In DKS magic damage bonuses/enchantments on weapons are applied to the opposite weapons (when duel wielding) and to spells (don't know if it is all spells, but each missile in a Magic Missile volley gets the bonus). That wasn't the case in the original release of D2:ED, where there was debate over whether duel wielding or two handed was better; in DKS there is no question duel wielding is better, particularly for a mage or battle mage type build.


Spells get a damage bonus from intelligence in DKS (at least Magic Missile and Fireball; the opponent I tested on was immune to Firewall), and it helps with your mana recovery rate. For melee combat, you can use weapons with magic or balanced damage, so you shouldn't need to focus on strength.

Stat Point Distribution: What's the best way? (for a mage)

class question! (mage advice and links to related topics)

How to make a less fragile hero?


Playing a ranger, Mana Efficiency allowed me to ignore spirit, especially once I started getting armour with 2 enchantment slots (Life Line was pretty much always my first choice, and Increased Mana usually the second, with a couple resistance enchantments if I was particularly low on something at the time).


I found the creature to be enough help, and didn't bother with summons. If that fits with your desired playstyle, though, the demon and ghost summons are generally considered to be the best (the demon being the best melee summon, and the ghost having the ability to heal you or cast a fireball spell at opponents).
When you get access to that spell, save the game, put a few points into it, and go through part of a flying fortress, or something. If it helps, keep going; if not, you can reload rather than waste those points or pay to unlearn your skills.


In D2:ED with a warrior and DKS with a ranger, I learned one level of Evade (higher levels give less of an effect per skill point).
I never tried any temporary boost spells in D2:ED, or in DKS until I got to level 40, and got a Way of the Ranger spell boost on a bow. Normally I don't find those types of skills worth the upkeep (with both characters I used a couple found stat boost potions for tough fights), but WotR was quite helpful (especially heading into boss fights, and/or combined with close range Splitting Arrows). For Defensive Posture, from Lancet's DKS FAQ/Guide:

Code
DEFENSIVE POSTURE: This is the melee version of Way of the Wise Wizard. It 
increases melee defense and conditioned body at the cost of melee  and ranged 
damage. This isn't terrible, especially at higher levels, but it'll never 
match up to Battle Rage. DO NOT increase it all the way to level 15, however! 
That is no typo below, level 15 really DOES return the boost to Melee and 
Ranged damage to 0%! Keep it at level 14 for the 18% boost.
 Level 6
 Continuous skill
 Cooldown: 30 seconds

 Stats        1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8     9     10
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Melee armour 3     6     9     12    15    18    21    24    27    30
 Condi. Body  3     6     9     12    15    18    21    24    27    30
 Melee damage -20%  -15%  -10%  -5%   0%    2%    4%    6%    8%    10%
 Range damage -20%  -15%  -10%  -5%   0%    2%    4%    6%    8%    10%
 Duration     30    60    90    120   240   240   240   240   240   240
 Mana cost    27    39    51    63    75    87    99    111   123   135

 11    12    13    14    15
--------------------------------
 33    36    39    42    45     Melee armour
 33    36    39    42    45     Condi. Body
 12%   14%   16%   18%   0%     Melee damage
 12%   14%   16%   18%   0%     Range damage
 240   240   240   240   240    Duration
 147   159   171   183   195    Mana cost