What boots do your mages wear?

[sector24]

If gems and research are not an issue, what boots do you typically give your mages? I frequently give my guys Faithful/Robe of Shadows/Spirit Helm and path boosters, but I have noticed that I often leave my guys barefoot if they're not earth mages. I think it's because I just don't feel like any boots grant the same level of usefulness as an item that grants luck/ethereal/free damage/etc.

Is there anything better than resist/reinvigoration for the foot slot?

[Burnsaber]

Boots of Youth. They're basically required for Abysia in all eras.

[sector24]

Ooh, that reminds me of a related question. If your mage is already old, will wearing the boots prevent afflictions or just prevent him from becoming even older?

[Burnsaber]

sector24 said:
Ooh, that reminds me of a related question. If your mage is already old, will wearing the boots prevent afflictions or just prevent him from becoming even older?



They prevent receiving afflictions. If your mage already has "Disease"-affliction, giving boots won't help.

[Ironhawk]

Boots of the Messanger (i think?). The ones that give you reinvigoration. Thats the only boot I can think to put on my mages. I havent ever equipped any to the extent listed in the original post.

[Lazy_Perfectionist]

I often use Boots of the Messengers, myself, on mages with 4 spell encumbrance. As a small bonus, if they become unconscious they wake almost twice as fast.

That said, there are occasions where Birch Boots have their uses. With Ctis, they're enough to make your non-sauromancer mages 100% poison resitant. With partially cold-resist nations, they're enough to protect from 'Grip of Winter' or allow you to stand shoulder to shoulder with wights or winter wolves. Facing a water magic nation with alteration six, it can also be useful.

As well, Winged Shoes can be very useful strategically, if not tactically. If I have to empower up to air two, and i have only one or two fire 4, water/nature 5 mages (etc), I forge a pair so I can set up my anti-spell domes wherever I need, not worrying half as much about mountains, swamps, enemy armies, or forests.

As a side note, boots of stone are not good on any unit with a cold aura.

[Valandil]

Earth Boots.

[sum1lost]

Occasionally my undead thug mages will wear chi boots and two shields, just for kicks.

[Valandil]

Ouch. Bad Pun. Ouch.

[Kamamura]

sum1lost said:
Occasionally my undead thug mages will wear chi boots and two shields, just for kicks.



They must look like a very angry turtle in combat http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif

[RonD]

sector24 said:
If gems and research are not an issue, what boots do you typically give your mages?



But gems are always an issue. Any gems you spend on equipping a spellcaster are gems you cannot use to equip a combat mage, or summon more troops, or cast globals.

Except for earth mages, about the only shoes I ever make for spellcasters are winged shoes - if the strategic situation requires them.

[llamabeast]

I can imagine 3 nature gems for a pair of Boots of the Messenger couuld be a good investment for a mage. And some kind of simple armour/shield/amulet of missile protection. I would rarely give them more than that myself.

[thejeff]

Boots rarely, except for earth boots. Even that isn't too common, except with Ulm.

Most mages go out unequipped. If I've got the gems any mages with armor will get Robes of missile protection. Drops encumbrance and protects from stray arrows.

Other than that, only gear for specific tasks. Boosters, resistance items, maybe penetration.

[Agema]

Winged boots can be very handy tactically.

[Humakty]

Talking of boots of youth reminds me the game I started with Aby yesterday. Had my heroe on turn 8, got him deseased on turn 9, died in the following turns...
RHAAAAAAA !!! First time I ever see him !!
Winged boots are very combo with pegasus riders.(winged armor too, but I find this one quite crappy)

[Meglobob]

Humakty said:
Talking of boots of youth reminds me the game I started with Aby yesterday. Had my heroe on turn 8, got him deseased on turn 9, died in the following turns...
RHAAAAAAA !!! First time I ever see him !!



I had this too, in a MP game, as MA Man I recruited a crone for the Late Winter turn.

When I got my turn and looked at my new crone, she was diseased, 20% hp loss and crippled. She was dead by summer! 300gps for that, how I swore...

[Kristoffer O]

Lol!

[Edratman]

I've never put anything but earth boots on a mage, as far as I can remember.

The question makes me think that the boots category could use additional non-combat variety options.

[Endoperez]

Protection - Boots of Stone
Resistances - Birch Boots, Infernal Boots
reinvig - Boots of the Messenger
flying - Winged Boots

What nation has none of earth, nature, fire and air? Then wwhy aren't you using boots?

[Frostmourne27]

Edi, you forgot about boots of youth - add blood to your list.

[Ghostman]

You Should Try Boots Of Quickness They Cast 2 Spells Per Turn. Unless there Old, Then Boots of Youth.

[Edi]

Frostmourne27 said:
Edi, you forgot about boots of youth - add blood to your list.


Errrm, what?


Ghostman said:
You Should Try Boots Of Quickness They Cast 2 Spells Per Turn. Unless there Old, Then Boots of Youth.


Since when do quickness boots allow casting spells twice per turn? Quickness was specifically modified for Dominons 3 so that you can only cast one spell per turn and it also applies to the boots of quickness.

[Lingchih]

Ghostman said:
You Should Try Boots Of Quickness They Cast 2 Spells Per Turn. Unless there Old, Then Boots of Youth.



Ahh... Newbies. Guess you just have to teach them.

[Sombre]

I think you mean:

Guess You Have To Teach Them.

[B0rsuk]

Speaking of boots of youth and elixir of life, do they prevent old age aflictions for commanders which are already old ? Or do I have to put them on ones who are still young ?

By the way: why there are no boots granting pathfinding/survival to commander ? For example boots which give forestwalk, I mean forest survival.

[Burnsaber]

B0rsuk said:
Speaking of boots of youth and elixir of life, do they prevent old age aflictions for commanders which are already old ? Or do I have to put them on ones who are still young ?




If you put them on old commanders who haven't yet got afflictions, they won't get any when they have the boots on. If the commander already has an affliction(s) when you put the boots on, the boots won't heal them, just prevent new ones from coming.

Note: Boots of Youth and Elixir of Life won't protect you from Burden of Time.

[Lord_Drakken]

Personally I think they could easily double the number of boots, helmets, shields, etc. there are so many possible buffs that would be fun but not imbalancing. I think this would be the easiest way to expand on the game.

I use earth boots and youth the most often but others for special situations.

[Sir_Dr_D]

Boots are more interesting then helmets at least. About the only helmet that is any good if you don't need a mgic boost is the wraith crwon, and that is highly expensive.

More options with boot, helmets and shields would be nice.