[Gandalf Parker]

Of course the standard answer is that there are many MANY different ways to do this. Its one of the great things about the game. You have to test. Not for the best thing, but for the best thing that matches your playing style.

OK anyway, for me I prefer to compliment my nation. I only have so much I can spend on my pretender so I figure that I should use it to give my pretender magic in any area that is NOT already covered by the nations mages.

Some additional considerations are:

1 can give you access to useful equip. Not only a wider variety of basic things but some items need multiple paths. As far as I know just having one in each can fill that requirement

2 or 3 in a magic is good for searching

3 is needed in many paths to make the piece of equipment which can grant a mage an additional level of that magic, which will often give you access to making some other piece of equipment to give ANOTHER level in it.

4 or more in a magic is good for special effects added to the blessing that priests can do. Mostly important to "sacred" troops if you use them alot.

9 in a magic gains an additional and powerful effect to the bless spell

Astral is special. There is a magical attack which compares the levels of astral magic. If you take astral then you should take alot of astral

[ March 29, 2004, 15:46: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]