So what is Archmage really about?

[Namix]

I am considering to play this career. However, I don't know much about it yet. I've just watched a podcast that an Archmage is a healer. I was looking for more kind of universal class. So is Archmage a pure healer that does really low damage and therefore is useless as DPS, or, is it a class that can heal well, do a nice damage (also AoE?) and has some good buffs?

Thanks for every reply in advance :)

[BludThirstyYeti]

The Archmage uses the same mechanic as the Shaman. You have to do damage to increase the effectiveness of your heals and heal to increase your damage. It's not going to do as much damage, obviously, as a pure damage class, but from what I've seen of the Shaman it should be able to contribute pretty effectively.

[Warenthu]

I believe they are more single target than AoE. Some AoE tricks up their sleeves for slowing enemies and res'ing, but I don't think for heals or damage so much.

That is more the warrior priest and disciple of khain mechanic I hear.

[Namix]

Well the Warrior Priest doesn't really interests me. I don't want to be the melee. In this game I prefer magic. And Disciple of Khaine... well me and my friends have chosen to play Order, so Destruction is out. So why should I play an Archmage... Any advise please? :)

[BludThirstyYeti]

Nope, the WP and Disciple mechanic is you gain "essence" (don't remember what the WP's stuff is called) from fighting that you can spend on heals.

The archmage actually enhances his spells by using spells of the opposite type. Kind of a see-saw mechanic.

[BludThirstyYeti]

Well the Warrior Priest doesn't really interests me. I don't want to be the melee. In this game I prefer magic. And Disciple of Khaine... well me and my friends have chosen to play Order, so Destruction is out. So why should I play an Archmage... Any advise please? :)
1.)The lore interests you.

2.)You like the look.

3.)The above mechanic sounds fun to you.

4.)It's a healing class, but like all healing classes in this game you don't have to just spam heals, in fact, doing so would make you MUCH less effective than getting into the fight.

*Edit*
Ooops!!! Forgot one.

5.)It supplies me with another enemy. More enemies = more blood. :evil:

[Fontaine]

A good Archmage will have to find the synergy between damage and healing, in order to achieve the most out of their abilities. In addition, the Archmage is more of a spike single-target healer, unable to sustain a large number of targets, which is where the WP and DoK come in.

[Azerael Daemon]

The Archmage is really a balance between offensive and defensive magical abilities. As a strong healer, many will want you for that calling, and you will spend alot of time healing groups and keeping everyone alive with protective spells, which increase the effectiveness of your damage spells. Yet you are not that confined to just that, you can cast down offensive spells, they won't do as much as a pure RDPS class, but they will contribute nicely and keep you satified. You can also cast debuff and utility spells, such as snares, roots, stuns ect, to aid the course of the battle and hinder your opponants. So in a nutshell the Archmage is a powerful caster that main focus is on healing, but they have other damage/hindering option.

Well thats my take on it anyway.

[Namix]

The Archmage is really a balance between offensive and defensive magical abilities. As a strong healer, many will want you for that calling, and you will spend alot of time healing groups and keeping everyone alive with protective spells, which increase the effectiveness of your damage spells. Yet you are not that confined to just that, you can cast down offensive spells, they won't do as much as a pure RDPS class, but they will contribute nicely and keep you satified. You can also cast debuff and utility spells, such as snares, roots, stuns ect, to aid the course of the battle and hinder your opponants. So in a nutshell the Archmage is a powerful caster that main focus is on healing, but they have other damage/hindering option.

Well thats my take on it anyway.

So I do get snares and stuns, etc? That's nice. I didn't know :)

Well I like the look of Archmage. I would like to do some nice damage and still be able to heal. And seeing that not many people will take an Archmage it might be really useful both as a healer and DPS. I think I might actually take it ;) I was also considering a Bright Wizard as it will probably do really high damage, although considering that it is very squishy, cannot heal and my friends don't want to play as Empire I might stick to the Archmage...

[Exacerberus]

So what is Archmage really about?
I am considering to play this career. However, I don't know much about it yet. I've just watched a podcast that an Archmage is a healer. I was looking for more kind of universal class. So is Archmage a pure healer that does really low damage and therefore is useless as DPS, or, is it a class that can heal well, do a nice damage (also AoE?) and has some good buffs?

