So which is better for your primary caster in IA, a sorcerer or a wizard?

I think that the wildmage is the most powerful arcane caster, even though I would never use him in a no-reload game. The wildmage does have a significant disadvantage though. The reckless dwoemers some times give bad results even with chaos shields. Occasionally, bad things can happen when casting other spells too. But most of the time, I feel like I am taking unfair advantage when using a wildmage. Because of the chaotic nature of the wildmage, some people disregard him as a tool for the tactician. So, whether you think he is too powerful or too risky, please don’t consider the wildmage in this comparison.

In the unmodded game, the sorcerer can nuke the opposition through various tactics, even with his limited spell selection; however, the “nuke” has generally been dismantled in IA to allow greater challenge. The arcane caster generally can no longer decimate an entire group of enemies in 1-4 rounds. Now, I am thinking that knowing more spells than a sorcerer is allowed can be helpful. In IA, metagaming allows you to select just the right spells to succeed in each battle. As a specialist, you can get a similar number of spells to the sorcerer. The wizard is also great for setting up contingencies, and choosing other spells that you may want to know just once. The power to dual is also a great advantage to allow more HP to withstand area of effect spells and better your THAC0, saves, etc. For these reasons, the wizard may be superior to the sorcerer. We are all aware that the sorcerer also has strengths. Which do you prefer as your primary caster (sorcerer, wizard, dual class wizard), and why do you think your choice is best?

Many people have read, but no one cares to venture their opinion? Well, I decided to post some of the reasons that the sorcerer remains worthy of consideration. Although the sorcerer will not be able to get every good spell, he will be able to cast every spell he knows until he reaches the spells/day limit for each level. He basically is allowed to know additional level 9 spells through the use of HLAs, which is very beneficial. However, two of the greatest benefits of the sorcerer is that you don’t have to find that spell you want to learn, and you don’t have to pay for it. Money is relatively tight in the game, and a fat spell book can be Very costly.

I still hope that some players will venture their comments on the issue. Who is your favorite primary caster: dual class wizard, specialist wizard, wizard, or sorcerer?

It depends on whether I want one of them (the arcane casters) to be my protagonist or not. If yes, then I would pick a necromancer as my protagonist and a sorcerer as the second arcane caster. This is because a single class wizard has a lot more chance to gain Robe of the Apprenti than a sorcerer.

If the protagonist is not supposed to be an arcane caster, there are plenty of valid and powerful combinations of arcane casters for a party.

A few examples:

1- Two sorcerers + no other arcane caster:

A very powerful setup. Since they are two, they can cover almost every spell you may need to know during the game and the total number of available daily spells are maximum.The only drawback is that you won't gain xp by learning spells from scrolls, but it's not so important.

2- One sorcerer + 2 F/Ms:

This is a somewhat arcane-heavy setup. Your sorcerer will be your primary caster and those two F/Ms can backup him. Accompanied with a divine caster and two single class warriors, this composition can be very poweful if you play it well. (By F/M I mean multi-class fighter mage)

3- One Sorcerer + 1 F/M + 1 wizard
4- Two sorcerers + 1 F/M:

Again arcane heavy and deadly setups. The player should really know how to play with arcane magic. Since the possibilities of playing with old cheesy methods (such as abusing Project Image) are removed from the game, arcane heavy setups may be a tad risky and difficult for beginners who have not yet developed powerful tactics to play IA, but on the other hand, such setups can be very deadly and powerful in the hands of a tactical guru.

Now each of these 4 templates can be developed into several possible six-members party compositions depending on the other characters you will have in the party with.

So, in general, yes, I believe that sorcerers are more useful than single class mages (except as the protagonist). The drawback you mentioned (that sorcerers can learn fewer spells) can be compensated by having two of them in the party.

Edited for grammar and typos

Don't worry about it. 'Tis how things usually go around BWL (though IA is probably the busiest section ). Give it some time, and people will come.

Most members of BWL are busy => many forums are not. (OK it has to do with the lack of bug reports and with the difficulty/complexity of mods as well )

Although sorcerer is a better than a single class wizard, I wouldn't go with one sorcerer as only arcane user in my party. I would use sorcerer if at least a mage, F/M, another sorcerer or bard (pre 6.0 version) in my party. Alternatively Auramaster could be a replacement also as partially arcane user.
I like when those important arcane spells are known in my party which don't fit into sorcerer spell list.

Yes this is probably good advice. I went through v5 with my sorcerer as my only arcane spell caster; it worked but only because I knew in advance pretty much exactly what spells I wanted and which order to memorise them. However I did also have an auramaster, which went some ways towards making up for the sorcerer's lack of certain spells e.g. Protection from Electricity, Protection from Acid, Death Spell. An auramaster is a very useful support character and is IMO a great 6th character to add to a balanced group of five.

Well, I must be getting the swing of things, because I agree with Sikret - who really knows what he is doing.

On the other hand, I always play a sorcerer, and I'm about ready for something different. I am contemplating a fighter-mage multiclass, berserker 9-mage (primary spell caster), and blade as my arcane powers. It would be nice if the berserker 9-mage was twinked liked Edwin (amulet) or Nalia (improved ring). I don't think this is the most powerful combination, but I think this group will be successful, provide an interesting game, and be a change from my typical team. In my current game, I'm running a sorcerer, blade, and conjurer as my arcane; they are a very powerful group. It most closely matches Sikret's #3 choice as the blade is currently superior to a FM in some ways while inferior in others.

Another possibility for a magic heavy party using NPCs is to have Anomen , Nalia and Aerie in the group.