Just have to say I'm loving the Baldurs gate 1, learning more and more of the games many intricacies every time I play. Usually if I'm stuck I google and 9 times out of ten I'm rewarded with an answer.
Unfortunately, I'm a bit stuck after acquiring Dynaheir at the gnoll stronghold.
The question concerns Dynaheir being an invoker - yet, I've noticed she can learn, for example: altercation spells. This caused some minor confusion and I just wanted some clarification on the schools of magic. can she learn other schools magic and if so will she be penalised for doing so. Is it wise to learn other schools magic?

Thanks

Long time noob :)

Each school of magic has one or two opposing schools. Specialist mages can learn all spells except these, but they get bonuses for spells from their own school.

List of opposing schools:

Abjuration -> Alteration
Transmutation -> Abjuration, Necromancy
Conjuration -> Divination
Divination -> Conjuration
Enchantment -> Invocation
Illusion -> Necromancy
Invocation-> Enchantment, Conjuration
Necromancy ->Illusion

Actually, you're free to use the extra spell slots you get for specializing, for spells of any school you can cast. This is a good thing because in BG1 not all schools have spells for each level.

If I remember correctly, the oppsition school for Conjuration was changed to Evocation for BG2.

That was for the Heart of Winter expansion for Icewind Dale, which came out after BG2

dunno if you have BGT/BGTuTu in use or if you plan on advancing to BG2 but here's a list of spells you miss with different specializations, this applies at least to BG2 but not sure about BG1 since i don't remember if any of the spells or their schools got edited.

Sorcerer's Place - Download Ezes_mage_specialist_spell_guide.zip

An Invoker (Dynaheir) has access to the least amount of spells with the exception of a Transmuter. I tend to let the Gnolls have her after rescuing her and then keep Minsc. Good luck with your game.

Cheers for the quick replys.

Not using TUTU just everything in the conservative guide to modding BG sticky.

I like the schools of magic idea being a bit more restrictive in this game. Each spell you scribe you have to think in relation to your play style and equipment you possess at that time.
Yet, I'm stilll early in the game and up till this point it hasn't been an issue. My party feels more like a unit now and the tougher fights are easier to handle. I think the game is slightly less punishing then people say, it definatly makes you learn what works and what doesnt.

Who's the best good-aligned wizard in BG1?

I know Edwin or Erwin is the best wizard, but he's evil.

Dynaheir is the only good aligned one (unless you dual class Imoen).

yeah and what makes imoen good is that she can do the school what dynaheir cant do.

If you dual Imoen to mage, you can't specialize can you? You have to be a "general" mage when dualing, yeah?

in BG1 you can dual to a special mage but in BG2 you can't, don't know why they changed that but that's just the way it is (there might be a mod to remedy this though).

problem is with specialty mages is that there requirements are high if i can remember it well i dont know if that is with bg

Mage Type Opposed School(s) Available Races Minimum Stat
Mage None H,E,1/2E N/A
Abjurer <> Alteration H 15 WIS
Conjurer <> Divination H,1/2E 15 CON
Diviner <> Conjuration H,E,1/2E 16 WIS
Enchanter <> Invocation H,E,1/2E 16 CHA
Illusionist <> Necromancy H,G 16 DEX
Invoker <> Enchantment/Conjuration H 16 CON
Necromancer <> Illusion H 16 WIS
Transmuter <> Abjuration H,1/2E 15 DEX

i don't know much about D&D in general but in BG those requirements don't seem to be very high.