settings kicked my tail, and I am C'tis base...not exactly underpowered.)

At first, the mages just cast their low-level evocations in battle. I usually script sermon of courage if they have priestly power rather than low-level inaccurate evocations.

Most schools have a conjuration-2 or conj-3 spell to boost their magic power in a given path. For instance, Summon Earthpower, which is Conj-3. These spells usually require only 1 or 2 skill to cast. (I think the water one requuires only 1 skill.)

Thus, with proper equipment and orders to first cast the spell to boost magical skill, low-level magi can cast some pretty amazing spells.

As an example, you can get blade wind out of any mage with 1 earth using earth boots (construction 4) and summon earthpower. Not bad, eh?

This leaves your pretender free to site search and cast global spells. And research when he/she has nothing better to do. It's a very interesting style of play which I find quite enjoyable.