Flame Mage - Revision history

GemOfWonder: /* Early game */ Discovered a strategy to use flaming sphere more effectively

2026-07-13T03:11:00Z

‎Early game: Discovered a strategy to use flaming sphere more effectively

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2026-04-10T07:16:37Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: pothole

2025-09-09T10:55:03Z

pothole

Umbire the Phantom: roles

2025-07-10T11:15:52Z

roles

Umbire the Phantom: this paragraph was scuffed, to say the least

2025-07-02T16:44:07Z

this paragraph was scuffed, to say the least

Umbire the Phantom: /* Late game */ potholes

2025-06-29T22:16:45Z

‎Late game: potholes

Umbire the Phantom: small fixes

2025-06-29T21:17:58Z

small fixes

Umbire the Phantom: lede + hack'em prep

2025-06-29T18:13:03Z

lede + hack'em prep

Umbire the Phantom: potholes

2025-06-29T17:50:05Z

potholes

Joes: THEM races, potholoes

2025-05-27T16:02:08Z

THEM races, potholoes

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 ===Early game===
-Early in the game, {{+ of|fireball}} is a difficult spell; you might start with a 75% failure rate. {{+ of|Flame sphere}} is easy to cast, but difficult to use effectively, and summons a tame [[flaming sphere]]: Like a pet, this sphere will wander around and sometimes attack an enemy, but like a sphere, it will explode on attack. Frustratingly, a flame sphere might wait several turns before attacking. You might also have a leftover sphere, which will follow you around and might attack a peaceful monster, even a shopkeeper. Unlike with a pet, the [[god]]s will blame you if your spell being harms a peaceful monster. In addition, peaceful creatures attacked by one of your flame spheres will become hostile to you. However, you will get full experience for monsters killed by your flame spheres.
+Early in the game, {{+ of|fireball}} is a difficult spell; you might start with a 75% failure rate. {{+ of|Flame sphere}} is easy to cast, but difficult to use effectively, and summons a tame [[flaming sphere]]: Like a pet, this sphere will wander around and sometimes attack an enemy, but like a sphere, it will explode on attack. Frustratingly, a flame sphere might wait several turns before attacking. However, if you switch places with it so that it is adjacent to an enemy monster, it will almost always explode immediately. You might also have a leftover sphere, which will follow you around and might attack a peaceful monster, even a shopkeeper. Unlike with a pet, the [[god]]s will blame you if your spell being harms a peaceful monster. In addition, peaceful creatures attacked by one of your flame spheres will become hostile to you. However, you will get full experience for monsters killed by your flame spheres.
 Therefore the wand of fire is the best source of fire in the beginning of the game. Use it against a monster that ''must'' die quickly. A bolt from a wand can bounce from a wall and hit you, but remember, as a Flame Mage, you are immune to fire (your armor, scrolls, spellbooks, and potions might still be ruined, though). The wand of fire is also excellent for engraving "Elbereth." It may be preferable to use the wand for only this purpose unless you are being attacked by something that does not respect Elbereth, like a lycanthrope.

@@ Line 74: / Line 74: @@
 |Skilled
+|
-* ''Weapons:'' [[knife]], [[long sword]], [[staff]], [[unicorn horn]], [[scimitar]], [[saber]], [[paddle]], [[mace]]
+* ''Weapons:'' [[knife]], [[long sword]], [[Quarterstaff#Quarterstaff skill|staff]], [[unicorn horn]], [[scimitar]], [[saber]], [[paddle]], [[mace]]
 * ''Spells:'' [[Spellcasting (SLASH'EM)#Attack spells|attack]], [[body spells|body]]
 * ''Combat:'' [[bare hands]], [[two weapon combat]], [[riding]]

