Slow level progression?

[FlippinFerrets91]

I've done what I would consider the starting quests, and I've been grinding for a while trying to level up.

I'd interact and rp with people, but the only time it makes sense is when someone shows up in the area I'm fighting in.

That being said, I'm a bit easy to kill because I'm a caster with only 18 AC when buffed. My spell-staff doesn't hot past 3 damage max and I'm nearly dependent on a summon who lasts only a few minuets tops.

Because I can die so easily, I'm forced to stick to lower exp-awarding creatures. Like bandits or wolves. I'm level four right now, and could go into high level areas if I just had some gold to buy a better staff.

I guess I just don't know how to resolve my issue, nor do I know a specific question to ask.

Help.

[Aelcar]

I've done what I would consider the starting quests, and I've been grinding for a while trying to level up.

I'd interact and rp with people, but the only time it makes sense is when someone shows up in the area I'm fighting in.

That being said, I'm a bit easy to kill because I'm a caster with only 18 AC when buffed. My spell-staff doesn't hot past 3 damage max and I'm nearly dependent on a summon who lasts only a few minuets tops.

Because I can die so easily, I'm forced to stick to lower exp-awarding creatures. Like bandits or wolves. I'm level four right now, and could go into high level areas if I just had some gold to buy a better staff.

I guess I just don't know how to resolve my issue, nor do I know a specific question to ask.

Help.

You have a few excellent options:

-) Summon Creature III Scrolls (can be purchased in BG)
-) False Life spell (a backpack that gives you additional HP, if you still have issues)
-) Polymorph and/or Stoneskin consumables
-) Memorize Mage Armor, Circle vs Alignment (Evil), Extended Shield and Ghostly Visage. Normally you'd use Mirror Images, but at your level Ghostly Visage is extremely good.
-) Use cheap healing potions
-) Memorize no attack spells, but carry two or three scrolls (scorcher, darts and whatnot): use them if your summon dies, and you need to carve yourself a path to safety.
-) Carry a potion of Expeditious Retreat at all times, and don't be afraid to drink it and run.

It's extremely easy to level a mage from caster level 7 onward (so 4th circle spells).

You'll be fine.

[FlippinFerrets91]

You have a few excellent options:

-) Summon Creature III Scrolls (can be purchased in BG)
-) False Life spell (a backpack that gives you additional HP, if you still have issues)
-) Polymorph and/or Stoneskin consumables
-) Memorize Mage Armor, Circle vs Alignment (Evil), Extended Shield and Ghostly Visage. Normally you'd use Mirror Images, but at your level Ghostly Visage is extremely good.
-) Use cheap healing potions
-) Memorize no attack spells, but carry two or three scrolls (scorcher, darts and whatnot): use them if your summon dies, and you need to carve yourself a path to safety.
-) Carry a potion of Expeditious Retreat at all times, and don't be afraid to drink it and run.

It's extremely easy to level a mage from caster level 7 onward (so 4th circle spells).

You'll be fine.

-) Summon Creature III Scrolls (can be purchased in BG)

Are these expensive? I've got just over 2500 gold and I owe that to a player to gave me some items to bolster my AC and HP.

-) False Life spell

I don't have this spell, but I do have a backpack and belt that add about 8 hp.

-) Polymorph and/or Stoneskin consumables

Once again, gold is a bit of an issue right now. This is my first character after all.

---- Everything else I've pretty much been doing. I never thought about using summon scrolls though. That might get costly.

[Aelcar]

No, they don't cost much. Should be around 300 gp.

2500 gold is good to start.

What you need, is for these scrolls to get you to CL 5. From then on, you won't need to buy much to get to CL 7. From CL 7 on, you'll MAKE money, instead of spending them.

[Calodan]

Sadly you chose the hardest to level class here. You are going to have to have some patience with your first toon on the server. We all went through it that stayed and it does get better. I would personally give you all the XP of one of my PCs to help you out but sadly that creates more work for the DMs that just want to tell stories and run events for us. Use consumables is the only answer and they are fairly cheap. I can get on some time and escort you to Candle keep for a few scrolls as that is the cheapest place to buy a few. However Aelcar is right summon creature is your friend.

[Tsidkenu]

My tips as one who has progressed, albeit over several years, an 8 CON wizard from level 1-30

1. Sleep spell - every lowbie wizard's best friend. Spam this spell like no tomorrow and reap the Coup de Grace juiciness (NB: does not work on undead!) Alternatively, grind wolves until you can afford a Wand of Sleep from Sorcerous Sundries so you can free up a few 1st level slots for defensive spells such as mage armour and shield.

