Couple of questions on Class and weapons

[you2]

I started a female mage and while I made it through the catacombs I'm finding it rather unenjoyable (two fragile against the orcs). The FAQ suggest that everyone should play warrior as all characters will be more or less equivalent at the end (i.e, a warrior will be an equally good caster). Before I do start over I wanted to see if anyone had some insights. I'm around level 8 and I've put most of my stat points into str/agility so I could use items (with a few in con and magic). I've not improved any of my spells (I've been learning lock pick, alchemy, repair, identify, kris (??) (er the backstab skill) (1 each with 2 in identify).

Also, weapons have a recuperation time which I believe (more or less) indicate how fast you swing. However, what I'm unsure is if a dagger (recuperation 5) swing twice as often as a sword (recuperation 10) or if it is more complex. Also, it is very unclear to me if you are equally likely to hit with both weapons).

Anyways some comments would be appreciated. Not sure if I should continue as mage or start over as survivor or warrior. The faq really seems to encourage warrior since (it seems to suggest) that most stat points should go into str/agility so items can be used (regardless of class) and regardless of 'class' you can build an equally good mage starting as warrior as starting as mage.

[GawainBS]

I finished the game twice, both times with a female spellcaster. One was an archer, the other used swords and shields.
The frailty is a bit of an issue, but can be overcome by using your Meteorstrike liberally against the orcs to gain some levels.
If you're going to use weapons, choose one category and stick with it. Swords are probably the best choice, as they get + to hit, damage and speed from skills.
You can see your chance to hit by hovering over your offense score.
IIRC, the swing time works as you described, but see above for the factor of skills.

[flix]

Don't give up on the mage. My first two times through the game were with a mage. Because of the prevalence of powerful charms midway through the game to the end, vitality and mana can be easily taken care of. But at first, focus on vitality and strength though. Ignore agility, hit and run tactics are best. Only daggers, bows, and a few other weapons will have high agility reqs., and you're not really going to be using it anyway, right. So the mods on the weapon, (such as charm slots, + to skills, etc.) not the damage or recuperation time, are most important. The elemental mage skills are your best friend. Meteorstrike, freeze, lightning. Develop these as much as possible.

You'll be running out of mana with all the spellcasting for a while at first. If you're having problems keeping your magic reserves high enough, look for chicken to eat. Also, develop alchemy asap. Level one lets you combine small potions, a small health+mana= small restoration potion, which ALWAYS restores a large percentage of your life and mana, no matter how huge your mana supply may be. These little potions are much more valuable to you than the individual mana potions alone. Level two alchemy lets you make potions from mushrooms, plants, etc. Again, very valuable.

As a mage, by level 15 or so you can probably give up on strength. Every few levels it may be useful to pump it. If you're too weak for most armor and weapon drops or you're always encumbered, that's a sign to add some to strength.

A warrior may easier at first, but even with charms he won't get the high mana levels of a mage (because of the differences between stat points for the classes).