@@ Line 159: / Line 159: @@
 ===Late game===
-The late game for the Flame Mage is more similar to a [[Knight/SLASH'EM|Knight]] than a [[Wizard/SLASH'EM|Wizard]], unless you manage to wish for [[the Eye of the Aethiopica]] or find it in a bones file. You will be spending most of your time meleeing foes to conserve energy, and will use your magic on truly tough opponents. It's also worth keeping an [[assault rifle]] obtained from a [[Yendorian army]] member and investing in a stack of enchanted bullets. These can be obtained in abundance in [[Fort Ludios]], by stealing from [[One-Eyed Sam]], or in the [[Castle]]. These will help greatly with [[demon lords and princes]]s and the tougher foes on the [[Astral Plane]]. Once you have your kit ready, collect the invocation items and head to the [[Wizard's Tower]] to start the final run.
+The late game for the Flame Mage is more similar to a [[Knight/SLASH'EM|Knight]] than a [[Wizard/SLASH'EM|Wizard]], unless you manage to wish for [[the Eye of the Aethiopica]] or find it in a bones file. You will be spending most of your time meleeing foes to conserve energy, and will use your magic on truly tough opponents. It's also worth keeping an [[Assault rifle (SLASH'EM)|assault rifle]] obtained from a [[Yendorian army]] member and investing in a stack of enchanted bullets. These can be obtained in abundance in [[Fort Ludios]], by stealing from [[One-Eyed Sam]], or in the [[Castle]]. These will help greatly with [[demon lords and princes]]s and the tougher foes on the [[Astral Plane]]. Once you have your kit ready, collect the invocation items and head to the [[Wizard's Tower]] to start the final run.
 A good [[ascension kit]] for a Flame Mage is:

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 {{tocright}}
 The '''Flame Mage''' is one of the [[role]]s available to the [[hero]] in [[SLASH'EM]] and [[SlashTHEM]]. From the [[guidebook]]:
 {{guidebook|Flame Mages have managed to harness mystical energies into the control of the element of fire. Notwithstanding their pet hell hounds, woe be unto anyone who stands in the way of a skilled mage casting a fireball.}}

