OOO mage build?

[Fenderstat]

Well I'm thinking of going mage with OOO but I'm after some help. The OOO experience is far more extreme than vanilla and I'm worried my poor mage will be rolled by the nearest mud crab if I don't build him right. Any tips on how to play and suggested created spells and the like. I'm new to the mage group as I'm almost exclusively a thief.

 

I was thinking about midas magic as well (I've never played it before) and deadly reflex (for when someone gets too close I can despatch them awesomely) but the OOO compatibility link doesn't work on the midas page and I'm worried it might break my game.

 

I know OOO and reflex work fine together.

 

I also know there are some veteran OOO mages who can help me as well.

 

Edit - Also I'm loading marts monster mod as well.

 

Thanks

[Maigrets]

Midas Magic is totally compatible with OOO and MMM. I only play mages with some marksman and a little blade added and have no or few problems, depending on the enemy level. Keep in mind that OOO adds enemies with specific resistances and weaknesses. You just need to find out what they are use it against them.

 

So go for it. :smile:

 

You might want to use another magic related mod as well. I use Mighty Magic:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=5746

 

That's the old version. There is another updated one, but I prefer the original. Some say it's overpowered, but with OOO the extra help is a bonus sometimes.

Mighty magic Reborn:

http://www.tesnexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=14336

 

There are other newer magic related mods, like Supreme Magicka, but I haven't used them. I tend to stick with my old favourite and Midas of course, which is a marvel itself.

[Fenderstat]

Thats good to know.

 

Any suggestions on how to play a mage though. It's been about 2 years since I last played and my last build was a thief with conjuration. Any specific battle tactics and the like?

[Maigrets]

You'll definitely need Destruction skills for offensive spells. Get the best destructive spells possible, especially elemental, drain attributes and weakness to poisons, magicka and the elements.

 

I like Alteration for shields and reflection of magic and damage because many enemies will reflect your spells back at you. It's also good for unlocking chests instead of having to increase Security. If you did use Mighty magic it has spells that open up to Hard locks and in there's a certain place you can buy and an Open Very Hard Locks spell.

 

Note that OOO adds trapped chests which can kill you instantly if your Security is low. Using the spells gets you past that, although if you do manage to open a chest with a lockpick you can disarm it if your level is high. You can get special poisons this way.

 

Illusion for hiding from enemies that are far above you. You can sneak past them with invisibility and other spells in that category are useful too. But it's not a necessity. Mysticism may be an advantage in detecting enemies before they see you as well as Soul Trap for recharging magical weapons. Also Telekinesis for getting those Welkynd stones off their perches. Arrows will do that just as well though.

 

Restoration is a must and Conjuration helps too, but isn't a necessity if you use companions. Even companions can get overwhelmed in some dungeons and being able to summon creatures at will distracts the mage enemies which are extremely strong. Try not to take on a group if possible because they will summon all manner of beast and you'll be dead before you can raise your hand to retaliate.

 

I don't bother much with Alchemy. You find tons of potions and can buy them anyway. Poisons help though, but you can level up Alchemy normally without taking it as a skill.

 

This pretty much makes you a pure mage, but is it very rewarding and it doesn't feel like cheating to me.

 

That leaves a couple of other possible skills. I take blade and marksman for the times when you have to get up close or you might be Silenced by an enemy and can't use spells. Be careful with enchanted weapons as those enchantments can be reflected back at you. A specific enemy comes to mind but I won't spoil that for you. You'll meet them soon enough.

 

Don't bother with Heavy or Light armour. Your spell effectiveness is lowered and as a mage that can be deadly. Besides even if you wear Light armour your skill will level quicker than heavy armour in regard to spell casting.

 

Athletics as a major is useless and so is Acrobatics I think. All you need do is run or jump a lot and they increase fast enough anyway, while other skills don't. Besides you can buy training easily, if not cheaply.

 

Speechcraft and Mercantile are also useless as a mage and in general IMO. If you have Illusion you have Charm spells and with OOO you'll find enough loot to get rich in no time. IF you can get to it... :biggrin:

 

I'm not a strict role player though. I play my game to suit me, but without cheating. Other players would probably have different ideas.

 

This page is an OOO Spoilers page, but it's more strategies than cheats. Use in moments of desperation.. :biggrin: It does have suggestions though at the top for different character builds that might help.

http://devnull.sweetdanger.net/ooospoilers.html

 

Don't forget, running is not cowardly. You can return the favour later when you level up and feel good about it too.

[kruddpm]

im not good with acronyms and all that what exactly is " ooo"?

no wait no i no know dont worry

[Fenderstat]

Thanks Maigrets. No Light armour though? Light armour was my bread and butter leveler when I was a thief. I suppose destruction and restoration are that for the mage then.

[Maigrets]

Thanks Maigrets. No Light armour though? Light armour was my bread and butter leveler when I was a thief. I suppose destruction and restoration are that for the mage then.

 

Well I do use light armour because there are so many great armour mods. Depends on how strictly you want to follow role playing, I suppose. It probably doesn't make that much difference and when you train, your magic effectiveness wearing it increases anyway.

 

I don't use heavy armour mainly because I don't like it, or at least the plate and heavy metal type. However, Battle Mages do so with training your spells will be more effective. It just takes longer.