Thanks for every reply in advance :)Well the Warrior Priest doesn't really interests me. I don't want to be the melee. In this game I prefer magic. And Disciple of Khaine... well me and my friends have chosen to play Order, so Destruction is out. So why should I play an Archmage... Any advise please? :)Look, I really wouldn't like to always play the part of the rude, evil one... yet, this is the AM Career sub-forum (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=55), the answers you're after are just a click far from you. ;)
Maybe (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41770) browsing (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41944) around (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42904) here (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38481) may (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39663&page=2) help (http://warhammerinfo.com/db/c/index.php?switch=Archmage) you (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29318&page=2) a lot (http://www.warhammeronline.com/armiesofWAR/highelves/Swordmaster.php)... (http://www.warhammeronline.com/armiesofWAR/highelves/Swordmaster.php)

[logicalmayhem]

its a hybrid dps/caster class .
Mirrors the Shaman mechanic of when you cast damage spells it reduces the cast time of healing abilitys OR if they are instant increases there power, and vise versa for healing spells.

you are a good single target healing class due to verry fast cast times through mechanic.

they should be a strong class you may get targeted simply "Because you can instantly heal" and people may revise this and kill you 1st ( that would be my strategy)

hope this helps you out

[Namix]

they should be a strong class you may get targeted simply "Because you can instantly heal" and people may revise this and kill you 1st ( that would be my strategy)

Means an Archmage will be a truly powerful class. Hmm... I am 98% sure to take it :)

[serratemplar]

I support 98% of your decision ;)

It's a magic volleyball match against yourself. Casting healing spells (up to five) gives you "healing high magic" points that give you various buffs to the next damage spell you cast; casting damage spells give you various buffs to the next healing spell you cast. In either cast, using the high magic points gained spends them, so you are continually accumulating and blowing them. The benefits seem to vary from Action Point discounts, to %-based power-ups, to drastically shortened cast times (changing long cast spells into instant cast spells, for instance).

Also, when we cast we wield our staves like a real wizard, instead of the staff hanging across our back as a weird decoration. =) And according to Paul Barnett, we have some of the best special effects in the game.

[Namix]

I support 98% of your decision ;)

It's a magic volleyball match against yourself. Casting healing spells (up to five) gives you "healing high magic" points that give you various buffs to the next damage spell you cast; casting damage spells give you various buffs to the next healing spell you cast. In either cast, using the high magic points gained spends them, so you are continually accumulating and blowing them. The benefits seem to vary from Action Point discounts, to %-based power-ups, to drastically shortened cast times (changing long cast spells into instant cast spells, for instance).

Also, when we cast we wield our staves like a real wizard, instead of the staff hanging across our back as a weird decoration. =) And according to Paul Barnett, we have some of the best special effects in the game.

Okay, you got me there. I'm all for the Archmage now! Cool robes, awesome staves and appearently one of the best looking spells in WAR.

Oh, and they are the masters of the magic! :)

[Exacerberus]

Did you actually noticed I tried to post you all the most useful ArchMage links?? (maybe a double-click on them wouldn't be a bad idea...) :-|[...] the answers you're after are just a click far from you. ;)
Maybe (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41770) browsing (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41944) around (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42904) here (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38481) may (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39663&page=2) help (http://warhammerinfo.com/db/c/index.php?switch=Archmage) you (http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29318&page=2) a lot (http://www.warhammeronline.com/armiesofWAR/highelves/Swordmaster.php)... (http://www.warhammeronline.com/armiesofWAR/highelves/Swordmaster.php)

[Namix]

Did you actually noticed I tried to post you all the most useful ArchMage links?? (maybe a double-click on them wouldn't be a bad idea...) :-|

Yes, I have noticed them :)

[Exacerberus]

Yes, I have noticed them :)It's all anyone can say to you without breaking NDA ;)

[Verene]

We're the mirror of the Shaman which so far is the class which is showing the most interest in polls but we come in last or close to last in those same polls. I'm not worried though; from what I've heard the class has sufficient healing, damaging and utility to distinguish itself all around, ranking well in both healing and damage when played skillfully.