@@ Line 149: / Line 149: @@
 ===Mid-game===
-Once the Flame Mage has gotten past the early game and has managed to acquire some decent armor, strong artifacts, and reached at least skilled in matters spells, it's on to SLASH'EM's dangerous midgame. Due to natural fire resistance, a Flame Mage will have an easier time surviving the wands and grenades of [[Grund's Stronghold]] and the [[fire vampire]]s in the [[Chaotic Quest]], but the midgame should be played carefully. Keep Firewall handy to engrave Elbereth to get out of scrapes, and consider making straight for the [[Black market (SLASH'EM)|Black Market]] after obtaining the [[luckstone]] from [[Mine's End]]. Getting [[reflection]] and [[magic resistance]] are priorities, as is [[dragon scale mail]], and if you have found a [[ring of polymorph control]] and a way to [[polymorph]], you should be able to get all three of these from One-Eyed Sam. If you don't have a way to kill Sam (or don't want to), a foray into the [[Wyrm Caves]] can be very profitable, especially if you already have reflection. Since the quest artifact, the [[Candle of the Eternal Flame]], does not provide magic resistance, there is little to be gained from embarking early on the quest. The [[Water Mage]] is not an overly difficult foe, but since he doesn't respect Elbereth and can cast [[finger of death]], prepare accordingly.
+Once the Flame Mage has gotten past the early game and has managed to acquire some decent armor, strong artifacts, and reached at least skilled in matters spells, it's on to SLASH'EM's dangerous midgame. Due to natural fire resistance, a Flame Mage will have an easier time surviving the wands and grenades of [[Grund's Stronghold]] and the [[fire vampire]]s in the [[Chaotic Quest]], but the midgame should be played carefully. Keep Firewall handy to engrave Elbereth to get out of scrapes, and consider making straight for the [[Black market (SLASH'EM)|Black Market]] after obtaining the [[luckstone]] from [[Mine's End]]. Getting [[reflection]] and [[magic resistance]] are priorities, as is [[dragon scale mail]], and if you have found a [[ring of polymorph control]] and a way to [[polymorph]], you should be able to get all three of these from One-Eyed Sam. If you don't have a way to kill Sam (or don't want to), a foray into the [[Wyrm Caves]] can be very profitable, especially if you already have reflection.
 Since fireball is the Flame Mage's special spell, once you reach skilled in matter spells, you should make liberal use of it. Note however that the Flame Mage doesn't have a good way of recharging [[energy]]. Therefore if you get a [[wish]] early enough in the game that you can reliably get an [[artifact]] out of it, you may consider wishing for an alignment-appropriate [[quest artifact]] that gives you more energy: the [[Mitre of Holiness]] if you are [[lawful]], the [[Eye of the Aethiopica]] if you are [[neutral]], and the [[Great Dagger of Glaurgnaa]] if you are [[chaotic]]. Flame sphere continues to be useful in the midgame because at skilled it produces two spheres per casting instead of one.
@@ Line 155: / Line 155: @@
 You should also get some strong weapons and invest skill slots in getting them to skilled, as well as [[two weapon combat]] if your race allows for it. A lawful Flame Mage should be able to get [[Excalibur]] from a [[long sword]] in a weapon shop, the [[Rat King]], or a [[barrow wight]] or [[watch captain]] along the way (getting [[crowned]] is a last resort if all else fails). A neutral Flame Mage may consider getting crowned for [[Vorpal Blade]], and a chaotic may do the same for [[Stormbringer]]. Other good candidates, if you find them or manage to get them as sacrifice gifts or as wishes, include [[Sword of Justice]], [[Grayswandir]], [[Bat from Hell (SLASH'EM)|Bat from Hell]], [[Doomblade]], [[Fire Brand]], [[Frost Brand]], and [[Serpent's Tongue]]. In a pinch, Firewall is pretty effective at melee as well. Good non-artifact weapons include the [[crysknife]], [[silver saber]], or [[silver long sword]].
-The Flame Mage quest item is the [[the Candle of Eternal Flame]]. Guarding it is the [[Water Mage]], who is located at the bottom of three levels of mostly water and lava squares populated by [[water elemental]]s and [[rust monster]]s. Completing the Quest, indeed, just talking to the [[High Flame Mage]], is impossible without some method of crossing lava and water, be it a form of levitation, flying, or a wand of ice. The Quest is a relatively easy one, but should not be attempted before gaining [[magic resistance]] as the [[Water Mage]] will use {{spell of|finger of death}}.
+The Flame Mage quest item is the [[the Candle of Eternal Flame]]. Guarding it is the [[Water Mage]], who is located at the bottom of three levels of mostly water and lava squares populated by [[water elemental]]s and [[rust monster]]s. Gaining entrance to the quest requires a means of crossing lava or water such as [[levitation]], [[flying]], [[wands of cold]], or [[water walking]] due to where the [[High Flame Mage]] is located. The Quest itself is a relatively easy one, but should not be attempted before gaining [[magic resistance]]: the Water Mage is not an overly difficult foe, but does not respect Elbereth and can cast the [[touch of death]], and the Candle of Eternal Flame does not provide magic resistance itself, so the hero should prepare accordingly.
 ===Late game===
-The late game for the Flame Mage is more similar to a [[Knight/SLASH'EM|Knight]] than a [[Wizard/SLASH'EM|Wizard]], unless you manage to wish for [[the Eye of the Aethiopica]] or find it in a bones file. You will be spending most of your time meleeing foes to conserve energy, and will use your magic on truly tough opponents. It's also worth keeping an [[assault rifle]] obtained from a [[Yendorian army]] member and investing in a stack of enchanted bullets. These can be obtained in abundance in [[Fort Ludios]], by stealing from [[One-Eyed Sam]], or in the [[Castle]]. These will help greatly with the [[Demon prince]]s and tough foes on the [[Astral Plane]]. Once you have your kit ready, collect the invocation items and head to the [[Wizard's Tower]] to start the final run.
+The late game for the Flame Mage is more similar to a [[Knight/SLASH'EM|Knight]] than a [[Wizard/SLASH'EM|Wizard]], unless you manage to wish for [[the Eye of the Aethiopica]] or find it in a bones file. You will be spending most of your time meleeing foes to conserve energy, and will use your magic on truly tough opponents. It's also worth keeping an [[assault rifle]] obtained from a [[Yendorian army]] member and investing in a stack of enchanted bullets. These can be obtained in abundance in [[Fort Ludios]], by stealing from [[One-Eyed Sam]], or in the [[Castle]]. These will help greatly with [[demon lords and princes]]s and the tougher foes on the [[Astral Plane]]. Once you have your kit ready, collect the invocation items and head to the [[Wizard's Tower]] to start the final run.
 A good [[ascension kit]] for a Flame Mage is:
 *One of the following: +5 [[speed boots]] for the extra attacks, +7 [[elven boots]] for the AC, +5 [[jumping boots]] for the extra movement, or +5 fireproof [[water walking boots]] to survive [[create pool]] spells
-*+7 [[cloak of magic resistance]] (enchant an [[elven cloak]] to +7 and then [[upgrading objects|upgrade]] it)
+*+7 [[cloak of magic resistance]] (enchant an [[elven cloak]] to +7 and then [[Upgrading objects|upgrade]] it)
 *+5 [[gauntlets of dexterity]]
 *+5 [[silver dragon scale mail]] if no other [[reflection]], or [[deep dragon scale mail]] if no other [[drain resistance]]

