What boots do your mages wear?

[sector24]

If gems and research are not an issue, what boots do you typically give your mages? I frequently give my guys Faithful/Robe of Shadows/Spirit Helm and path boosters, but I have noticed that I often leave my guys barefoot if they're not earth mages. I think it's because I just don't feel like any boots grant the same level of usefulness as an item that grants luck/ethereal/free damage/etc.

Is there anything better than resist/reinvigoration for the foot slot?

[Burnsaber]

Boots of Youth. They're basically required for Abysia in all eras.

[sector24]

Ooh, that reminds me of a related question. If your mage is already old, will wearing the boots prevent afflictions or just prevent him from becoming even older?

[Burnsaber]

sector24 said:
Ooh, that reminds me of a related question. If your mage is already old, will wearing the boots prevent afflictions or just prevent him from becoming even older?

They prevent receiving afflictions. If your mage already has "Disease"-affliction, giving boots won't help.

[Ironhawk]

Boots of the Messanger (i think?). The ones that give you reinvigoration. Thats the only boot I can think to put on my mages. I havent ever equipped any to the extent listed in the original post.

[Lazy_Perfectionist]

I often use Boots of the Messengers, myself, on mages with 4 spell encumbrance. As a small bonus, if they become unconscious they wake almost twice as fast.

That said, there are occasions where Birch Boots have their uses. With Ctis, they're enough to make your non-sauromancer mages 100% poison resitant. With partially cold-resist nations, they're enough to protect from 'Grip of Winter' or allow you to stand shoulder to shoulder with wights or winter wolves. Facing a water magic nation with alteration six, it can also be useful.

As well, Winged Shoes can be very useful strategically, if not tactically. If I have to empower up to air two, and i have only one or two fire 4, water/nature 5 mages (etc), I forge a pair so I can set up my anti-spell domes wherever I need, not worrying half as much about mountains, swamps, enemy armies, or forests.

As a side note, boots of stone are not good on any unit with a cold aura.

[RonD]

sector24 said:
If gems and research are not an issue, what boots do you typically give your mages?

But gems are always an issue. Any gems you spend on equipping a spellcaster are gems you cannot use to equip a combat mage, or summon more troops, or cast globals.

Except for earth mages, about the only shoes I ever make for spellcasters are winged shoes - if the strategic situation requires them.

[llamabeast]

I can imagine 3 nature gems for a pair of Boots of the Messenger couuld be a good investment for a mage. And some kind of simple armour/shield/amulet of missile protection. I would rarely give them more than that myself.

[thejeff]

Boots rarely, except for earth boots. Even that isn't too common, except with Ulm.

Most mages go out unequipped. If I've got the gems any mages with armor will get Robes of missile protection. Drops encumbrance and protects from stray arrows.

Other than that, only gear for specific tasks. Boosters, resistance items, maybe penetration.

[Agema]

Winged boots can be very handy tactically.