Returning Player - Skill Question

[TRIALZ]

While waiting for my account to be migrated, I created a trial account.

In order to skip the low level grinding, I created an Archer with Bow and Melee Defense specialized, and then at 34 did the skill readjustments dropping Bow entirely, and decreasing Melee Defense to trained, and training War Magic and Life Magic. I realize I did the skill changes a little early and I am wondering if I should drop Melee Defense and specialize War Magic or train Creature Magic.

What level does Melee Defense become indispensable at ?

Note: I am currently using buff-bots.

Thanks for your answers and suggestions.

[Gengis]

melee isn't necessary on a mage, but I think it makes life much easier. What were your starting attributes? I'm a little worried that you may have messed up the template there rather than with skills.

If you're going mage and using buffbots, I'd drop melee for now, I'd spec war magic...then if you have credits left, go from there.

[TRIALZ]

Yep, you are right, I messed up the template while re-distributing XP after un-spec'ing and untraining.

Ok, started a new toon, with:

Specialized:
War Magic (16+12 SP)

Trained:
Arcane Lore (4 SP)
Healing (6 SP)
Mana Conversion (6 SP)

Remaining: 6 Skill Points.

Attributes:
50-30-10-40-100-100

Instead of trying to avoid the early grind, which doesn't really exist when using buff bots (now I realize !?!), I went War Mage right from the beginning. I guess I had forgotten how powerful level VII buffs make one. :)

At 7 I could train Life Magic (12 SP), and at 20 I had another 8 Skill Points cumulated. I have not decided yet if I will go Creature Magic (8 SP) or Item Magic (8 SP) first. Creature Magic allows for debuffs, which could come in handy for Magic Yield, whereas Item Magic is pretty useless with buff bots and portal bots. Now that I am 24 I'm leaning towards Creature Magic, even though training Melee Defense (10 SP) could sound like a good option when taking into account the tremendous damage I take when facing multiple mobs at once; 6 - 7 Olthoi Servants or 2-3 Tusker Slaves only allow me one or two War Magic spells, then I must heal and refill Stamina.

Now, if I could just get my old account re-activated so I can grab my tinkered armor, this would greatly help. ;)

Thanks for the great tips.

[KAID3]

you need life magic and item magic now. and after you take life and get to 25 drop the healing. you will not need healing with life spells, and stam to mana is a mage's best friend.

do not worry about critter for awhile if you are using the bots.

[Logan Conrad]

Welcome back!