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 {{guidebook|Flame Mages have managed to harness mystical energies into the control of the element of fire. Notwithstanding their pet hell hounds, woe be unto anyone who stands in the way of a skilled mage casting a fireball.}}
-Flame Mages in SLASH'EM can be [[Human (starting race)|humans]], [[Elf (starting race)|elves]], [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomes]], [[Orc (starting race)|orc]], [[Doppelganger (starting race)|doppelganger]], [[Drow (starting race)|drow]], or [[Hobbit (starting race)|hobbits]], and can be of any appropriate [[alignment]]. In [[SlashTHEM]], they can also be [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarves]], [[Giant (starting race)|giants]], [[Illithid (starting race)|illithids]], or [[Incantifier (starting race)|incantifiers]].
+Flame Mages in SLASH'EM can be [[Human (starting race)|humans]], [[Elf (starting race)|elves]], [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomes]], [[Orc (starting race)|orcs]], [[Doppelganger (starting race)|doppelgangers]], [[Drow (starting race)|drow]], or [[Hobbit (starting race)|hobbits]], and can be of any appropriate [[alignment]]. In [[SlashTHEM]], they can also be [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarves]], [[Giant (starting race)|giants]], [[Illithid (starting race)|illithids]], or [[Incantifier (starting race)|incantifiers]].
 [[Flame Mage/Hack'EM|Flame Mages]] also appear in [[Hack'EM]], where they are radically altered from their other appearances.
@@ Line 178: / Line 178: @@
 {{slashem-7E7}}
 [[Category:SLASH'EM roles]]

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 {{tocright}}
-The '''Flame Mage''' is one of the [[role]]s available to the [[hero]] in [[SLASH'EM]], [[SlashTHEM]] and [[Hack'EM]]. From the [[guidebook]]:
+The '''Flame Mage''' is one of the [[role]]s available to the [[hero]] in [[SLASH'EM]] and [[SlashTHEM]]. From the [[guidebook]]:
 {{guidebook|Flame Mages have managed to harness mystical energies into the control of the element of fire. Notwithstanding their pet hell hounds, woe be unto anyone who stands in the way of a skilled mage casting a fireball.}}
-Flame Mages in SLASH'EM can be [[Human (starting race)|humans]], [[Elf (starting race)|elves]], [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomes]], [[Orc (starting race)|orc]], [[Doppelganger (starting race)|doppelganger]], [[Drow (starting race)|drow]], or [[Hobbit (starting race)|hobbits]], and can be of any appropriate [[alignment]]. In [[SlashTHEM]] they can also be [[dwarf (starting race)|dwarves]], [[giant (starting race)|giants]], [[illithid (starting race)|illithids]] or [[incantifier (starting race)|incantifiers]].
+Flame Mages in SLASH'EM can be [[Human (starting race)|humans]], [[Elf (starting race)|elves]], [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomes]], [[Orc (starting race)|orc]], [[Doppelganger (starting race)|doppelganger]], [[Drow (starting race)|drow]], or [[Hobbit (starting race)|hobbits]], and can be of any appropriate [[alignment]]. In [[SlashTHEM]], they can also be [[Dwarf (starting race)|dwarves]], [[Giant (starting race)|giants]], [[Illithid (starting race)|illithids]], or [[Incantifier (starting race)|incantifiers]].
 ==Starting equipment==
@@ Line 14: / Line 16: @@
 * a blessed [[spellbook]] of {{+ of|flame sphere}}
 * a blessed spellbook of {{+ of|fireball}}
-* a blessed spellbook of either {{+ of|light}} or {{+ of|detect monsters}}{{refsrc|u_init.c|1056|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
+* a blessed spellbook of {{+ of|light}} or {{+ of|detect monsters}} with an equal probability of each{{refsrc|u_init.c|1056|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
 * a random [[potion]]
 * a random [[ring]]