[Namix]

It's all anyone can say to you without breaking NDA ;)

I understand this. I was rather asking for an opinion based point of view on this career. I got my answer, I am happy. :)

[Namix]

We're the mirror of the Shaman which so far is the class which is showing the most interest in polls but we come in last or close to last in those same polls. I'm not worried though; from what I've heard the class has sufficient healing, damaging and utility to distinguish itself all around, ranking well in both healing and damage when played skillfully.

Aye, indeed. Being not a popular class is a good thing, perhaps because you'll be more unique and groups will actually gladly take you on board. :)

[Exacerberus]

I understand this. I was rather asking for an opinion based point of view on this career. I got my answer, I am happy. :)Well, if you also want mine, yes, this is definitely one of the best Order Careers IMHO, and it will rock on the battlefields for sure:
- innovative healing/damage mechanic
- 3 wonderful Mastery Paths
- lot of utility (and if you spec Vaul, even more...)
- High Magic masters
- some may say looks, yet in MMOs I don't care 'bout looks at all...

[Soapbar]

Healers in this game are more about in-combat versatility than pure spec roles. Even if you are to spec into a particular spec of play, whether it be buffing, healing, or dps, you will be most effective when forfilling all the roles provided for you. For this class, if you are dpsing it up, you got an OH SHI- heal ready when it hits the fan, and you sit back and launch some heals, you got an ace up your sleeve for anyone that tries to dps you down.

The spec you diecide, though, will probably play out your usuall spell rotation to get max effect. For healer leaning, it would probably be heal x5 then instant dps, or dps x5 and instant heal. I find this to be a fine selling point of WAR, where 2/3 of the healers of the game rely on doing some dps while healing to be helping the team out. (Runepriest and Zealot might be able to healbot if I have kept up correctly.)

[Namix]

Okay thank you guys for your opinions and the explanation you have given to me.

Now I am absolutely certain to play an Archmage... True magic master... :)

[Enelysios]

I think a lot of people make mistakes when looking at the support classes in WAR. Some people treat the archmage like a healer that can add a little DPS, and some look at it the opposite way, but (if what I hear from the devs is right) the archmage's -role- is both. As an archmage, you contibute to a team by lending out whatever they need. If surivability is fine, then DPS and debuffs will help the team far more than healing, but when the team is getting swatted around, your job is to help keep them alive. (heals, buffs mezz) I think a lot of people prepare for either role, but not many get that both are your job as an archmage. We do whatever is needed and whatever will keep our group running like a well oiled machine, and we do it with the best effects and sexiest robes in the game too!

[Exacerberus]

I think a lot of people make mistakes when looking at the support classes in WAR. Some people treat the archmage like a healer that can add a little DPS, and some look at it the opposite way, but (if what I hear from the devs is right) the archmage's -role- is both. As an archmage, you contibute to a team by lending out whatever they need. If surivability is fine, then DPS and debuffs will help the team far more than healing, but when the team is getting swatted around, your job is to help keep them alive. (heals, buffs mezz) I think a lot of people prepare for either role, but not many get that both are your job as an archmage.Perhaps you should look into the Archmage. His mechanic makes it so you can cast alot of damage magic and then use your built up high magic to cast a very powerful heal spell. Word from the gamesday's is that these Archmages have the possibility to top the charts in damage and healing both.;)[ten characters]

[Vaizard]

I think the Archmage gets kind of lost in the fold because they come across as just a typical caster at first glance. The ability to insta-cast a big heal will make them amazing PvP healers. The see-saw High Magic system will keep casting interesting and engaging. Add in three unique mastery trees and it gives the Archmage a lot of depth and variety.

[Silver3a]

Well this is my take on it with this class.
You are like a wow pally you do both damage and heals
But in this game you don’t focus 100% on one
for a example you can be in a public quest and part one needs a ton of raw dps to kill lots of easy things then in the next part they can be only a few but very hard and they hit players hard then you start spamming the heals then in the last part it can be a main boss with supports and heal up the main tank as much as you can while tossing dps at the supports or main boss.
It’s a very wide open class and you can fill in what ever roll is needed, but tank.

