14 réponses à ce sujet

[AntiChri5]

So, after three full warrior playthroughs and one full rogue playthrough I figured it's more then time to finally get around to maging it up.

 

Problem is I don't really have the time or energy to experiment with almost every ability, like I did with Warriors and a bit of with my Rogue, so im looking for some general advice for mage use.

 

Right now my new mage is at level 12. Rift mage, general focus on nuking and controlling the battlefield. This character is romancing Bull, so he is going to be along for every battle.

 

Current skills are the entire Rift Mage tree sans focus ability (with none of the upgrades), Immolate, Chain Lightning, Winter's Grasp, Winter Stillness, Barrier, Peaceful Aura, Guardian's Stillness.

 

As you can see, basically dipped her toe into everything.

 

Any advice would be appreciated, but im mostly after what spells and upgrades to disregard and which ones to consider and why. I don't really want to be told an exact build (I want to do some of the work myself).

 

I considered looking this **** up but between balance changes and Trespasser toggles....egh.

[Elhanan]

At a glance, I highly recommend adding Dispel, Rejuvenating Barrier, Energy Barrage, Flashpoint, Clean Burn, and Fade Step.

Am still a bit new to the upgrade Toggles, but since you already have Winter's Grasp, the new damage option does improve the spell a lot.

[electricfish]

First and foremost, you'll want to get all the upgrades for your Rift Mage spells. The upgrades actually give those Rift spells the chance to weaken enemies, which (aside from reducing enemy damage) significantly increases your mana regen based on the damage you do to weakened enemies. Basically near infinite mana.

There is currently a bug where shocking an enemy with chain lightning causes them to be immune to being Weakened, so watch out for that. Energy Barrage is still a fun spell from the lightning tree, especially if you pair it with a staff with guard on hit or a hidden blades masterwork, haha.

 

It takes a bit to get to it, but Fire Mine would be a good option for controlled nuking. You can place it in the middle of Pull of the Abyss and watch as all the enemies in its radius blow up, not just one that happens to step on it.  If I recall, the default upgrade for Fire Mine causes enemies to be thrown up in the air, along with a boost to Fire Mine's damage.

 

Since you've already taken Winter's Grasp, the Mana Surge passive next to it (the one that freezes enemies if they destroy your barrier) could be useful to have as well. I think Patch 10 fixed it so that it actually freezes enemies now, AND you cast spells for free if ANY barrier you cast is destroyed. That means barrier on companions, not just you. Iron Bull will be able to get in "Shatter" combos with his Mighty Blow and (I think) Whirlwind.

[AntiChri5]

At a glance, I highly recommend adding Dispel, Rejuvenating Barrier, Energy Barrage, Flashpoint, Clean Burn, and Fade Step.

Am still a bit new to the upgrade Toggles, but since you already have Winter's Grasp, the new damage option does improve the spell a lot.

Hmmm. Thanks. This is mostly sticking to the early spells.

[AntiChri5]

First and foremost, you'll want to get all the upgrades for your Rift Mage spells. The upgrades actually give those Rift spells the chance to weaken enemies, which (aside from reducing enemy damage) significantly increases your mana regen based on the damage you do to weakened enemies. Basically near infinite mana.

There is currently a bug where shocking an enemy with chain lightning causes them to be immune to being Weakened, so watch out for that. Energy Barrage is still a fun spell from the lightning tree, especially if you pair it with a staff with guard on hit or a hidden blades masterwork, haha.

 

It takes a bit to get to it, but Fire Mine would be a good option for controlled nuking. You can place it in the middle of Pull of the Abyss and watch as all the enemies in its radius blow up, not just one that happens to step on it.  If I recall, the default upgrade for Fire Mine causes enemies to be thrown up in the air, along with a boost to Fire Mine's damage.

 

Since you've already taken Winter's Grasp, the Mana Surge passive next to it (the one that freezes enemies if they destroy your barrier) could be useful to have as well. I think Patch 10 fixed it so that it actually freezes enemies now, AND you cast spells for free if ANY barrier you cast is destroyed. That means barrier on companions, not just you. Iron Bull will be able to get in "Shatter" combos with his Mighty Blow and (I think) Whirlwind.

It sounds like the Chain Lightning bug seriously hinders a Rift Mage. Should I spec out of it?

 

Thanks, this is some great info.

[Fullmetall21]

It sounds like the Chain Lightning bug seriously hinders a Rift Mage. Should I spec out of it?

 

Thanks, this is some great info.

 

You could instead spec out of Chain Lightning, it is not really that needed as a rift mage. With the new upgrades you can spec Pull of the Abyss to do damage and weaken enemies with Stone Fist or Veilstrike. You can finish them off with a Fire Mine if they are still standing.

[PapaCharlie9]

At a glance, I highly recommend adding Dispel, Rejuvenating Barrier, Energy Barrage, Flashpoint, Clean Burn, and Fade Step.

Am still a bit new to the upgrade Toggles, but since you already have Winter's Grasp, the new damage option does improve the spell a lot.