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 {{guidebook|Flame Mages have managed to harness mystical energies into the control of the element of fire. Notwithstanding their pet hell hounds, woe be unto anyone who stands in the way of a skilled mage casting a fireball.}}
-Flame Mages in SLASH'EM can be [[Human (starting race)|humans]], [[Elf (starting race)|elves]], [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomes]], [[Orc (starting race)|orc]], [[Doppelganger (starting race)|doppelganger]], [[Drow (starting race)|drow]], or [[Hobbit (starting race)|hobbits]], and can be of any appropriate [[alignment]].
+Flame Mages in SLASH'EM can be [[Human (starting race)|humans]], [[Elf (starting race)|elves]], [[Gnome (starting race)|gnomes]], [[Orc (starting race)|orc]], [[Doppelganger (starting race)|doppelganger]], [[Drow (starting race)|drow]], or [[Hobbit (starting race)|hobbits]], and can be of any appropriate [[alignment]]. In [[SlashTHEM]] they can also be [[dwarf (starting race)|dwarves]], [[giant (starting race)|giants]], [[illithid (starting race)|illithids]] or [[incantifier (starting race)|incantifiers]].
 ==Starting equipment==
@@ Line 106: / Line 106: @@
 ==Special rules==
-Flame Mages have the ability to transform into a dragon of their element: they gain access to the baby red dragon polyform at experience level 7, and can become adult red dragons upon reaching experience level 14.
+Flame Mages have the ability to [[polyself|transform]] into a dragon of their element: they gain access to the [[baby red dragon]] polyform at experience level 7, and can become adult [[red dragons]] upon reaching experience level 14.
 Flame Mages only take {{frac|5}} damage from [[breaking wands]] by [[applying]] them.{{refsrc|explode.c|245|version=SLASH'EM 0.0.7E7F2}}
@@ Line 137: / Line 137: @@
 ==Strategy==
 {{todo|Structure and fill out similar to other SLASH'EM role strategy sections, and differentiate accordingly.}}
-Flame Mages are strong spell casters as well as respectable fighters. They can reach expert level in [[matter spells]] and skilled in [[saber]], [[long sword]] and [[twoweapon|two-weapon fighting]] (letting them effectively fight with most of the best artifacts in the game). Bear in mind that hobbits cannot twoweapon, no matter how skilled they become with the individual weapons.  Note that the Flame Mage also has access to the much improved [[Crysknife]] in SLASH'EM, a suitable choice lacking any artifact weapons.
+Flame Mages are strong spell casters as well as respectable fighters. They can reach expert level in [[matter spells]] and skilled in [[saber]], [[long sword]] and [[twoweapon|two-weapon fighting]] (letting them effectively fight with most of the best artifacts in the game). Bear in mind that hobbits cannot twoweapon, no matter how skilled they become with the individual weapons.  Note that the Flame Mage also has access to the much improved [[crysknife]] in SLASH'EM, a suitable choice lacking any artifact weapons.
 ===Early game===
-Early in the game, fireball is a difficult spell; you might start with a 75% failure rate. Flame sphere is easy to cast, but difficult to use effectively. Flame sphere actually summons a tame {{Monsym|flaming_sphere}}. Like a pet, this [[sphere]] will wander around and sometimes attack an enemy, but like a sphere, it will explode on attack. Frustratingly, a flame sphere might wait several turns before attacking. You might also have a leftover sphere, which will follow you around and might attack a peaceful monster, even a shopkeeper. Unlike with a pet, the [[god]]s will blame you if your spell being harms a peaceful monster. In addition, peaceful creatures attacked by one of your flame spheres will become hostile to you. However, you will get full experience for monsters killed by your flame spheres.
+Early in the game, [[fireball]] is a difficult spell; you might start with a 75% failure rate. [[Flame sphere]] is easy to cast, but difficult to use effectively. Flame sphere actually summons a tame {{Monsym|flaming_sphere}}. Like a pet, this [[sphere]] will wander around and sometimes attack an enemy, but like a sphere, it will explode on attack. Frustratingly, a flame sphere might wait several turns before attacking. You might also have a leftover sphere, which will follow you around and might attack a peaceful monster, even a shopkeeper. Unlike with a pet, the [[god]]s will blame you if your spell being harms a peaceful monster. In addition, peaceful creatures attacked by one of your flame spheres will become hostile to you. However, you will get full experience for monsters killed by your flame spheres.
