Martial Wizard Multiclass

[dgray62]

I am starting a new run as a Tactician/Bloodmage. As such, I am facing again a quandary I always face with wizard multiclasses. That is, to what degree, if any, should I select spells when I level up? It seems that the best strategy is to not take spells and rely entirely on grimoires, and take martial skills or passives on level up. But I am always tempted to take spells that I know I will cast again and again, like chillfog, spirit shield, etc. I was just wondering how others handle this. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Boeroer]

I have the same "problem" with every Wizard multiclass: I want to only use Grimoires to spare points for the non-spell abilities - and it works. But I still end up picking some spells I know I will use in every fight - because it's more convenient. Grimoire switching isn't a big deal but sometimes it's just annoying. Also you really have to manage which grimoires to buy/find/steal and then equip them accordingly. Once you find unique grimoires and equip them because the spells in them are cool your whole grimoire-portolio gets toppled over.

Tl;dr: The most ability-efficient way is to use Grimoires only but I allow myself a few spells here and there out of convenience.

[Haplok]

I pick one grimoire basing on the most common spells I will use (mostly Ninagauth's Teachings for nuking, maybe Llengrath's Martial Masteries for a gish Wizzie/fighter multiclass) and/or its special ability (basically Grimoire of Vaporous Wizardry with Rekvu's Scorched Casque for lots of extra spells) and pick spells that I want to use but are absent in my grimoire of choice. For example on a nuker assassin I've used Ninagauth's Teachings exclusively and generally only picked self-buffs, which are absent in this grimoire... also lightning spells to power up the Deltro's Cage helmet for the sick lightning lash.

[dgray62]

Thanks for advice, Boeroer and Haplock. I think I will end up using three grimoires, Ninagauth's Teachings, Llengrath's Martial Masteries & Iron-Clasped, and will just take key spells missing from these, such as Combusting Wounds, Arcane Shield & chain lightning for Deltro's Cage helmet shennanigans. Fortunately Battlemages are pretty sturdy and do not rely as heavily on the defensive buff spells as some other builds do.