Beginners Guide to Spell : Ice Bolt
Magic, Magic, Magic! Within Mabinogi, several different types exist for players to manipulate and use to their advantage at the usage of MANA. Of course, there is no such *Class* as Mage that restricts you from only casting spells, and that is the beauty of Mabinogi's Skill system! If you wish not to be the Pure Magic caster, adding points into melee, range, or life in order to support your self by manipulating your skills well.
There are two ways to learn the Spell Ice Bolt. First is through the book, which you can obtain it at a cost of Mabi gold and learn instantly, or through out the 'Lessons' that you may go through from Lassar the Magic Teacher at Magic Academy in West of Tir Cornail.
Lessons are divided into three, and is less costly then buying the book it self. But you may only attend lesson once per day, for four days (When you talk about lesson, Lassar will not teach you at first day.) Now, it might seem useless feat to wait for four Mabi days in order to save around 2000 gold which you could get easily throughout a dungeon run or two, but through out the lessons, there is a benefit: Permenant Intelligence bonus. It may sound useless, as the intelligence bonus is about +1, but it indeed is helpful little bonus, and this goes not only for Ice Bolt lesson, but Lightning Bolt and Fire Bolt as well.
Unlike Fire Bolt and Lightning Bolt, Ice Bolt is a spell that has the lowest gap in between Minimum and Maximum damage, which guarantees the steady play. Ice Bolt also has the least Mana usuage amonst all the spells, and being mana conservative is very important, for Mana Potions do not come cheap. Also, Ice Bolt is chargable up to five times and may be shot out one at a time, which guarantees the safe control over monsters.
Ice Bolt is one of the fastest casting time spell there is in Mabinogi. When one levels up the rank of spells, Damage and Intelligence is not the only thing that goes up. After certain rank, the casting time is also shortened slightly. for Icebolt, From rank F to A, Casting time will be 2.0 seconds. From rank 9 to 1 would be 1.5 second of casting time. Casting time also depends on the ability of the computer, for lag means delay in casting. even for 0.5 second difference, the change in handling monsters is a lot easier. Lets say, in a fight where you would cast Ice bolt 5 times on a monster while having icebolt not charged. *generally*, it takes about straight 2 seconds for monster to run up to you in a straight path at max range of cast. that means by saving 2.5 seconds in total of casting, you saved your self from danger of being hit, be noticed by another monster, and such during the time.
Also, as proven by many, Ice bolt costs more mana at first charge, then takes lesser mana as you charge more. For example, It would consume in rate of
1st charge : 4 Mana
2nd charge : 3.5 Mana
3rd charge : 3 Mana
4th charge : 2.5 Mana
5th charge : 2 mana
*just a example, This is not an accurate Mana Consumption.*
Last, but not the least, AP. Ability Points are always the pain for everyone.
Ap Cost of Ice Bolt
Rank: Human : Elf : Giant
F: 3 : 3 : 3
E: 3 : 3 : 3
D: 3 : 3 : 3
C: 3 : 3 : 3
B: 3 : 3 : 3
A: 3 : 3 : 3
9: 5 : 8 : 5
8: 5 : 8 : 5
7: 5 : 8 : 5
6: 5 : 8 : 5
5: 7 : 13 : 7
4: 8 : 13 : 8
3: 9 : 13 : 9
2: 10 : 13 : 10
1: 20 : 20 : 20
Total AP Usage: 92 : 122 : 92
-Damage and Intel bonus-
Practice: 4~10 Damage, +0 Int
F: 10~20 Damage, +1 Int
E: 11~21 Damage, +2 Int
D: 13~23 Damage, +2 Int
C: 15~25 Damage, +2 Int
B: 18~27 Damage, +3 Int
A: 21~30 Damage, +3 Int
9: 24~35 Damage, +3 Int
8: 28~40 Damage, +4 Int
7: 32~45 Damage, +4 Int
6: 37~48 Damage, +4 Int
5: 48~54 Damage, +4 Int
4: 53~59 Damage, +5 Int
3: 59~65 Damage, +5 Int
2: 63~72 Damage, +5 Int
1: 70~80 Damage, +5 Int. Caster loses only one charge after being knocked down.
*This is because Elves have better Intel bonus which is more fit to be a caster, they made it harder for them to become better mages. This goes same for other skills, Elves are not the best suitable melee and given less strength, therefore AP cost of melee takes less. But bonus gained from skills are lower**
I believe Ice Bolt's usefulness lies within its ability to safely combo - hitting the monster, keeping its distance away from the caster. With Ice Bolt charged and ready, caster is able to help other party member by shooting it at the moment you see another member get hit by monster, which puts monster in a moment of suspension, allowing your party member to safely recuperate from the hit, and continue attacking the monster without having to face death. I believe Ice Bolt is the most basic, and one of the most useful spell that one must learn in order to become a great caster.
~Myabu~
This is my first guide I have ever created, please enjoy.
*I gladly will take any questions, suggestions, and disagrees into consideration, in order to make a better guide for everyone to enjoy. Please feel free to send me messages regarding the Guide.*
