Specialist Mages: are they worth it?

[krunchyfrogg]

What is your opinion of specialist mages with ToTL installed?

Do the opposing schools make the benefit of an extra spell per level not worth it?

I was thinking of playing with an Illusionist and a Bard as a backup spellcaster. The idea is that the Illusionist can memorize all 9th level spells in this game, while a Bard can learn any spell up to 8th level to cover the Abjuration (Dispel Magic) and Necromancy (Skull Trap, Horrid Wilting) spells my main Mage would miss out on.

[Pellinore]

Specialist mages are great if you have more than one mage. To me, Identify and Skulltrap are a must. Personally I did a fighter/mage and a conjurer.

[Kipi]

I never specialise my mage, because I usually play with a party that has only one mage. ANd I do not want to lose a whole bunch of spells just to gain few extra spells...