Why a Mage?
Some of you new players might be asking yourself “why should I choose a mage.” I have made a list of pros and cons of a mage to help you decide.
Pros:
- Very good damage at low levels.
- Easy to use.
- Fast training for the lower levels (in certain paths).
- Can travel fast once teleport is maxed. (2nd job skill)
- Have very high MP.
- Can attack from long and short range.
- Always wanted in pqs.
- Can buff and heal people which makes them well liked among maplers.
Cons:
- Have very low HP.
- At level 30+ equips in the stores are very expensive.
- Waste MP pots fast.
- Sometimes accidentally ks people which leads to bad things.
- Lack of attack skills.
- Expensive
2) Beginners Stats
If you are still reading this you probably decided to stick with a mage. First off, MapleStory character's success DEPENDS ON THEIR STATS. If you were to mess up with your stats THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX IT. I have messed up quite a few but have finally discovered one of the perfect mage builds. When you create a new character you will get randomized stats. You can change them by clicking on the dice.
An ideal beginner mage should have these stats:
The reason INT (Intelligence) and LUK (Luck) are X are because it doesn't matter what they are here. STR and DEX(Strength and Dexterity) should be at 4 so INT and LUK can be as high as possible. As you level you will NOT put any points into STR and DEX or HP and MP.
For every level after this you will want to keep your LUK 3 points higher then your level and all else in INT. This will allow you to use most Mage Equips later on. To become a Mage you will need to be level 8 and have 20 INT.
Starting Off
When you first start the game you will be sent through a tutorial explaining the game controls. After that you will end up on Maple Island! Here I suggest training on snails for 3-4 lvls then moving up to the Mushrooms. You should stay here until you are level 8 then head off to Victoria Island.
Note: Try to do as many quests as possible here.
Becoming a Mage
Congratulations, you have reached the point in which you can pass from a beginner to a mage! Make sure you have at least 20 INT and are level 8 before going on. To make the advancement you will need to travel to Elinna and talk to Grendel the really Old who is located at the highest point in the trees. Once you talk to him you will have successfully become a Mage!
Skill Points for the 1st Job
If you are new to MapleStory I suggest you follow this guide:
- Level 8: +1 Energy Bolt
- Level 9: +1 Magic Claw, +2 Improving MP Recovery
- Level 10: +3 Improving MP Recovery
- Level 11: +3 Improving Max MP Increase
- Level 12: +3 Improving Max MP Increase
- Level 13: +3 Improving Max MP Increase
- Level 14: +1 Improving Max MP Increase (MAX), +2 MP Recovery
- Level 15: +3 Improving MP Recovery
- Level 16: +3 Improving MP Recovery
- Level 17: +3 Improving MP Recovery(MAX)
- Level 18: +3 Magic Claw
- Level 19: +3 Magic Claw
- Level 20: +3 Magic Claw
- Level 21: +3 Magic Claw
- Level 22: +3 Magic Claw
- Level 23: +3 Magic Claw
- Level 24: +1 Magic Claw (MAX), +2 Magic Guard
- Level 25: +3 Magic Guard
- Level 26: +3 Magic Guard
- Level 27: +3 Magic Guard
- Level 28: +3 Magic Guard
- Level 29: +3 Magic Guard
- Level 30: +3 Magic Guard (MAX)
If you want to go for the max MP build,(which makes levels 8-13 SO HARD because you will have to rely on your physical attacks), follow this build:
- Level 8: +1 Improving MP Recovery
- Level 9: +3 Improving MP Recovery
- Level 10: +1 Improving MP Recovery, +2 Improving Max MP Increase
- Level 11: +3 Improving Max MP Increase
- Level 12: +3 Improving Max MP Increase
- Level 13: +2 Improving Max MP Increase (MAX), +1 Energy Bolt
- Level 14: +3 Magic Claw
- Level 15: +3 Magic Claw
- Level 16: +3 Magic Claw
- Level 17: +3 Magic Claw
- Level 18: +3 Magic Claw
- Level 19: +3 Magic Claw
- Level 20: +2 Magic Claw (MAX), +1 Improving MP Recovery
- Level 21: +3 Improving MP Recovery
- Level 22: +3 Improving MP Recovery
- Level 23: +3 Improving MP Recovery
- Level 24: +1 Improving MP Recovery (MAX), +2 Magic Guard
- Level 25: +3 Magic Guard
- Level 26: +3 Magic Guard
- Level 27: +3 Magic Guard
- Level 28: +3 Magic Guard
- Level 29: +3 Magic Guard
- Level 30: +3 Magic Guard
Training grounds for the 1st Job
LVL 8-13
At this point I would suggest Henesys Hunting Grounds. It is perfect for the starting out mage. I would stay with snails for a lvl or 2 then move up floors to slimes.
LVL 13-18
Here I would suggest you move to Orange Mushrooms which can be found higher up in Henesys Hunting grounds.
LVL 18-21
Here I suggest either moving to Elinna for Horny Mushrooms or to Perion where you can find Axe Stumps. Both are good EXP for this lvl.
LVL 21-26
Here you have a choice of how to train. One way is which you go and train in Ant Tunnel or go PQ. Ant Tunnel is effective but you will need to have a lot of health and mana potions. PQ gives major EXP and can make you rich, but almost all Channels will have been filled with a team so you will have to wait for quiet a while.
LVL 26-30
Here I suggest just PQ. At this point they will give you the EXP you need and you will be excepted easily.
2nd Job: What to Choose?
Here come one of the toughest decisions in the game. The 2nd advancement. For a mage there are three choices. There is the Fire Poison mage, the Ice Lightning mage, and there's the Cleric.
The Fire Poison mage is great for dealing out damage and later has one of the best AOE attacks in the game. Fire Poison will not be invited into partys as much as other so this is more if you like to solo.
The Ice Lighting mage has an AOE attack so you will be invited into partys more. This AOE attack isn't as strong as the Fire Poisons but you will have time to raise it. Ice Lightings ice moves will freeze the enemy for a little while and is always fun to play.
The Cleric is the party class. They have many buffs and healing moves so they are welcomed into all partys. It is harder to lvl up without a party because they have almost zero attack skills.
I hope this guide has helped you get yourself on the way to being a great player.
