Mages in Lineage 2 Interlude have the highest burst damage in the game, a deep vulnerability without support, and a tough choice between specializations. The right mage class determines whether you will be the king of an AoE party or a niche hero for specific tasks.
Overview of All Mage Classes
| Class | Element | Main Role | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spellhowler | Dark / universal | AoE damage | Party farming, Olympiad |
| Spellsinger | Water + ice | AoE + CC | Party farming, Olympiad CC |
| Necromancer | Dark + pets | Solo + debuffs | Solo farming, PvE |
| Warlock | Fire + pets | Solo + pet damage | Solo farming |
| Sorcerer | Fire + lightning | Single-target nuke | Duel, PvP |
Spellhowler: King of AoE
Spellhowler is the undisputed leader among mages for party farming. Hydro Blast and Dark Vortex deliver area damage no other mage in Interlude can beat. In a top AoE party a Spellhowler with Bishop's Acumen buff casts every three seconds.
Pros and Cons of Spellhowler
- ▸Pros: best AoE damage in the game, great in parties, strong Olympiad damage with Dark Vortex.
- ▸Cons: does half damage without support. Extremely MP-hungry (needs Bishop or SE). Dies fast without a healer.
Spellsinger: Ice Control
Spellsinger is slightly weaker than Spellhowler in pure damage but has access to ice CC spells. Freezing Shackle is a unique group root that in Olympiad literally locks all enemies for several seconds. For PvP and Territory Wars, Spellsinger is the more interesting pick.
If you want to play a mage and compete in Olympiad, Spellsinger frequently wins matchups that Spellhowler loses specifically because of ice CC.
Necromancer: The Self-Sufficient Solo Player
Necromancer is the best mage for solo play in Interlude. Shadow Servant and Dark Panther provide independent damage without relying on a party. Cursed Man slows mobs and Corpse Plague applies a DoT. At mid-level spots (55–70) Necromancer farms more reliably solo than any other DD mage.
Necromancer vs Warlock
Both classes use pets but differently. Necromancer summons undead servitors that fight independently. Warlock summons Cubics — energy familiars that automatically attack enemies. Cubics work even in a party, making Warlock a niche but useful group addition.
Sorcerer: Single-Target Specialist
Sorcerer is the best mage for Olympiad 1v1 thanks to high single-target damage. Blaze Quake and Lightning Strike hit harder per cast than equivalents from other mages. The tradeoff is less party value compared to Spellhowler.
What to Choose as a Beginner
If you are new to an Interlude server and want to play a mage, here is a simple decision tree:
- ▸Want party play and efficient farming — Spellhowler.
- ▸Want PvP and Olympiad with crowd control — Spellsinger.
- ▸Want to play mostly solo — Necromancer.
- ▸Want the strongest Olympiad 1v1 and accept weaker party farming — Sorcerer.
All mage classes in Interlude require a Bishop or SE to perform properly. Without MP restoration you spend half your time waiting on recovery. Either find a party or use Spirit Shots and pace yourself carefully.