-Therefore the wand of fire is the best source of fire in the beginning of the game. Use it against a monster that ''must'' die quickly. A bolt from a wand can bounce from a wall and hit you, but remember, as a Flame Mage, you are immune to fire. (Your armor, scrolls, spellbooks, and potions might still be ruined, though). The wand of fire is also excellent for engraving "Elbereth." It may be preferable to use the wand for only this purpose unless you are being attacked by something that does not respect Elbereth, like a lycanthrope.
+Therefore the wand of fire is the best source of fire in the beginning of the game. Use it against a monster that ''must'' die quickly. A bolt from a wand can bounce from a wall and hit you, but remember, as a Flame Mage, you are immune to fire (your armor, scrolls, spellbooks, and potions might still be ruined, though). The wand of fire is also excellent for engraving "Elbereth." It may be preferable to use the wand for only this purpose unless you are being attacked by something that does not respect Elbereth, like a lycanthrope.
-Keep that hell hound pup around, and get it stronger! Let the puppy kill anything weak or otherwise undeserving of your attention. About five levels or so of kills will see him turn into a fully-grown hell hound, capable of clearing out nearly anything in the dungeons you may come across in the early game, including the Minetown priest.
+Keep that hell hound pup around, and get it stronger! Let the puppy kill anything weak or otherwise undeserving of your attention. About five levels or so of kills will see him turn into a fully-grown [[hell hound]], capable of clearing out nearly anything in the dungeons you may come across in the early game, including the Minetown priest.
 ===Mid-game===
-Once the Flame Mage has gotten past the early game and has managed to acquire some decent armor, strong artifacts, and reached at least skilled in matters spells, it's on to SLASH'EM's dangerous midgame. Due to natural fire resistance, a Flame Mage will have an easier time surviving the wands and grenades of [[Grund's Stronghold]] and the [[fire vampire]]s in the [[Chaotic Quest]], but the midgame should be played carefully. Keep Firewall handy to engrave Elbereth to get out of scrapes, and consider making straight for the [[Black market (SLASH'EM)|black market]] after obtaining the [[luckstone]] from [[Mine's End]]. Getting [[reflection]] and [[magic resistance]] are priorities, as is [[dragon scale mail]], and if you have found a [[ring of polymorph control]] and a way to [[polymorph]], you should be able to get all three of these from One-Eyed Sam. If you don't have a way to kill Sam (or don't want to), a foray into the [[Wyrm Caves]] can be very profitable, especially if you already have reflection. Since the quest artifact, the [[Candle of the Eternal Flame]], does not provide magic resistance, there is little to be gained from embarking early on the quest. The [[Water Mage]] is not an overly difficult foe, but since he doesn't respect Elbereth and can cast [[finger of death]], prepare accordingly.
+Once the Flame Mage has gotten past the early game and has managed to acquire some decent armor, strong artifacts, and reached at least skilled in matters spells, it's on to SLASH'EM's dangerous midgame. Due to natural fire resistance, a Flame Mage will have an easier time surviving the wands and grenades of [[Grund's Stronghold]] and the [[fire vampire]]s in the [[Chaotic Quest]], but the midgame should be played carefully. Keep Firewall handy to engrave Elbereth to get out of scrapes, and consider making straight for the [[Black market (SLASH'EM)|Black Market]] after obtaining the [[luckstone]] from [[Mine's End]]. Getting [[reflection]] and [[magic resistance]] are priorities, as is [[dragon scale mail]], and if you have found a [[ring of polymorph control]] and a way to [[polymorph]], you should be able to get all three of these from One-Eyed Sam. If you don't have a way to kill Sam (or don't want to), a foray into the [[Wyrm Caves]] can be very profitable, especially if you already have reflection. Since the quest artifact, the [[Candle of the Eternal Flame]], does not provide magic resistance, there is little to be gained from embarking early on the quest. The [[Water Mage]] is not an overly difficult foe, but since he doesn't respect Elbereth and can cast [[finger of death]], prepare accordingly.
