Wizards

Mages and Sorcerers, along with Clerics and Druids, are the only classes in the game that can cast spells from the start. (Rangers can cast some spells, but only at later levels.) There are different spells for Mages and Sorcerers than there are for Clerics and Druids. Cleric and Druid spells are called "Priest Spells" while Mage and Sorcerer spells are called "Mage Spells."

Here is a list of all Mage spells and their schools (in Baldur's Gate II; NWN spells are currently unreleased):

THESE ARE LINKS TO THE SPELL SECTION AT PLANET BALDUR'S GATE

-Level 1- -Level 2- -Level 3- -Level 4- -Level 5- -Level 6- -Level 7- -Level 8- -Level 9-

The 8 Schools of Magic

If you choose to become a mage, you can decide to specialize in one of eight types of magic. Below, you will see the eight types, or "schools" and their description, advantages, and disadvantages.

School

Description Advantages Disadvantages
Abjurer A wizard who specializes in protective magics Gains one extra spell per level, just for being a specialist mage Cannot learn spells that are from the Alteration school
Conjurer A wizard who specializes in creating creatures and objects to assist him Gains one extra spell per level, just for being a specialist mage Cannot learn spells that are from the Divination school
Diviner A wizard who specializes in detection and divining magics Gains one extra spell per level, just for being a specialist mage Cannot learn spells that are from the Conjurer school
Enchanter A wizard who specializes in manipulating the minds of sentient beings Gains one extra spell per level, just for being a specialist mage Cannot learn spells that are from the Invocation school
Illusionist A wizard who specializes in creating illusions to confuse and mislead Gains one extra spell per level, just for being a specialist mage Cannot learn spells that are from the Necromancy school
Invoker A wizard who specializes in manipulating energy, such as Fireballs and Lightning Bolts Gains one extra spell per level, just for being a specialist mage Cannot learn spells that are from the Enchantment/Conjurer schools
Necromancer A wizard who specializes in magic dealing with death Gains one extra spell per level, just for being a specialist mage Cannot learn spells that are from the Illusion school
Transmuter (Alteration) A wizard who specializes in magic that alters physical reality Gains one extra spell per level, just for being a specialist mage Cannot learn spells that are from the Abjuration school

Most of you who are new to this game would probably choose Invoker, which lets you cast spells like fireballs and lightning and missiles etc. But, all of the other schools have equally useful skills. For example, a mage of the Conjurer school would be able to spawn monsters and animals to assist him or her in battle. A Necromancer can resurrect someone who has died. An Illusionist can create a false image of himself to confuse the enemy. So, before you choose to be an Invoker, think it over and picture what you would really like to do to your foes.

MAGES

Mages have powerful spells and when unspecialized, can cast them from any school. Mages can simultaneously memorize a specific number of spells per day, depending upon level. The prime requisite for mages is intelligence with the minimum being 9.

SORCERERS

Sorcerers are practitioners of magic who were born with the innate ability to cast spells. It is thought that the blood of some powerful creature flows through their veins; perhaps they are the spawn of the gods themselves, or even dragons walking in humanoid form. Regardless, the sorcerer's magic is intuitive rather than logical. They know fewer spells than wizards, and acquire spells more slowly, by they can cast spells more often and have no need to select and prepare spells ahead of time. Sorcerers cannot specialize in magic the way wizards to. other than these differences, a sorcerer is very similar to the wizard. Note: A sorcerer does not learn spells from scrolls. He chooses new spells with each level. A sorcerer's prime requisite is intelligence and they use the mage avatar.