2. Resting - You may rest once every 45 seconds multiplied by your character level. Utilise this tip with no. 1 above. Consider that the Shield spell, or Summon Creature I, lasts 1 minute per level. When either of those spells wear off, its time to have another nap!

3. Bonus HP items - If you didn't already spend half your starting GP on a Backpack of Heartiness from Maltz, go and do so now! Those +5 hp are a literal lifesaver in the lowbie levels! Also keep a look out for random dropped or sold + HP items in ring, amulet and other slots. They're around, and if you're a level 1 wizard with 20hp, it makes things heaps easier!

4. Refreshing Water - This is simply one of the best healing pots at low level that there is. Available from the roadside farmer's stall in the Eastern Farmlands zone, they cost 15-20 gp each and guaranteed to heal 11 hp over 11 rounds (including after a knockout, assuming you used the potion beforehand). When you're fighting wolves that do a maximum of 1 damage, these pots are extremely cost effective.

[Taintedglory]

Also! Party up and interact ICly with others! Dont be anti-social! Feel free to PM me on any of my characters and they'll be glad to run some zones with you both ICly and OOCly. You'll see me ingame as one of the following, Im willing to help!

Malast Dravv
Urgosh Lambfire
Cole Mikhal
Donarvinny Spricket

[FlippinFerrets91]

A lot of good tips. That being said, I have to save that 2500 gp I have now for a player who gave me some items to help me along.

Would a viable strategy be to use invisibility and summon creature III scrolls?

[FlippinFerrets91]

I'm going to try my hand at some kobolds...

I'm there if anyone is interested.

c:

[Aelcar]

A lot of good tips. That being said, I have to save that 2500 gp I have now for a player who gave me some items to help me along.

Would a viable strategy be to use invisibility and summon creature III scrolls?

Not really.

The Summon is not a tank, it's a steady source of damage. YOU are the tank, believe it or not.

If you let the summon tank, you won't get much for the investment.

Invisibility is currently a waste of your spellbook space: brings you nothing when you solo, unless you use it for questing (or to follow lvl 7-8 people into dangerous areas, and then buffing THEM and staying out of trouble).

You absolutely DO NOT have to save those 2500 GP. You need to spend them all, get to CL 7 and THEN make a ton of cash. Saving at level zero is not the way to play this game efficiently.

EDIT: I forgot. Don't go alone to the Kobolds at lvl 4. It's a suicide. A bad spawn, two crits in a row and you're history.

[FlippinFerrets91]

Not really.

The Summon is not a tank, it's a steady source of damage. YOU are the tank, believe it or not.

If you let the summon tank, you won't get much for the investment.

Invisibility is currently a waste of your spellbook space: brings you nothing when you solo, unless you use it for questing (or to follow lvl 7-8 people into dangerous areas, and then buffing THEM and staying out of trouble).

You absolutely DO NOT have to save those 2500 GP. You need to spend them all, get to CL 7 and THEN make a ton of cash. Saving at level zero is not the way to play this game efficiently.

EDIT: I forgot. Don't go alone to the Kobolds at lvl 4. It's a suicide. A bad spawn, two crits in a row and you're history.

I really do need to save that money though, I owe it to him.
I don't want people to think of me as a thief.

[Aelcar]

It's a mistake.

You can give him the money back in a moment, once you're CL 7 and you can safely farm the goblin mines (4+ chests).

Also, 2500 gold is nothing. To put it into perspective, killing a decent boss gives you 5000 gold. Respawning time ca. 20 mins.

I'm pretty sure you're fine holding on to them a couple of days more .

[NeOmega]

HP gear and some spell slot gear helps greatly. I have a pair of merchants who have things for lowbies like you.

And invisibility is the most important spell you can have. Put it on hotbar 1 and use it when in a jam.

And 2500 gold is a lot for a lowbie.

Saving it, is still a bad idea. Buy barkskin potions. (since you cant cast natural armor spells until 3rd level spell spiderskin), buy bigger, better summon scrolls if you can find them.

[FlippinFerrets91]

So where should I train then, if not the kobold ruins?

[illithid]

If you have that amount of gold, and invisibility, then your best option to level up quick and make the gold back quick, is Invisibility >>> South of Candlekeep by boat >>> High Hedge >>> Thalantyrs store >>> buy summon creature VII x2 >>> back to hilltop ruins >>> you've got 26 mins of a level 13 elemental to keep you company, stay out of the way and let it do the work for you