-Since [[fireball]] is the Flame Mage's special spell, once you reach skilled in matter spells, you should make liberal use of it. Note however that the Flame Mage doesn't have a good way of recharging energy. Therefore if you get a [[wish]] early enough in the game that you can reliably get an [[artifact]] out of it, you may consider wishing for an alignment-appropriate [[quest artifact]] that gives you more energy: the [[Mitre of Holiness]] if you are [[lawful]], the [[Eye of the Aethiopica]] if you are [[neutral]], and the [[Great Dagger of Glaurgnaa]] if you are [[chaotic]]. Flame sphere continues to be useful in the midgame because at skilled it produces two spheres per casting instead of one.
+Since [[fireball]] is the Flame Mage's special spell, once you reach skilled in matter spells, you should make liberal use of it. Note however that the Flame Mage doesn't have a good way of recharging [[energy]]. Therefore if you get a [[wish]] early enough in the game that you can reliably get an [[artifact]] out of it, you may consider wishing for an alignment-appropriate [[quest artifact]] that gives you more energy: the [[Mitre of Holiness]] if you are [[lawful]], the [[Eye of the Aethiopica]] if you are [[neutral]], and the [[Great Dagger of Glaurgnaa]] if you are [[chaotic]]. Flame sphere continues to be useful in the midgame because at skilled it produces two spheres per casting instead of one.
 You should also get some strong weapons and invest skill slots in getting them to skilled, as well as [[two weapon combat]] if your race allows for it. A lawful Flame Mage should be able to get [[Excalibur]] from a [[long sword]] in a weapon shop, the [[Rat King]], or a [[barrow wight]] or [[watch captain]] along the way (getting [[crowned]] is a last resort if all else fails). A neutral Flame Mage may consider getting crowned for [[Vorpal Blade]], and a chaotic may do the same for [[Stormbringer]]. Other good candidates, if you find them or manage to get them as sacrifice gifts or as wishes, include [[Sword of Justice]], [[Grayswandir]], [[Bat from Hell (SLASH'EM)|Bat from Hell]], [[Doomblade]], [[Fire Brand]], [[Frost Brand]], and [[Serpent's Tongue]]. In a pinch, Firewall is pretty effective at melee as well. Good non-artifact weapons include the [[crysknife]], [[silver saber]], or [[silver long sword]].
@@ Line 156: / Line 156: @@
 ===Late game===
-The late game for the Flame Mage is more similar to a [[knight]] than a [[wizard]], unless you manage to wish for the [[Eye of the Aethiopica]] or find it in a bones file. You will be spending most of your time meleeing foes to conserve energy, and will use your magic on truly tough opponents. It's also worth keeping an assault rifle obtained from a [[Yendorian army]] member and investing in a stack of enchanted bullets. These can be obtained in abundance in [[Fort Ludios]], by stealing from [[One-Eyed Sam]], or in the [[Castle]]. These will help greatly with the [[Demon prince]]s and tough foes on the [[Astral Plane]]. Once you have your kit ready, collect the invocation items and head to the [[Wizard's Tower]] to start the final run.
+The late game for the Flame Mage is more similar to a [[knight]] than a [[wizard]], unless you manage to wish for the [[Eye of the Aethiopica]] or find it in a bones file. You will be spending most of your time meleeing foes to conserve energy, and will use your magic on truly tough opponents. It's also worth keeping an [[assault rifle]] obtained from a [[Yendorian army]] member and investing in a stack of enchanted bullets. These can be obtained in abundance in [[Fort Ludios]], by stealing from [[One-Eyed Sam]], or in the [[Castle]]. These will help greatly with the [[Demon prince]]s and tough foes on the [[Astral Plane]]. Once you have your kit ready, collect the invocation items and head to the [[Wizard's Tower]] to start the final run.
 A good [[ascension kit]] for a Flame Mage is: