Mage solo strategy question

[Pyrion]

I beg to differ. Especially in the first levels the fire pet is superior to water while soloing. You don't need to use mana for its damage shield + the damage shield is much bigger than what you can cast yourself. It's probably the main damage source, resulting in faster kills. You need to be aware though that the fire pet is not as sturdy as the water pet, so depending on what you want to kill, NegaStoats advice can still apply, just not in the general case.

The best solution for avoiding xp loss due to pet is to just DUO. Even if the other person is contributing absolutely nothing you still get the same xp as if you are soloing without killing pets all the time. Any partner contribution is adding to your xp.

[loramin]

Originally Posted by Pyrion [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I beg to differ. Especially in the first levels the fire pet is superior to water while soloing.

I'm not sure you're remembering the early levels properly: I have a low level mage and the fire pet is terrible. It rarely even survives until the end of a single fight (and low levels should not have to chain cast pets to kill a single mob).

I've been using the earth pet, but based on NegaStoat I think I'm going to try the water pet next.

Originally Posted by Pyrion [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

The best solution for avoiding xp loss due to pet is to just DUO.

Excellent suggestion. Far too few pet classes utilize this, but it makes a huge difference.

Originally Posted by Fettsack [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

The focus item quest can only be done Level 33+.? At least wiki says...?

The wiki is wrong (someone should edit it!). I did all of the focus items on my very low (I forget what he was at the time, 9 maybe?) mage.