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-< NEVERWINTER NIGHTS >-

WIZARD GUIDE (Ver 1.01)

BY: Troy McLaughlan
t_mclaughlan@hotmail.com

Copyright 2002 Troy McLaughlan

December 3, 2002

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This FAQ has been made by Troy McLaughlan

You can FREELY distribute this FAQ to anybody under the following
conditions:

1- You must distribute it FREELY. I'm not receiving any money for making
it, and I don't want other people to earn money for my work.

2- You don't change ANYTHING, even if it's an error. Just send me an
email
and I'll fix it.

3- If you want to post it on a Web Page you must ask me first. I will
always give my approval if you meet the following requirements:

A) Everybody must have access to this FAQ freely. No membership, no
private areas, no fees for access to download it...

B) You have to send me the URL of your HomePage via email. I will add
it
to the homepages list below.

This guide may be not be reproduced under any circumstances except for
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distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide
on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly
prohibited, and a violation of copyright.

All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.

This guide is based on NeverWinter Nights Version 1.24 using the default
rules.

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Last version of this FAQ can always be found at:

* HTTP://WWW.GAMEFAQS.COM
* http://www.sorcerers.net/index.shtml
* http://DLH.Net

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*****
INDEX
*****

1- HISTORY
2- REASONS TO CHOOSE A WIZARD
3- WIZARD CREATION
A) RACE
B) ALIGNMENT
C) ABILITIES
D) SKILLS
E) FEATS
F) FAMILIAR
G) SPECIALIZATION
4- HENCHMEN
5- SPELLS
6- EQUIPMENT
7- MULTICLASSING
8- CLASS VS CLASS
9- SOLOING TIPS
10- TIPS AND TRICKS


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***********
1- HISTORY
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* Ver 0.99: First version. (November 25,2002)

* Ver 1.02: (December 3, 2002) Corrected some errors (Thanks Garec)
More tips, included stats in the list of spells, and added some
multiplayer tips. Grammar and spelling errors were also
corrected.

After looking at the various wizard and Sorcerer FAQs I began to feel
like
there was a prejudice against the Wizard class in favor of the Sorcerer.
Many
people feel that the Sorcerer is superior because of the number of extra
spells
they can cast versus the Wizard. Having played both types I can tell you
that
there is a definite difference between the two, but I dn't consider one
better
than the other. I think that an adequately prepared Wizard can beat a
Sorcerer
of the same level with the same items and vice versa. This FAQ was created
to
help people who want to play a wizard and get the most out of the class.

Because I will be approaching this FAQ from a Wizards viewpoint I will be
emphasizing the Wizards strengths and weaknesses versus other classes
including
the Sorcerer. However, keep in mind that, IMO, any class can beat any other
class given the right conditions.


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2- REASONS TO CHOOSE A WIZARD
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Many people think that a Wizard and Sorcerer are practically the same
thing, but they are very wrong. Sorcerer players play to kill as quickly as
possible with an emphasis on their direct-damage spells. A sorcerer can
only
know 4-5 low level spells per spell-level, 4 middle level spells per
spell-level, and 3 high level spells per spell-level, so they need to choose
a
few defensive spells and focus on the direct damage spells to win. On the
other hand, a Wizard can memorize a few less spells than a Sorcerer, but
have a
much wider variety to choose from each time they rest. Therefore a wizards
strategy is to use this variety of spells to his advantage.

One strategy a wizard may use is to have their familiar examine a battle
area
first to find out what monsters are in it and then rest to memorize the
right
spells needed kill them all quickly and efficiently.

Another strategy is to know a variety of spells in each spell level so the
wizard can deal with nearly any circumstance in an emergency. If a sorcerer
that knows mostly fire spells enters a battle against fire giants he will
most
likely have to make hit a run attacks to dispatch them. A wizard can enter
the
same battle and use mostly cold and magic spells to kill them.

This tends to make a wizard more strategic and versatile in battle versus
the
brute force and hit and run tactics that sorcerers generally use.

A wizard can also choose to specialize in a particular school of magic. A
specialist wizard is kind of a cross between a general wizard and a
Sorcerer.
Basically you get more spells to cast but you are prevented from memorizing
spells from an opposing school of magic. You also can't cast the spells of
an
opposing school of magic from scrolls so just sell them if you find any
during
the game. The school of magic a Wizard chooses to specialize in becomes the
first feat a specialist wizard learns. By doing so the wizard will gain 1
extra spell slot per spell level. The wizard also gains a +2 bonus to spell
save DC against an opponent for spells cast from the school. This makes it
harder for opponents to resist those spells. But remember the disadvantage
is
that the wizard can't memorize and cast spells from an opposing set school
of
magic. A specialist wizard also has a lower ability (-5) to counterspell
spells from the opposing school. Given the extra spell per level and the
added
power it is defiantly worth considering if you want to be a powerful if
somewhat limited Wizard.

Note: you can only choose to specialize at character creation. You can't
decide later in the game that you want to specialize in a school of magic so
consider your options carefully. To help you make this decision I am
listing
all the schools of magic and some recommendations based on playing a
specialist
wizard in the WIZARD CREATION area.

In multiplayer Wizards usually play the role of casting magic buffs on other
players within their group and casting specific high level damage spells
against opponents. Think of a wizard as a magic version of a cleric. A
wizard
doesn't use magic to heal but rather makes the players within his group
stronger with magic buffs and enchantments. The wizard also gives the group
some added magic firepower tuned to a specific need. Wizards also are used
by
the group as a scholar to identify any items found due to their high
intelligence and lore skills. With the large number of spells available to
a
Wizard they can also make great counterspellers versus other enemy mages. A
multiplayer group will commonly consist of a Wizard and a Sorcerer. The
sorcerer for brute magic power and the wizard for special circumstances and
magic buffs.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of Wizards versus Sorcerers.

***** Sorcerers advantages versus a generalist wizard

Spells
1 more level 1,2,3,4,5 spells
2 more level 6,7,8,9 spells

Charisma
Spells based on charisma score so it is easier to get side quests and
persuade NPC characters. 2 henchman items that you can receive will
increase
the charisma score.

***** Sorcerers advantages versus a specialist wizard

Spells
1 more level 6,7,8,9 spells

Charisma
Spells based on charisma score so it is easier to get side quests and
persuade NPC characters. 2 henchman items that you can receive will
increase
the charisma score.


***** Wizard advantages versus a Sorcerer

Spells
Sorcerer can only cast
5 types of level 1, 2 spells
4 types of level 3, 4, 5 spells
3 types of level 6, 7, 8, 9 spells

Wizards can memorize and cast any spell in their spell book

Wizards get to memorize a higher level spell one class level earlier.
For
example a Wizard can memorize a level 3 spell at class level 5 while a
sorcerer
must wait till level 6 to learn it. A very useful feat when you are trying
to
solo in the early stages of the game.

Feats
Wizards get 4 more Metamagic feats

Skills
Spells based on Intelligence score so a wizard will get more skill
points