On a Rift Mage? You pretty much described my KE.
 
Get everything in the Rift Mage tree except for the focus ability. The focus ability is not worth an active skill slot, it's not much fun and sometimes bugs out. Just stick with Mark of the Rift or none. Everything in the Rift Mage tree is useful. You could spend all day just casting Stonefist, Veilstrike and Pull of the Abyss. It's one of the few specializations that is nearly self-sufficient.
 
If you like to support your party by casting barrier on them, take that as well as Rejuv Barrier and/or Mana Surge. Both are excellent support passives that make your whole party stronger.

If you really want another active skill, Fire Mine is the way to go, as already mentioned. But you really don't need it for damage. Stonefist with cooldown buffs and detonations and/or targets with spirit vulnerability is arguably comparable to Fire Mine on a DPS basis, since you can recast Stonefist at least twice during the same time it would take to recast Fire Mine, assuming a target even steps on it.

Keep Winter's Chill, since you can self-detonate with Stonefist if you have enough mana.
 

It sounds like the Chain Lightning bug seriously hinders a Rift Mage. Should I spec out of it?
 
Thanks, this is some great info.

If you really want other active skills, Fire Mine is the way to go, as mentioned above. But you really don't need it. Upgraded Stonefist with cooldown buffs and detonations arguably has comparable DPS, since you can cast several of them in the time you can recast a Fire Mine.

Certainly don't spec a party member with it, but if you have a free slot, you can use it if you really want it. Just remember to use it OR your Rift Mage weakening skills, which after upgrading is all of them. It's either/or.

You don't really need it, though. Veilstrike does everything you'd want to do with Chain Lighting and more. Well, except for the electricity part.

[actionhero112]

You can go lightning if you want to go rejuvenating step over frost step. 25 % mana recovery per enemy you dash through is pretty good with sigil of the great bear. It also allows you to take advantage of some of the alternate upgrades to your rift mage tree. 

[Elhanan]

On a Rift Mage? You pretty much described my KE.
 
Get everything in the Rift Mage tree except for the focus ability. The focus ability is not worth an active skill slot, it's not much fun and sometimes bugs out. Just stick with Mark of the Rift or none. Everything in the Rift Mage tree is useful. You could spend all day just casting Stonefist, Veilstrike and Pull of the Abyss. It's one of the few specializations that is nearly self-sufficient.
 
If you like to support your party by casting barrier on them, take that as well as Rejuv Barrier and/or Mana Surge. Both are excellent support passives that make your whole party stronger.

If you really want another active skill, Fire Mine is the way to go, as already mentioned. But you really don't need it for damage. Stonefist with cooldown buffs and detonations and/or targets with spirit vulnerability is arguably comparable to Fire Mine on a DPS basis, since you can recast Stonefist at least twice during the same time it would take to recast Fire Mine, assuming a target even steps on it.

Keep Winter's Chill, since you can self-detonate with Stonefist if you have enough mana.
 
Certainly don't spec a party member with it, but if you have a free slot, you can use it if you really want it. Just remember to use it OR your Rift Mage weakening skills, which after upgrading is all of them. It's either/or.

You don't really need it, though. Veilstrike does everything you'd want to do with Chain Lighting and more. Well, except for the electricity part.

Have very little experience with the Rift Mage spec, but on paper the possible combos with both Fire and Ice make such a build quite intriguing; am currently trying it in my latest campaign. Recommend Fire spells first; more undead to fight in early part of game, and Ice is apparently not as effective, though is handy for defense.

[StarFlorge]

Got check out my videos on mage builds, i explain how to play it in most videos, i've been playing dragon since origins and played mage as my main character all the time, so go have a look im sure it will help

 

https://www.youtube....txHFkmb_nxdrNzQ

[Elhanan]

Got check out my videos on mage builds, i explain how to play it in most videos, i've been playing dragon since origins and played mage as my main character all the time, so go have a look im sure it will help
 
https://www.youtube....txHFkmb_nxdrNzQ

Just in case, be sure to also see Spirit magic; Barrier can be your friend, at least for most of us....

[Realyn]

A guide on how to mage

 

Step 1: Load a save before you picked specializations;

Step 2: Now pick Necromancer;

Step 3: Pick the Spirit Mark ability;

Step 4: Pick the wisp upgrade;

Step 5: Become a machine gun.

 

Sorry, just joking here. It's just that I recently tried this and I found it hilarious.

 

As for actual advice, I can definitely recommend Starflorge's videos. I used a few of 'm myself and used them as a solid base to experiment and tweak to my personal liking. Tweaking is not needed, but that's just me... I like to try things out to find my personal best fit.

[Bigdawg13]

If you hate video guides like I do try dragoninquisition.com and although not updates for toggles they work great

[Rocket Surgeon]

I haven't played a rift mage inquisitor yet, but since the last patch i found the new winter's grasp upgrade quite helpful when followed by a stonefist from Solas, that combo packs quite a punch get it... Bad joke i know *sighs* ...

[htisscrimbliv]

One does not simply "mage".