[wellsy]

Well this is my take on it with this class.
You are like a wow pally you do both damage and heals
But in this game you don’t focus 100% on one
for a example you can be in a public quest and part one needs a ton of raw dps to kill lots of easy things then in the next part they can be only a few but very hard and they hit players hard then you start spamming the heals then in the last part it can be a main boss with supports and heal up the main tank as much as you can while tossing dps at the supports or main boss.
It’s a very wide open class and you can fill in what ever roll is needed, but tank.

I think you're slightly misunderstanding the mechanic of the Archmage. The Archmage works off a balance of destructive magic and debuffs, and healing magic and buffs. To get the best results, both forms of magic (offensive and defensive) must be weaved into a tapestry. Focusing on one aspect or the other will only end up reducing your effectiveness.

If you refer to the GameSpy article, then the blogger there is lying. The mechanic is the mirror of the Shaman's, and information is readily available and backs up what I am saying.

[Silver3a]

I think you're slightly misunderstanding the mechanic of the Archmage. The Archmage works off a balance of destructive magic and debuffs, and healing magic and buffs. To get the best results, both forms of magic (offensive and defensive) must be weaved into a tapestry. Focusing on one aspect or the other will only end up reducing your effectiveness.

If you refer to the GameSpy article, then the blogger there is lying. The mechanic is the mirror of the Shaman's, and information is readily available and backs up what I am saying.

I do understand what you are getting at but it don’t always work out that way in practice, when you need a heal, kill, heal, kill, heal, and kill some more. like when you are in a group killing easy things there is no one that needs healing and putting heals on them just waste time and energy and other times you will be fighting with a group against something very hard and the tank in the group is taking a real pounding and you pour on the heals while trying to dps for all you are worth, its the beauty of the class to adjust to what is needed

[wellsy]

I do understand what you are getting at but it don’t always work out that way in practice, when you need a heal, kill, heal, kill, heal, and kill some more. like when you are in a group killing easy things there is no one that needs healing and putting heals on them just waste time and energy and other times you will be fighting with a group against something very hard and the tank in the group is taking a real pounding and you pour on the heals while trying to dps for all you are worth, its the beauty of the class to adjust to what is needed

In the case that you don't really need to heal anyone, I'm sure that buffing your team mates would be just as effective.

[GoodIdea]

All healers are encouraged to be diverse by different mechanics but the archmage, especially so, perhaps the most diverse class in the game.

Having said that, you'll still have to put talents in certain areas to be better at one or the other. Or go hybrid if you like.

[Namix]

Well this is my take on it with this class.
You are like a wow pally you do both damage and heals
But in this game you don’t focus 100% on one
for a example you can be in a public quest and part one needs a ton of raw dps to kill lots of easy things then in the next part they can be only a few but very hard and they hit players hard then you start spamming the heals then in the last part it can be a main boss with supports and heal up the main tank as much as you can while tossing dps at the supports or main boss.
It’s a very wide open class and you can fill in what ever roll is needed, but tank.

I do understand what you are getting at but it don’t always work out that way in practice, when you need a heal, kill, heal, kill, heal, and kill some more. like when you are in a group killing easy things there is no one that needs healing and putting heals on them just waste time and energy and other times you will be fighting with a group against something very hard and the tank in the group is taking a real pounding and you pour on the heals while trying to dps for all you are worth, its the beauty of the class to adjust to what is needed

Yep, you're right! :)

[Nurgling]

Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say that yin/yang mechanic is the core of the class. The needs of the moment in combat dictates what you need to do. The GCD and lack of spell queue also limits how reactive you can be. The GCD/lack of queue also greatly minimizes any sort of CC vs. counter CC minigame. IMHO, the yin/yang is almost relegated to a gimmick (almost). At times you can be sitting at +5 to damage and you can't afford to spare a GCD cycle to throw or dot out there. However, in less hectic situations, it can be 'weaved liked a tapestry', but, perhaps, those are the times when it matters least.

Not a complaint, just a clarification. I've beta'd shamy & AM almost exclusivley and I'll be playing the AM come release.